“It scares you? Kennedy, why would loving someone scare you?” Shannon questioned.

“Sometimes, I feel like I can’t keep up with Harry’s life. And it ain’t like I’ve had the best of relationships in the past. I feel like he’ll get going and leave me in the dust.”

“Look Kennedy, you can’t let fear of what happened with Austin run your life. Giving him that kind of control over your life won’t get you anywhere, besides your life moves pretty fast too. You’re at a World Championship, remember? Besides, if you really want something you’ll get it, why do you think you’re here? Almost everyone on the team thinks you have the strongest determination to get what you want. Let’s face it if anyone on the team will win the All-Around it’ll be you.”

“Really? I just feel like, even if we end up together for a long time, I’ll never live up to his, his fans, or his friends’ expectations. It’s like gymnastics; I’ll constantly be striving for perfection I’ll never reach. And I’m gonna eventually have to go home after Worlds, and back to school, back to reality.”

“Damn honey, you got a lot of figuring out to do.”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I know.” I bit my lip and kept walking next to Shannon.

After the day of competition around 2pm, I decided to head back to the dorm and call my mom. Since I finally switched my phone to international, I called her, Will, and Riley as much as I could. I picked up my phone and selected her number in my contact list and the phone started ringing.


“Hello?” She answered.

“Hi momma, it’s Kennedy,”

“Oh darlin’, how’s London? Your daddy and I miss you so much!”

“It’s good. I just finished with the first day men’s competition. Russia’s leading. How’s home?”

“It’s good, honey. Me and your daddy just finished dinner, and Will went out with some girl he’s all tied up over. Anything specific reason you called?”

“Well,” I started but then I chickened out. “I just miss y’all. Tell daddy and Will I miss and love ‘em.”

“Alright sweetie, talk to ya soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.” I hung up.

*Two Weeks Later*

“Kennedy you got this. This is it. Everything you’ve wanted is right here, on the table, hand’s reach.” Shannon looked me dead in the eye, hands on my shoulders.

She was right; I was the only one who qualified for the All-Around competition, which surprised me. My last event was beam; my best event. If I did everything as planned, I’d be the World Champion. I gave her and my coach one last hug before walking over to chalk-up my hands and feet.

I could feel my heart almost jumping out of my throat, and the beat pounding in my ears. I looked up into the crowd for a moment to spot Harry and Niall. The others couldn’t make it but I was happy with just the two of them. I finally found him in the crowd and I felt a slight relief in my chest. “I love you” I mouthed to me. He had never said that to me. Harry loved me. I had never felt so untouchable. I felt a rush through my body and knew I had to get on that beam before it left me again.

I walked over and saluted the judges before the nodded and lifted their flag for me to start.

After mounting the beam with a front tuck, I proceeded into some dance elements and jumps, before starting my tumbling passes. Everything went smoothly, and finally I stepped to the edge and turned facing away from the rest of the beam to start my tumbling. I took a deep breath and did my double back with a layout at the end, then an Arabian half turn connected to a wolf jump. Side Aerial Salto, and then a sheep jump. Everything had gone perfectly, I only had my dismount ahead of me; a front double Arabian. Usually I took a tiny step on it once I hit mat, but today, things felt different.

I raised my arms above my head and took a deep breath. I let everything clear my head and leaped throwing my body forward into a front handspring, after my feet hit the end of the beam I tucked my knees to my chest and threw myself back words into the double Arabian and I felt my feet hit the mat. I stuck my arms out for balance and looked down to see my feet glued together on the mat, no step was necessary for balance. I had stuck my dismount. No one, not even Aly Raisman herself, had ever stuck this dismount in competition.

The brightest smile I’d ever had came across my face and I rose to salute the judges. I ran across the podium and jumped down into my coach’s arms and gave her the biggest hug I could find in me. Photographers snapped pictures and the crowd cheered for me as my coach spun me around and let me down. My team-mates ran to me and surrounded me and hugged me. After we settled down, I waved to the crowd and blew a kiss to Harry. My tummy was filled with butterflies as I waited for my final score. I was the last gymnast to perform, so this was the final judgment saying who won the All-Around. Minutes felt like hours waiting for the final score. I stoop looking up at the score board, Shannon in one hand, my coach in the other. The both squeezed my hands tightly as we stood there and I could feel my heart pounding. My palms were sweaty and I bit my lip in anticipation. What’s taking so long? I thought to myself. The score board flashed for a brief second and my score appeared on the screen, ahead of the other two finalist; both Romanian. Tears of joy filled my eyes and my knees gave out in excitement. I got up and hugged my coach and Shannon. My hands trembled as I waved to the crowd shook hands with the other two finalists. Thank you, God. I thought to myself for a moment.

