Danny nodded and smirked. “Yeah, you’re kicking her ass!”
I laughed. “Let’s hope it stays that way!”
After lunch, it was the butterfly stroke. Spurred on by my talk with Danny, I exceeded my own expectations and ended up beating Kimmy. She didn’t look best pleased when she came second in all three of the heats. To be honest, even I couldn’t believe how well I was doing.
That said, I had a feeling that it wouldn’t last for the final race. It was freestyle and I was pretty tired. I hoped that I could keep up my winning streak and make the top two.
Once we were lined up, the horn blared and we were off. Kimmy was the fastest and made the first group. I managed to make it too but this time I came third. It wasn’t great but it was okay.
However, I really wanted to make it into the top two for the last three heats so I vowed to push myself harder than ever. The first heat was when the trouble started.
I started off strongly, keeping up with Kimmy but then disaster struck on the last lap of the pool. My right leg started to burn ferociously and I could feel myself slowing down. Gritting my teeth, I angrily pushed through the pain and succeeded in making the top four. Now all I had to do was make it through another two heats (both making the top two) and I would qualify for the Finals on Friday. I was less than optimistic that my leg would hold out but I was determined to finish.
After I pulled myself out of the pool, I stretched out my leg and winced at the pain. Breathing heavily, I took a seat and tried not to focus on the dull throbbing in my leg. I watched the other group race and clapped along with everyone else as the other top four swimmers were decided.
It was then my turn to compete again. This time I would have to be in the top two or I wouldn’t qualify for the final heat. Standing up, I noticed that my right leg was shaking slightly. Grimacing, I made my way to my starting position and focused on winning.
The horn blared and I started slowly. However, as soon as I started to pick up the pace, the pain started to get worse. Determined to power through, I forced myself to keep going and was amazed when I made it into the top two.
The other group raced and the top two were named. For the final heat, my competitors were Kimmy, Rachel Hillman and Elsie Jackson. I felt sick but I had to make the top two. I just had to.
We lined up and glanced at the announcer.
“On your marks … get set … go!”
I summoned up all of my remaining energy and willed myself to finish the race. My leg was burning now; it felt like it was on fire. I let out a gasp as a particularly strong wave of pain washed over me but I didn’t stop.
Glancing over, I could see that Kimmy was in the lead and Rachel was second. Determined, I focused on my breathing and tried to ignore the burning sensation in my leg. It seemed to work since I quickly overtook Rachel and was soon neck and neck with Kimmy.
With one last burst of strength, I propelled myself with such force that, at the very last second, I passed Kimmy and won. I did it! I was through to the Finals and had succeeded in making the top two in all four styles of swimming.
Exhausted, I cried in relief as I hauled myself out of the pool. One glance at Kimmy and it was easy to see that she furious. She gave me daggers, mouthed the words ‘watch your back bitch’, and then stormed off into the changing rooms. I smiled to myself and limped after her; the pain in my leg hadn’t totally subsided but at least I could walk.
After a quick change, I met my mother and Danny in the front foyer. After hobbling over to them, Danny looked at me in concern.
“Your leg’s hurting again, isn’t it?” He said, looking at me sternly.
I avoided his eyes. “No, it’s just a bit stiff.” I lied.
He sighed heavily. “Why didn’t you stop?”
I shrugged. “I wanted to win.”
Danny shook his head wearily and my mother frowned at me.
“Darcie, you’re going to seriously injure yourself if you’re not careful.” My mother scolded, looking worried.
“I’ll be fine!” I exclaimed, rather annoyed at how both Danny and my mother were treating me like a disobedient child.
Danny, sensing my anger, gently curled his arm around my waist. “Hey, we just don’t want to see you hurt yourself, okay?”
I glanced up into those hazel eyes and found my irritation melting away.
“I know. I just don’t want her to win.” I admitted.
Danny chuckled. “Hey, you kicked her ass today … she’ll not know what’s hit her on Friday.”
My mother looked confused. “Who are you talking about honey?”
I waved off her question. “No one Mum … just one of the competitors.”
She frowned. “Are you talking about the Barbie Doll? I didn’t quite catch her name but she didn’t seem very nice.”
I roared with laughter and Danny started chuckling.
“What?” My mother asked, totally confused by our reactions.
“The Barbie Doll!” I repeated, letting out another chuckle. “Oh that’s good!”
My mother glanced at me and then Danny – who was still laughing – and shook her head, totally mystified.
“Come on you two – let’s get out of here. I think those chlorine fumes have addled your brains!”
Chapter Forty-Three
On Wednesday and Thursday, Danny and I watched the rest of the competitors fight their way into securing a place in the Finals on Friday. Strangely, we never ran into Kimmy once. I was sure that she would be there since it would give her a chance to flirt with Danny but she never showed.
Her threat on Tuesday still bugged me and it was for that reason that I convinced Danny to have one last training session. He reluctantly agreed and managed to convince Ms Greenly to let us use the school pool again. However, once we were in the water, he warned me to take it easy and not aggravate my leg.
“Oi!” Danny yelled. “Take it easy Darcie!”
