Part two, continued from the last chapter
AMANDA'S POV
I stare at myself in the mirror, searching for any lines of imperfection or proof that I slept less than three hours yesternight. I adjust the hem of my white sleeveless cardigan then droop my blazer over my shoulders, not bothering to put my arms in
I don't have my doc martens on today, they're replaced by ankle high black leather boots even though I would have preferred to just wear a pair of sneakers but according to Toke I'd be breaking dresscode
At the thought of that, Toke materialises into the room, dressed the same but without the cardigan and with black loafers instead. Her tinted hair is packed with a blue claw clip with her edges neatly laid, looking as proper as ever while I packed my brown knotless braids into a ponytail, leaving two strands falling at both sides of my face.
"Take your swimming gear along" she says as she packs hers into a black bag we all have
"Why? The competition isn't till 2pm" I say, putting my earrings on
"What if coach doesn't want us to come back to the hostel?" She says like she's stating the obvious
I shrug, moving to pack my stuff too
A knock is heard on the door the same time Denaya bursts into the room, still in her night shorts and a crop top
"Why aren't you dressed-
"That's not the issue" she cuts in toke, takes a few calming breaths then continues "Jenny can't swim"
Toke's eyes expand in shock, probably understanding what she meant immediately
"Why can't she swim?" I asked in an equally hushed tone, still confused by the statement
"She's on her period" she drops on us
"Oh chim" the words leave my mouth at the same time my palm goes to my forehead
Toke starts to pace around
"I thought we already discussed and confirmed from all of us that nothing of this sort could happen" Toke says with apprehension
"We did, she said she didn't expect it" Denaya replies, equally frantic
Toke continues to pace around with one hand on her waist while the other keeps fidgeting
"What the hell are we going to do?" I ask, directing the question at Toke
She meets my gaze, realises I'm talking to her then shrugs violently
"Captain, you need to be the one to tell coach" Denaya says "maybe Brittany will just stand in for her instead"
We pause to look at her, irritation worn on Toke's face till she gives a loud hiss and continues to pace
"Whether you like it or not, she's our only substitute and she has to fill in somehow"
It sounds like a terribly bad idea, Brittany wouldn't dare fill in Jenny's shoes even if she tried her best but at this point looks like all we have is our partly deflated spare tire
"I need to get ready, I'll join you all later" Denny says and skids out through the door
"What are we going to do?" Toke asks- almost yells- beating the back of her hand with the palm of the other hand
"We literally don't have a choice here" I say, stating the obvious
"Brittany?" She scoffs
Up till now, the only two times I've seen this girl fret is regarding this competition
"We're going to lose" she says, slumping on the bed
"Don't say that, Brittany isn't all that bad, we can work with her and cover her shortcomings" I say, trying to be optimistic
"Why would Jenny do this to us" she groans, speaking to herself
"Let's tell coach, he'd know what to do" I suggest
She spares me a look of disbelief then shakes her head
"What does he want to do? Miraculously help Brittany not to suck too much?" She lets out a long hiss
I keep my mouth shut, waiting for whatever she might suggest next
"You know what? Let's go and inform the coach" she says and springs up, not waiting for me before dashing out
I run after, catching up mid hallway. This couldn't be that bad
***
TOKE'S POV
(Adetoke Karen McAnthony)
We find the coach at the cafeteria like I predicted, munching on bread and peanut butter with a hot mug of tea placed beside him
Students have just started to breeze in but most tables are still empty as the bell only rang a minute ago.
"Coach" Trip and I say at the same time, both our voices apprehensive
He looks up from his food, a small welcoming smile gracing his features
"Hi girls" he smiles a little broader "are my swimmers ready to take over the world?"
"We have something to tell you" Trip says then rushes to grab a chair to sit in front of him while I decide to ignore the other chairs and stand
"Okay, what is it" his expression turns concerned
"We're short of a swimmer" I say
He pauses his chewing, places his bread down then turns his attention fully to me
"Why what's the matter?"
