Post by veronasage on Mar 29, 2006 22:32:46 GMT -5
Authors Note: Ch. 7 is finally up and it was a tough one to write. I'm having major writer's block. I can't seem to get passed it. Hopefully it still interests all of you. Thank you to all of those who reviewed keep em coming.
Chapter 7
“Now Apolo Torino is not that far off and seeing as how you did so well at these U.S. Championships do you think you’re well prepared to bring another gold home?” Well isn’t this fun, answering questions for the press.
“Well there is never really a guarantee, I mean this sport is so unpredictable, but you know…I wouldn’t mind coming home with gold that’s for sure. In terms of training I feel I’m in peak condition, stronger than I’ve ever felt before so doing well at these championships is definitely good preparation for me but I still have the World Cup and World Championships ahead of me so I’m not trying to think too far ahead.”
“Danni Lee!” Your turn Danni, let’s see how well you do in the spotlight for a change. I could see her eyes go wide as all the cameras and attention became focused on her. “So Danni, coming into these championships you were literally an unknown this being your first big race and you took all of us by surprise by beating skaters that have been around longer than you, how do you feel about your accomplishments?” I could see Danni tense under the attention, I could tell she was nervous.
“Well…I’ve been around for a while I just never had the opportunity to be in a major race. Uh…I’m pleased with how I did…”
“Pleased? You nearly lapped all the female skaters in every individual race.”
“Ha…yes well…let’s not exaggerate anything. I just really wanted to push myself and prove myself to everybody. Getting by in this sport is tough and I’m just very thankful for the opportunity I had here at these races. All the girls were skating pretty well today, believe me I was nervous.”
“Will we be seeing you at Torino as well?”
“I have my fingers crossed. Hopefully.”
Later that night the entire team had a celebration. I finally had the chance to sit down and talk with Danni.
“How was it? All that spotlight?” She gulped down her drink and smiled.
“It was weird but…I think I could get used to it.” She was going to be a natural.
“You did great. First place in every individual race, that’s pretty amazing.”
“Well thank you Ohno. I think you did pretty well today too.” We both did well. We won all of our individual races and have firmly taken a hold of a position on the world teams for the upcoming season. It was then my coach came in.
“I’m incredibly pleased with all of your performances at these championships. I couldn’t have asked for a stronger team to bring the U.S. home with more gold’s in the upcoming world events. I would especially like to congratulate our newest member Danni! You were a complete underdog coming in here and you’ve proven everybody wrong, including me. I’m happy to have you on the team.” Everybody broke out into applaud as the celebration continued. It was a night of festivities, drinking, eating, and plenty of dancing. It all came to a crashing halt when I noticed Danni talking frantically in her phone in the corner of the room. I made my way towards her and I could feel the wave of panic go through me.
“What are you talking about…have you contacted my father?...how could you let this happen to her, all you people have to do is watch her…I can’t believe you…what kind of place are you running…is she hurt badly?” I could see unshed tears in her eyes as she tried her best to stay calm. I wanted to comfort her but I had no idea how. “All right…I’ll catch the first flight out.” I didn’t even get the chance to talk to her as she pushed pass me and started running.
“Danni!” I ran after her. I caught up to her in her hotel room and found her throwing everything she had in her suitcase. “Danni…what’s going on? What’s happened?”
“I really don’t have time to explain right now Apolo. I’ll tell you when I get back.” What the…get back?
“Wait…would you calm down for one second. Get back from where?” She wouldn’t look at me, she just kept packing. “Danni…Danni.” I grabbed a hold of her shoulders and shook her a bit. “Talk to me.” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes and what I saw nearly tore me apart.
“I have to fly to LA as fast I can.”
“Why?” Please Danni tell me what’s going on. Let me help you.
“Apolo…you have to let me go. I have to go.” I let go of her shoulders and watched as she zipped up her suitcase. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed.
“Why won’t you let me help you?”
“You can’t help me Apolo. This is not your problem. This is mine, my burden.” Why is she so stubborn.
“All right.” She turned around and looked me in the eye.
“Thank you.”
“You’ve given me no choice.” She looked slightly confused but I had made my decision. “I’m going with you.”
“Apolo please…” I grabbed her suit case and I went across the hall to start packing mine. “What do you think your doing? Did you not hear me? This is none of your business. Give me my suit case, I have to go.” You just don’t get it do you. I know it’s none of my business but I want to be there for you why can’t you understand that. Before she could say anything else I grabbed both suit cases and made my way to the door. “Come on. We have a plane to catch.” She gave me a look of defeat and shook her head. She opened the door and walked passed me. Are you really doing this for her Apolo or are you just being selfish?
