POV: Skylar

"Today's the day," she whispers.

I stare out the huge window, curtains drawn, soft moonlight lighting up the room. My heart hasn't stopped beating quickly for the past 2 days. 

Today is the day.

"You nervous?" she brushes my hair behind my ear.

I finally meet her auburn eyes.

"A little," I admit.

"You'll do great."

"I'm only going up against the best of the best in the world," I smirk.

"Is that all?"

I sit up and sigh, she sits up too, rubbing my back.

I have an early start today. I have to be at the stadium by 6 in the morning. It's just past 5. Aphrodite stayed with me in my hotel in Paris these past couple of weeks. My mom and Oli are back in London, but they fly out today. It's only an hour flight.

"I'll go start the shower for you." She says.

"Please," I peck her on the lips.

She gets up and stretches. I follow suit, grabbing our clothes off the floor and tossing them to the side. I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom. Aphrodite flushes the toilet just as I walk in. I pull her nude body into my arms and sway with her for a moment, dancing to nonexistent music.

"You'll be fine, you're going to do great." She assures me as I bury my head into her shoulder.

"I checked my times; they aren't good enough for gold."

"Just try your best. I'll be happy even if you don't medal."

"Tell that to the rest of America," I grumble.

"You got this," she assures me.

I sigh and pull away before stepping into the shower. She steps in after me, rubbing my back as warm water washes over us. I take a deep breath to center myself before getting into the mindset. After a quick shower, I get changed and put on my shoes before I get a ride to the stadium.

After going through the many checkups and stretching and warming up I find myself out on the track. It's like I blinked, and I was there. The stadium is full, I loosen up and bounce in place at the start line. I'm in the team America uniform, a number on my chest.

The ladies next to me varying in age and size do various versions of loosening up and stretching, getting ready for the match.

My mom and sister get a sideline seat. I wave at them, and they smile at me and cheer me on. I look into the stands and see Aphrodite, but she's not alone. Darleen and Mackenzie are with her, but also,

Jade.

She smiles big and wide at me, waving hi.

I can't help but smile back and wave at them.

"You got this!" I hear Jade cheer.

I giggle.

"Runner's line up." The announcers say.

I take my spot and get into position.

We wait, and the world around me goes silent as I zone in. I take three deep breaths, staring at the track in front of me. Then, the starting shot and we all take off. It's just me and the track. The people around me fade away, including all the other runners.

I just run, as hard and as fast as I can. Putting everything I got into it. All or nothing. One foot in front of the other, my shoes crunching on the ground with each step. With each breath, the finish line gets closer and closer.

The illusion is shattered though when I see someone pull up beside me and then pull ahead of me.

That's when I realize I was in first, was, because now I'm in second.

She's tall, graceful-looking, and built like a machine. She can definitely beat me. She's from Jamaica.

My stomach fills with all this dread, knots of frustration, and disappointment as she pulls farther and farther ahead. I can feel my energy running low. I don't know if I have what it takes to catch up.

But I have to try.

I give it all of me. Every last drop, running so hard my muscles feel like they will rip right off of my bones. The crowd goes wild as I pull up next to her, with only a few feet left until the finish.

She glances at me, I keep on pushing ahead. We are both sweaty and out of breath.

"Come on Skylar!" I hear Jade's voice somewhere in the sea of voices.

It gives me a boost of energy.

Makes it possible for me to push ahead one last little bit just as we make it across the line.

It's a photo finish.

I put my hands on my hips and gasp for air.

We were really ahead of the others; they all pulled in one by one. Most have given up by now.

The girl who finished with me comes up to me and offers her hand. I smile and we shake. We all stand around waiting for the results as the judges deliberate the photos and video evidence.

Even if I don't get gold, I still get silver. Which is pretty good too.

We walk off to the side and get water and rest up, I take my second drink when they announce it.

A tie.

Both of us, tied for first.

Which just means we both get gold.

I sigh in relief.

The girl who came up in second will get a bronze, no silver medal will be awarded due to the tie.

This is a rare event, a tie in the Olympics while not unheard of is rare. A tie for first is very rare. Media and all the fanfare bombard me as soon as I leave the track.

"Skylar, how does it feel to tie for first?"

"What was going through your head during the event?"

"Whew, let me catch my breath guys," I laugh as I try and steady my breathing. "I was so in the zone that I didn't even notice I fell behind. I started panicking and just really wanted to win. I heard the voices of my friends and family, and I knew I had to give it my all. Leave it all on the track, whatever the result at least I could say I gave it everything I had. I'm just as shocked as you guys are. I have no doubt the results will be challenged, as they should be during situations like this. But I'm just happy it's over. You know, the other runners put up a real challenge and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. I can't wait for tomorrow's event and plan to rest up and do it all again tomorrow."

I have to wait another hour or so for them to review the evidence again just to be sure. I honestly feel like I didn't win, I was neck and neck with her, but I was sure she was still ahead by the end of it.

The results stand.

A tie.

We have to stand for the medal presentation ceremony. A gold medal is placed around my neck and I have my picture taken. It's heavier than I thought it would be.

Afterward, I go meet my mom and sister and we hug it out as the media once again takes our picture.

"Skylar!" Jade runs into my arms.

"Jade!" I giggle, "what are you doing here!?" I ask.

"Surprise, like I'd miss this. You should know me by now." She looks into my eyes.

"You're crazy, you should have told me you were coming, I could have gotten you a better seat."

"I was able to trade with a guy to sit next to Kenzie."

"I'm so happy that you're here," I hug her close to me.

"I'm so proud of you," she mumbles into me.

Aphrodite clearing her throat makes us finally pull apart.

Oli and my mom share a knowing look.

"You did it! I told you," Aphrodite jumps into my arms.

I sway her around before kissing her.

She smiles into the kiss.

"One more event to go," I say as we pull apart.

"I'm not worried," she says before kissing me again.

I giggle into the kiss.

"Besides, you better win, I don't date losers." She teases.

"Now I have to win." I playfully tease back.

"Can we keep it PG here, you two are going to make me lose my lunch," Kenzie says.

Darleen laughs.

"Speaking of lunch, I know you are starved," Aphrodite says to me.

"You know me so well," I sigh.

She grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers. I smile at her.

"Well, where to? I've never been to Paris before." Mom speaks up.

I turn to her and catch a glimpse of Jade averting her eyes from me in pain. It makes my chest tighten and I have to look away from the sight lest my own facial expression give away the true pain I feel.