After everything settled down, my team-mates and I were taken back to the locker-room to prepare for the Medal ceremony. I put on my Team USA Warm-ups and rinsed off my feet and hands. I sat down on a bench and grabbed my iPhone out of my bag. Waiting for me were four messages.

Harry:

Congratulations babe! See you on the floor my little World Champion ;)

xx

~

Will:

My baby sister’s a World Champion! Take in every moment and remember every detail! See you in a week, Ken. Love ya

~

Riley:

OMG MY BFF IS A WORLD CHAMP! CONGRATS GIRL! Haha, Love you girl! Take tons of pics kk! See ya soon!

Xoxo

~

Momma:

Congratulations, Kennedy I am so proud of you! Enjoy every minute, because you deserve it! Your father, Will and I love you very much!

Lots of love, xo

I sat alone and smiled for a minute or two. Never in a million years did I imagine this happening. At most, I imagined myself with third or fourth on just beam, but now, I’m the All-Around World Champion. Things like this never happen to people like me, but now they have. I took out a notebook from my bag and a black pen and began writing. I wasn’t going to forget this day for the world.

October 21st, 2013, 2:13pm

Today, I’m the World Champion. I have, as of today, become the All-Around Artistic Gymnastics World Champion. I give all responsibility to God, my Coach, My family, Riley, Shannon, Harry, and maybe a little to myself. They have all pushed me in ways the others couldn’t. I’m lucky to have them, and be who I am.

I put the pen down and closed the notebook, hiding the white striped paper. My coach called me over and led me out to the hallway, where a lady with a navy blue blazer led the other two gymnasts and myself out onto the podium.

The crowd cheered and I held my chin high and followed the woman. I was representing the United States now. The lights were slightly lowered and spotlights were on the center of the floor where podium of three levels sat. Harry and the head of the International Gymnastics Committee stood next to them. In Harry’s large hands were three bouquets of white flowers and in the hands of the Committee head were three medals; Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The led us behind the podium and announced all three of us from third place to me.

I shook the two Romanian’s hands and stepped on to the highest podium before turning around to meet the Committee Head and Harry who smiled and placed his greens eyes on me heavily. I leaned down and the man placed the golden medal around my neck and shook my hand. Harry stepped sideways to me and handed me the bouquet.

“Congratulations, you were wonderful.” I smiled and looked into his green eyes. They gave me a feeling of warmth, like lying under the sun in the spring.

“Thank you.” I smiled as he shook my hand. He gave it a slight squeeze before letting go and walking away. He was halfway across the floor before he looked back and locked eyes with mine.

“Ladies, and Gentlemen, I give you your two-thousand thirteen Women’s Artistic Gymnastics All-Around World Champions!” An announcer said over the loud speaker.

Gold and white confetti fell like snow as they lowered the three flags, two Romanian, and one of the United States above the two in the middle. The three of us raised our hands with the bouquets in them and waved to the crowd and turned two wave to the side behind us. After we turned back around, and they finished lowering the flags, the United States’ National Anthem played over the speakers, and I placed my right hand over my heart and sung to myself along with it. I couldn’t control the tears running down my face.

In the moment I had never felt more infinite.
For the next week I woke up every day with a smile. Today however, I felt untouchable. I had one my gold medal, I had Harry on my arm, and today, Riley and Will were flying in.

I had already moved back into my cozy hotel bed and made myself back at home. After finishing my normal morning regime, and dressed myself in my normal t-shirt and capris leggings and rainbows. I grabbed a Taxi and head out to the airport to pick up Riley and Will. It was about 8am, and they weren’t landing till 10am, but I like being early for things, plus its better safe than sorry.

“Where to?” The grey-haired man asked me.

“The London Airport please, Sir.” I answered.

The ride was quiet and the car made me feel a little bit dirty, but I sat in the back seat silently as the man drove.

“Thank you, Sir!” I said handing him twenty pounds after arriving at the airport. “Keep the change.” I said as he gave me a questioning look. I figured I didn’t really need, and I wasn’t sure but maybe he did. Whether he did or didn’t I felt it was a nice gesture, especially since he drove me all the way out here.

“You’re a kind young lady.” He thanked and I nodded and smiled before turning around and entering the airport.

