A/N - Do I feel bad about the ending to this chapter? A little 😏

ALINA'S POV

"Run through it one more time from the top, just so we're sure" Matheo tells me with a frown, speaking on behalf of all of my family who are currently watching me practice my routines for the gym competition.

I started practicing about a week ago, getting my skills back by practising on the trampoline.

As I've done gymnastics at such a high level for over 6 years, my skills came back naturally to me.

And with my body feeling as good as ever it was much easier to do.

My family wasn't to keen for me to start doing all of my skills on the floor to start with, so my brothers brought out blankets and pillows to create a makeshift landing space for me.

I'm surprised they even allowed me to start trying things on the floor as even when I was on the trampoline at least someone was outside with me.

And although I had yet to fall, or made a mistake yet, they were all on their edge of their seats.

Romeo was currently holding Luca back from blocking my way, to stop me from doing my skills.

"Come on guys, that's the 5th time I've done my floor routine without any big mistakes. What's your answer?" I ask then as I stand in front of them with my arms crossed.

I love having the confidence to stand up for myself, as well as to be able to fight for answers from my family, not fearful of the consequences it could bring.

"Let us discuss!" Marco tells me as he forcefully makes my family form a huddle around him.

I try to contain my laugh, as they try to be quiet and whisper.

When you live with this many people, there's no way you'll ever speak quietly, especially if you want to get your point across.

Although I've perfected my floor routine, I'll be doing the easiest routines on bars, beam and vault as it's not realistic for me to come straight back to the sport and do the hardest routines.

I just want to have fun out there.

"It's decided" Marco tells me as he clears his throat.

"YOU'RE ONTO THE NEXT ROUND! AMERICA, HERE WE COME!" He screams as he picks me up, chucking me in the air.

No way!

"REALLY!? So I can go!?" I ask my parents from the top of Marcos shoulders.

"Yes, but if you get even a scratch, you'll be straight on the sidelines with us watching, capiche?" My dad tells me.

"Capiche!" I tell him as I jump off of Marcos shoulders to embrace him.

I can't wait to see everyone!

"It's going to be so good, going on this trip as a whole family! I can't wait!" Adrian tells me.

I completely agree, it's going to be awesome!

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"What is he doing here?" Luca asks as he narrows his eyes whilst pointing at Raphael.

Raphael is now joining us on this little holiday and I couldn't be happier.

All of my favourite people are all in one place.

When I told him i was going to America for a gymnastics competition he refused to pass up the opportunity to see me compete.

I thought it was going to be hard to persuade my family to let him tag along with us, but it truly wasn't.

They all love him, as if he's the family's golden retriever. He always brings a happy atmosphere wherever he is.

Ever since they found out that Raphael asked me out last week, they've welcomed him as one of their own.

Something they never did with Reese. Not that I care. I haven't heard or seen from him since that night, and I don't want to.

Though, I do know he didn't get away unscathed as my family were absolutely livid at his actions.

I told them about how he treated me in private, and I could tell no one was happy.

Let's just say, I don't think he's still in this country anymore, or anywhere near.

My family took all of his families assets and kicked them out of Italy.

There may have been some roughing up, but that's all I know about.

But, there's no point dwelling on those memories.

Raphael asked his dad to ask mine if he could tag along for "business" purposes on this holiday as he thought that was the only way my dad would agree.

It wasn't, I'm pretty sure my dad was going to ask him to come with us regardless.

My dad agreed to the proposal anyway, even though no business will be going on, as my dads said he's not doing any work whilst we're away.

So Raphael gets a little holiday with us, one full of relaxation.

We're only going for 2 days and he wants to give us, his family all of his attention.

Even mom said she's not working, and she the biggest workaholic there is!

That's why they're the best parents ever!

"Raphael is tagging along with us. Have you got an issue with that?" My mothers asks Luca.

"You're trusting him with my baby sister?Also, this was meant to be a family holiday!" Luca cries in outrage.

"They both have competent minds Luca, and they're only 14, they barely even hold hands. You need to chill your beans!" Rocco tells him backing me up.

Me and Raphael blush as we look at each other.

He speaks the truth. We've only ever really held hands, and that's when we're on dates or at school.

Well, he kissed my cheek when he asked me out but that's something Luca doesn't need to know, or he'll flip his lid.

All of our friends freaked out when they found out that we were together.

Elle, Bella and Jake absolutely freaked out as they thought we were perfect together.

After the night of the party, we decided to stop talking to Bianca since she decided to choose popularity over us.

She hasn't looked back thought as the party did gain her popularity points.

But al least now our friends group is full of real friends.

Our current mission is trying to get Elle and Adrian to admit their feelings for each other.

"I'm watching you, man! No funny business, I mean it!" Luca tells him as he stared him down whilst entering the plane.

"Don't mind him, he's just an overprotective child" Romeo reassured Raphael who looks a little shaken from the encounter.

"Come on, you'll be fine. I'll protect you from him, I promise!" I tell Raphael as I lead him onto the plane making sure we sit together away from Luca and his murderous gaze.

Me and Raphael talked the whole flight there, never getting bored of each other or our conversations.

Although as soon as I got into the car to for the drive to the hotel, a wave of tiredness washed over me.

"You can lean your head on my shoulder if you like, so that you can sleep comfortably" Raphael offers with a smile on his face.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a pain and stop you from sleeping" I tell him.

"I'm not even tired, I promise!" He tells me staring into my soul.

"As long as you're sure" I clarify to him before falling asleep instantly feeling comfortable and safe in his embrace.

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I walk into the main area of the competition building hoping to find my team.

