Chapter Seven
Sofia
“They gaveme a ten on floor, but I don’t think I deserved it.”
My mom’s soft chuckle fills the line, bringing a grin to my face. “Ah, if they gave it to you, it’s right.”
My heart flutters at the excitement in my mom’s voice. I am giddy, I am, but if anything, I’m nervous. My scores today were awesome. I mean, they’ll probably be the scores to beat for those who come after me. But it means I have to beat them. I have to do the best, be the best, and to do that, I have to stay focused. I can’t get carried away with all the hoopla around me.
And what hoopla it is.
Everyone has made such a huge deal about me. From the local newspapers to the Dean to the students, everyone knows my name now. It freaks me out. What if I have an off day at the next meet? What if I suck? I’ll not only be letting down my team, but the university.
Crap!
“You looked beautiful in all the pictures, bella.”
My smile grows as I cross my ankles, touching my toes. “Thanks, Mama. Amelia did my makeup.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I think Tia and I are going to try to drive to the meet in Missouri.”
I shake my head. “Ma, that’s too far.”
“Won’t be too bad. Tia has a good car that will get us there.”
“No, maybe I can fly you in. I’ll ask.”
“No, don’t ask for more. They do enough for us.”
I press my lips together. They, the sponsorship, really do a lot for me, us, but I don’t want my mom in a car for that long. It’s not good for her back or her legs. My aunt Tia isn’t very diligent when it comes to Mom’s condition either. Damn it. “Let me see what I can do.”
“All right, my bella. I am so proud of you. The videos are amazing, and I think you did deserve that ten.”
My lips quirk. “I got loose in the third tuck.”
“I couldn’t tell.”
“Neither could anyone else, I guess.”
“Always want to be the best.”
“Because I am.”
She chuckles softly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Disconnecting the call, I drop the phone before reaching for my laptop. Going to a cheap tickets site, I search for a flight for my mom. I’m sure Amelia won’t mind her sleeping here when she comes in, so I don’t have to worry about a hotel. Plus, she’ll bring food because she’s crazy. She’s been bringing food when we travel almost my whole life. She never wants me to go hungry. She’s always taken such good care of me, and now, I’m not there to do the same.
Damn it, I should have gone to a school in Nevada.
Gone is the excitement of the meet. Now I’m hit with the guilt I’ve tried so hard to keep at bay. When my eyes start to well up, I close them, trying to keep the tears from falling. Some leak, though, and I feel weak. I made this choice to better myself and ultimately give my mom a good life. I have to keep my eyes on the prize. I can’t start getting homesick. I have to do what I came to do, and that’s to get an education and to open my own gym.
End game, Sofia. Think of the end game!
When the door opens, I wipe my face quickly as Amelia comes in, kicking off her shoes and throwing down her bag. “Mom got you a plate of food. She figured you’d be hungry.”
I put on a bright smile to cover my tears. I don’t smile much, so maybe she won’t notice my red eyes. “She didn’t have to do that.”
Tears gather in my eyes once more. “You would?”
“Yeah, what do I need the money for? I have everything I need, and what I don’t, I get. Spoiled, remember?”
For the first time in my whole life, I think I love someone other than my mom. Reaching for Amelia, I wrap my arms around her neck, and of course, my tears start to fall. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just know I got you.”
“You don’t even know me.”