"I'm glad we could spend this time together."

~•~

Beatrice woke up with a smile on her lips. The previous evening with Thomas remained in her mind as a pleasant memory that filled her with joy. As she lay in bed, she replayed all the beautiful moments they had shared together. Her heart was still full of emotions that she couldn't quite describe, but she knew they brought her happiness.

When Theresa began to wake up on the other side of the room, Beatrice turned and greeted her with a smile. "Good morning," she said lightly, still full of energy.

"Good morning, Beatrice," Theresa replied with a smile as she rubbed her eyes. "How did you sleep?"

"Wonderfully," Beatrice nodded, getting out of bed and starting to pack her things for training. "I don't think I've felt this good in a long time."

"That's great to hear," Theresa said with a smile as she got up and began to get ready as well. "I think that smile of yours says it all."

Beatrice laughed, knowing that Theresa was right. She looked like someone who had just found something that made her happy, and she couldn't help but let it shine through. Once both were ready, they headed to the dining hall for breakfast.

The dining hall was full of athletes enjoying their first meal of the day. Each one was preparing for another challenging day full of training and competitions. Beatrice and Theresa grabbed trays and started picking from the wide variety of food. Beatrice chose some fruit, cereal, and yogurt, while Theresa opted for pastries and eggs. Once they had their food, they set out to find a place to sit.

Beatrice spotted Thomas sitting with some of his friends from the swimming team at one of the large tables. When their eyes met, they both smiled at each other. There was no need for words; their smiles said it all. It was a silent communication between two people who understood each other without needing to speak. Beatrice felt her heart beat a little faster again but tried to stay calm. She knew today was a day for training, and it was important to focus on what lay ahead.

Theresa noticed and gave her a playful nudge. "I saw that," she said with a mischievous smile as they sat down at a table on the other side of the dining hall. "The way you two smiled at each other."

Beatrice laughed and shrugged. "What can I say? It's just nice knowing someone's there for you," she replied simply as she started eating her breakfast.

"It definitely is," Theresa agreed with a smile. "But now we've got a lot of work ahead of us, right? Today's training is going to be tough, we need to stay focused."

"Exactly," Beatrice nodded seriously. "Synchronized dives are no joke. We need to be perfect if we want to succeed."

Theresa smiled and raised her glass of juice. "Here's to success," she said with a grin before taking a sip.

Beatrice mirrored her and eagerly dug into her food. As they ate, they talked about the upcoming training, planning what to focus on and what needed improvement. It was clear that both of them took preparation very seriously, and while they loved to laugh and have fun, they knew that success only came with hard work and discipline.

After breakfast, they got up and headed outside, where their bikes were ready. The Olympic Village was vast, and bikes were the best way to quickly get to the training pool. Beatrice hopped on her bike and looked up at the bright blue sky. The day was beautiful, full of sunshine and fresh air, which only enhanced her good mood.

Theresa was already ready beside her, with a helmet on her head and a determined expression. "Ready?" she asked with a smile as she looked over at Beatrice.

"Ready," Beatrice replied confidently. "Let's do this."

They set off together, their bikes whizzing down the path as the air around them cooled pleasantly. The ride to the pool was peaceful, lined with trees and flowers, and Beatrice savored every moment. When they arrived at the training pool, they both stopped, dismounted their bikes, and headed to the locker room, where they quickly changed into their swimsuits.

When they stepped out onto the pool deck, their coach Alberto was already there, ready to lead them through today's intense training. "Ladies, we've got a lot of work to do today," he began with a serious expression. "We need to focus on synchronizing your movements. Every detail matters."

Beatrice and Theresa nodded, knowing they had a tough day ahead. They positioned themselves at the edge of the pool, preparing for the first dive. Beatrice focused on her breathing, mentally going over every move she needed to make. She knew that only perfect coordination with Theresa would bring them success.

As soon as Alberto gave the signal, they both pushed off the edge and launched into the air. Every move was carefully rehearsed, every twist and turn the result of long hours of training. The water welcomed them with minimal splash, their bodies working in perfect harmony.

When they surfaced, the coach watched them with narrowed eyes, evaluating their performance. "Good, but you need to improve," he said finally. "I want to see perfect synchronization. You need to move as one."

Beatrice nodded and returned to the edge of the pool. The training continued at an intense pace, but Beatrice felt full of energy and determination. Each dive was better than the last, and the two girls gradually found the rhythm they needed.

As the training session drew to a close, Beatrice knew that today had been a success. Alberto praised their efforts but also reminded them that there was still much work to be done. Beatrice realized that with each passing day, they were getting closer to their goal, all thanks to hard work and dedication.

As they headed back to the locker rooms together, they were tired but satisfied. They felt that today's training was another step toward success. Beatrice looked forward to the coming days and what they would bring – not only in the pool but beyond it as well.

~•~

Beatrice was sitting on her bed in the room, stretching her tired muscles after an intense training session. Theresa had already showered and was now searching for something on her phone when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Beatrice paused for a moment and looked up, while Theresa raised an eyebrow and headed towards the door.

"Who could that be?" she muttered to herself as she opened the door. As soon as she saw Thomas, she smiled. "Hi, Thomas! We missed you."

Thomas stood at the door in casual clothes—jeans and a light t-shirt—looking relaxed. "Hi, you must be Theresa. I'm Thomas," he greeted her with a smile, then his gaze shifted to Beatrice, who was sitting on the bed. "May I come in?"

