Chapter Text
5 days before the start of the Olympic Games, Rebecca Welton arrived at the Olympic Village. The journey was short, if we talk about the kilometers from London to Paris. Because if we talk about effort, the almost 4 years that she has been preparing and giving everything to be able to qualify and get to the Olympic Games, no, that wasn't short. But she made it, her first Olympic games.
As soon as they arrived at the Olympic Village, she and the entire volleyball team (couples and collective) were explained the distribution of the village, along with where the dining room was, the hairdresser/barber, the DJ & tiki bar, the bakery, and many other places that with so much information they did not remember everything. Luckily they were given some maps that had all the rooms and areas that they could need. Before showing them where the rooms were, they were given a Coca-Cola-shaped card with which they could access water, juice and various drinks at vending machines.
Once they had been given the keys to the apartment, a representative accompanied them to the rooms assigned to the volleyball team. The collective team was divided into 3 apartments. And the two beach volleyball pairs (Rebecca-Sassy and Keeley-Barbara) were in the same apartment: 4th Floor, door 18. Luckily, the four girls were good friends so being in the same apartment was a plus to the Olympic experience.
First they stopped to leave the team in their 3 flats. Then they went to door 18, the door to the apartment where they are going to be staying for the next three weeks.
Once the door to the room was opened, the representative left them alone, disappearing around one of the corners of the hallway.
“Let’s investigate,” an enthusiastic Keeley said.
Inside they discovered two bedrooms with two beds each, with two small tables at the side and two small coat racks; a bathroom with enough space for everyone to be inside brushing their teeth at the same time; a small living room with a TV, a sofa and a table, and finally a terrace with clotheslines to hang clothes.
“I'll take this bed,” Keeley said.
“But they're all the same,” Rebecca replied.
“Well, then it won't matter if I choose one,” Keeley said, a little mockingly.
“Okay, okay, whatever,” Rebecca said laughing.
“Well, I'll stay in the other room, because it’s closer to the bathroom,” Barbara announced.
“Oh, I'd rather be near the bathroom too,” Sassy added.
“Okay. You two will be in the other room, and Keeley and I, in this one,” Rebecca said.
Each of them left their suitcases and backpacks next to the beds they had chosen and met up in the living room.
“Shall we do some research before we go to eat?” Rebecca asked.
“Yeah yeah let’s go, there’s a lot to see” Sassy said.
The 4 girls left the room and headed to the elevator. They all looked at the map that had been given to them.
“Okay, the dining room is here,” Barbara said pointing at the map.
“Well, on the way we’ll find the hairdresser/barber, we can go see how it is,” Sassy said.
“Okay, well, let’s stop there and then we’ll go to have lunch.” Barbara answered while Keeley and Rebecca nodded.
They all left the UK building and headed north. They walked through the central garden, admiring all the buildings. Each country is decorated differently. They took a ton of photos and videos.
“Here.” Keeley announced.
The 4 of them entered the building. The hairdresser/barber was on the ground floor. There they were greeted by 3 workers.
“Hello, good morning, what do you want?” one of the workers asked in a friendly tone.
“Hello, we just arrived and we are looking for information,” Rebecca said.
“Oh perfect, well let me explain, this is the hairdresser/barber service, you can come and book a day and time for us to do your hair” the worker explained “oh and the most important thing, it is completely free.”
“Oh, that’s great,” Barbara said.
“Do you want to make an appointment?” the worker said. “In case of an emergency, you can come without an appointment at lunchtime, when there will be fewer people.”
The four of them looked at each other, Sassy smiled at the worker. “Not right now, but thank you.”
“We’ll come back later,” Keeley added.
“Of course, come whenever you want, the schedule is written on the door,” the worker pointed out.
“Thank you, see you later,” Sassy said.
“Bye,”
Once outside, they headed to the dining room. They were already beginning to notice the need to eat.
The entrance was full of flags from all the participating countries. The dining room was divided by countries. Each country served their most typical dishes. As it was their first meal, the girls decided to eat at home. So they headed to the UK section.
Once inside, they found a counter full of typical dishes such as fish and chips, sunday roast, baked beans and many more. Apart from plates of food there were also many types of tea and pastries, as breakfast and snacks were also served in the dining room.
Rebecca took a tray from the shelf and went to the counter to order. After seeing the dishes, Keeley, Barbara and Sassy followed in Rebecca's footsteps, each taking a tray.
“Hi girls, what can I get you?” the worker who served the food asked.
“Mmm I want fish and chips,” Keeley said.
“Me too, but could you give me some more chips please?” Rebecca asked.
“Yeah, sure,” the worker replied.
