Post by teri on Sept 2, 2008 22:56:09 GMT -5
Apolo rubbed his neck trying to ease his tense muscles. Seeing Katrina again was wonderful yet harder than he thought it would be. He put his seat back and tried to relax and get some rest. Closing his eyes he pictured Katrina. It was hard seeing her so sad and angry. There wasn’t a day these past few years he didn’t think of her, dream of being with her, holding her and loving her.
Flashback
“Katrina, meet me at the family welcome center tomorrow”, Apolo asked yet again. He and Katrina had been on the phone every day. He wanted to see her face to face before his first race.
“Apolo, you don’t have time. You’ve been working for years to be here in Salt Lake City. You have to focus”, Katrina said sounding worried.
“I’ll make time. I need to see you”, Apolo insisted. Katrina finally agreed to meet him but he could tell she was hesitant.
They met the next afternoon and found a corner to themselves. Apolo looked a Katrina and felt his stomach flutter. How can I be so calm about the upcoming races and yet be so nervous about talking to Katrina now, he thought.
“Apolo, are you alright? What is going on”, Katrina asked looking a little nervous herself.
“I’m fine, I just missed you and wanted to see you and talk to you”, Apolo said taking her hand in his.
Katrina laughed, “Apolo we talk every day.”
“I know, but I wanted to be with you before things got too crazy”, Apolo said seriously while gazing into her eyes.
“Apolo stop. We have talked about this. I’m too old for you, we work together, this isn’t good for you, especially now”, said Katrina sadly.
“No Katrina.” Apolo’s dark eyes flashed with suppressed desire. He moved closer to her, his voice lowering. We both have feelings for each other. You can’t deny it”, he said as Katrina closed her eyes and shook her head. “Katrina, I know what I feel, what I want, and after the Olympics I’ll have time to spend with you.” Apolo leaned in and kissed her gently. She tasted of peaches and honey and he breathed in her scent. She was melting into his arms and he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Mr. Ohno. Mr. Ohno. Someone was calling his name. Apolo opened his eyes and rubbed his face with one hand. Mr. Ohno, we are landing, please put your seat up and fasten your seatbelt.
^^^^^^^^^^
Once back at the training center Apolo decided he would grab a quick dinner and head out for a run. Running was always a great way for him to think and work through problems.
Heading out Apolo reflected on his meeting today with Katrina. He was pleased that his plans for marketing the team and making short track more popular were moving ahead, but it was hard to hear what Katrina was telling him about how she felt seeing him again. He couldn’t believe things had turned out so wrong between them.
He knew a lot of it was his fault, but not totally. Katrina never understood his need to put his training first. To block everything else that might distract him out during those times. He new it was hard. It was hard for him too but it was the only way he knew how to reach his goals. Total focus, total immersion, total dedication, that is what made him the best at his sport.
He wished it could have been different and knew that it soon would be. Soon he would be finished competing and could start a new phase of his life. He would have time for and wanted a serious relationship and he wanted it with Katrina.
Picturing her in his mind, he could almost smell her perfume and it brought a smile to his face.
Apolo turned back to the center and quickened his pace. I’m going to win her back, Apolo thought with a determined look on his face. Anything worth having is worth working hard for. Goodness knows Apolo was used to working hard but Katrina had no idea how hard he was prepared to work at what he truly wanted.
Flashback
“Katrina, meet me at the family welcome center tomorrow”, Apolo asked yet again. He and Katrina had been on the phone every day. He wanted to see her face to face before his first race.
“Apolo, you don’t have time. You’ve been working for years to be here in Salt Lake City. You have to focus”, Katrina said sounding worried.
“I’ll make time. I need to see you”, Apolo insisted. Katrina finally agreed to meet him but he could tell she was hesitant.
They met the next afternoon and found a corner to themselves. Apolo looked a Katrina and felt his stomach flutter. How can I be so calm about the upcoming races and yet be so nervous about talking to Katrina now, he thought.
“Apolo, are you alright? What is going on”, Katrina asked looking a little nervous herself.
“I’m fine, I just missed you and wanted to see you and talk to you”, Apolo said taking her hand in his.
Katrina laughed, “Apolo we talk every day.”
“I know, but I wanted to be with you before things got too crazy”, Apolo said seriously while gazing into her eyes.
“Apolo stop. We have talked about this. I’m too old for you, we work together, this isn’t good for you, especially now”, said Katrina sadly.
“No Katrina.” Apolo’s dark eyes flashed with suppressed desire. He moved closer to her, his voice lowering. We both have feelings for each other. You can’t deny it”, he said as Katrina closed her eyes and shook her head. “Katrina, I know what I feel, what I want, and after the Olympics I’ll have time to spend with you.” Apolo leaned in and kissed her gently. She tasted of peaches and honey and he breathed in her scent. She was melting into his arms and he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Mr. Ohno. Mr. Ohno. Someone was calling his name. Apolo opened his eyes and rubbed his face with one hand. Mr. Ohno, we are landing, please put your seat up and fasten your seatbelt.
^^^^^^^^^^
Once back at the training center Apolo decided he would grab a quick dinner and head out for a run. Running was always a great way for him to think and work through problems.
Heading out Apolo reflected on his meeting today with Katrina. He was pleased that his plans for marketing the team and making short track more popular were moving ahead, but it was hard to hear what Katrina was telling him about how she felt seeing him again. He couldn’t believe things had turned out so wrong between them.
He knew a lot of it was his fault, but not totally. Katrina never understood his need to put his training first. To block everything else that might distract him out during those times. He new it was hard. It was hard for him too but it was the only way he knew how to reach his goals. Total focus, total immersion, total dedication, that is what made him the best at his sport.
He wished it could have been different and knew that it soon would be. Soon he would be finished competing and could start a new phase of his life. He would have time for and wanted a serious relationship and he wanted it with Katrina.
Picturing her in his mind, he could almost smell her perfume and it brought a smile to his face.
Apolo turned back to the center and quickened his pace. I’m going to win her back, Apolo thought with a determined look on his face. Anything worth having is worth working hard for. Goodness knows Apolo was used to working hard but Katrina had no idea how hard he was prepared to work at what he truly wanted.
