Life Of Two Beat Friends: College CHPT 39

CHAPTER 40

Coach was not kidding. College was not something that would be easy to get accustomed to. Classes were fine. Practices were fine. But once morning practices were added on top of that list it became hectic. I was and am still amazed I am able to know what day of the week it is. How do people survive being a double major; let alone doing this for four years? But I’m commited to this spiral of chaos.

…

“Dude,” Jeremy pulled me back, “are you even listening to us?”

I had been listening, but then I must have drifted off for the last maybe five minutes. I opened my eyes to see Jeremy shoveling food into his mouth, Timothy and Charlie were working on homework, where as I was snoozing on the table. “Sorry man,” I sat up and stretch my tight muscles, “just…you know…everything has been difficult.”

“Oh, believe me I know its difficult. I thought highschool was hard, but College seems impossible. I’m now understamding why people told me not to do a double major.
Especially a swimming double major. Other sports I’ve heard don’t have as grueling as a schedule as us. That morning practices are only every other day, and their afternoon practices aren’t always practices. Sometimes their coach does weightlifting sessions instead. Why did I have to be a swimmer?”

‘Every other morning! That would be fesible. Its just the every day. The afternoon practices being long and hard, then going back to the dorm room to finish up on the impossible physics homework, to once again be getting up at 4:30am to another grueling morning.’ “I know what you mean. For me it’s more like why did I choose physics? I could have done Chemistry, Science, even Art. Something not so difficult.”

Timothy and Charlie nodded but then continued with their studies They were in the same major of Physical Education. Even that would have been a good major. It at least would have been in the same ideology of swimming. I could have worked on strengthing my swimming while also swimming.

“Ahhh…are the little baby freshmen having a tough time?” a voice came up behind us.

‘Not what I wanted or needed.’ Bryan had been keeping a distance when we were on the pool deck, but if he ever crossed paths with us on campus he always took it as a
chance to try and get a reaction out of one of us. Ever since the day I took his hand off of Charlie there had been rumors. That Bryan was scared of a freshman. He wasn’t, but once that idea got into the air more and more outlandish rumors started. ‘I really hate rumors.’

Maybe it was because I was so exhausted but I almost turned around to confront him, but thankfully Jeremy caught my eye before I did anything rash, and I shifted my body as if I was just stretching.

“I’m really getting fed up by your…” Bryan raised his voice as he came closer to our table.

‘Enough!’ I stood up turning to Bryan, and quickly dodged the fist coming for my face. Bryan stepped back suddenly almost falling. He must not have expcted me to stand. I just stared at Bryan. No movement in his direction. “So this is what the upperclassmen do to their teammates?” I gestured to my friends “That’s what we are and will be for at least this year, teammates. So why don’t you act like one,” I turned my back to them, gathering up my belongings. “Let’s go guys.”

“George! Duck!” Jermey was lunging towards me.

I squatted down and turned just as another fist whizzed over my head. ‘Not again.’ I shoved Bryan out of my space. He tripped on his way down and fell to the floor.
His buddies were now behind him helping him up off the floor. “So this is how the upperclassmen swimmers are at this school,” I walked over to Bryan and his goons. “Bullies. But not even normal bullies, but ones that will hit someone with their back to them. Real brave…” I had no chuckles for them, I just took my belongings and walked out of the courtyard with the guys. I’m not one to fight on land; I will settle this in the pool.