Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 49

CHPATER 50

Qualifying Champs was over, and had we just arrived at the school. Dad had dropped off my jeep earlier today; he had to be at the music studio late tonight. I guess we won’t be celebrating. ‘Bummer.’

“Great job today everyone. I expect to see you at practice tomorrow, but don’t worry too much. Now get out of here!” Coach walked off to his truck, but was unable to leave until everyone was gone.

We all dispersed. “Jerry are you still coming to my house?”

“Nah. My body is pretty much relaxed. I’ll take a long shower and then finish cooling down tomorrow. I’ll catch a ride with…” Matthew and Ken were driving away. “Well,
I guess I need a ride. Can I hitch a ride, dude? Ken left me; he is going to get it tomorrow.”

“No problem,” I motion to him to follow me to the jeep. Almost everyone was gone. “Just think of it this way, Qualifying Champs is over, we can hurt Ken now,” I laughed
thinking about many options.

“So true. I will be throwing him in the pool tomorrow. Hopefully he spazes and does a belly flop,” Jerry climbed into the passenger seat. “Dude, you’ve got a follower,” pointing through the windsheild.

Turning…Jenny. ‘I guess I am giving her a ride too.’ “Ride?”

Jenny smiled and nodded.

“Your spot was taken by this one,” thumbing at Jerry. Jerry smiled quite proudly. Then, Jenny and I climbed into the jeep. “I’ll drop him off first then take you. Is that good?”

“No problem. As long as I get home without walking, I’m good,” Jenny relaxed back into her seat.

“Seatbelts. Good? Let’s go,” pulling out of the parking lot.

…

We were almost to Jerry’s house. It had been another silent drive, but I assumed this time was because of exhaustion.

“So, George, have you thought about your prize?” Jenny interrupted the silence.

“What prize? Do I get one too?” Jerry perked up. Jerry is always excited for free stuff.

“Sorry Jerry. It was bet between George and I. You should have made one with Brit. But George, anything remember,” Jenny smiled at me in the rear view mirror.

“Anything? Okay explain to the clueless one, please,” Jerry twisted in his seat to see Jenny.

“I bet George that he would not get second or better in all his races, and if I lost I would… do anything,” Jenny paused slightly before finishing.

‘Wonder why the pause?’ “Yep. So now I need to decide on my reward. And it will be a good one. Becuase dude, it was not just my personal events it was relays too. I had to gamble with you guys in mind. I was risking it all!” I said super sarcastically. I knew what Jerry was thinking, “Don’t punch the driver!” I point at him just as his fist came up.

“No fun. But what was your pentaly if you lost the bet?” Jerry looked at me.

“Oh. I never thought about that, because I was not going to lose. But what was my punishment?” I looked at Jenny through the mirror.

“The same as me. You would do anything,” Jenny gazed back at me and then away.

Silence again.

“Dude! You are so lucky. What are you gonna choose? You could choose anything,” Jerry softly side jabbed me and winked.

‘What does that mean?’ “I’m going to wait. I can’t think of anything at the moment. We will have to see what happens,” was the honest answer, because I really didn’t know what I wanted. Finally to Jerry’s house. I looked at Jerry, and his expression was almost…I don’t understand you… “Dude. You are home,” waiting for a response.

Jerry shook his head and gathered his gear, “Thanks for the ride Bro. I’ll see you tomorrow. See ya tomorrow Jenny,” Jerry yelled back at her as he left the jeep.

“You going to jump up here?” I point to the passenger seat.

“What? Oh yeah.” Jenny actually climbed to the seat instead of just going through the doors. She must be distracted. She lunged over the seat, “Yikes! George help me!”

I turned and saw Jenny pretty much doing the splits. I laughed and held her waist and arm up, trying to help stabilize her enough for her to get her other leg over the seat. Once she did, I let go of her.

“Don’t laugh. I though I was going to be stuck forever,” Jenny settled into the seat.

“Why didn’t you just go through the doors? It would have been much easier,” I muffled my laugh best I could but it was impossible. “That was awesome,” I let out a deep laugh as I pulled away from the crub.

“Zip it George. And this,” Jenny spun her hands around gesturing to almost the entirety of the inside of the jeep, “stays between us. I don’t need your guy friends reenacting my embarrassment. Got it?” She looked, almost glared, at me.

I laughed again, “I wasn’t going to, but now…” as I drove I looked quickly over to her with a smirk. “But don’t worry Jenny. I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks George,” Jenny changed her sitting position to face me. “Are you sure there is nothing I can do. Nothing that you’ve always wanted? Anything you wish for?”