"It's Jenny, she can't swim" I reply, trying not to let panic seep through my voice
He still doesn't get it, he raises an eyebrow in question
"She's on her period" Trip concludes
The poor man chokes on whatever was in his mouth
"Sorry sir" Trip says, handing him his mug of hot tea
"Wat-er"
I push his bottle of water closer to him, he downs it in a brief moment, caps the bottle then visibly slumps in his seat
"Oh shit" he mutters
We are used to the words that come out of our coach's mouth already so both of us aren't even fazed by the string of swears and curses that come out as he tries to process the situation
"What's the name of that second junior?"
"Brittany" I reply
"Oh shit" he says again, rubbing his temple "We'll have to make do with her, we don't have a choice. Tell everyone to converge here now"
He orders then gets up from his seat, leaving his half eaten breakfast abandoned
"Breathe, breathe" I say to Trip to calm our nerves
"I'm breathing just fine you're the one that needs to breathe" she replies calmly
We stay quiet for moments, each person with her own thoughts
We can't lose swimming this year, not when I'm captain and in my senior year
The boys team are already at a disadvantage without Erling we need to help them match up points
Not that I think Justin is a flop but I know he only performs best when he has Erling to lead him
This is going to be terrible
I send a message to the group chat for the girls to assemble at the dining. Even while I'm mad at Jenny for choosing to disappoint on such an important day, I'm still concerned with how she's feeling having to drop out of the team when she has looked forward to this more than any other person
Right, I should be concerned about her and not just this competition
Brittany hurries in and I almost roll my eyes to the back of my head, Trip shoots me a cautioning look as she approaches us. She grabs a chair while ducking her head slightly in greeting
"Good morning captain, good morning Trip" she says eagerly
She's probably heard the great news, she actually has a shot at representing the school
"Good morning Brittany" Trip says with a genuine smile while I reply her with a nod
Denaya and Jenny walk in moments later, followed by the coach who is the last to join the table
Breathe in, breath out
**
The girls volley ball competition is about to begin, the first teams are Sheffield vs Savannah. According to Trip, the girl we met on the hallway yesterday- Ivy- is the one currently with the ball, about to serve
I look over our team, my confidence immediately rising as soon as I see Espn and Amaka on the court
Amaka might be completely stupid and utterly irritating but at least she isn't without talents, she rules that court
The whistle is blown and Ivy serves right in then the ball starts to soar back and forth between teams. With Espn's lightning speed spikes and Amaka's strategic blocks, we were in the lead. Savannah didn't read the memo it seems because they aren't playing like they prepared to meet the reigning champions, absolutely no way they would proceed to the semi finals, they are so washed
Maybe they are good for books alone after all
The game goes on for minutes, they go on recess then get back to whooping Savannah high like they were playing with kindergarteners
First set: Sheffield 27, Savannah 20
Second set: Sheffield 25, Savannah 18
Completely floored them
Espn walks forward to shake hands with Ivy from the other team before walking off the court in pride as the crowd goes crazy for them
The swim team gets up synchronously and file out of the bleachers, we were only forced to watch our team play we don't have to stay for the rest
We meet the coach at the gymnasium, another team is already there as well, holding a meeting
The team already agreed earlier at the cafeteria that Trip would swim first, Denaya next, Brittany third and I would wrap the race up. They were all strategic points, all Brittany did was replace Jenny while the rest of us retained our positions
The coach speaks with all of us, repeating instructions over and over, assuring Brittany that all she has to do is 'her best'
Jenny's head is laid on my shoulder, she's down both physically and mentally. Asides the cramps and nausea she feels, the reality of not representing hits her even worse. I wrap my arm around her, tapping her shoulder lightly to offer her comfort.
