My Michael Phelps Obsession

Chapter 3

I started left and right to see who wasn't at the wall yet and so far it was just me and and Lara there but the others quickly followed. I rotated my head to look at Kayla and she looked shocked and overly excited I rotated again to see the time board 1st place Lane 4 time: 24.52. I was definatley moving on but that didn't secure the tickets yet. I threw a fist in the air to show my excitement.

The day was long I had qualified for the semi-finals in everything except the 100 and 200 breaststroke but that didn't effect me much since once the finals occured I had came in first for almost everything beside the 200 backstroke I come in third for that.

We still had the 400 and 800 freestyle left and then it was over. I looked over to the wall clock it was almost 8 o'clock. It was the longest meet I have ever been too. I shaked all my muscles trying to stay loose and unnervous since the end was near and these two events were going to determine what was going to happen next. I glanced over at Kayla and my dad in the stands and they were no longer flirting but keeping their eyes unmoving from me and occasionally moving their lips to talk to each other but never making eye contact.

"Excuse me all parents and swimmers there has been some sort of trouble but we will not be holding the finals for the 400 freestyle and the 800 freestyle do to the fact that I have been informed that there is something wrong with the filter system so it could be dangerous to swim in," The announcer informed us everyone moaned and whispers started about what the hell was going on. "The officals are dicussing how the winner will be determined please be patient with us and I am very sorry."

I walked over to my bag and grabbed my red, white and blue warm up jacket that spotted the USA on the back, Kayla had gotten it for me as  a Chirstmas present. I walked over to them and they had come down to the railing seperating us.

"What's going on?" My dad asked confuse like always.

"We can't do the last two finals because there is something wrong with the pool." I explained to him.

"Well whatever happens I love you and you did a great job today kiddo," He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I loved that he was here to support me he was always loved me swimming but ever since my mom left us he had been more supporting and helpful with it.

That's another reason I want to become a famous Olympian was to show my mom what I could do. When I was 8 she left me and my dad because she was getting bore with us she said. I remember when I came home from school to see an empty house until I found my dad in his room on his bed he looked like a dead body laying there. The note was on the dresser and when I went to go read it he didn't stop me sometimes I wish he did though so I wouldn't know the real truth, I wish he had made up some lie about why she left like parents do when your dog dies but he didn't and I read the note.

Dear Bob and Winnie,

This isn't easy to say but I do truely love you both its just that I have meet someone else and he is so much fun. I have grown bored of the married life with a child its the same thing everyday and I needed change. I couldn't live with myself if I just went along thinking I was happy so I left. Please don't follow me or try to contact me. I wish you both the best and I  do love you.

Mom

I never got over that note or forgot it. It took my dad awhile to come out of his room but when he finally did he never addressed the situation so all the question I had at eight never got resolved. She left because she was bored we were boring so if I win a gold medal one day or even be able to compete against the best I hope she sees me and realizes what she left behind and that she feels guilty.

"Ok lady and gentleman the officals have decided to take the best time from the semi-finals and that will be the person that took first in those events then we added the two events in to the scoring and that is how we wil got the winner of this Olympic trial meet." The announcer finished and all the girls squealed at excitement I just froze unable to move curious as to wait they were going to say.

"Ok winning the 400 freestyle with a time of 4:16.45 is Winnie Sullivan," My smile reached my ears oh I was so close my dad kissed my head and Kaylas patted my  shoulder. " Winning the 800 freestyle with a time of 8:29.32 is Winnie Sullivan." My grin got bigger. "And winning the four seats for the swimming at the 2012 London Olympic Games is Winnie Sullivan."

Tears formed in my eye and I couldn't see anymore I havent been this excited since the USA won the relay in 2008. I felt Kaylaand my dad hug and kiss me and I could hear they were sobbing as well. I whipped my tears away from my eyes to get a better look at everyone instead of seeing a white blob, who I assumed was the offical, getting closer and closer to me.

"Congradulations Ms. Sullivan," He put out his hand for me to shake it and I accepted. "Here are your four tickets to the Olympic games." He placed an envelope in my hand and I peeked inside checking they were there, they were. " Tell Phelps I said hi." The offical said has he winked at me and walked away.

I turned around to see my dad and my trainer with the same ear to ear grin as I had looking down at the envelope that I was holding like it was the answer to all the terrible things in the world.

"Come on let's go home, pack and keep those safe we r going to have to leave in two days they start the 25th." Kayla eagerly spoke but never took her eyes off the envelope.

"Ok I need to go get my bag." I walked quickly in the locker room stuffing the envelope into the secret inside pocket of my jacket. When I opened the door I could feel all the stares on me, one especially.

"Good job Winnie! I bet you'll have a great time." A small very blonde came over and congradulate me serperating herself from everyone else.

"Thanks," I responded as I kept walking towards my bag wanting to get home.

I finally reached my bag. I shoved all my stuff in and took out my cell phone. One unread messgae from Laney a simple message saying Hey. I was about to answer it but I stopped and realized I had walked into someone. I looked up to see Lara crossed armed and glaring at me with that same old glare she always gave me.

"Congradulations Winnie," That was all she said as she turned away she looked embarrassed and her eyes wet. I knew why she was upset I wouldn't blame her I would be upset too but I didn't know what to do for her.

I followed her anyway knowing I would feel guilty if I didn't.

"Lara are you ok?" The tears rolled down her face now.

"Yeah you deserved the tickets you were always a better swimmer than me," She said in between sobs this wasn't like her though.

"Thank you Lara, your a great swimmer too."

"Winnie?" She said with a vulnerable tone to it.

"Yes?"

"I'm so sorry I was mean to you all these years we have trained together. I guess I was just always jealous of you. You were always so nice to me when I was still mean to. Why?" The question caught me off guard even though I knew the answer.

"Well Lara I guess because I always figured we would end up being on the USA team together so what was the point of being mean to you." With that my phone buzzed.

Kayla: Where are you

"Lara I got to go." I stood up from the bench and started walking but stopped when she called my name again in that vulnerable tone.

"Have fun and thank you." Lara gave me a new kind of smile not a sly one not a mean one not "I'm better than you" one it was a kind one that said she wanted to be friends. I didn't reply though I just smiled back.

As I continued walking out I answered Laney:

Where going to the Olympics! :)

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Hey guys short chapter I know!

The talk between Winnie and Lara was kind of patheic I know that too

But good news I'm finally going to introduce Michael into the story!!!

Ok I hate people you have such a long authors note section just wanted to inform you and say hi oh yeah and COMMENT VOTE AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!

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