So this is it, the feeling that I've missed.
A subtle kind of pain that keeps me from sleep.
I try to explain how your touch drives me insane,
I can't spend a night without wishing I was with you.
"Nastia! Get your things packed please!" I yelled from her bed. She gave me a death glare from the closet and proceeded to throw her whole suitcase on top of me in revenge.
"Would you like to ask a bit nicer best friend dearest?" She smirked while holding the luggage on top of my frame. She was small of course but still as strong as a rhino. Stupid gymnasts. But I guess this is what I get for befriending her in the 2nd grade; a best friend who decided to bring me to one of the most important events in her life. The Olympics in Beijing, China.I deserve it though, right?
"Nastia, save your energy for totally manhandling those little Chinese girls, alright?" I laughed as I pushed her off me. "Valeri will agree with me, right Val?"
Her father peeked in the doorway and looked at me. "You said something?"
"I was just wondering if you agree that instead of your daughter using all of her energy to try and suffocate me, she should save it for beating those other gymnasts?"
"Yes Anastasia, now get off Becca and get to packing, we have to leave to meet your team at the airport in 4 hours," He pointed a finger at her and removed his head from the doorway.
"Thanks Becca I totally appreciate you reaffirming your views with my father," She laughed and hit my in the head with a sock.
"The abuse continues!" I picked the sock back up and threw it in her direction.
"Now that you got me back quit your whining and help me finish packing." She sighed as I got up to help her empty her whole closet in the suitcase.
Beijing, China : 7:30 PM
"That plane ride was brutal," I said tumbling out of the terminal.
"Now you know what I feel like, almost everyday of my life," Nastia laughed as we went to the baggage claim. I punched her in the arm lightly.
"Your fault for being a world-class gymnast my friend,"
She looked at me and sighed. "You could be too you know, if you actually liked competing."
"Yeah, but I go to Val's gym just to improve for myself, I don't like doing it for others." I laughed.
She looked at me again and sighed.
"You're impossible."
"I was bound to be, it was eighteen years in the making,"
She pushed me with all the weight she could muster from her small frame making me budge about 2 inches. I just let it slide because I hated getting in these little fights about my gymnastics with her.
We got our bags and met up with Shawn Johnson at the airport exit and boarded the bus that would take us to the Olympic Village. The bus ride wasn't too long but I was out like a light by the time we turned the first corner. Upon arrival at the Village there was a group of Oriental men who came and took our luggage to our assigned rooms and of course I was paired with Nastia and the other gymnast, Chelsie Memmel. It didn't take us to long to unpack and leave the room to venture around to meet the other Olympians. Everyone stayed at the village and I didn't realize how huge it was until we started to walk. Athletes from Ukraine, Jamaica, Austrailia, Croatia, all over were there.
"Let's go to the United State's room," Nastia said taking my hand and pulling me away from the Austrailian rower that was taking my attention with his accent.
"Well you're no fun," I said as she continued to drag me.
We walked around the halls before Nastia fianlly gave in and needed to ask for directions. The worker pointed us in the direction down the hall and there we saw double doors with the big sign that said "USA" over the door.
Didn't we feel smart.
We ran down the hallway and opened the doors. Seeing Shawn had saved us some seats at a table with her and a couple other people we made our way over. Nastia took the seat that would make her be sitting between me and Shawn, but what else is new? She hated sitting by people she didn't know. I sat down and looked to the guy on my right.
"Hi, I'm Becca," I smiled and stuck out my hand.
"Alexander, Alexander Artemev," He smiled back and shook my hand. "What country are you competing for? Cause I know I haven't seen you around the US facilities at all,"
"I'm not competing, I'm Nastia's friend," I pointed to her.
"But she could be competing if she was smart," Nastia threw in while she was still facing Shawn.
Alexander looked at her and then me, confused.
"What does she mean by that?"
"All she means is that--"
"What I mean," Nastia cut in again, "is that if she actually enjoyed competing she could beat all of us, but she's dumb and doesn't embrace her talent," She said giving me 'the eye'.
"You'll get over it," I said stealing a sip from the water a waiter had brought her.
"So why don't you compete?" Alexander looked at me.
"Just not for me, you know?" I laughed.
I continued to talk to Alexander for the remainder of the time that we were in the room but I couldn't help but feel as though I was being watched.
And I was right.
