Post by britchick on Oct 5, 2007 15:09:05 GMT -5
This is dedicated to the people on this site who have made me feel so welcome and been really supportive. Thank you so much - I hope you like this chapter!
Title - Apolo & Julianne - What Happened Next? Part 4
Author - Britchick1980
Rating - PG
Disclaimer - This story is a complete and utter figment of my imagination. I have never met either Apolo Anton Ohno or Julianne Hough and the occurrences in this story have been completely fabricated.
Note - Please note that this is my first attempt at writing fiction so please be kind! Any constructive criticism is most welcome because it is the only way in which I will be able to develop my writing skills. Also, please remember that I am British and therefore there will be some disparity in spelling etc.
Apolo & Julianne - What Happened Next? Part 4
“Apolo, its Julianne Hough.” Julianne repeated herself “Can you hear me?”
I could hear her alright – I just couldn’t bring myself to reply. As soon as I hear her voice I knew who it was – no introduction was necessary. It was also around that time that I appear to have lost the capacity to think, breathe or for that matter talk!
So here I was rooted to the spot, in my kitchen, the phone in my hand with a slightly frustrated Julianne on the other end.
“Apolo, are you there? Can you here me?” Julianne tried again.
Talk Apolo, you idiot! Say anything! Grunt even, just do something! If you don’t respond she is going to see right through you. She is going to realise that you haven’t managed to get over her yet, that you are still hurting and that cannot be allowed to happen. Remember the first rule of competition Apolo – show no emotion – it gives your rival the upper hand over you. Common man! Talk!
But still nothing came out of my mouth. After a further minute of so I heard a sigh and a soft click at the other end of the line as Julianne ended the call.
My breathing slowly returned to normal and my vocal chords slowly untangled themselves. What the hell happened there? I thought. Compose yourself man – you can deal with this – she just caught you a little off guard that’s all.Focus Apolo, focus. Remember the second rule of competition - attack is the best form of defence.
After repeating this to myself several times like a mantra, I picked up the phone and punched in *69 to retrieve the number connected with Julianne’s call. Thank God! It’s a cell phone number not a landline. That will lessen the chance of “the husband” answering my call. After taking a focusing breath I dialled her number.
“Hello” a sweet voice on the other end answered. My heart began to pound and my mouth went dry.
“Ca ca can I speak to Julianne Hough” I stuttered. Way to go Apolo! Very smooth, she probably thinks it’s her bank manager calling! It had seemed a good idea in my head – to be more formal than we used to be given what had happened, but somehow it didn’t seem right.
“This is Julianne Hough speaking” Julianne replied. “Who is this?”
“Hi Julianne, it’s Apolo Ohno. How are you?”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the end of the line before she responded. “Hi Apolo, it’s great to hear from you. I’ m doing fine. How are you? I just tried to call you but there must have been a problem with the line.”
“I’m good Julianne. Keeping busy as per usual”, I responded gracefully ignoring her comment about the previous call for fear of making matters worse.
“And how is Yuki?” She enquired.
“Dad is fine Julianne” I said blatantly not wanting to discuss family in fear of her bringing “the husband” into the conversation.
Let’s keep this business like Apolo! Cut straight to the point. Show no emotion. Emotion betrays weakness.
“So Julianne, ‘Dancing With the Stars’, I guess we had better arrange a training schedule if we are gonna win this finale!” Great Apolo! Nice one! She is going to think that you have turned into a right arrogant jerk!
Julianne giggled playfully, “I like your attitude Ohno – still have the mentality of a champion eh?”
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Was she flirting with me? The nerve of the woman! Well she can flirt as much as she likes, it would not work this time. I was sure about that.
I decided to side-step her comment and continued on with trying to make the training arrangements.
“Of course, training this time around should be easier to schedule because my other responsibilities have diminished.” Very business-like Apolo! You pompous buffoon.
“Your other responsibilities have diminished?” Julianne question before realisation dawned.