I could feel the tension coming off Jenny. ‘What’s up with her?’ “Yeah. I really can’t think of anything. I’m currently good in life. You might be waiting a long time for me to redeem this prize.”

“Oh. Okay,” Jenny relaxed back into her seat.

‘Did she just sigh?’

“No problem George. When you figure out what you want let me know. It will still stand even if years pass,” Jenny turned her body towards the window. “I’m going to close my eyes for a bit, if that’s okay. I’m getting a random headache.”

“You do you. I’ll wake you when I get to your house. Sorry about the AC; are you comfy enough?” I was sweating, but I know she gets cold easily. She can rest; it was a long day for everyone.

“I’m fine,” she said before I heard the soft repettive breathing.

‘She must be out.’ I noticed that she seemed to shiver. ‘Why does she lie. I would have turned the heat on,’ I reach for the nob. I paused, because I was truly sweating, and I would probably get sick if the heater came on. Instead, I quietly pull over and dig my sports jacket out of my bag, and I drape it over her. Her body relaxed and she tugged the jacket tightly around her. ‘Good. She is now good.’ We are probably less than ten minutes from her house, but she should recoop if she needs to.

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 48

CHAPTER 49

We were actually kicked out of the pool, before we could finish what Coach told us. I guess Jerry would be coming to my house; amazing how Coach just invites people to my house. We four showered and changed quickly. The team had already grabbed our extra things and were probably heading to the bus. “Beep, Beep.”

Text message. ‘We are waiting for the bus. Head over when out. -Jenny’ “Jenny. She says they are waiting for the bus; we should hurry up and get out there.”

The moment we stepped out the door, we all stopped and looked back. ‘This is maybe the last meet we all will swim at together.’ Jerry rushed away to a random girl… ‘What?’ What he asked her she must have agreed because he handed her…his phone…?

“I know it’s cheesy. But let’s take a photo of our possibly last meet together,” Jerry drapped his arms over mine and Ken’s shoulders. “We are good,” Jerry yelled to the girl.

“Okay. One, two, three…smile,” then she came towards us. “I took a few. Hopefully one of them came out well,” she handed Jerry his phone back. “I know this is random, but could I get your number?” She directed her question towards… Matthew…

We all were stunned. Matthew didn’t say anything at first. Jerry was probably bummed. The girl seemed to be uncomfortable; I jabbed Matthew in the side.

“What!?! Oh. I’m sorry. I guess I answered in my brain again. You are very pretty, but I’m sorry; I’m not dating until after high school,” Matthew said to girl as politely as possible, after his outburst.

“Oh. No problem,” the girl walked away back to her friends. The group left shortly after; some of the others girls looked back at us as they left.

“Dude. Are you crazy? She was perfect,” Ken smacked Matthew.

“I thought she was talking to me at first,” Jerry said looking down at his phone. “I was going to ask her for her number, but I’m now glad I didn’t. That was a close call.”

‘Wow. The mood has become a downer quickly.’ “Let’s go to the bus. Everyone is probably waiting for us now. Come on,” I had to pull Jerry along, while he stared at his phone. Ken and Matthew were following.

Up ahead I could see Jenny and Brit. “They are, up there,” I pointed to the group of people on the small green hill of grass. But before we could make it there Jeremy stopped us. ‘Oh great.’

“What did you take? There is no way for you to get that fast that quickly. You must have cheated. You were so behind on Wednesday. What gives,” Jeremy was pissed.

‘Hold in the laughter.’ It was difficult to do, but I didn’t need a fist to come flying at my face. “I was not swimming against you today; you were not even on my radar. But thank you for beating me on Wednesday. It was great motivation for me to be faster today. Let’s go,” I said attempting to walk by Jeremy.

He held his arm up blocking our path. ‘Don’t touch the idiot.’ “What now? Can’t you just accept the defeat and move?” That seemed to rile Jeremey up and he changed his stance. ‘Keep an eye for the swing.’ Just as I thought a fight was going to come Jeremy regained his composure, but also Jeremy’s coach started to walk towards us. Jeremy’s back was to him. ‘Oh. He is toast.’

“Don’t give me that crap. You cheated and I will prove it. I will kill your goal of the Montana school. Just you wait,” Jeremy said smugly.

‘If you knew who was behind you; you would shut up.’ We didn’t respond. We just stood there silently.

“What? No response. You don’t care that I will ruin your life plan,” Jeremy was getting impaient. He was also digging his hole deeper; his coach was now right behind him.

