Just Friends, Right? — The Tiny Uniform Sample

The joke failed to hide the worry in my chest. Before he could answer, Serena knocked and entered with a stylist. Camera test. I covered the phone.

It is ten at night. Champions do not control media schedules. The stylist held up a tiny red uniform. That will not fit me.

Serena smiled. Not yet. Our nutrition team can fix that. I felt Caleb go still on the screen, he said.

Mia, put me on speaker. I did. His voice filled the room. She does not need fixing.

Serena looked at my phone. Boyfriends complicate branding. She opened the contract to a marked clause. Sign with Victory and your relationship stays private.

I stared at the money, then at Caleb. Serena placed a pen in my hand. Choose the career, Mia. I put the pen down.

My career does not require me to hide someone I care about. Serena's smile vanished. You have been famous for three days. Then I have less to lose than you think.

She took the contract. We will see. The next morning, every athlete received a fitted Team USA practice uniform. Everyone except me.

An assistant handed me the same tiny sample. Serena said this is the only size available. That is a lie. Avery adjusted her perfect uniform.

Maybe sponsors know what an international athlete should look like. I went to the locker room. For one second, I wanted to disappear again.