After waiting for about an hour and a half, Will finally texted me and said they just landed. My face immediately lit up. About 15 minutes later, Will and Riley came walking into the baggage claim area. I squealed and ran into Will’s arms and he lifted me and spun me around.

“Will! I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too, Ken! Now say Hello to your best friend!” He set me down.

“Riley! Oh my gosh, it’s been way too long!” I hugged her tight.

“I know right! I’m so, so, so excited to be here!” We were both pretty giddy.

After giggling and catching up Riley and Will got their suit cases and we head out to the parking lot. Harry said he’d pick us all up so I got on my tippy toes to look for his car. After I found it I lead them all to the car and got in. Riley and I took the back and Will sat in the passenger seat with Harry, awkward. I jumped into the car and greeted Harry with a quick peck while Will and Riley got in.


“Aw, c’mon can’t y’all save that for when I’m not around?” Will whined.
“Oh yeah Will, like I’ve never walked in on you and one of your old girlfriends in high-school?” I shot back.

“Still, I’m your older brother, and I’m allowed to do that, you Kennedy, are not.” He corrected.

I told y’all Will’s protective.

Harry looked back at me in the rear-view mirror and winked at me and I blushed.

“Yuuuuck” Will shook his head and Riley just smiled.


After a few minutes, Will and Harry got into a conversation I was a little nervous to listen to, knowing Will, it was probably some speech about how Harry better not fool around or somethin’. I swear he thinks he’s our dad. Finally, Riley finally turned to me and forced me to spill everything.

“I’m soooo jealous Kennedy! Ugh. Lucky you, with the cute british boyfriend, winning world championships, and living in London for months while I’m back home in Small-Town, USA.” I laughed.

“Well, we’re gonna have tons of fun! I can’t wait ‘till Paris! It’s like a dream!”

The two of us fell silent and eventually so did Will and Harry.

“So is there anything you would like to do while you’re in London, Riley?” Harry asked and her face lit up.

“OH MY GOLLY YOUR ACCENT!” She screamed and Will and I burst out laughing.

“My accent? Have you heard yourself, love?”

“Love? Love?! Goodness, you’re better in person than in YouTube interviews!” Riley and I shared the trait of thinking aloud. Harry burst out laughing and looked back at me.

“Just wait until she hears Niall!” Riley sighed and put her hand over her heart.

“Niall is such a dream” She thought aloud and I hit her arm laughing.

“Riles!”

“I really need to start controlling my thoughts!” She shrugged.

*Harry’s POV*

“I suppose you want to lay down your rules don’t you?” I asked Kennedy’s brother. He was obviously very protective, but I understand, I’m like that with my sisters, and Louis’s definitely like that with Lottie, Georgia, Felicite, and the twins.

“Damn straight. Look, Kennedy’s my baby sister. She may have not, but I’ve heard things about your past with women. And Kennedy has had a rough past with guys. I’m not saying I don’t trust you, ‘cause I think if you were going to pull something you would’ve by now. All’s I’m sayin’ is that if you touch her in a way she doesn’t want you to, speak to her disrespectfully, hurt her physically or mentally, or anything else along those lines, you will have a foot shoved up your ass, and it will be my foot.”

“I understand. I would never hurt Kennedy, and I don’t ever want to. I get where you’re coming from about my past. I wasn’t a very good lad then, but I’m trying to change, especially for Kennedy.”

“Well just know that my eye will always be on you.”

“I understand. Kennedy’s lucky to have a brother like you.”

“She needs one. She tries to act happy, and strong on the outside, but believe me, she gets hurt easily, and bruises like a melon.”

We both fell silent. I never realized that about her or picked up on it until Will said it. I felt like I had to protect her more than I thought I did before, but I was willing to do it.

After the day passed and Riley and Will settled into their hotel rooms, Kennedy and I ended spending the night together in her room, last time I slept with her was over three weeks ago. She laid with her head on my arm drawing hearts on my chest with her fingers.

“What did you and Will talk about today?” She asked me in a sweet voice.

“You...mostly.” I answered.

“I figured. He didn’t scare you off or anything did he?”

“No, of course not. He just cares about you, love. I understand where he’s coming from. He just loves you a lot, a worries about you.” She half-smiled. The lights were low and you could tell she was slipping into sleep and her eye-lashes fluttered.

“Get some sleep, darling.” I told her pressing my lips to her head.

“I love you, Harry.”

“I love you too.”
My heart skipped a beat and butterflies slipped into my stomach. Kennedy was mine. Maybe not physically, not yet, but her heart; it was mine.