Jerry and Ken seemed uncomfortable and looked away. Matthew chuckled quietly and he too looked elsewhere. ‘I wish I could keep this going, but I wanted to be with my team.’ I obviously looked over Jeremy’s shoulder. Giving him a clear hint that he might want to stop talking. He must of understood, because his smug expression was gone as he turned.

“Boys,” Jeremy’s coach grabbed Jeremy’s sweatshirt by the hood and dragged him towards their bus.

“He is dead,” Ken let out a whistle as Jeremy’s body disappeared onto the bus.

We all nodded and shook our heads, and continued towards our team. We were finally sitting down by Brit and Jenny.

“What was that all about?” Jenny asked pointing over my shoulder.

I grabbed her hand and lowered it down, “It was nothing, but just incase don’t point.”

“Coach said to wait here until the bus comes. He wanted to talk to some officals. Oh look its here! Come on everyone, the bus is here,” Jenny stood and took control.

At this moment she seemed like a coach. It suits her. “Yeah, come on guys. Get up and listen to your coach,” I said grabbing my bag, being the example. The others followed pursuit.

We were all on the bus, and in came Coach. “Everyone here?” He looked to Jenny and then me. Together we said, “Yep.” “Good. Let’s go bus driver.”

After the speech the bus pulled away. ‘Thank you Belfire Pool. You helped me succeed.’

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 47

CHAPTER 48

I have no idea…all I can think to do is breath. My lunges…rib cage are on fire. I was gasping for air. My vision was distorted with dark spots. I shoved my head underwater. Better. As I surfaced, Timothy had his hand extended towards me. Now that I could see, I took it and shook. We exchanged our good jobs, and then Timothy climbed out. ‘Huh?’ Suddenly Matthew and Ken were grabbing onto my arms lifting me out of the pool. I helped a smidge, but then sat my butt down on the gutter. “How..’d…we..do?”

I still couldn’t breath normal…

“WE GOT SECOND!” Ken and Matthew shouted out together!

‘Oh.’ I was not looking forward to Coach’s disappointment. Hopefully he would be proud. Jerry, who was also exhausted, helped pull me up, and we turned to go to the cooldown pool; instead, there stood Coach, Jenny, and Brit.

Since the competition was over we were given permission to cooldown in the competition pool. Jerry and I turned to jump in, but Coach stopped us.

“You four did amazingly well. 3:10.33 is an amazing time. Especially you Ken,” Coach smacked, maybe a little too hard, Ken on the shoulder. “You just finished your one-hundred breaststroke, and placed third overall by the way. But still, this relay was impressive. Matthew and Ken, I will tell you your splits and then I want you two to start your cooldown. Then I will continue to George and Jerry. All of you must do at least a fifteen hundred. Even though the season is over, there is still practice until school is over. Understood?”

We were silent but nodded. ‘That’s a long cooldown…That’s sixty laps. I’m dead, but if Coach said it…’

“Good. Matthew 48.95. Ken 51.45. Well done you two,” Coach said with one of the happiest smiles I have ever seen.

“Dude! That’s awesome!” Jerry had let go of me and hugged Ken, “Dude?”

Once again Ken was dumbfounded. He was silent. ‘Priceless.’ “Ken,” I brought my hand up to slap him back to reality. He must have noticed.

“I’m good, I’m good. No need for that,” ducking away from my hand. “I’m just shocked. That’s my best by like four seconds. I was dying.”

Matthew was silent too. “You did amazing Matthew. You finally broke the fifty!” I drapped my arm over Matthew’s shoulders.

“I am proud of myself, but I am just so tired. Coach can I cooldown and then react after?” Matthew said while he stepped towards the pool.

“Yes. Good. Both of you go cooldown. Ken,” Ken was still dazed, “Go!” The tone in Coach’s voice quickly brought him back to reality and he followed Matthew to the pool.

They were both swimming when Coach turned to Jerry and I. Brit had left to probably keep an eye on the rest of the team; while Jenny walked up to listen.

“You both should be incredibly proud of your efforts. You did amazing. I am good with the second place, because it was so close that you scared lane four into winning. Listening to the other coaches, I heard many saying that lane four would win hands down. You made that team sweat. Lane four came in at 3:10.29; that’s only a four one-hundreths of a second difference. You both did above and beyond what I could imagine. Jerry 46.37. George 43.56. I had Jenny time Timothy and he finished at a 43.78. If you had been tied diving in, you would have beaten him. Good job,” Coach reached out and patted our shoulders. This response was huge from Coach.

‘43.56…That’s crazy. If this time counted, it was almost half a second faster than my best.’ I was probably grinning stupidly, but I was happy.

