She knew what she had to do, even though a few days ago she had told herself she would focus solely on herself and her events at the Olympics.

~•~

Beatrice woke up early in the cozy room of the Olympic Village. The soft rays of the morning sun gently filtered through the curtains, casting delicate shadows on the walls and creating a peaceful atmosphere in the room. She lay in bed for a moment, taking deep breaths and savoring the quiet moment before what promised to be a demanding day. Her mind was still filled with the memories of yesterday's Olympic opening ceremony. She could see images of the grand event, the crowds, the colorful lights, and could still hear the echoes of the cheering spectators.

The evening when Beatrice first met Thomas kept replaying in her mind. She lay in bed, just before a new day full of training and preparation began, and her thoughts kept returning to those moments on the boat during the opening ceremony.

She remembered how nervous she felt standing on the banks of the Seine, ready for the start of the Olympic Games. She couldn't shake the nerves, even though she knew what followed was something she had been looking forward to her entire life. It was magical, unforgettable, yet her heart was pounding so hard that she was afraid someone from her team might notice.

And then Thomas appeared. That tall brunette she had noticed earlier by the swimming pool was suddenly standing next to her on the boat. And when he smiled at her, it was as if all her fears and nervousness vanished. The brunette started talking to her naturally, as if they were old friends. It was strange how easily she felt connected to him. It was like she had found someone who understood her and knew what she was going through.

She recalled their conversation, how he told her about his training and how he was preparing for his event. She was surprised at how openly he spoke about his fears and uncertainties. Especially since he seemed to have everything under control. It was refreshing for her to hear that other athletes had their doubts too, and that she wasn't the only one feeling the pressure.

With every smile and every glance into his dark eyes, she felt that a special bond was forming between them. She didn't know exactly what it meant, but she was sure that their meeting wasn't just a coincidence. Thomas was friendly, attentive, and a great listener. When she talked about her dreams and how much the Olympics meant to her, she felt that he understood. And that was important to her.

Thomas made her feel calm and confident. She felt that with him, she could be herself, no matter how much the Olympics tied her up in nerves. And even though they had only known each other for a short time, she felt like she could trust him. That evening had given her new strength and determination to face all the challenges the Olympics would bring.

Beatrice returned to the present moment and realized that with the morning approaching, she would have to focus again on her training. But that evening with Thomas had reminded her that even in the midst of a demanding sports life, there was room for new relationships and experiences. She felt stronger and more prepared for what was to come because of him.

As she closed her eyes and delved back into her thoughts, she knew that meeting Thomas was not just a coincidence but something meant to guide her through the toughest moments of her career. Whatever happened, she knew she could think of him and find comfort in that. She opened her eyes and smiled.

She jumped out of bed and stretched to loosen her muscles. She packed her sports clothes and prepared her bag with essentials for training. She put on comfortable leggings, a sports bra, and a training jacket in the Italian colors. Her heart rate quickened slightly at the thought of today's training. She needed to get into the right shape and mindset for the competition.

When she left her room, she grabbed her sports bag and headed outside. The Olympic Village was already bustling at this early hour. Athletes from various countries were preparing for their daily routines, some were already warming up, while others hurried to breakfast. Beatrice put on her sunglasses as she stepped into the sunny courtyard. The air was fresh and full of energy, giving her an extra boost to start the day right.

As she approached the bike stands that athletes used to get around the village, she spotted a familiar figure. Thomas was standing by one of the bikes, and when he saw the brunette approaching, he smiled. "Good morning, Birdie," he called out with a smile as he noticed her coming closer. "Are you ready for today?"

"Good morning, Thomas," Beatrice replied with a smile and walked up to him. "I'm more than ready. How about you? How did you sleep after yesterday?"

Thomas shrugged, but his smile revealed his good mood. "It was an amazing evening, don't you think? But now I'm back in my head. We have to focus on why we're here. On today's race."

"I'll be cheering for you," Beatrice smiled as she took a bike from the stand. "I'm not sure if I'll make it because of my training, but I'll definitely try to watch at least on my phone."

"That's a shame," Thomas said. "I was already looking forward to having a pretty brunette standing among my teammates, cheering me on as if she were my biggest fan, even though she hadn't heard of me until yesterday morning."

"Would that make you happy?" Beatrice asked.

"Very much, but you need to train, so I understand if you can't make it," Thomas nodded understandingly. "I want you to finally win gold for Italy in diving, so train hard and do your best."

"I will," Beatrice nodded.

