LITMIR.BIZ

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took her place at the block and dropped her hands down close to her feet. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the air out slowly through her slick lips. She opened her eyes and focused on the water below. It rippled and moved over itself as if it were alive and waiting for her.

      Coach blew the whistle and Bri dove into the water, her body slicing through it. She pumped her legs and arms until she resurfaced, her arms lifting over her head as she took in her first breath. Her eyes focused on the line painted at the bottom of the pool, ensuring she was right above it. Seconds before she hit the other side of the pool, she flipped her body around and pushed off the wall. She focused on the line and her breathing again, tunneling her vision in counting laps. She could hear the other swimmers but didn’t dare look to see how far away they were in relation her. Swimming was the only thing that cleared her mind. Nothing mattered when she was in the water.

      On the way back from her first lap something caught her eye at the bottom of the pool. She lost her pace and her stroke slowed for a second as she squinted her eyes to get a better look. Something red ebbed and flowed at the bottom of the pool. A body shot past her and she snapped out of her trance. She clenched her jaw and picked up her pace, knowing she’d lost precious seconds by letting herself get distracted. She kicked her legs and moved her arms faster until she reached the side of the pool. She couldn’t help search for it on her final lap. As she sped down the lane whatever she’d seen was gone. She pushed on until she touched the side of the pool where Gina stood ready on the block. The girl dove into the water.

      Chloe preened from the next lane, having finished her laps before Bri.

      Bri jumped out of the pool. “Have fun on your next set.” She didn’t look back at Chloe, her mind still on what she might have seen.

      Bri made her way to the bleachers and wrapped a towel around herself. Her heart still pounded hard in her chest as she thought about how she’d messed up. She watched Gina, mentally critiquing her form. Coach never moved from her spot yet Bri felt her stare. She was going to hear about her screw-up soon enough.

      Gina was the first to finish in her group, even though Bri had slowed them down. She smiled at choosing the girl. Coach might not be as hard on her since they’d won. Bri headed to the side of the pool to join her team. The girls huddled together, cheering for Chloe. Even though Chloe had earned those extra laps with her mouth, they still were a team. Since they were always in competition, Bri was rarely able to watch Chloe. Chloe’s form was very good, even though Bri hated to admit it. One thing she loved about the sport was that most of the time it was individual. A place where Bri shined.

      Chloe lifted herself from the pool and made her way over to the group. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath. They all turned to Coach for their next instruction.

      “That was pitiful. Same time Monday.” Coach unnecessarily blared her whistle in their faces and headed toward the locker room. “Shower up.”

      Just as Bri heaved a relieved breath, Coach’s voice bounced off the high ceilings. “Brianna, in my office.”

      Chloe snorted on her way past Bri.

      Bri clenched her jaw.

      In instances where Chloe annoyed the crap out of her, she tried to remember the days when they weren’t at odds. They had been friends up until their freshman year when they both got onto the swim team. Chloe’s overly competitive nature had split them up and Chloe had veered off, making her own set of friends who were higher in ranks than Bri and Max.

      Max bounded down from the bleachers. “What happened out there? I saw you slow down. You okay?”

      Bri nodded and pulled her hair free from the cap. She twisted her fingers around the strap of her goggles. “I thought I saw something.” She shook her head.

      “Well you definitely gave Chloe more fuel.”

      I shrugged. “There’s always Monday.”

      They entered the locker room.

      “I’ll wait for you by the lockers, okay?” Max headed down the narrow hall.

      Max knew the locker room always freaked Bri out. For some reason Bri was reminded of horror movies when she went in there alone. The tall ceilings and dim lighting threw shadows in every corner. To the right were the showers. A dozen stalls, capable of hiding anyone from wandering eyes. The perfect spot for a serial killer. Up ahead were rows of lockers and benches. She didn’t expect Max to wait outside of the shower cubby—she wasn’t five.

      To the left were two storage closets and Coach’s office. She knew Coach stayed late and was thankful for small favors on those occasions when Max had other club commitments.

      Bri opened the door to the office.

      Coach was at her desk. Her hands were on her lap. “What happened just now?”

      Bri bit her lip, unable to come up with any excuse other than the truth. “I thought—”

      Coach cut her off. “I know you girls are distracted. Boys. Dances. College. And whatever else.” She leaned back in her chair, locking her eyes with Bri’s. “Boys will always be around. School dances will be forgotten. College is important, though. And I understand you have a single mother who’ll probably help with your college fees. But you’re good enough to get a full ride to any reputable college with a swim program. You’ll just have to work harder.”

      Bri tightened the towel over her chest.

      Coach pointed at the wall. “You have to be a leader for these girls and I think you are doing a good job, but there’s more potential in you. And if you are willing, I’d like to offer you some extra time to get you there.”

      Bri’s skin flushed. “Really?”

      Coach nodded, her expression stoic. “You have less than two years before you leave this place. Which isn’t ideal, but I think we can do it.”

      “Thank you.”

      Coach tapped her hands on her desk. “I want you here for an extra hour on Monday. We can work out a game plan then.” Coach’s offer was amazing. Her reputation had preceded her before she came to Willows Lake. Multiple college trophies and even an opportunity to get into the Olympics before she’d injured herself. Mom would be proud.

      “Sounds good.”

      Coach looked at her desk. “Get out of here.”

      Bri nodded, noticing a barely perceptible lift of Coach’s lips. Bri suppressed a smile. Coach wasn’t as tough as she seemed—that didn’t mean she deserved any less respect though.

      The rest of the girls were already changing when Bri claimed the closest shower stall to the locker room. She knew Max would be annoyed if she took too long. And she couldn’t wait to share the news. She showered as quickly as possible, just enough to get the chlorine off her skin. When she turned off the shower, a dull ringing settled in her ears, growing louder and louder. A splitting headache accompanied the sound so she leaned against the still-warm plastic wall of the enclosure.

      She reached for the towel slung over the hook right outside the curtain but missed, toppling forward. She caught herself as her foot slipped across the floor. She was able to grip the towel and hook just before falling. Black spots dotted her vision. She took a deep breath, willing her eyes to stay open and not succumb to passing out.

      Several breaths later she was able to come out of it. Sweat trickled over her body and she shivered. When she was sure she could stand without falling, she lifted the towel from the hook and wrapped it around her body. She slipped on flip-flops, grabbed her damp bathing suit, and headed for the locker room.

      The buzz of voices didn’t greet her this time. The other girls must have headed home.

      Bri blinked a few times to make sure her balance was okay. “Max?” Lockers outlined the space and all the benches were empty. Her breathing was loud in her ears. “This isn’t funny!”

      Something moved behind her and she spun around,

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