We were at the airport in no time and we bought the first tickets that would leave to L.A. Danni was silent she hadn’t said a single word and it worried me. I walked to where she sat and offered her a cup of coffee. She took it from my hands and continued to stare at the floor. I sat in the seat next to her and tried to think of something to say. That was until she started talking.
“Why are you doing this?” I sighed.
“Isn’t it obvious?” She laughed.
“Don’t. All because I lived with you for a month don’t feel obligated. You don’t even know me that well.”
“I know enough to care about you. I know enough to be here, sitting next to you. I’m here because I want to be here for you not because I feel obligated. Danni…I’m not wasting my time being here with you.” She wouldn’t look at me.
“Now boarding flight 213, heading toward Los Angeles, California.” She stood up before I could say anything else and made her way onto the plane. It was a four hour red eye flight. It was a silent flight, I could tell Danni was giving me the cold shoulder, but there was nothing I could do. Every time I tried to speak to her she would just stare straight ahead or look away. What are you hiding? It wasn’t long before I called a cab and both of us settled in the back seat.
“Where to kids?” I looked at Danni for an answer. “Well?”
“UCLA hospital.” I looked at Danni in shock. Something happened within her family? Maybe a friend was hurt, her dad maybe? As soon as we arrived in front of the hospital Danni launched herself out of the car and ran into the hospital. I paid the driver and grabbed our bags as fast as I could. I found her at the front counter talking to a doctor her arms flailing in every direction.
“I want to see her. Let me see her!”
“Okay Ms. Lee if you would just calm down I will have one of my nurses escort you to her room.” The doctor walked away leaving Danni fuming with anger. I went up to her and gently grabbed her hand.
“Hey it’s okay.”
“Let go of me. Don’t touch me.” I immediately let her hand fall from mine. I didn’t understand. “Everything is not okay Apolo.” I tried to say something before the nurse got in my way.
“I’ll take you to her room now Ms. Lee.” I was about to follow them when the nurse stopped me. “I’m sorry. Only family is allowed in sir.” I looked at Danni trying to get any type of response from her. “Ms. Lee do you know him?” Please Danni, let me be there for you. She gave me a quick glance and looked away.
“No, he’s nobody.”
Authors Note: Hope chapter 7 was to your liking. Hopefully I'll get over my writer's block and come in with an amazing chapter 8. You know what to do. Review por favor! Much Love!
Chapter 7
“Now Apolo Torino is not that far off and seeing as how you did so well at these U.S. Championships do you think you’re well prepared to bring another gold home?” Well isn’t this fun, answering questions for the press.
“Well there is never really a guarantee, I mean this sport is so unpredictable, but you know…I wouldn’t mind coming home with gold that’s for sure. In terms of training I feel I’m in peak condition, stronger than I’ve ever felt before so doing well at these championships is definitely good preparation for me but I still have the World Cup and World Championships ahead of me so I’m not trying to think too far ahead.”
“Danni Lee!” Your turn Danni, let’s see how well you do in the spotlight for a change. I could see her eyes go wide as all the cameras and attention became focused on her. “So Danni, coming into these championships you were literally an unknown this being your first big race and you took all of us by surprise by beating skaters that have been around longer than you, how do you feel about your accomplishments?” I could see Danni tense under the attention, I could tell she was nervous.
“Well…I’ve been around for a while I just never had the opportunity to be in a major race. Uh…I’m pleased with how I did…”
“Pleased? You nearly lapped all the female skaters in every individual race.”
“Ha…yes well…let’s not exaggerate anything. I just really wanted to push myself and prove myself to everybody. Getting by in this sport is tough and I’m just very thankful for the opportunity I had here at these races. All the girls were skating pretty well today, believe me I was nervous.”
“Will we be seeing you at Torino as well?”
“I have my fingers crossed. Hopefully.”
Later that night the entire team had a celebration. I finally had the chance to sit down and talk with Danni.
“How was it? All that spotlight?” She gulped down her drink and smiled.
“It was weird but…I think I could get used to it.” She was going to be a natural.
“You did great. First place in every individual race, that’s pretty amazing.”
“Well thank you Ohno. I think you did pretty well today too.” We both did well. We won all of our individual races and have firmly taken a hold of a position on the world teams for the upcoming season. It was then my coach came in.