“Of course, you have retired. I read about that in the paper a while back. So how does it feel to be a free man?”
If she wasn’t flirting then she was definitely trying to instigate a friendly conversation.
“It feels great Julianne” I lied. “Like a new chapter in my life.”
“So what do you think you will do with your life after ‘Dancing With the Stars’ has wrapped?” she enquired.
“Who knows?” I replied. “I’m gonna see where life takes me.”
“So are you still planning a future in entertainment?” Julianne tried again to draw me out of myself.
“Prehaps, I have also thought about getting involved in training kids aswell though. The sport has looked after me well and maybe it’s time I gave something back. I really think .....” I stopped my sentence mid-flow realising that I was doing exactly what I had promised myself I wouldn’t do – I was confiding in her like a friend.
Stop this Apolo, stop this right now! If you treat her like a friend, you two will slowly become close again and you know where that will lead man – heartbreak city. Stop it, stop it, stop it!
I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breathe and continued on bringing up the subject of dance training again.
“So Julianne, what is the planning for training?”
“Well Apolo, we really need to arrange a meeting to discuss this in person so we can sit down, compare schedules and make a full 16 week training plan.”
“16 weeks?” I interrupted “but the competition is only 12 weeks long.”
“Yeah, I know, but we really should start training 4 weeks before the show starts to ensure that you are up to speed on things. There will be no easing your way into things this time Apolo, all the contestants are previous champions so we need to make sure that we get off to a flying start.”
“OK, you’re right, so when do you want to meet up?”
She paused momentarily before asking “Where are you now Apolo?”
“I’m still in Vancouver, I thought I’d hang about to support the rest of the team in their events and then of course there is the closing ceremony.”
“Vancouver huh? Well I have some free time over the next couple of days so I could make a flying visit to see you so we can get the ball rolling. How does tomorrow suit you? We could have some lunch and discuss things!”
Tomorrow! I panicked. I hadn’t expected it to be so soon. I told Julianne that I would have to check my diary and then put her on hold to give myself a chance to breathe.
You can do this Apolo man, you can! Think about this logically, the sooner you get this first meeting over and done with the better. You will just blow it up out of all proportion in your head if you give yourself time.
I ran my left hand through my hair and then hit the hold button to release it.
“Tomorrow is fine Julianne, I have some press engagements but I can fit you in for lunch. Where would you like to meet?”
“Actually Apolo, I don’t know Vancouver very well at all so I was hoping that you could meet me at the airport and we could go onto lunch from there.”
“Sure Julianne, no problem” I replied, “I actually know a little place near to the airport that does great food, we can go there”.
“That sounds wonderful” she sighed “It’s a date!”
Those final words out of her mouth took my breath away.
No, it’s not a date Julianne. IT IS NOT A DATE. My brain screamed. It is a professional meeting between teacher and pupil – that’s all, definitely not a date.
Luckily, non of this escaped from my mouth. It was instead replaced with “I believe that the early morning flight from LA gets into Vancouver at about 11.30 in the morning so should I meet you then?”
“OK, 11.30 it is”, she paused a second before adding “I can’t wait to see you again Apolo, we have a lot to catch up on. I’ve missed you”.
What did she mean by that? My brain went into over-drive. Could she still have feelings for me? Could she still possibly be in love with me?
Stop it Apolo! She didn’t mean anything by that comment, you are over-analysing things again. Besides, what do you care? You are so over this relationship Ohno!
“OK Julianne”, I took control again, “See you tomorrow at 11.30 then” I said before hanging up.
I went about the remainder of my day in a daze. Supporting the team, press engagements, eating dinner ... all with Julianne on my mind.
As I climber into bed that night I gave myself a little pep-talk.
Everything will be OK man. You and Julianne will train, compete in this d**n show, maybe sort a few things out along the way and then it is over. Period. You will go your separate ways with a new found contentment have resolved past issues. It will be fine.
