Streamline

by Jennifer Lane

  Instead of cooling down after her race, she stormed over to her coach.

  Matt didn’t meet her eyes. “Go cool down.”

  “Won’t you even tell me what went wrong in that race?” She could hear the shrillness in her voice.

  “We’ll talk after you cool down.” He turned to focus on the next heat.

  “You didn’t taper me right. My meet’s ruined.” Matt turned back to her. “Listen to me. You have races tomorrow, so you need to work out the lactic acid. I know you’re disappointed, but sometimes swimmers have bad races. It happens. And the good swimmers don’t sit down and pout — they move on, and they cheer for their teammates. You’re our team captain, Audrey. Please act like it.” He walked away, leaving her standing alone with her cheeks on fire. Her eyes welled up. She’d worked so hard! She’d tapered like she always did, yet she felt exhausted. Her entire senior year was a complete waste.

  Just then Leo draped his arm around her and guided her away from the pool, into the evening shadows.

  She sniffed. “Don’t you have to get ready for your race?”

  “I’ve got a few seconds. I’m so sorry you had a bad swim.” She continued to cry. “That’s not the worst part. I just had a complete temper tantrum. I told Matt he ruined my taper.” Tears flowed. “My dad would be so embarrassed right now.”

  “Shh.” Leo scooped her into a hug. “Your dad’s always proud of you, you know that. Just go cool down and apologize to Matt. He knows you didn’t mean it.”

  She nodded.

  “You’re upset because you care so much about swimming. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  Audrey took a deep breath and gently pushed Leo away. “Thank you. Now go get ready for your fifty.” She attempted a smile. “Be a madman out there. This is your race!” Leo held her hand for a moment, searching her eyes, before reluctantly letting go.

  Once Leo was in place behind the blocks, he checked the cool-down pool and was relieved to see Audrey slide into the water. He had no idea why she was having a bad meet. Elaine’s speedy backstroke split had given the Pensacola girls’ 200 medley relay a third-place finish earlier in the evening. Audrey had a decent breaststroke leg on the relay — nothing stellar but nothing awful. Yet her IM was clearly off.

  Gary grinned at him from lane four, and Leo returned the smile from his position in lane five. Both Gary and Leo had swum their 50 free in 20.22 during the preliminary heats. It was a personal best for Leo.

  Listening to his teammate’s iPod, Leo jammed to a pounding beat and felt ready. Then he glanced up to the stands and saw his father glaring at him. CS probably wasn’t too pleased with Leo hugging Audrey on the pool deck. At lunch his father had hinted that Leo shouldn’t surround himself with “losers” whose slow swimming might be infectious. He’d been relieved that his father hadn’t directly ordered him to stay away from Audrey, but that action might be forthcoming after her performance tonight.

  He tried to put his father out of his mind, instead focusing on stretching his hamstrings. Matt had told him to concentrate on his breathing and repeat the word “bullet” to himself behind the blocks.

  Leo wanted to get off the blocks like a bullet fired from a gun. A perfect start and turn were essential.

  He took deep, energizing breaths. Bullet…bullet…bullet. He shook out his limbs and jumped a few times.

  The starter called them to the block, and the cheers gave way to deafening silence.

  “Take your mark.”

  Leo crouched to grab the front of the block, his feet spread in a track-start position. When he heard the electronic beep he rocketed off the blocks but came to a halt underwater when the beeps sounded in a rapid-fire staccato, indicating a false start.

  The field of eight popped the surface and nervously made their way back to the blocks. Whoever false started would be disqualified, and every swimmer prayed it wasn’t him.

  Leo pulled himself out and readjusted his goggles, resuming his deep breathing and repeating his trigger word. He stared ahead at the water, funneling all his energy and attention to one focal point.

  The starter walked over to the referee to compare notes. Nodding, the starter headed toward the lanes. As he passed lane eight, seven, six, and began slowing down near lane five, Leo stopped breathing.

  He hadn’t false started, had he?

  When the starter passed his lane, Leo was flooded with relief, but his heart sank when the starter stopped in front of Gary. Gary grimly nodded and grabbed his towel. Leo’s toughest competitor had just been disqualified.