“I’m incredibly pleased with all of your performances at these championships. I couldn’t have asked for a stronger team to bring the U.S. home with more gold’s in the upcoming world events. I would especially like to congratulate our newest member Danni! You were a complete underdog coming in here and you’ve proven everybody wrong, including me. I’m happy to have you on the team.” Everybody broke out into applaud as the celebration continued. It was a night of festivities, drinking, eating, and plenty of dancing. It all came to a crashing halt when I noticed Danni talking frantically in her phone in the corner of the room. I made my way towards her and I could feel the wave of panic go through me.
“What are you talking about…have you contacted my father?...how could you let this happen to her, all you people have to do is watch her…I can’t believe you…what kind of place are you running…is she hurt badly?” I could see unshed tears in her eyes as she tried her best to stay calm. I wanted to comfort her but I had no idea how. “All right…I’ll catch the first flight out.” I didn’t even get the chance to talk to her as she pushed pass me and started running.
“Danni!” I ran after her. I caught up to her in her hotel room and found her throwing everything she had in her suitcase. “Danni…what’s going on? What’s happened?”
“I really don’t have time to explain right now Apolo. I’ll tell you when I get back.” What the…get back?
“Wait…would you calm down for one second. Get back from where?” She wouldn’t look at me, she just kept packing. “Danni…Danni.” I grabbed a hold of her shoulders and shook her a bit. “Talk to me.” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes and what I saw nearly tore me apart.
“I have to fly to LA as fast I can.”
“Why?” Please Danni tell me what’s going on. Let me help you.
“Apolo…you have to let me go. I have to go.” I let go of her shoulders and watched as she zipped up her suitcase. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed.
“Why won’t you let me help you?”
“You can’t help me Apolo. This is not your problem. This is mine, my burden.” Why is she so stubborn.
“All right.” She turned around and looked me in the eye.
“Thank you.”
“You’ve given me no choice.” She looked slightly confused but I had made my decision. “I’m going with you.”
“Apolo please…” I grabbed her suit case and I went across the hall to start packing mine. “What do you think your doing? Did you not hear me? This is none of your business. Give me my suit case, I have to go.” You just don’t get it do you. I know it’s none of my business but I want to be there for you why can’t you understand that. Before she could say anything else I grabbed both suit cases and made my way to the door. “Come on. We have a plane to catch.” She gave me a look of defeat and shook her head. She opened the door and walked passed me. Are you really doing this for her Apolo or are you just being selfish?
We were at the airport in no time and we bought the first tickets that would leave to L.A. Danni was silent she hadn’t said a single word and it worried me. I walked to where she sat and offered her a cup of coffee. She took it from my hands and continued to stare at the floor. I sat in the seat next to her and tried to think of something to say. That was until she started talking.
“Why are you doing this?” I sighed.
“Isn’t it obvious?” She laughed.
“Don’t. All because I lived with you for a month don’t feel obligated. You don’t even know me that well.”
“I know enough to care about you. I know enough to be here, sitting next to you. I’m here because I want to be here for you not because I feel obligated. Danni…I’m not wasting my time being here with you.” She wouldn’t look at me.
“Now boarding flight 213, heading toward Los Angeles, California.” She stood up before I could say anything else and made her way onto the plane. It was a four hour red eye flight. It was a silent flight, I could tell Danni was giving me the cold shoulder, but there was nothing I could do. Every time I tried to speak to her she would just stare straight ahead or look away. What are you hiding? It wasn’t long before I called a cab and both of us settled in the back seat.
“Where to kids?” I looked at Danni for an answer. “Well?”
“UCLA hospital.” I looked at Danni in shock. Something happened within her family? Maybe a friend was hurt, her dad maybe? As soon as we arrived in front of the hospital Danni launched herself out of the car and ran into the hospital. I paid the driver and grabbed our bags as fast as I could. I found her at the front counter talking to a doctor her arms flailing in every direction.
“I want to see her. Let me see her!”
“Okay Ms. Lee if you would just calm down I will have one of my nurses escort you to her room.” The doctor walked away leaving Danni fuming with anger. I went up to her and gently grabbed her hand.
“Hey it’s okay.”
“Let go of me. Don’t touch me.” I immediately let her hand fall from mine. I didn’t understand. “Everything is not okay Apolo.” I tried to say something before the nurse got in my way.
“I’ll take you to her room now Ms. Lee.” I was about to follow them when the nurse stopped me. “I’m sorry. Only family is allowed in sir.” I looked at Danni trying to get any type of response from her. “Ms. Lee do you know him?” Please Danni, let me be there for you. She gave me a quick glance and looked away.
“No, he’s nobody.”
Authors Note: Hope chapter 7 was to your liking. Hopefully I'll get over my writer's block and come in with an amazing chapter 8. You know what to do. Review por favor! Much Love!