“Well, I want baked beans, they look good,” Barbara said.
“Mmm, I'll eat baked beans too,” Sassy added.
The worker gave the plates to Sassy and Barbara. Sassy told them she would wait for them at the table and save a place for the others. Barbara followed her.
Keeley saw Roy Kent, a UK football player, who she had recently started dating. She told Rebecca to pick up her plate while she went to say hello to him.
Rebecca waited for the two plates of fish and chips, as the worker had told her that there were no chips and that they were being prepared. While waiting she walked around the counter. When Rebecca stepped back, she didn't notice that there was someone walking behind her. Rebecca's back collided with a body.
“Watch out, behind you” she heard a voice behind her but it was too late.
Rebecca turned around and saw a guy wearing a USA t-shirt and shorts, he had short hair and a tendril falling on his forehead, a perfectly trimmed mustache above his lips, two beautiful hazel eyes and two toned and tan arms.
“Oh hey, sorry I didn't see you” Rebecca said, while she was starting to get a pink tone on her cheeks.
“Oh, it's okay” the mysterious man said bending down “I just dropped the can of sprite”
They both stared at each other for a few seconds in silence.
“Excuse me, girl, you have the two plates ready” they both turned around at the voice of the worker who was pointing to the plates on the counter.
“Oh, thank you,” Rebecca said, addressing the worker. “Sorry again, it was my fault,” she said, looking at the mysterious man.
“No problem, it could happen to anyone.” he said smiling.
Rebecca walked over to the counter and picked up the two plates. When she turned around the mysterious - and attractive - man had disappeared.
After locating the table where Sassy and Barbara were sitting, she headed towards them. On the way she was joined by Keeley, and she took her tray from her hand.
“How did you bump into that guy?” Sassy said laughing.
“I didn't see him” Rebecca excused herself.
“What happened?” Keeley asked.
“Rebecca was at the counter looking at plates, she stepped back and hit an American guy, causing him to drop one of the drink cans he was holding.” Barbara explained.
“A sexy guy.” Sassy added.
Rebecca looked at her and rolled her eyes.
“Oh come on, try to say that he wasn't sexy.” Sassy said.
“Well, okay, fine, he was kind of attractive, yeah.” Rebecca admitted, starting to blush.
“Oh my god Rebecca! It looks like the beginning of a rom-com” Keeley jumped in way too excited.
“Well, let's not exaggerate, I just accidentally hit him, I don't know who he is, I just know that he's American because of his uniform” Rebecca said trying to relax, because deep down she knew that she might have a crush on that guy, but that it was just physical, she doesn't know who he is or what his name is or what he's doing here. Or that's what she told herself to auto convince.
“Yeah, sure, tell that to the red in your face” Sassy said between laughs.
“Anyway, let's change the subject, how's Roy?” Rebecca said.
“Oh well, he doesn't want to admit it but I know he's a little nervous about tomorrow's game” Keeley answered.
“Nah, he should relax, I'm sure they'll win” Barbara said.
The four of them ate and continued chatting about many things. When they finished, they decided to go back to their building and from there to each take a bike to go for a ride around the Olympic village.
When they arrived at the reception and asked about the bikes, the attendants explained to them how the bikes worked.
When they had everything clear, each one with her bike, they looked at the map and decided to go north, since they saw that there were some Olympic rings where they could take some photos.
The four of them set off. Along the way they observed the different buildings of the different countries. Each country decorated its own building, so they were not the same.
Along the way they met Simone Biles, and of course, they had to stop to try to get a photo with her. After introducing themselves and apologizing for bothering her, they asked to take a photo with her. She accepted and the 5 of them took a photo together. In exchange for having the photo taken, Rebecca offered her a UK pin from the volleyball team to which they belong. Simone in exchange gave them a heart-shaped pin of her own with her name inscribed on it. After thanking her and saying goodbye, the four of them resumed their journey with their bikes.
“Look, there's a mindfulness room here,” Barbara pointed at the entrance to a building.
“Wow, we have to go in,” Sassy said.
“Later, later,” Keeley said. “First, the photo.”
“Yes because if we stop at everything we see, we won't make it,” Rebecca added.
“Okaaay.”
They passed two Carrefour supermarket stores, which they also added to the list of things to do later.
“Wait,” Keeley said.
“What?” Barabrar asked.
“I'm thirsty and there's a vending machine, I'm going to try this Coca-Cola card” Keeley said getting off the bike and approaching the machine.
“Oh, first you have to swipe this card and then you have to enter the number you want,” Keeley explained reading the instructions.
After stopping for water, they continued their tour. Passing several places that they also added to the list of places to visit later, they arrived at the rings.