“George. I wish I had known you could do the straight arm swimming technique. In your future years, you will need to perfect it, and you will be unstoppable. Also, The Montana School scouts came down after your race, and told me they would contact me soon about their decisions,” Coach stepped back and his face showed true pride.

I was speechless. Jerry was silent too. I looked at him and he turned to me simitanously. Yep. We were both in the same boat, utter shock.

“Well enough chit chat. Go cooldown. It’s a bit late now. Do at least a six-hundred. If you feel sore still, than Jerry go to George’s house and finish the cooldown. Go,” Coach pushed us towards the pool then turned and walked to the officals tent.

I looked back to see Jenny still standing there watching us. Her face was beaming. Her smile… I smiled in return. She waved me to go cool down, and she went to follow coach. I jumped into the pool. I don’t know if this cooldown was going to work for me, I was still so pumped, that I don’t think my body will calm down any time soon.

…

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 46

CHAPTER 47

Our two-hundred relay was as expcted. Second place. It was not a best time for us, but we were at least happy with the place results.

Last race of the day… The four-hundred freestyle relay. Jerry and I were behind our lane. Timothy’s team was behind lane four, and Jermey’s team behind lane three. The showdown was about to commence. Matthew and Ken were both still in the cooldown pool; they just finished their last individual swims. Jerry was doing active stretching beside me. I was stretching, but my nerves were in check, whereas Jerry’s were not. Coach was walking towards us.

“Okay. You two, plus the other two, are repersenting the team in this relay. I pulled the other relay; because Tom thinks he twisted his ankle. Are you ready and pumped?”

Jerry and I looked at each other simitaniously, laughing we nodded. We were ready.

“George,” Coach turned to me, “I know I said to swim your own race, but this time is different. You are the anchor. Jerry,” Coach turned to Jerry, “you will need to catch up and give George the chance. Ken is going to be exhausted; you will need to gain him some distance. Then you, George, chase him down. Also, look…” Coach stopped and pointed off to the stands on the right.

I looked and saw what Coach meant. There was Dad. He was watching us intently. Realizing he had been seen, he sent a thumbs up and fist pump into the air for Jerry and me.

“You got it?” Coach knowing he just succeeded in giving me a boost of energy.

“Yes. I’m good to go, now!” with that Coach turned to leave but he paused.

“Let’s have a 1st next to our lane,” then coach left.

“Event fourty-two. Varsity boys four-hundred freestyle relay. Heat one,” the announcer said over the speaker.

“We are up next. Where are Ken and Matthew?” Jerry started to pace frantically.

I was starting to worry too, not as much as Jerry though. Just because Matthew was the first leg of the relay. I stood up to start my active stretching, but also to scan the deck looking for our other half of the relay. “There!” Matthew and Ken were almost to us.

“Sorry. I wasn’t really paying attention. I’m still kind of dead,” Ken said as he sat down on the deck.

“I noticed Ken was still swimming, so I brought him along. Get up Ken, we are up in less than a minute,” Matthew, along with Jerry and I pulled Ken back up onto his feet.

“Pull yourself together,” I stood in front on Ken! “The competion is eyeing you like you are a free meal. Do not give them an inch. Stand up!”

Ken stood upright and changed his tired expression to determined.

The annoucer called, “Heat two.”

‘That’s us!’ I pushed Matthew to the blocks. The long whistle brought him unto the block. “Take your mark…” ‘Give Ken a head start. Come on Matthew.’ “Beep!”

…

“Go Matthew,” Jerry and I screamed! Matthew was doing just what I wanted. Timothy’s team might be fast, but Matthew was faster than their lead guy. Turn. Matthew was an entire body length ahead of lane four. “GO!” Touch, Ken dove into the water. Matthew crawled out of the pool and laid down breathing hard.

‘Come on Ken!’ He needed to keep up or at least only fall behind a small smidge. Turn. ‘No…’ Ken was dead. He was still swimming fast, but he was really falling behind. Turn. Now Jermey’s relay was beating us, while Timothy’s was now a full body length ahead. “Come on Ken!” The rest of the team was down on the other end screaming their lungs out. Turn. One lap left.

“Jerry. I need you to get me closer. Chase him!” I said to Jerry just as he stepped on the block. “Come on dude,” Touch. Jerry dove.

‘He was doing it. He was chasing.’ “Go Jerry!” Turn. He was now neck and neck with Jeremy’s team. Turn. ‘Passing! Come on dude…give me a chance.’

“Go…Je..rr..y,” Matthew was up and trying to cheer.

‘This can’t be it.’ I turned to look at Coach; he nodded but I could see the worry behind his expression. ‘Not going to happen, Coach.’

