Page 120 of Chasing Gold, Catching Her

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The final seconds were whispered all around them, and then the stadium exploded with applause. Music flooded the massive arena from every direction. Lights, fireworks, waves of sound from the crowd — everything blended together.

Below them, a huge spiral circle illuminated the stage, decorated with sculptures and large picture frames. In the distance, a spotlight captured a male dancer with wings. He ran forward moving toward the center of the stage. After a few elegant ballet steps, he reached a girl waiting for him, and they merged into an embrace.

“Oh, this is a piece about Psyche and Cupid!” her colleague Ivan nudged her. He also competed in singles, in the men’s category, so they were not rivals. Ivan was from Moscow, and thanks to his last program, in which he had successfully landed six quadruple axels and won gold, he had secured an additional quota spot for their country. He smiled sincerely as he watched the dancers below.

Alisa nodded, thinking it was probably connected to the upcoming February 14th holiday. Valentine’s Day had always irritated her because of all that exaggerated romance, couples pretending their relationships were perfect. It usually stirred something sharp and unpleasant inside her.

And yet…

The tears that had gathered in her eyes did not disappear. The dancers moved with such beauty and tenderness that something deep in her chest ached. One tear slipped down her cheek, but fortunately, no one noticed, and she was quietly grateful for that.

It’s incredibly beautiful, her inner voice admitted.

The colors, the music, the artistry of the performance slowly carried her anxious thoughts away from the competition waiting for her the next day. They would perform on Tuesday and Thursday. In a few days.

Just a few days until her name would be called.

And the entire world would be watching.

Then there was a knock on the door of the athletes’ loggia, and Alisa’s heart skipped a beat. An attendant opened it, nodded to someone in the doorway, and stepped aside. After a moment he began walking toward Alisa, which immediately made her tense.

“Someone wants to talk to you,” the man said with a warm Italian accent and a polite smile, giving a small nod.

Alisa understood and headed toward the exit, casting one last glance at the show unfolding below. A famous Italian opera star was now performing on the stage, her powerful voice echoing through the stadium.

Under the sound of her singing, Alisa stepped out of the loggia.

Tora was waiting for her there.

She stood there in the uniform of her country, Norway. Even in her warm outerwear, the flags and inscriptions were clearly visible. When Alisa instinctively looked down at herself and noticed the absence of any national symbols on her own outfit, because she was competing for the neutral Olympic team (AIN), something inside her faltered.

It was as if she belonged nowhere.

As if she were no one.

The thought sent goosebumps down her legs, and she felt herself shrink slightly under its weight. But before it could fully consume her, Tora stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Alisa inhaled the scent of cold mountain air and fresh herbs clinging to Tora’s clothes and almost burst into tears in her arms.

“I’m sorry…” Tora whispered breathlessly. She must have run here, disappearing from sight just to meet Alisa before the parade of nations, which traditionally took place at the very end of the ceremony.

“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m glad you came,” Alisa replied quietly, pulling back just enough to look at her. At least someone was all right tonight, she thought.

Then Tora cupped Alisa’s face in both hands and leaned in, brushing her lips gently against hers.

“Everything will work out,” she whispered between soft kisses before pulling back slightly.

Alisa nodded, though her jaw tightened as she glanced around, checking whether anyone had seen them. The bright lights were focused entirely on the main stage, leaving them in shadow.

Alisa leaned in for a second kiss, returning tenderness with tenderness, wrapping her arms around Tora’s waist, though it was difficult to find beneath the thick jacket.