Today of all days Jenny
Time goes by so fast
"Okay girls let's change into our suits" I tell them all, walking behind them into the locker room
Nervous chatter flies around the room from each corner, my team being the most quiet. None of us really said anything since we stepped into the room to change, almost like it is dawning on us over again that today is going to determine many things
I observe Trip as she takes a deep breath in and says a quick prayer, I do the same, shutting my eyes for a brief moment and muttering words
"Okay ladies, it's time" they all take glances at me, taking in breaths of courage "and remember, composure"
"Composure!" they echo loudly, chuckling and trying to relax a little
"Well, it's time to win this" I say, leading them out of the room and into the arena
Sheffield students erupt in cheers as we step out, whistling and clapping louder than any other team
This year, we must win this
The schools are listed and given numbers, our team is number 3 so we stand at the beginning of the third lane, my eyes searching to catch a glimpse of the coach
He walks towards us- towards me- and for a brief moment I'm confused
"Guys there's going to be a few changes"
I don't know why, but I already hate the sound of that
"Uhm- Akinde and McAnthony, you have to switch positions"
"What?" I couldn't have heard that right
"You swim first, Akinde swims fourth and wraps the race up"
I didn't hear wrong, he's actually saying what I think he is saying
"What the hell? That's not what we practiced" I say, my voice rising a hitch
"Look, I believe you would give the team a better headstart than any other person"
"What about finishing? It requires the most speed" I say without minding the others reactions, we all know I am the fastest female swimmer
"Akinde will do that, she has speed"
"Which speed?" I say, getting more aggravated by the minute
She's fast but even she knows I'm faster and I finish better
"Look, I'm making this change because I'm your coach and I know what is best. My decision is final" he says pointedly
"You don't make such big decisions minutes to start off, it's not done"
"You don't get to make the rules, that's why I am in charge of this team" he replies, obviously getting riled up too
"Okay but if you cost us the win and this trophy, I'll make sure to write a lengthy letter to the school management on how you intentionally sabotaged us" my voice gives off every feeling of anger
He backs up then stares straight into my eyes, I don't back off, I stare right back hoping to burn him with flames coming out of my eyes
His eyes move to Trip who shares a look with him then he walks off
I scoff in disbelief as my insides boil with intense fury
"Toke" Trip calls
I look straight at her, daring her to say something that would piss me off and I was going to blow up at her at that instant
"We will do whatever you tell us to do, you're the captain and you have been here longer than anyone else on the team" she says calmly, holding me in a soft stare as they all await my response
Her words don't put me at ease or give me some sort of satisfaction, rather they make me more nervous. The team's success is literally hanging on my words
I consider telling them to discard the words of the coach but if I do and we lose, it will be entirely my fault for not listening to higher authority. If we follow his instructions and we win, it'll be because he made the change last minute and if we lose it'll also be because he made the change. Either way, it's a more bearable consequence than if I were to call the shots
"We'll do what he said, I'll swim first, Trip you go fourth" I immediately let out a breath I didn't know I was holding
The team's faces look unsure, probably doubting the coach's discernment as well but we just had to play safe
"Ladies and gentlemen it is the time we've all been waiting for, the 2023 Decathlon female swimming competition is finally here"
The crowd erupts in cheers, making goosebumps rise on my arms. I swallow hard, trying to build up some courage
This should be easy, all I'm doing is freestyle, Trip is the one that has to worry about butterfly stroke- which is the hardest by the way- but she's trained enough to take any part of the relay
"Swimmers, mount your boards"
We follow the announcers instructions, stepping on our diving boards
The arena goes completely silent, waiting on the starting whistle
You can do this Karen
I dive into the warm water as soon as the whistle is blown, becoming one with the ripples. Breaststroke comes easy to me, doesn't even feel like I'm doing any work asides the rhythmic plunging of my hands into the water and out. I sense the wall ahead and do the fastest flip turn I have ever done as soon as I make contact with the tiles, giving more energy to the second half of the lap
At this moment my mind is completely blank of other thoughts, the only objective is to win and win we shall.
I feel the water behind me splash as I get to the end, Denaya just took over. I quickly prop myself out of the water and see her in the lead, a wide gap left between her and the second.