But as I drifted off to sleep that night, the only thought running through my mind was Julianne’s words “I can’t wait to see you again Apolo, I’ve missed you.”
Title - Apolo & Julianne - What Happened Next? Part 4
Author - Britchick1980
Rating - PG
Disclaimer - This story is a complete and utter figment of my imagination. I have never met either Apolo Anton Ohno or Julianne Hough and the occurrences in this story have been completely fabricated.
Note - Please note that this is my first attempt at writing fiction so please be kind! Any constructive criticism is most welcome because it is the only way in which I will be able to develop my writing skills. Also, please remember that I am British and therefore there will be some disparity in spelling etc.
Apolo & Julianne - What Happened Next? Part 4
“Apolo, its Julianne Hough.” Julianne repeated herself “Can you hear me?”
I could hear her alright – I just couldn’t bring myself to reply. As soon as I hear her voice I knew who it was – no introduction was necessary. It was also around that time that I appear to have lost the capacity to think, breathe or for that matter talk!
So here I was rooted to the spot, in my kitchen, the phone in my hand with a slightly frustrated Julianne on the other end.
“Apolo, are you there? Can you here me?” Julianne tried again.
Talk Apolo, you idiot! Say anything! Grunt even, just do something! If you don’t respond she is going to see right through you. She is going to realise that you haven’t managed to get over her yet, that you are still hurting and that cannot be allowed to happen. Remember the first rule of competition Apolo – show no emotion – it gives your rival the upper hand over you. Common man! Talk!
But still nothing came out of my mouth. After a further minute of so I heard a sigh and a soft click at the other end of the line as Julianne ended the call.
My breathing slowly returned to normal and my vocal chords slowly untangled themselves. What the hell happened there? I thought. Compose yourself man – you can deal with this – she just caught you a little off guard that’s all.Focus Apolo, focus. Remember the second rule of competition - attack is the best form of defence.
After repeating this to myself several times like a mantra, I picked up the phone and punched in *69 to retrieve the number connected with Julianne’s call. Thank God! It’s a cell phone number not a landline. That will lessen the chance of “the husband” answering my call. After taking a focusing breath I dialled her number.
“Hello” a sweet voice on the other end answered. My heart began to pound and my mouth went dry.
“Ca ca can I speak to Julianne Hough” I stuttered. Way to go Apolo! Very smooth, she probably thinks it’s her bank manager calling! It had seemed a good idea in my head – to be more formal than we used to be given what had happened, but somehow it didn’t seem right.
“This is Julianne Hough speaking” Julianne replied. “Who is this?”
“Hi Julianne, it’s Apolo Ohno. How are you?”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the end of the line before she responded. “Hi Apolo, it’s great to hear from you. I’ m doing fine. How are you? I just tried to call you but there must have been a problem with the line.”
“I’m good Julianne. Keeping busy as per usual”, I responded gracefully ignoring her comment about the previous call for fear of making matters worse.
“And how is Yuki?” She enquired.
“Dad is fine Julianne” I said blatantly not wanting to discuss family in fear of her bringing “the husband” into the conversation.
Let’s keep this business like Apolo! Cut straight to the point. Show no emotion. Emotion betrays weakness.
“So Julianne, ‘Dancing With the Stars’, I guess we had better arrange a training schedule if we are gonna win this finale!” Great Apolo! Nice one! She is going to think that you have turned into a right arrogant jerk!
Julianne giggled playfully, “I like your attitude Ohno – still have the mentality of a champion eh?”
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Was she flirting with me? The nerve of the woman! Well she can flirt as much as she likes, it would not work this time. I was sure about that.
I decided to side-step her comment and continued on with trying to make the training arrangements.
“Of course, training this time around should be easier to schedule because my other responsibilities have diminished.” Very business-like Apolo! You pompous buffoon.
“Your other responsibilities have diminished?” Julianne question before realisation dawned.
“Of course, you have retired. I read about that in the paper a while back. So how does it feel to be a free man?”