Theresa laughed and stepped aside to let him in. "Of course, come on in. But only for a little while, if you have plans, because Beatrice needs to be in bed soon," she added with a playful smile and winked at Beatrice, who rolled her eyes slightly.

Thomas smiled at her and entered the room. "Actually, I came to ask if you, Birdie, would like to go out into the city. The Italians are playing beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower tonight, and I heard the atmosphere will be great. I'd like to go, and I'd love it if you came with me."

Beatrice looked at him in surprise, then a smile spread across her face. The idea of spending the evening with Thomas, watching volleyball in such a beautiful setting, excited her. "That sounds amazing," she said enthusiastically. "I'd love to go."

Theresa looked at them both with a smile, then turned to Beatrice and joked, "Well, I just hope Thomas gets you back on time; otherwise, Alberto will be upset."

"Don't worry," Thomas replied with a serious expression, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "I plan to have her back before midnight."

Beatrice laughed and got up from the bed. "I should get changed, then. I'll be ready in a minute," she said as she headed to her closet, where she began selecting an outfit for the evening. She wanted something comfortable but also suitable for a stroll around the city. She finally chose denim shorts and a white blouse with a delicate floral pattern. She added comfortable sneakers and a light jacket in case it got chilly in the evening.

When she was ready, she turned to Thomas. "Shall we go?" she asked with a smile.

Thomas nodded, and Theresa gave her a playful nudge as she passed by. "Have fun and be careful," she said with a smile that clearly indicated she had noticed how close she and Thomas were.

"Thanks, Theresa," Beatrice replied as she headed to the door with Thomas. Once the door closed behind them, Theresa smiled again and sighed softly. "Ah, love at the Olympics," she muttered to herself and returned to her magazine.

Beatrice and Thomas walked together towards the exit of the Olympic Village, the evening air pleasantly fresh, and the city already enveloped in a quiet night atmosphere. When they reached the street, Thomas hailed a taxi to take them directly to the Eiffel Tower.

"A few of my teammates said a lot of people would be gathering there tonight, not just for volleyball, but because it's a popular spot for evening walks," Thomas explained as they settled into the taxi. "So I thought it might be nice."

Beatrice smiled at him and nodded. "It's a great idea. I've been wanting to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night for a long time."

The ride to the center of Paris didn't take long, and when they arrived at the Eiffel Tower, the sight was truly breathtaking. The tower glowed with warm light, illuminating the entire area. The surrounding parks were full of people enjoying the evening, and the atmosphere was relaxed and joyful.

Thomas paid for the taxi, and they walked together towards the volleyball court, which was right under the tower. From a distance, they could already hear the shouts and laughter of spectators watching the match. As they got closer, Beatrice felt her pulse quicken. There was something magical about being in such a beautiful city with someone she cared about, sharing these moments.

When they reached the court, they found a spot among the other spectators. The game was in full swing, and the Italian team was doing great. Beatrice and Thomas sat in the middle rows of the stands, from where they had a perfect view of the court and the glowing tower behind it.

"All Italians should play like this," Beatrice laughed as she watched the Italian team take the lead.

"Italians are passionate players," Thomas nodded with a smile. "Whether it's football, volleyball, or any other sport, they always give it their all."

Beatrice looked at the Eiffel Tower for a moment, as its lights illuminated the night sky. "Paris is really beautiful at night," she said quietly. "Thanks for bringing me here."

"I'm glad you came," Thomas replied, looking at her with a smile. "I think it's the perfect place to spend the evening."

The match continued at an intense pace, and the crowd enthusiastically cheered for their teams. Beatrice and Thomas watched the game, occasionally laughing and talking about their experiences at the Olympics. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, and Beatrice felt completely content.

As the match neared its end, the Italian team started to push even harder against their opponents. Every hit of the ball, every jump, every block was executed with maximum focus. When the Italians finally won the match, the entire crowd erupted in joy, and Beatrice and Thomas joined in, clapping and cheering loudly.

"That was an amazing game," Thomas said as they got up from their seats. "I'm glad I brought you here."

"Me too," Beatrice nodded. "It was an incredible evening."

As the crowd began to slowly disperse, Thomas turned to Beatrice and asked, "How about we take a little walk? It's a beautiful evening, and there are so many lovely spots to see."

Beatrice agreed with a smile. "I'd love to," she said, taking his hand.

They walked together along the Seine, occasionally stopping to enjoy the view of the night-time Paris. Beatrice felt their connection deepening, as if every moment they spent together strengthened the bond between them. She remembered their conversation in the park and how they had agreed to let things flow naturally. She knew that whatever awaited them, they wanted to enjoy every moment together without unnecessary pressure or expectations. As they walked along the river, where the city lights danced on the water, the silence between them wasn't heavy but filled with understanding and peace.

Thomas stopped on one of the bridges, where there was a stunning view of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Beatrice stopped next to him, and they both quietly watched as the tower sparkled against the night sky.

"It's really magical here," Thomas said softly, his voice almost lost in the murmur of the water below. "I'm glad I'm here with you."

Beatrice smiled at him and felt warmth spreading through her heart. "Me too, Thomas," she replied sincerely. "Tonight has been truly special. I'm glad we could spend this time together."

Thomas looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness and gratitude. "I think this will be one of those memories we'll never forget," he said, gently squeezing her hand.

Beatrice glanced at their joined hands for a moment and then back at Thomas. "You're right. Whatever happens, I'll always remember this evening."

They stood there for a while, enjoying the peaceful moment under the stars, before slowly heading back to the Olympic Village. They knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but with the knowledge that they had each other, they felt ready to face whatever fate had in store.

~•~