God, I did give a great headstart
I immediately join the crowd and the rest of the team in cheering for Denaya as does the fastest backstroke I have ever witnessed in all the training sessions we've had
"Goooo" I yell, clapping my hands together
The boys team are also on ground, cheering for the girls as they give their bests
"Brittany are you ready?" I ask as Denaya nears the finish line, still leading the race
"Readier than ever" she replies shakily
"You can do this"
I said that not only to boost her confidence but because I actually believe she can.
She takes a few breath in then dives in immediately behind Denaya as she reaches the edge of the pool. I pull Denaya out of the pool with my eyes completely on our swimmer
"Shit" Brittany is fast but that Muna girl from Sheffield is way faster
"I thought third swimmers weren't meant to have speed" I yell frantically, my heart pounding in my chest as Muna catches up
Trip wears her goggles over her eyes, watching as Brittany does her flip turn. I notice exhaustion setting in from how inconsistent her strokes become
"You're almost there, faster Brittany" the coach yells with all his might
"Amanda"
"I'm ready" she replies
I nod my head, she's ready
Muna finishes first and my jaw immediately hands open as soon as that Ketchup girl dives in for the final lap
Do they not have at least one defective swimmer?
Trip dives in right after, the entire arena erupting in loud noise as their swimmers compete in the last lap, the fiercest battle
The Bolton swimmer leads the race and their entire school is on their feet cheering. Sheffield students and staff present are also on their feet, most of the howling and screaming coming from the bleachers
You can do this Amanda, God please
No doubt Kelly is fast but I think I now see why Trip was the best swimmer in Bolton and not her, she is phenomenal
I hardly saw her practise butterfly strokes but everything she did in that water is purely goddess
Kelly does the flip turn before anyone else, then Trip closely after. Like a doze of adrenalin had just been pumped into her, her muscles gave it their all
"Go Amanda!!" Erling's yell where he stood at the bleachers prompts my own screaming
She has caught up to this girl
"You're almost there, faster Trip" I yell louder than I have ever before, clapping my hands not minding the pain my palms feel
I focus only on the both of them, they were the only two contenders at this point
My breathing pauses
The crowd goes crazy
I can almost swear I saw Trip inch further than the Bolton girl- did we win?
"We won" the coach says, his face in a daze
"Yessss" I scream and jump at the same time Trip rises above the water
"Did we win?" She asks as she takes her goggles off in a rush
"We did" I yell with overwhelming excitement, pulling her out of the water and into a bone crushing hug
Bolton students don't jubilate as much but they celebrate for such a wonderful performance
"Look, it's up" Denaya says, pointing to the board
I wipe my eyes completely dry then squint at the board even though I clearly see
1. Sheffield International High
2. Bolton British Schools
3. Middleton High
"Yesssss" Denaya screams, pumping her fists in the air
All the students from the bleachers join us, Sheffield starting the uproar
Amir runs directly at me and lifts me off the ground causing me to burst in a fit of laughter
"Put me down" I say, still laughing from all the excitement my eyes start to water
He puts me down before pulling me into a tight hug
"Never doubted you for a minute"
We break up and join the others in cheering, for the first time I give free hugs to everyone, not minding who they are- the ecstasy has me not caring at all
The last person I hug is the one who deserves the praise the most, the girl who completed the race
"We wonnnn" she shrieks in excitement, jumping up and down
"We did" I say in equal excitement
"Well done girls, you outdid yourselves today"
"Thank you coach" the girls echo
"Well done captain, you led the team well"
My lips stretch into a wide smile, unable to come up with any response for the first ever compliment I receive from the coach. We did well, we deserve this win
****
I'm so exciteddddðð y'all don't know how long I've been waiting to write the part where the girls finally swim and trust me, it was exhilarating
They got the first place as they so deserve ðeven after the coach made a very weird switch minutes before start. Thank God Toke told them to follow the coach's orders
ðit's been a while since I updated I know, I hope you enjoyed this chapter(s)
Vote and comment guysss𥹠see you when I see you