“Okay, so we can ask these Australian girls to take a photo of us together and then we each take a photo alone with the rings,” Sassy said pointing to the Australian girls who were taking photos with the rings.
When the girls finished, Sassy approached them and asked to take a photo. One of the girls offered and the four Brits posed, first more formally and the second acting a bit silly. Sassy went to get her phone and thanked them again.
After that, they took pictures individually and in pairs. When they saw that some Colombian athletes were waiting to take pictures, they took a couple more and left the rings for them.
“Okay, where are we going now?” Barbara asked.
“Well, we can make our way back and stop at things that catch our attention,” Keeley said.
“Well, the closest to us is the official store and the Samsung store,” Rebecca added.
“Well, there we go,” Sassy said.
The four of them arrived at the official store. They left the bikes outside and went inside.
The store was full of t-shirts, pants, dolls, bottles, and many more things.
After walking around the store, Keeley decided to take a t-shirt, Sassy a fisherman's hat, Barbara a mug (since she was undecided about the t-shirt) and Rebecca the stuffed animal of the mascot of these Olympics Games.
The next stop was the Samsung store, due to the proximity, they decided to walk and come back for the bikes later.
When they went inside they saw a large counter and many advertising screens.
“This morning they mentioned something about a bag if we showed our accreditation,” Keeley said.
“Yeah, something sounds familiar,” Barbara said.
“Well, we asked,” Sassy said.
“Hello,” a worker greeted them.
“Hello, they explained something about a gift bag, is it here?” Rebecca said.
“Yes, it is here, let me explain. Since Samsung is an official sponsor, they give the athletes a bag. You just have to show your credentials and we will give you a bag that includes, among other things, a personalized Z Flip phone for the Olympics.”
“Wow,” Barbara said.
“Completely free?” Rebecca asked.
“Yes,” the worker answered.
“Oh, great, here is my accreditation,” Sassy said.
One by one they showed their accreditation and got a black bag with a little explanation from the worker.
“This is amazing,” Barbara said.
When they left, Rebecca opened the door and saw an outstretched arm that was going to open the door from outside to enter. Rebecca followed the line by the arm and to her surprise it was the same American who had been in the restaurant hours before. Only this time he was accompanied by two other athletes also in American uniforms.
“Hello again,” the American said smiling.
“Hello,” Rebecca said, also smiling.
“Come in, i mean, come out” he said with a little laugh, moving his arm to let her out.
“Thanks” said Rebecca, suddenly starting to feel heat running through her body.
“Bye” the American said before going inside.
“Bye,” Rebecca said.
When everyone was out and the Americans were inside, the door closed, Sassy was the first to speak. “That’s the guy from the restaurant”
“Oh god, he’s sooo fit Rebecca, no wonder you blushed earlier” Keeley said with enthusiasm.
“And he seemed happy to see you,” Barbara added.
“Oh yeah, he couldn’t stop smiling,” Sassy said.
“Well, shall we continue to the relaxation-bar area?” Rebecca said, trying to change the subject.
“Okay” “Fine” the girls said.
The four of them went back to pick up their bikes. Luckily, the bikes had a built-in basket and they were able to leave the Samsung bags.
It took them about 10 minutes to get to the tiki bar. They parked the bikes and took with them the samsung bags. In the bar area they found a big garden with armchairs, decorated in a cozy way. Next to the sofa area there was a boules court.
“Wow, this is very cute and cozy.” Keeley said.
“Yes,” Sassy answered while nodding.
“It's all very relaxing,” Rebecca added.
“Look, let's take a look at the menu” Barbara said pointing to a blackboard.
The bar offered non-alcoholic drinks. A variety of 25 different drinks. Taking advantage of the break from the ride, the girls decided to have something to cool off.
“God, this is so good,” Barbara said.
“Yeah, it’s surprising that it doesn’t have alcohol in it,” Sassy said.
“To the alcohol we will drink when we’ll celebrate a medal,” Keeley said, raising her glass to toast.
Amidst laughter and conversation, the four of them spent a while finishing their drinks and playing a game of boules before returning to the room. While they were playing the game, a group of American athletes approached the bar. Rebecca couldn’t help but look to see if the mysterious man was among them. When she didn’t see him, Rebecca was a little disappointed, which surprised her. She had only seen him twice, but his beauty caught her attention. Rebecca secretly hopes to see him again soon and find out who this mysterious and attractive man is.
“Rebecca?” Sassy caught her attention.
“Sorry, I got distracted,” Rebecca said, trying not to show any emotion regarding the thoughts she was having, while throwing her ball into the sand.