  As Gary passed, Leo grabbed his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It happens.” Gary’s disappointment was obvious, but he was trying to be a good sport.

  “Race won’t be the same without you, man.”

  “Get it done, Leo,” Gary said. “I’ll be cheering for you.”

  The swimmers stepped back up to the blocks, with the block for lane four noticeably empty.

  When the electronic beep sounded, Leo once again launched himself and sliced into the cool water. Instinct took over as he poured all of his effort into lightning fast arm-strokes and an explosive kick.

  He took only one breath, as he’d planned, and drove to the finish.

  Leo looked up at the clock and pumped his fist in the air when he saw his time: 20.09, another personal best. He was state champion in the 50 free!

  His teammates cheered riotously, and Leo found Audrey clapping with a look of sheer joy on her face. They shared a grin.

  Forgetting for a moment about all of the misery of the past year, Leo lazily floated on his back, enjoying his accomplishment.

  On the van ride back to the hotel, Leo still basked in a happy glow, now holding Audrey by his side. Matt answered his cell phone, then handed it to Leo.

  He’d managed to avoid seeing his parents after the meet, but CS had still tracked him down. “This is Leo.”

  “How was your fifty, bro?”

  “Jason!” Leo’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “You called.”

  “Of course I called, idiot. So, how’d you do? Don’t leave me hanging!”

  “It was awesome, Jase. Twenty-oh-nine, my best time.”

  “Sweet! Did ya win?”

  “Yup. It kind of sucked because Gary false started. Maybe if he was in the race we could’ve both broken twenty.”

  “Well, that’s something to look forward to for college, I guess.

  Under twenty seconds? That’s seriously fast, Leo.”

  “It would be incredible to swim that fast. How’s everything at home?”

  Jason paused. “Pretty good. I’m with Cam, and we’re headed for some pizza. Hope day two goes even better. Wish I could be there, man.”

  “Thanks, Jase.”

  Audrey watched Leo beam as he handed Matt’s cell phone back to him. This was his moment, and she was thrilled for him. He’d certainly earned it.

  When they arrived at the hotel, Audrey sent Leo on ahead without her. While the other swimmers piled out of the van, she stayed and waited for her coach, who was gathering his clipboard and other belongings from the space between the front seats.

  “Um, Matt, could I talk to you for a second?”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Matt sat with her in the front row of van seats.

  She took a deep breath, trying to think of what her father would do — what Leo had encouraged her to do. “I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I was being a crappy team captain.”

  “Apology accepted. I’ve seen a lot of swimmers bounce back from a bad first day, Audrey.”

  She said nothing, feeling tears just below the surface, threatening to erupt.

  “I have a story for you.” Matt skated his hand through his surfer-blond hair. “There was once a boy growing up in Louisville, Kentucky.

  His family was poor. He was jealous of all the other kids in the neighborhood riding their bikes, because his family couldn’t afford to buy him one.”

  Audrey wondered what this had to
do with swimming.

  “When he was old enough, he got a job bagging groceries, and he saved his money until he had enough to buy his own bike. And what a bike he bought, I tell you — a beautiful red bicycle he proudly rode around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, one morning he woke up and discovered it had been stolen.”

  “Aw.”

  “When the boy grew up, he started boxing. He worked hard at developing his skills, and started winning every bout. Before he faced an opponent in the ring, he’d stare across at him and think, ‘I bet that’s the guy who stole my bike!’ And Muhammad Ali became a pretty good boxer in his day.”

  Audrey’s eyes widened. “Muhammad Ali? Is that a true story?”

  “True story. Audrey, all you can do is give your best effort. Now go get some rest, and tomorrow I want you to go get your bike back!”

  “Okay!” Audrey grinned and climbed out of the van.

  Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked into the hotel, and the pressure on her chest lightened a little. She only wished her father could be there.

  31. The State Meet, Day Two

  Spectators filled the stands to capacity for finals on Saturday night.

  Before the meet began, it was time to honor the senior swimmers on their last night of high school competition.