If she wasn’t flirting then she was definitely trying to instigate a friendly conversation.
“It feels great Julianne” I lied. “Like a new chapter in my life.”
“So what do you think you will do with your life after ‘Dancing With the Stars’ has wrapped?” she enquired.
“Who knows?” I replied. “I’m gonna see where life takes me.”
“So are you still planning a future in entertainment?” Julianne tried again to draw me out of myself.
“Prehaps, I have also thought about getting involved in training kids aswell though. The sport has looked after me well and maybe it’s time I gave something back. I really think .....” I stopped my sentence mid-flow realising that I was doing exactly what I had promised myself I wouldn’t do – I was confiding in her like a friend.
Stop this Apolo, stop this right now! If you treat her like a friend, you two will slowly become close again and you know where that will lead man – heartbreak city. Stop it, stop it, stop it!
I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breathe and continued on bringing up the subject of dance training again.
“So Julianne, what is the planning for training?”
“Well Apolo, we really need to arrange a meeting to discuss this in person so we can sit down, compare schedules and make a full 16 week training plan.”
“16 weeks?” I interrupted “but the competition is only 12 weeks long.”
“Yeah, I know, but we really should start training 4 weeks before the show starts to ensure that you are up to speed on things. There will be no easing your way into things this time Apolo, all the contestants are previous champions so we need to make sure that we get off to a flying start.”
“OK, you’re right, so when do you want to meet up?”
She paused momentarily before asking “Where are you now Apolo?”
“I’m still in Vancouver, I thought I’d hang about to support the rest of the team in their events and then of course there is the closing ceremony.”
“Vancouver huh? Well I have some free time over the next couple of days so I could make a flying visit to see you so we can get the ball rolling. How does tomorrow suit you? We could have some lunch and discuss things!”
Tomorrow! I panicked. I hadn’t expected it to be so soon. I told Julianne that I would have to check my diary and then put her on hold to give myself a chance to breathe.
You can do this Apolo man, you can! Think about this logically, the sooner you get this first meeting over and done with the better. You will just blow it up out of all proportion in your head if you give yourself time.
I ran my left hand through my hair and then hit the hold button to release it.
“Tomorrow is fine Julianne, I have some press engagements but I can fit you in for lunch. Where would you like to meet?”
“Actually Apolo, I don’t know Vancouver very well at all so I was hoping that you could meet me at the airport and we could go onto lunch from there.”
“Sure Julianne, no problem” I replied, “I actually know a little place near to the airport that does great food, we can go there”.
“That sounds wonderful” she sighed “It’s a date!”
Those final words out of her mouth took my breath away.
No, it’s not a date Julianne. IT IS NOT A DATE. My brain screamed. It is a professional meeting between teacher and pupil – that’s all, definitely not a date.
Luckily, non of this escaped from my mouth. It was instead replaced with “I believe that the early morning flight from LA gets into Vancouver at about 11.30 in the morning so should I meet you then?”
“OK, 11.30 it is”, she paused a second before adding “I can’t wait to see you again Apolo, we have a lot to catch up on. I’ve missed you”.
What did she mean by that? My brain went into over-drive. Could she still have feelings for me? Could she still possibly be in love with me?
Stop it Apolo! She didn’t mean anything by that comment, you are over-analysing things again. Besides, what do you care? You are so over this relationship Ohno!
“OK Julianne”, I took control again, “See you tomorrow at 11.30 then” I said before hanging up.
I went about the remainder of my day in a daze. Supporting the team, press engagements, eating dinner ... all with Julianne on my mind.
As I climber into bed that night I gave myself a little pep-talk.
Everything will be OK man. You and Julianne will train, compete in this d**n show, maybe sort a few things out along the way and then it is over. Period. You will go your separate ways with a new found contentment have resolved past issues. It will be fine.
But as I drifted off to sleep that night, the only thought running through my mind was Julianne’s words “I can’t wait to see you again Apolo, I’ve missed you.”
I can't wait for the next chapter. 
