My Birthday was nearing, and it was just a couple of days after I would arrive in Beijing.
To be exact, it would be about, ten days after the Opening Ceremony.
"Gah..." I heard my Best Friend, Jenny, calling at me at the side. "Why a whole month, Amelia?"
I filed up my necessary things - my passport, visa cards and other paper works and such before I turned to face the people who were bidding me goodbye. Especially Jenny, she was the one who was left behind for a whole month on her own at the apartment.
"Fucking hell."
I could see the others expression, especially the tall, white and adorable friend. It caused me to laugh at the thought of what he was about to say. Russell was also one of my other close friends (who I truthfully dated back during High School). Though I lost interest him after Graduation, we remained close friends because he probably understood that I chose my education and future before anything else.
"A whole month and your Birthday too?" He teased as he wrapped his arms around me for a tight embrace; I wrapped my arms around his torso as I continued to release mere giggles.
"Oh stop being such a crybaby," I spoke against his shirt as I pulled away, I was all set and packed and all I had to do was bid farewell to the people who would miss me most.
"Don't forget about Lochte, okay?"
I pressed my finger against the 'on' button on the camera as I looked over at Jenny; she had her arms crossed and a pout at her lips as she sighed. She wasn't able to come with me... Well because I forbid her to tag along.
"Jenny, for months now you have nagged me about him," I chuckled as I gave my camera to my older Sister and stood in between the two main friends who actually came along to say goodbye, I brightened my smile and posed in between them. "Of course I wouldn't forget," I added.
...Flash...
"Enough, enough," Michael Phelps waved around his hand to the photographers who made him unable to see for a few seconds at every step he took, and since it was early in the morning at the airport, he couldn't help but feel a bit cranky upon their arrival. Especially when he and his fellow rival slash friend, Ryan Lochte, sat aside him in the plane, of course he would lack sleep from Ryan's constant flirting with the stewardess.
"Just pose."
"Can't be bothered," the swimmer spoke to his friend who had occasionally stopped at the spot to pose along side the World Champion before he followed. "I need sleep, Ryan." He added lazily, which caused Ryan to nudge him a bit before they entered the white car that Michael's coach had used to drive towards the Village.
Unlike other American Athletes, Ryan and Michael were the second ones there - who had arrived a week earlier the expected date of arrival in Beijing.
"Why?" Lochte asked as he seated himself comfortably on the other side of the back seats, he had looked at his friend who had sat with the assigned Team USA pants and jacket, his arms crossed and his eyelids half closed. Michael had released a tiresome sigh as he glanced lazily towards Ryan and muttered, "Ryan, you suggested that we come here earlier than the others," Michael released a yawn and added, "besides, it's like 4am and every photographer took a bad shot at me... So let me sleep and before we go sightseeing in the morning..."
"Far out," Ryan exclaimed, "you are such a party pooper."
"What's wrong with that?" Michael asked as he peeked an eye open at Ryan, since he promised himself and even told Ryan that he wasn't going to much around, he yawned once again and added, "I have my goals you know, and I think it's time for me to set it first then my life... Parties last, Ryan."
"A Girlfriend."
Michael opened both eyes and arched a brow. "What?"
His friend crossed his arms as he looked at Michael with a smirk. "A Girlfriend," he repeated, "I think you need one."
"Why?"
The question and the tone Michael gave out had made Ryan laugh out loud; he looked at Michael and shook his head while continuing to laugh.
"What?"
"... You're so..." Ryan spoke between chuckles, "Ok... Ok... Woo," he waved his hand to create air for him to breathe and ooze his laughter, "I'm just saying that you need a Girlfriend but your expression was priceless."
"No." Michael quickly declined the suggestion straight away.
"Let me finish," Ryan hush his friend as he continued, "you've got all the flings and all that, but don't you think it's time to get a Girlfriend so that you can actually dedicate those planned 8 Gold Medals to someone other than your Mother?"
Michael closed his eyes and turned his head the other way. "I guess..."
There was silence.
"I guess...?" Ryan repeated as he looked at the other side, "why not get two?" He had to add as he released a slight chuckle; Michael shook his head and turned to Ryan with a glare from his sleepy eyes. "Less likely," Michael stated as he re-closed his eyes, "a Girlfriend is another commitment, not a toy."
"I know," Lochte chuckled as he yawned and closed his eyes. "But you should think about what I said, who knows, I might be right."