  Leo and Audrey stood with Elaine, Alex, and Eric representing the senior class of the Pensacola High School Panthers. Their team surrounded them in a sea of purple and gold, congratulating them and handing them bouquets of flowers.

  Leo smirked as Alex hugged Elaine. “Hey, I know you two are lovers, but keep it PG — there are kids in the stands.” Alex laughed. “Your dad’s such a twit.” Leo led the way when the announcer called for the seniors to line up. “Can’t wait for that free relay, dude,” Eric said, falling into place behind him.

  Leo nodded. “It’s gonna rock.” Leo had swum a strong 45.2 in the morning’s 100 free preliminary, which seeded him first for the finals, with Gary close behind at 45.4. Eric had had a breakthrough performance in the 500 freestyle, and his 4:35 nosed him into eighth place. He’d made the finals for the first time.

  After instructing the crowd to hold their applause until all the names had been read, the announcer eventually got to Pensacola’s senior squad. “Eric Alexander…Alex Bradbury…Elaine Ferris…Audrey Rose…Leo Scott.”

  The five seniors stepped forward, hugging their flowers and surveying the crowd. As the announcer went on to the next school, Leo sensed Audrey’s sadness about her parents’ absence. He snuggled closer. “I’ll be your family tonight,” he whispered.

  “It’s hard to believe high school’s almost over,” Audrey said. “It’s gone fast.”

  “For me, the first two years kind of dragged,” Leo said. “I just wanted to go to college and get away from CS. But then I met you, and now I never want high school to end.” Audrey reached for Leo’s hand. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone’s ever said to me.”

  His gaze swept down her body. “How’d we meet again? Oh, yeah, you were skinny dipping.”

  Audrey chuckled. “You’ll never let me live that down.”

  “I do think we need a repeat performance before we graduate.

  Maybe you can finally earn a ten for your synchronized routine.”

  “Or maybe we can score another way,” Audrey countered.

  Leo’s eyes lit up. “How am I supposed to focus on swimming when you say something like that?”

  “Ladies and gentlemen, your seniors!” the announcer finished.

  Thunderous applause rang out in the gathering night.

  A few events into the meet, Leo stood behind lane four, listening to Elaine’s iPod. He imagined himself exploding off of the block, and his heart thumped by the time he opened his eyes. Smoothing his hands down his sleek black suit, Leo gulped deep breaths and pressed his goggles into his eyes. Next to him, Gary was in the middle of his own pre-race routine.

  The starter called the heat up to the blocks. After a clean start, Leo broke out of his streamline a touch ahead of the field. Gary soon caught up during the straightaway, but Leo nudged ahead on the turn. The two swam neck and neck the first three laps. On the third turn, Leo edged in front of Gary once again only to lose his edge as both came barreling toward the wall in their last length.

  It was difficult to know whose hand first reached electronic touch pad. Panting, Leo searched for the clock to find Gary in first place with 44.92 and himself in second with a 44.98.

  Leo reached across the lane line to grasp Gary’s hand. “We both broke forty-five!”

  He was genuinely happy for Gary after his disqualification in the fifty. Swimming faster than ever before was really the name of the game, regardless of which place he finished.

  Audrey’s voice was hoarse from all the cheering. After her talk with Matt, she’d decided if she wasn’t swimming fast, she’d at least do her best to help her teammates. Beaming with pride for her boyfriend, she watched him head to the cool-down pool while she gathered her cap and goggles to ready herself for the 100 breaststroke.

  Audrey passed Marcie already in place behind lane four, looking carefree and relaxed. Wench. Audrey waggled her fingernails, painted gold with purple polka dots, at Marcie as she removed her team jacket and began stretching. This was her last race of the meet. Though she’d relinquished her title as state champion in the 200 IM, she was hell-bent on getting her bike back in her best race. Taking a deep breath, Audrey made one final adjustment to her cap as she stepped up on the block.

  “Take your mark,” the starter announced, and then they were off. All was quiet underwater as Audrey completed one pull and one kick, but she popped up high out of the water to piercing cheers. She could make out some teammates at the end of her lane, screaming at her to speed it up at the turn.

