8. Lucas #2
As we woke together for the second time to the nineties synth guitar riffs that signified the X-Men were assembling, I couldn’t help but smile.
We were in the same position we fell asleep in.
Cam turned over to face me, looked me in the eye, and leaned in to kiss me.
I closed my eyes and accepted his kiss. It was a tender one, not heated and urgent.
It was a kiss that felt like it said ‘Thank you for being exactly what I need right now.’ It was a good kiss.
After a few seconds, he pulled back and laid his head on my shoulder.
“I hate to leave this bed, but if we’re late, Woodward will kill us,” I said, breaking the stillness.
“I know,” Cam said. “This has been the best nap of my life. Trying to commit it to memory.”
“Best nap ever, huh? I guess all my practicing has paid off.”
Cam laughed and rolled out of bed. We got dressed, and I texted Ty to see if he was still downstairs. He was and met us in the lobby, and we all walked to the gym together. I had half a protein bar for a snack, and I’m sure Cam would want to eat later.
Again, the gym was ours for a few hours, so we could work on whatever we wanted. I was only doing pommel horse and the two bar events during qualifications. I did a few run-throughs on the bars, but focused most of my time on the horse.
“You think you’re ready?” Shane asked.
“I guess the better question is, do you think I’m ready?”
“To be honest, you seem the most relaxed I’ve ever seen you and in practice you’ve been flawless, so yeah, I think you are.”
“Thanks, Shane. That means a lot coming from you.”
“I’d ask if it was something Peter and-or Adam did to you, but you’ve been like this since before the retreat.”
I almost blushed. You’re a little too close to the truth, Shane. “Must be Australia. It suits me,” I suggested.
Shane’s observation was correct. I had been super relaxed, and I knew exactly why all my tension and stress were gone. And the reason was vaulting right in front of me.
Cam nailed his landing again. Noah cheered, “Yes, Cam! Exceptional job! You are literally on fire! Seriously, where’s the extinguisher?” Noah could be so corny sometimes.
Cam blushed. Jesus, he’s so cute when he does that.
Cam had way more pressure on him for qualifications than I did.
Woodward had him performing in five of the six events.
The only one he wasn’t doing was pommel horse.
Cam was still working on that one, but I still had to admire him.
At nineteen, he was only one event away from being eligible for the all-around.
Graham and Grant were the only two on our team that were doing all six events in qualifications.
I still didn’t completely get the whole system, even though Woodward had been over it with the team.
Cam and Ty were better than I was with remembering that stuff.
I mean, I knew the basics. Every gymnast competes in any of the six events they want to during qualifications.
The men have three randomly assigned divisions, the women typically have four or five.
We were in the first division, the earliest to compete on day one with Russia, Brazil, France and some other athletes from countries that didn’t have a full team. And then it got fuzzy after that.
“Thinking hard over there?” Shane asked.
“Can you go over the qualifications again for the finals?”
“Again? I guess you still have flaws after all.”
“Funny,” I said. “Pretty please?”
“Alright, Luke, for the countries that have full teams - that includes us, Luke-”
“I have that part figured out, you ass.”
He continued, “The three best scores in each of the six events count towards the team’s score, and based on those scores, the top eight teams qualify to compete in the team finals on day three.
Also, the top eight individuals in each of the six events qualify to compete in each of the event finals on days nine, ten, and eleven.
The top twenty-four athletes that compete in all six events in qualifications make the all-around finals on day five.
For us, that’s Graham and Grant. Also, only two athletes from each country can take part in each final.
So you could qualify, but not be able to compete. ”
“Ah, right. Like last Olympics, where Graham got bumped from the all-around because his brother and Tom placed higher?”
“Right. I guess you do pay attention sometimes. Shocking!”
“Ha!” I shoved him and watched Cam land another vault. “Isn’t the vault a bit different?”
“Right again. Get this boy an award!” Shane shouted to no one.
“Boy?”
“Come on, Luke. I’ve been coaching you since you were nine.
It’s hard to admit you’ve grown up sometimes.
” He smiled. “And yes, if an athlete wants to qualify for the vault finals, they have to do two different vaults in the qualification round. That’s why Cam is practicing two different vaults.
They average the two scores and the top eight averages after that qualify for the event’s final. ”
“He’s the only one doing two vaults?” I asked.
“He’s our best vaulter, and I think the only one with a shot. Graham and Grant are focused on the all-around, and you, my friend, are going to nail the bars and possibly the horse.”
“Possibly?”
“Eh, being realistic. Rings and horse are the team’s weakest events. We’ll see. Maybe you should do one more routine on the horse tonight?” he suggested.
“Because you asked so nicely.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “Have a little faith, Shane.”