(This story is based on a real event, but the subsequent story is obviously quite a fantasy!)
*
The crowd roars as the Chinese Anthem plays. The "home team" had just held on to win a gold medal in female team gymnastics. Their team of women, or girls, had matched their men's team feat of only a day earlier. The Chinese team stands atop the podium, enjoying the applause being showered upon them by their countrymen.
One step below them, the American team politely smiled with their silver medals hanging around their necks. They had lost to a very good team and their coach had assured them they had nothing to be ashamed of. The six members of Team USA wait patiently for this ceremony to conclude, but one face doesn't show a smile. In fact, she is doing all she can to hold back her tears.
Alicia Sacramone is one of the best gymnasts in the world, but at this moment she feels sick. Only moments earlier, Alicia had fallen from the balance beam and then fallen again during her floor show. It could easily be said that the Chinese team would have won without either penalty to the Americans, but Alicia was bearing the entire weight on her shoulders.
Alicia knows this is her last trip to the Olympics, as she is now almost 21 years old. Images from her career enter her mind as she thinks back over the last several years. She should be happy as most gymnasts would kill for the chance to be wearing a medal from the Olympics, no matter what its color might be.
Finally, the music ends and the girls all exchange pleasantries. Alicia wastes no time and heads for the exit. She can hardly wait to get out of this arena and find some way to relax. She pushes open a door and makes her way down one of the many hallways in this expansive building. She stares at the floor as she marches along, replaying recent events in her mind.
Five minutes later she reaches the room reserved for the gymnasts, coaches and team support staff. Team USA's locker area is near the back of the room and she makes her way to her locker. She takes a seat on a bench and puts her head in her hands.
"Hey.." says a voice from behind her. She doesn't even look up as she recognizes the voice to be that of Mike, one of the equipment guys. "You know this stuff happens to the best, and it did tonight."
She sniffles and chuckles for a second. "Thanks, but I cost us the gold out there."
"Nah, even the guys on NBC are saying that China was just too good. They said that even without your penalties, China would have won."
"Doesn't make me feel much better... I mean if I could have had a clean routine then maybe the others could have made a better push to get a couple more points and then maybe we could have won!"
"Don't beat yourself up over this, you need to get ready for your next event!"
"I don't know if I can go back out there, Mike."
"Sure, sure, you're gonna be fine!" he says as he takes a seat next to her on the bench.
"This is my last shot though, I mean I'll be twenty-one in December, I'll probably be done performing forever in just a couple days."
"Look, Alicia, you are one of the best in the WORLD! There is always going to be a place in gymnastics for you!" he says as he puts his hand on her shoulder.
She sighs and then turns to look at him. Her tears have caused her makeup to streak down her face. Her big brown eyes display her sadness along with the little pout on her lips. Mike had become good friends with all the gymnasts of the last couple of years, but he always held a special place of Alicia.
Mike, being only 22, had been a football and basketball player in high school. He chose to forgo college sports for a career in sports physical therapy. One of his professors had been impressed with Mike and called in a favor to get him an internship with the Olympic committee. Little did he know, two short years later, he would be in Beijing with the women's gymnastics team.
To top of that surreal thought, he now was staring into the eyes of Alicia Sacramone. She is easily the best looking girl on the team and she is only about a year younger than he is. Mike turns to straddle the bench and just stares deep into her eyes.
After what seems like an eternity, he slowly leans forward and gently kisses her on the lips. She doesn't pull away, so he begins kissing her harder. Then, she opensd her mouth and he immediately takes his cue to devour her lips. She puts her hands on his head, running her fingers through his hair. She lifts her leg and turns so she too is straddling the bench.
He hugs her closer as they continue to make out. Growing bolder, he feels for the zipper on the back of her uniform. He doesn't miss a beat in their make out session as he finally locates the tiny metal prize.
Slowly he begins tugging the zipper downward, feeling the tension of the uniform beginning to disappear with each inch of advancement. Alicia sits up straight and looks Mike in the eye.
"What are you doing mister?"
"Oh, uh, well... I thought of something that might help you relax."