We were almost late getting here as it was hard waking everyone up on time, especially with some peoples sleeping habits.

Cough, cough, Adrian

And I only just fitted in mom doing the perfect French plaits for me.

"Come with us as we find our seats, and then you can go and look for you teammates, ok?" My mom tells me.

I happily follow them, as I want to know where they're sitting so I can look out for them whilst I compete.

I do not want to get separated from them in a busy place like this.

As soon as my family found their seats, I spotted my teammates.

"Mom, I've got to go! The competition is starting soon" I tell her as I point out where my team is.

"Okay, okay! You've got this baby, go smash it out of the park!" She tells me as her and my dad kiss my forehead in good luck.

I race my way down towards my teammates before tapping my Coach's back who is startled as she turns around before recognising me.

"Alina, it's amazing to see you! We're so glad you could make it, it's all the girls have been able to talk about in recent training sessions!" Coach Anastasia tells me.

"Oh, thank you guys, I'm so happy to be competing!" I tell them sincerely giving them all a group hug.

"Alina, remember that you cannot wear any jewellery or the judges won't allow you to compete" Coach Anastasia tells me.

Of course, how could I be so stupid!

"I'll be right back!" I tell my team

I run up to my parents in the stands, taking my bracelet off of my wrist and handing it to my mom.

"Honey, why are you taking this off?" My mom asks me as her eyes shift to my dad in question.

"I can't compete with it on as it's a hazard. There's no need to worry, we're in the same building, I'll be fine!" I tell them with a big smile, reassuring them after seeing the worry in their eyes.

They'll have their eyes on me at all times.

"I've got to back to my team, but keep an eye out for me, I'll be on bars first!"

"Um, Alina?"

I turn around suddenly to see Raphael standing to the side of my parents awkwardly.

"Yes Raphael?"

"Can I give you a hug for good luck!?"

"Of course!" I tell him. What a silly question!

He takes me in his embraces before whispering in my ear that I'm going to absolutely smash this competition.

I stare into his eyes, trying to capture this moment forever.

My whole family is here to watch me and my boyfriend is the best I could possibly ask for.

I bid them farewell as I make my way over to my teammates, as we get ready to compete.

My nerves were hairy for the whole competition as I truly gave it my all.

I sighed in relief as I stuck my landing to my final tumble run at the end of my routine.

I smile as I lift my head looking towards my parents before indicating I've finished my routine and walking towards all of my teammates.

"You were so amazing Alina, even with weeks of no practice, you were still as great as ever! We're so lucky to have you on our team!" Amy practically squeals at me as she embraces me.

"That was something you should truly be proud of Alina, you did amazingly especially after what happened these past few months" coach Anastasia tells me, giving me a smile.

This is one of the few times coach Anastasia allowed her emotions to be seen.

She's an ice cold lady otherwise.

Me and my teammates all great around each other as we celebrate a good day.

None of us placed but we all did amazing.

I think I might have if I was training for those 7 weeks I wasn't injured but I didn't

And because of that I choose an easier routines, which I knew I could manage.

It was good enough for me show my family what I could do as well.

I looked up towards the stands to see my brothers smiling and clapping gleefully at me.

Just to the left of them, was Raphael with a big sign with my name on wishing me luck.

How did he hide that big poster from me?

As soon as he saw me he made a heart with his hands and giving me the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face.

I smile back as much as my face will allow it towards him and my family.

Me and my teammates gossip all the way back to our changing rooms, allowing me to catch up on everything I've missed since being away.

And I've missed a lot.

It's was so nice catching up with them all. It was the perfect end to the perfect day!

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"Alina, could you just stay back for a second please. I just want to discuss something with you" Coach Anastasia asks me as we finish getting unready.

The rest of the girls give me their farewells as they go and meet up with their families.

"You did well today. I'm proud of you, I hope you know that. I have and always will be proud of you" She tells me with a solemn expression on her face.

"Yes, of course. You've always been there to support me. You're the one who gave me the opportunity to do something with my skills. You're the first person to never judge me and to believe in me. You even gave me a job when I asked for one, no questions asked. I'm always thankful to you Coach Anastasia!" I tell her trying to cheer her up.

"Oh Alina, you're too kind. I don't deserve those kind words" she tells me as she takes me in her embrace.

"I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me about this Alina." She tells me, her tears dripping from her face onto my head.

I remove myself from her embrace only to be met with the feeling on a needle in the side of my neck.

I step back in shock as o realises that it was none other than Coach Anastasia who had stuck the needle in me.

My heart starts beating wildly as I make my way for the door.

I need to get back to my family. I attempt to scream out for help only to realise that no sound is coming out.

My breathing starts to get shallower as I find it hard to breath, and was only a couple of second before my legs stopped working .

I attempted to crawl to the door, trying to do anything to survive this, to get back to my family.

My eyes light up in hope as I see the door open, thinking it's one of my saviours.

My dreams are crushed as I realise it's not. I don't know who these people are but they are definitely bad guys.

One of them smirks as he comes over to me, smiling gleefully as he kicks me so hard in the stomach my body is spun around in the floor.

My eyes well up in pain, and my throat becomes dry and sore as I try to scream in pain, but all that comes out is a gargle.

Tears fall down my face as I see my coach, someone that I held dear in my heart shake hands with the 2 men that just came in.

That's the last thing I see before my world turns black.

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A/N - This part was rushed so forgive me if there's mistakes.

There's quite a few time skips (such as the night in the hotel) as I wanted to get this part of the story out as my exams are coming up.

OPINIONS ON THIS CHAPTER? LET ME KNOW!