Gym Rats - Jackson Olson x OC

19

Jackson's POV

I am still in awe of what I saw in that pool. Sean was right, she does put on a good show. We left the stadium at about 8:15, so when we get back to our apartments, we quickly get ready to hit a bar. I take some time to really let the situation resonate. I met this girl a couple months ago, we aren't even dating, and I just watched her swim the race of her life. She's an Olympian. I'm going to date an Olympian.

The girls are ready at 10:00 (because Lola and I wanted to give Cece some time to celebrate with her parents alone), and we decide to walk to a popular bar across the street. Night life hasn't been my scene since college, but seeing Cecelia in a bubblegum pink corset top and light blue jeans... yeah. We're back.

Lola and Cecelia are holding hands as I trail behind the two. Cecelia's hair is in a claw clip, I can see her hair is still wet from her shower. We head into the bar, where Cecelia lets go of Lola's hand, noticing that there's not a lot of people. There's a crowd, sure, but it's not jam packed. She turns back to me, her blue eyes still noticeable even in the darker light. She reaches out for my hand. I can't say no to an Olympian.

Lola goes to the bartender and opens a tab, ordering us all drinks. I don't get any input in what Lola is ordering, and neither does Cece. I guess we will be surprised. I let go of Cecelia's hand and place my hand on her back as there are people walking behind us. Lola hands us our drinks and we both take a sip of the cocktail. Cecelia turns towards me, her eyes widen, I guess she likes the cocktail, and I do too. We walk to find a table. There's no loud music playing, but it's still busy as we wander to the other part of the bar. There are pool tables, and we find an empty table by a free pool table.

"Anyone down for a tournament?" Cecelia asks, as I see the competitive flame in her eyes.

"I don't know, you're unstoppable right now," I say.

"I'll be unstoppable all week..." her tone is flirtatious, and the way her eyes look up at me, I'm hypnotized.

Lola immediately takes notice, "I need another fucking beverage," she says, before she walks off to get another drink.

I motion towards the pool table and Cecelia follows me there. We each grab the sticks off of the table and set up the table. Cecelia lets me break the balls, and we start our game. Every time it's Cecelia's turn, she brushes by me, even if she needs to do a whole other lap around the table to take her shot. Lola comes back and gives us another round of drinks, which Cecelia tells her to put it on the table. Her eyes then look up at me, a pure passion in them to beat me, before looking back down and taking her shot.

Lola stands next to me as we watch the balls roll, "This is the Cecelia I love," she says.

I nod my head, analyzing the table before taking my next turn. When I stand back up, I watch as Lola is now following a group of guys away from our table. Cecelia watches her with me, then coming over to me.

"She's definitely going for the one with a full sleeve of tattoos," she says to me. "She can't resist tattoos."

"Speaking of tattoos, where are you going to get your Olympic rings?"

Cecelia's face lights up, "Oh my gosh! I have two ideas... I can get it on my wrist, or on the inside of my arm," she points to the inside of her bicep, "I haven't decided which one yet!"

I watch as Cecelia now takes her next turn. "If you get it on your wrist, people will be able to see it year-round."

"That's what I'm thinking, but the rings on my bicep would be badass."

I take my next turn, as Cecelia is currently winning in this 8-ball match. When I stand up, I face my right where Cecelia is right beside me. I look down to her, a smile on my face, "Yes?"

"I want to kiss you."

I laugh at her bluntness, "You're not done yet. You still have two other events."

Cecelia furrows her eyebrows, upset by my response, before calling her shot and hitting the 8-ball in the right corner pocket.

"But I just beat you," She says, putting the stick back down on the table, a smile now on her face.

I hold her chin with my index finger, "I need to see you win again before I kiss you."

————

The middle of the week is pretty easy going, as I am able to go to the gym and workout. Lola actually wanted to go with me, so I tag her onto my Planet Fitness membership and we go to the gym together. We workout together, talking about none other than Cecelia.

"I think I've cried every night, thinking that she's an Olympian," Lola tells me.

"She's insane," I say to Lola, "I'm blown away by her."

"She's always been that way. Now she has an extra bit of fuel with you around. You're all she ever talks about."

"Glad I've made a good impression."

"She's going to work hard for you, Jackson. Be prepared to be amazed."

————

Thursday. This is, from what Cecelia told me, her toughest event. I'm in the stands with Lola, Sean and Cecelia's parents. She's seeded fourth overall, and I'm watching her behind the blocks. She looks more nervous, a lot more shaking it out. The first whistle blows, she presses her goggles to her face. The second whistle, she's up on that block again.

"Take your marks."

Lola grabs onto my arm as the beep sounds, and the group of us start screaming for Cecelia. We watch as Cecelia lags behind the rest of the group.

"It's okay, she's a closer," Lola says, I think to reassure herself. On Cecelia's first turn, she's 6th out of 8th.

Her stroke is flawless. She just looks magical in that water. I regret not kissing her that night. But I see that my efforts of pushing her are paying off, she makes her second turn in 5th out of 8th.

Lola looks over to Cecelia's father, and says something in his ear. I can't hear, it's too loud in her and I'm in a trance. I'm in love. Her last turn she's 4th out of 8th. We are all screaming for her, and when she hits that wall, it's close, but she comes in 4th out of 8th. She looks up at the board, but she doesn't look disappointed. She actually dropped time, Sean told us. She's got the 200 IM to prepare for anyway.