The pair hopped on their bikes and set off on the cobblestone paths of the village towards the training facilities—Thomas would turn off towards the race venue before the training pool. The ride was pleasant; the sun was shining, but it wasn't too hot. They could faintly hear the hustle and bustle of the city beyond the Olympic Village's buildings, but here, inside, the world was focused only on sports. Beatrice felt calm yet determined as she pedaled towards the pool.

Thomas rode beside her, and they chatted occasionally. They discussed their training plans, how they were preparing for their competitions, and even exchanged a few tips on how to deal with nerves. Beatrice appreciated how open and friendly Thomas was. She felt that she had found someone who understood her concerns and the challenges she faced.

"What's your plan for today?" he asked as they crossed the bridge leading to the training center.

"Today, I want to focus on technique and precision," Beatrice replied. "Alberto told me we need to fine-tune a few things before we start intense training since the competition is only three days away."

"That sounds good," the brunette nodded. "I'm focusing on getting a good start today because you know what they say, right? How you start is crucial for the entire race."

As they approached the pool, the atmosphere shifted. There were fewer people around, but everyone who was there was fully focused on their training. The sound of splashing water and the quiet commands of coaches filled the air. Beatrice stopped in front of the pool and got off her bike. Thomas stopped beside her.

"This is where our paths part for a while," he smiled. "Good luck with your training, Birdie."

"And good luck in your race, Thomas," Beatrice replied. She was determined to come up with a nickname for him too, so she wouldn't be the only one who had to listen to something completely different from her name every time he called her. "I hope you do well. See you later."

With that, they said goodbye and went their separate ways. Thomas headed to the 50-meter pool, where the race was starting to fill with fans and other swimmers who had one or more events today, while Beatrice turned toward the diving training pool.

As she walked along the pool's edge, she felt her body preparing for the demanding training ahead. It was time to give it her all. She thought about the techniques she needed to perfect and all the little details that could make the difference in her success.

Alberto was already waiting for her by the pool. "Good morning, Beatrice," he greeted her with a smile. "Today we'll be working on a few specific dives. We need to fine-tune the details and make sure you're ready."

Beatrice nodded and began warming up. As her body heated up, her mind became increasingly focused. Everything that had happened in the past few days, all the emotions she had felt, now had to be set aside. In front of her was the pool, her playground, her arena. Every move had to be precise, every dive perfect.

The first dive was always the hardest. Beatrice stood at the edge of the board, took a deep breath, and focused her mind on the dive she was about to perform. She concentrated on every detail—her takeoff, how she would tense her body, how she would control her rotation, and how she would smoothly enter the water. Then, without further hesitation, she jumped.

When she surfaced, she felt satisfied. The dive was good, and she felt confident. Alberto praised her and gave her further instructions on what to focus on. The training continued at an intense pace, and Beatrice immersed herself in her routine, forgetting everything around her. Each dive was a bit better, each movement more assured.

After several hours of intense training, Beatrice felt exhausted but content. Alberto was pleased with her progress and praised her for her determination and hard work. Beatrice knew she wasn't finished yet, but she felt she was on the right track. With each day, with each training session, she was getting closer to her goal.

Around two in the afternoon, when most of the athletes were resting or preparing for the next part of their training, Beatrice could no longer ignore the strange feeling in her stomach. She knew what she had to do, even though a few days ago she had told herself she would focus solely on herself and her events at the Olympics. But now it was different. Thomas needed support, and she knew she had to give it to him.

She glanced at the clock and then at Alberto, her coach, who was watching her with a gentle smile. Alberto was an experienced coach who had been through countless Olympics and understood how important it was to stay calm, even when the world around seemed chaotic. He noticed her look and immediately knew what was on her mind.

"Alright," Alberto finally sighed, realizing what Beatrice intended. "But tomorrow, be here by seven, okay?" he added with a gentle reminder, emphasizing the importance of her own preparation.

"Thank you, you're the best," Beatrice replied with a smile. She quickly gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek before dashing off to the locker room to change as quickly as possible. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was excited but also a bit nervous. She didn't want to miss it. She had to be there when Thomas fought his way to the finals.

In the locker room, she changed into comfortable clothes and immediately headed to the stadium where the swimming qualifiers were taking place. On the way, she kept reassuring herself that she was doing the right thing. Thomas was the only one who had befriended her here, and she knew how much this moment meant to him—just as it did to every athlete competing at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

When she arrived at the stadium, she found a spot in the stands among other athletes and coaches. The atmosphere was charged with tension. All around, she could hear whispers and encouraging shouts.

But she paid attention to nothing except the starting blocks, where the tall Italian with the looks of a supermodel would soon appear.

~•~