  Audrey had no idea where she was in the field. Her quick stroke thrust her body forward with each glide, spearing the water. During the fourth length she felt her energy fading, but she willed her body forward, surviving on guts and anger to finish her race. She touched the wall and scrambled to see the clock.

  Her time was 1:02.1 and her place was first. Audrey nearly fainted with relief. It wasn’t her best time, but she’d defended her title, and after a horrible IM, she’d take it.

  Marcie didn’t even look at her, just quickly popped out of the pool and stormed away. As Audrey pulled herself out, she felt a stab of pain in her abdomen. The pain grew in intensity, and she barely made it to the locker room before she doubled over in agony. Feeling the return of nausea, Audrey shut herself in a bathroom stall, trying not to moan out loud. She wondered if her period was finally starting — but she’d never had cramps like this before.

  As a moan escaped, she prayed for the pain to disappear. Eventually she turned to throw up in the toilet. She was shaky and unsteady, but she began to feel better once she vomited. Resting her head against the cool stall, she reviewed the last few days. Was it the flu?

  She didn’t think so. Was it food poisoning? No, it couldn’t be…the nausea wouldn’t come and go, and none of her teammates were sick.

  Audrey racked her brain to find what was making her sick and ruining her meet. She had so looked forward to going out with a bang her senior year, just like Leo. Suddenly she gasped and splayed out a hand on each side of the stall. She knew the source of her fatigue, nausea, and cramping. She knew the exact source of her pain.

  Leo scanned the team area for Audrey. Where the heck was she? She’d won her race more than twenty minutes ago, and he still hadn’t congratulated her. Now it was time for his relay.

  “Laney!” he called. “Have you seen Audrey?”

  “Nope. Maybe she’s in the locker room?”

  “Can you go check on her? She looked like she was in pain or something after her race.”

  “Sure. Good luck on your relay.” Elaine turned toward the locker room, and Leo joined his teammates for the last event of the meet.

  Jake, the scrawny sopho
more was listening to his headphones, staring off into space. Then he grinned and jumped up. “Yo, check it — I love this song!” He grooved to a beat only he could hear as the three older swimmers stared. “It’s Weird Al!” he cried. “Perform This Way.” Alex recoiled. “That’s a parody of Born This Way! How dare he mock Gaga?” Alex lunged for Jake’s mp3 player, but he swiftly eluded him. Alex chased the weaving and bobbing sophomore around the pool deck until an official yelled at them for running.

  Eric grinned. “I’ll miss this.”

  Leo smiled. “Me too.” He beckoned them. “Let’s huddle up.” The four swimmers formed a circle and slung arms around shoulders. Leo made eye contact with each teammate, one at a time. “For three of us, it’s our last race ever as Panthers, and I want to make it incredible. Let’s lay it all on the line. Put it all out there, guys — everything you got.”

  “Alex, get us a good start,” Eric added. “I’m a D-man, but I’ll try to keep up with all you crazy sprinters.” Alex shook his head. “Distance swimmers are the crazy ones!” Leo noticed Jake’s wide eyes. “Jake, you’ll be fine. Just pretend it’s practice and do your best. If you can keep us close to St. Petersburg, I promise I’ll do everything I can to win this race for us.” Jake gulped and nodded.

  “No matter what happens,” Leo said, “we’ve had an awesome meet. I’m proud to be your teammate.” The four exchanged nods and broke their huddle. Excitement coursed through Leo as they headed as a unit to lane three.

  “Audrey? Are you okay?”

  She could see big feet with purple-and-gold toenails outside the stall. “Laney?”

  “Open up.”

  After a few moments Audrey found the energy to open the door.

  She wiped her tears and leaned against the stall.

  “Are you sick, chica?”

  Audrey nodded and bit her lip. “I just threw up. I’ve been sick all weekend.”

  “Oh, you poor thing! I’m so sorry. Hey, Leo’s relay’s coming up.

  You feel okay to come out on deck and watch it?” At the mention of his name, Audrey’s eyes welled up again. “Go ahead. I’ll come out if I can.”