It was finally my turn to go again with only 3 more tries. If I screw this one up then I'm done for, which won't happen because screw ups are intentional, mistakes aren't, and I stopped making mistakes.
I went up to the diving bored with a new profound sense of confidence. I went through my routine, the whole thing was a blur, but what I do know is I might as well have gotten a standing ovation because that right there was the best dive I've ever seen/done in my whole life.
When I got out I looked up at the score bored and saw I was given a perfect 10 from every judge, this totally compensated for my lack of performance earlier.
The rest of the meet went the same way, now I didn't get all 10s but I got lots of 9s, right now first place is looking real nice. But what feels nicer is looking back and seeing Lando, I wish I could see his reaction as soon as I enter the water. Eric's been telling me he's like a little kid on Christmas, unable to contain his joy and excitement for me, and that Daniel arrived for my third dive. I make sure to give Lando a wink or blow him a kiss after a dive as cringy as that sounds, I think it's cute. However I make sure to do it subtly, not wanting Daniel to see because then I'd never hear the end of it from him.
A few minutes after everyone finished diving my score was still in the lead with two girls representing China in second and third. I was wrapped in my nice and warm sweats and made my way down to the podium where my whole name was announced for everyone to hear. We all got our medals, and I heard the Australian anthem shine, and it was about time. It's been to long since I heard it play, I gotta say not hearing Max's Dutch anthem for once was the most thrilling part.
Once everyone was done taking pictures of us Eric and I called our team letting them know us Aussies are coming back home with gold. It's my first meet back and it couldn't have gotten any better, if I don't count the first half that is.
After I gathered all my bags, and changed out of my suit into some clothes, Daniel and Lando were waiting for me in front of the locker room.
Daniel gave me a hug and the usual spiel, saying he needs to call mom and let them know I won, knowing he was just giving me and Lando an excuse to let us be alone.
"You know you really surprised me today Lan"
"I'd say you surprised me too, but then that would mean I'd doubted you at some point which simply isn't true" I got on my tippy toes and went in for a kiss savoring the moment, I want to remember these past few hours for ever, every teeny tiny aspect of it. "I mean I have you to thank for doing so well" "I'm not the one doing the dives love" "ya but you allowed me to keep on going, and for that I'm ever grateful"
His deep sea green eyes staring into mine, it's at this moment I knew our love would last forever. It's like that moment in all the movies you'd never expect to happen in real life. I got goosebumps running down my body, and butterflies fluttering in my stomach like there's no tomorrow. I've fallen down bad and so has he.
Our gaze got broken when we heard someone cough intentionally. I looked over and saw it was Daniel, "Are you two love birds going to gaze off into each other's souls all day, because if that's the case I can leave" "Oh shut up Dan" "So can we go?" Lando and I simultaneously looked and him and then back at each other "Ya we have celebrating to do" "where to?" Daniel gave me a sly grin, "Not here that's for sure, come on we got some driving to do"
When we got to the car I went through my bag and remembered "oh Lando here's a shirt, you know for getting yours wet earlier" he leaned in and whispered "you know love, if you wanted a show you could have just asked, I never say no to you" I gave him a gentle shove and sat in back down in the back row of Daniel car as Lando changed in the front seat next to him.
I wonder where we're gonna be celebrating today?
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Hey guys sorry for the short chapter, but this story is really coming to an end soon (but it's not done yet 😉) I'll probably write and post the last part in the next few days. Thank you all for helping me grow my story it's been one heck of a journey 💕