Like all the other competitions, I didn’t see him. Pushing forward, I got to the top and rolled my head around. I lifted my arms in a circling motion, loosening my shoulders. Stepping forward onto the platform, I started my other tradition, the one that was the most important. I would look through the crowd again, but I wasn’t looking for Jace. The pool was rippling beneath me, beckoning for me to join her, but I ignored her and searched for Tray. My time on top of the platform was only for him.
He was leaning forward, his hazel eyes focused only on me. A few girls were beside him, sneaking peeks at him. The one next to him was staring right at him with a flirtatious grin tugging at her lips. They were trying to get his attention, but like so many other times, his eyes were solely trained on me. We shared a look, his eyes darkened, and a small grin teased over his face. A rush of excitement moved my nerves aside. My body reacted. It wouldn’t be long until I would feel his body against mine. His hands would be in mine and he would move inside of me. We would be home again, with each other. Tray was my new home.
Mandy was next to him. I didn’t look at her or Austin. They had both come to support me. Shelly asked to come, but I still wasn’t ready to open that door. She remained with Kevin and I could never forgive him.
I heard the signal. They were waiting for my dive so I went to the edge of the platform.
I didn’t see the pool below. I imagined my hardest dive, and I was brought back to the day in the tunnel. In my mind, I dove from there hundreds of times by now and every time I conquered the fall. I closed my eyes, then flexed my legs, and kicked off. As I completed my dive, my body was perfect. I soared into the pool and when I kicked out, bringing my body right back to the surface, I didn’t need to hear the roar of the crowd.
I knew I had won.