I nodded obediently. “I am!” I called back, finishing off my lap of the pool.
He quickly swam over to me and stopped me from going any further. “I mean it Darcie!” he warned.
I rolled my eyes. “You worry too much.”
Danny shook his head wearily. “Don’t let her get to you. It’s what she wants.”
I sighed heavily. “I know. It’s just she makes me so mad. I really wanna win just to spite her.”
Danny smiled. “Easy Gilmore! Let’s do one more lap and then we’re done for the night.”
Reluctantly, I nodded. “Okay but you have to choose a good song to help motivate me for tomorrow.”
Danny laughed. “Okay, it’s a deal.” He then quickly pulled himself out of the water and made his way towards the iPod dock. A few seconds later and ‘Go’ by Livingston blared to life. It was a perfect choice.
Friday morning arrived and I woke up feeling unusually calm. Even though I found this to be quite bizarre, I decided not to question it. I got up, took a leisurely shower, and then dressed in my comfiest tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt.
When I eventually made my way downstairs, I found my mother freaking out in the kitchen.
“Oh Darcie!” she cried. “How are you feeling? Are you nervous? Don’t be! You’re gonna be fine! You’re okay, aren’t you? You’re not gonna be sick, are you?”
I laughed and gave my mother a hug. “Calm down! I’m actually feeling okay.”
My mother breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. That’s good. Have you packed yet? What time do you want to leave?”
“Yes, I’ve packed and I dunno … maybe in about five minutes or so.”
My mother nodded and quickly rushed about the kitchen, trying to find her car keys. She eventually found them in the fridge and didn’t calm down until we arrived at the leisure centre and met up with Danny.
“Well Gilmore, today’s the day!” Danny said, flashing me a killer grin.
I nodded. “Yeah and I’m actually feeling pretty calm.”
Danny nodded. “The same can
’t be said for your mother though.” He glanced over at my mother – who was now looking a little green – and chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. “Hopefully your parents will make her chill out.”
Danny laughed. “Come on … let’s escape while they’re not looking. Do you wanna go to the canteen?”
Nodding, I grabbed his hand and we bolted down the corridor before any of our parents noticed.
The canteen was quiet. However, the first person to look our way as we walked through the door was Kimmy. She was sitting with Lance and looked really happy about something. In fact, when her gaze fell on us, she looked positively gleeful. Lance, however, just looked rather miserable.
I threw Danny a curious look but he merely shrugged and dragged me to the table furthest away from them.
“What was with that?” I asked, genuinely bewildered by Kimmy’s strange behaviour.
Danny sighed. “Trust me, sometimes it’s better not knowing.”
I was still curious but I decided to let it go for once and just nodded. “Fair enough. So, how are you feeling?”
“Confident.” Danny replied cockily.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you are.”
Danny chuckled. “How are you feeling? How’s your leg?” He glanced at me worriedly.
I gave a small shrug. “Okay, I guess. My leg will be fine.”
He frowned. “I hope so. Just don’t let Kimmy goad you into pushing yourself too hard. It’s not worth it if you hurt yourself. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter to me.”
I nodded. “I know … but it would be great to wipe that smug smile off her face!”
Danny laughed. “Easy Gilmore, save it for the pool.”
I let out a low chuckle but glanced over at Kimmy again. She was now staring at me intently with a smirk on her face. I pretended not to notice and focused on Danny.
“So, are you in the other pool today or are they just using the one?” I asked, hoping that it was the latter.
Danny grinned. “Just the one pool so I’ll be able to cheer you on if you do the same for me.”
I smirked. “Of course! Is it the boys first or the girls?”
Danny shrugged. “Dunno. All I know is that there’s less boys competing than girls.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess you guys are better swimmers than us girls!”
“I wouldn’t say that!” Danny protested. “Just that the competition between the guys is more intense – I have seven other guys to beat today or that’s it!”
Shaking my head, I squeezed his hand affectionately. “Don’t worry Danny. I have complete confidence in you that you’ll kick all of their asses!”
Danny chuckled loudly but then turned serious. “Yeah, well it’s Lance I’m worried about … he’s good – really good.”
I shrugged and let out a sly smile. “But he doesn’t have me cheering him on, does he?”
Danny shook his head and threw me a killer smile. “I guess not. Plus, he doesn’t have a good luck kiss from you either.”
He winked and I let out a laugh before pulling him in for a kiss.
“Good luck.” I told him as I pulled back. “And you’d better buy me a hell of a dinner when you win today!”
Danny threw his head back and laughed. “No pressure then?”
I grinned at him. “Hey, we have to keep the magic alive!”
He shook his head, laughing and then pulled me up; an organiser had just announced that we should make our way to the changing rooms – the Finals would be starting in half an hour.
Chapter Forty-Four
The girls were picked to start the competition and would therefore be competing first in each style of swimming, the boys second. There were twelve girl finalists and only eight boys so the organisers thought it would be best to let the girls go first.
So, changing quickly into my swimsuit, I made it my personal mission to avoid Kimmy; I just knew that she would relish the chance to get inside my head before we were due to compete. However, I didn’t count on running straight into her.
