Chapter Nineteen

                                    

                                          
(Kais's POV) 
"F*ck this shit." I mumbled under my breath.
"What's wrong?" Fi asked walking up behind me.
"Nothing, Sweet Cakes." I said causing her to roll her eyes.
Austin has started calling me Beef Cakes because of how much muscle I've gained. In return, he's started calling Fi Sweet Cakes. It drives her crazy, which is why I have started calling her that too. 
"Kai," she said.
"I just....don't want to do this." I told her.
"Stay home then. You, me, and Titan can watch a movie or go swimming." 
"I have to go. Sadly." 
"Call me and I'll come rescue you at anytime. With Reid to obviously. It may take us a while, but I'll be there." 
"Noted." I said looking down at my watch. "I have to go or I'll be late." 
I gave her a quick kiss before I headed for the door.
"Kai,"
"Yeah?"
"Remember one thing." She said walking over and grabbing my hands. 
"What's that?"
"Focus on your goal. Not matter what anyone says there. Don't react. Don't look in any direction but straight ahead. Understand?" 
I smiled and grabbed her face in my hands before kissing her. 
"Thank you." I murmured against her lips. 
"For what?"
"For....just being you." I said pressing my forehead to hers.
I headed to the training center first to pick up Coach before we went to the airport.
Trails start soon and we are heading to Florida for a few days. A week or two before trials, all the potential olympians go to a convention center in Florida to meet. They talk and eat and get to know each other. It's basically just about becoming frenemies. Become friends before rivals. 
I wasn't going to go. I didn't want people to know I was going to the trials until the first day of the trials. Coach, however, has talked me into going. The rest of the team flew out yesterday. He didn't talk me into going until this morning.
"What is on the agenda for today?" I asked as we boarded the plane.
"A huge dinner obviously. Then just some downtime." 
I shook my head. "This is ridiculous." 
"Kai," Coach warned.
"I know, I know." I sighed. 
"You're my champion." He said. 
I rolled my eyes. 
Our flight didn't last long and soon we landed in Florida. Luckily, I managed to get into my hotel room without anyone seeing me. 
Dinner didn't start for a while so I decided to call Fi.
"Hello?" 
"Hey."
"Did you make it okay?"
"Yeah. I'm regretting it already though." 
"Want me to come save you?"
"Not just yet." I smiled. "What are you doing?"
"Sitting by the pool. Missing you."
"Don't fall in." 
"Don't worry, Titan is here. He can save me."
"How is Marie? Did you see her today?"
"Yeah. She came over for a little bit. Tried to do a few things for me. She got mad at you once she saw that you'd done those things for me. When she broke out my vacuum I didn't dare tell her that Reid had done that already."
Marie went back to the doctor for her test results and got horrible news. She was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors said that it's at a point where they can try chemo, but they're not very optimistic.
Since then, I have been doing some of the things for Fi that Marie usually does. 
"She'll be okay, Fi. Don't worry." 
"I can't help it. I'm worried about her. I'm worried about Reid because he still hasn't called mom. I'm also worried about you."
"Me? Why?"
"Because you're there. Because you're stressed about it all. Because I can't protect to from what they're going to say." 
"You don't have to protect me. I got this. Okay? If it gets to hard for me, I'll walk away."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay." She said as I checked my watch.
"F*ck."
"What now?"
"I'm late for dinner."
"Wear something nice and don't talk to any woman." She said making me laugh. 
"Wouldn't dream of it when I have you. Have a good day."
"You too."
"Fi,"
"Yeah?"
"I miss you too."
I quickly changed into dinner-worthy clothes before heading out. I got to the place where dinner was being held and I could feel my heart in my throat.
I took a few deep breaths and tried to relax before I went inside. 
"How can I help you?" A woman asked as I walked in.
"I'm here for the dinner party."
"Ah yes. You'll find everyone in the large room straight back."
"Thanks."
As soon as I stepped inside the room a lot of people stopped what they were doing. Then the whispers started.  
I quickly found Coach and was about to head his way when someone stepped in front of me.
"Long time no see."
"Carson." I said through my teeth.
"Kai." He smirked.
That's when I knew it was going to be a long night.