Turn. Last lap. I climbed up on the blocks. It was now or never. We were still about half a body length behind lane four. Timothy dove in. ‘Chase!’ Three…Two…One…’Go!’

‘CHASE HIM DOWN,’ I screamed at myself! Turn. This was the moment that truly counts. Turn. I don’t know if my arms are still connected to my body anymore. Turn. I could see Timothy… ‘Stop breathing. Get to the wall! Go!’ I was at his waist…‘GO!’ Shoulder…

Wall.

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 45

CHAPTER 46

I was feeling way better than I expected. Warm-up was a breeze. Friday is going to be a different day; I was determined to make it one. Today would be a quicker meet, since each event only had two heats; but thankfuly there were relays. Warm-up was done. The meetings were done. Now was time to wait.

…

Matthew and I were in the warm-up pool waiting for our two hundred freestyle to begin. We both had already talked to coach and got our break downs. As the girls event
started, we made our way back behind the blocks. Matthew was up first; this time I cheered for him. However before he was finished, I was behind my lane. Still I looked
to the board as he touched…ninth! 1:50.22!! He dropped another second from Wednesday. My turn. I looked to Coach, and recieved the nod. I saw Jenny off to Coach’s right and she smiled. ‘Get ready to lose the bet, Jenny.’

Long whistle… “Take your mark…Beep!”

…

I was second! 1:47.02! That was my best time by almost two seconds. To any non swimmers reading, dropping one one-hundreth is a lot to a swimmer. Also first place was a 1:46.99…so it was only about a hand touch difference. I shook my competitors hand, exchanged the good jobs, then we both proceeded to exit the pool together. Again, I went to the cooldown pool; I feel like I live here. If I could, I would cheer the guys on, but first things first.

As I pushed myself out of the pool, I saw Jenny standing there.

“I can’t remember, did we make the bet for all the races, or just the hundred freestyle?” Jenny asked as she held out my towel for me.

Grabbing it and beginning to walk to Coach, “Sweet! You don’t remember. I could make it for anything then.”

Jenny sarcastically gasped, “I didn’t realize you were this type of person, George.”

“Nah. It was for all of them. One down, only four more to go. And some of them will be first,” I laughed. I peeled my googles and cap off my head. We were almost to Coach’s
chair, so Jenny left my side and walked quickly to Coach’s.

Everyone was swimming great! I was able to watch Jerry and Matthew’s fifty freestyles; even though they were only in the pool for about twenty-one seconds. Time was
being dropped left and right. And my hundred butterfly was no different. First place while dropping another second from Wednsday. ‘That’s two Jenny.’ I was back in the cool down pool waiting for my hundred freestyle. I only have about eight minutes between these two races.

I had already talked to Coach. I was prepared. Jerry was already behind the blocks; I think he was too nervous to wait any longer. The rematch would begin soon.

“You ready to lose again George?” Jeremy had stopped and was resting on the wall. “If you need something to chase, you can follow my feet; because that’s all you are going to see.”

I wasn’t going to engage him, but… “I’ll be chasing something faster,” and with that I climbed out of the pool and walked off to the blocks. ‘Chase a faster you. Focus.’

Jerry was lane one, while I was lane three. I yelled “Good luck,” to him and he returned it. I looked to Coach, he nodded and also gave a fist pump in the air. Jenny…she was smiling, but it was more of a “don’t get third” type of smile. I smiled back. ‘Not gonna happen.’

“Take your mark… I could already see my shadow self in the center of my lane. ‘Chase him down!’ Beep!”

…

‘Turn. Turn. Catch him! Turn. Almost…Wall!’ I accidently punched the wall; my hand was throbbing. ‘Board!… 44.97…First!…First??’ I looked to Timothy over in lane five. He was smiling. ‘Huh?’ Back at the board…Lane five, First 44.97. ‘Oh. We tied. Sweet!’ I nod to Timothy and he returns it. I look off to Jerry; he was exhausted, but he was shaking lane two’s hand. I remember I should do the same to Jeremy, who as I expected, was fuming. Stretching out my hand to him, he swatted it away and jumped out of the pool. ‘Figures.’

Timothy had walked towards me and extented his hand. We shook. “Great race. It won’t be a tie next time,” Timothy said as we started walking away from the blocks.

“No. No it will not,” I laughed.

Jerry was already gone. As we got to the cool down pool, Jenny was standing there.

“Should I expect another first or another second?” Jenny smiled and giggled as she walked away.

“Girlfriend?” Timothy asked as he put his goggles back on.

“Nope. Just a good friend who will be losing a bet.” We both jumped into the water.