“Ah, Darcie!” she exclaimed in surprise. “I’ve been looking for you.”
I frowned at her. “What do you want Kimmy?”
She held out her hand. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. Good luck today.”
I glanced at her suspiciously before grudgingly shaking her hand. “Um thanks … you too.”
Kimmy smiled but it wasn’t genuine. I couldn’t help but feel that she was up to something. Sure enough, she grinned at me evilly.
“Oh, by the way, how’s your leg?” she added with a smirk.
“How do you know about that?” I asked, furious that she had found out.
She smiled slyly at me. “Oh, I know all about you Darcie Gilmore.”
I didn’t like her tone but I didn’t want to start another fight so I merely frowned at her and said, “Whatever Kimmy.” I then nodded to her, and started to make my way out to the pool area.
There was a rather large crowd gathered in the viewing gallery and instantly I felt sick; the nerves had finally hit. I could see that the whole school was now watching us; I could spot Harriet and Samuel waving over at me.
I waved back, taking deep breaths as I did so and then made my way over to the other girls and waited for the competition to begin.
However, at the last second, my gaze drifted over to Kimmy. She was staring intently at me again and I felt unnerved; her comment made me feel that she was definitely up to something. When she caught me looking, she smiled sweetly and then turned away. Yeah, she was definitely planning something … I just wished that I knew what it was.
The first two styles were breaststroke and backstroke. Surprisingly, they both went well for Danny as well as myself. I managed to make the top three in both but it wasn’t without a bit of pain. Kimmy’s comment about my leg had provoked me and I pushed myself harder than I should have.
Judging by the fire now burning in my leg, I was probably right. However, it was totally worth it when I saw how furious Kimmy was that I had qualified. She didn’t seem too amused that I would be joining her and the two other girls – Sarah Nolan and Frances Darkwood – for the title.
Danny qualified in the top three for both styles also. The other finalists were Lance and two other guys called Gary Whitman and Kris Appleby.
However, it was now time to break for lunch and then it would be freestyle and butterfly. After that, it would then be time for the final races. I happily threw on my tracksuit and met Danny in the canteen.
He embraced me in a big bear hug as soon as I made my way over to him.
“Darcie! You were fantastic!” he exclaimed while squeezing me tightly.
I smiled. “You weren’t so bad yourself!”
Danny grinned and then turned serious. “How’s your leg?”
I shrugged and avoided his gaze. “It’s fine.”
Danny frowned, clearly doubting that I was telling the truth. He opened his mouth to argue but I threw him a warning look.
“Really Danny.” I emphasised. “I’m fine.”
He sighed heavily and then glanced over at Kimmy and Lance. “I told you not to let her get to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m a big girl Danny, I can handle it. Though I don’t know how she knew I had a bad leg.” I added thoughtfully.
Danny looked alarmed. “How did she find out?”
I shrugged. “Maybe she saw me limping on Tuesday.”
Danny frowned. “Maybe. Just take it easy though.”
“I know. Don’t worry so much.” I told him with a small smile.
With a heavy sigh, Danny nodded but I noticed that he glanced over in Kimmy’s direction and frowned. I followed his gaze and saw that she was staring over at us yet again. She smiled sweetly and threw us a sarcastic wave before getting up and leaving the canteen.
I glanced back at Danny and he threw me a worried look before forcing out a strained smile. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who thought Kimmy was up to something.
Chapter Forty-Five
Danny and I left the canteen an hour later and he walked me to the changing rooms.
He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and then gazed at me intently. “Be careful Darcie. If your leg hurts … please just stop.”
I gazed into those extraordinary hazel eyes of his and nodded. “I promise.”
I turned, pushed the door open, and was met with a sudden eerie silence. The other girls had abruptly stopped talking and were now staring at me in shock. Kimmy was standing off to one side, smirking at me. Puzzled, I walked further into the changing room and noticed that all of the cubicles had the same sheet of paper stuck to them.
Curious, I snatched a sheet off one of the doors nearest to me and inspected it closely. My hands shook as I read it and my blood ran cold: it was the article about my father’s death. However, that wasn’t the worst of it – no, what bothered me the most was the word scrawled in red ink across the page, on every page, on every cubicle …
‘KILLER’
I closed my eyes and tried to block out everything. Every noise, every thought. Everything. It didn’t work. I could hear Kimmy taunting me.
“Jeez Darcie,” I could hear her saying. “How do you live with yourself?”
I squeezed my eyes tightly, still trying to block her out.
“You’re the reason why your father is dead!” she jeered. “You killed him because you were just too dumb to learn how to swim.”
“Leave her alone Kimmy!” someone piped up timidly and I felt someone place their hand consolingly on my shoulder.
I shook it off and tried to catch a breath. My breathing was laboured and I was gasping for air but Kimmy’s voice still invaded my mind.
“Why did you even learn to swim? It’s not like it’s gonna bring him back! You know you shouldn’t have survived that day and you shouldn’t have survived that car accident either! Do you ever think that fate is trying to tell you something? Maybe Darcie, you should accept the fact that you shouldn’t even be here!”
Learning to Breathe Page 24