SWIM TO BEGIN                              

I was at the neighborhood swimming pool; the one place my sister decided to drag me. The trees were filled with leaves, all shades of green and the there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky to be seen. The concrete surround the pool that was filled with the well known,H2O. A prickly cactus hung on one side but flowers filled the rest. I've always been concerned why no one ever removed the cactus. The possibilities were endless. I was still in thought until I got interrupted suddenly. “You need to practice more, like a lot; you don’t even show up in all of your swimming classes!” my sis scolded. “Well.....”,I boasted; “I’m pretty good; remember when I was in the top 3 for my grade in 200m freestyle.” I grinned as she made her disgusted face. “Yeah, and since then you don’t aren't making swimming a habit, plus you ditched the last meet because you were “sick”. I could definitely see through that lie, but everyone else fell for it. “ I slid into the pool’s cold, sparkly water. “Why don’t you ever cannon ball or dive in the water?”; its so much fun!” my sister continued as she leaned over the curved edge of the pool and smirked. I splashed water which caused her to shriek and run away. “That why!” I answered.

My name is Callie, and I’m part of my 6th grade middle schools swimming team. My Dad goes to work and my Mom is really busy, so my younger sister, who’s name is Lily, and I walk to the pool to swim. (mom drives me to my swimming classes.) Lily always argues with me. Aren't Moms the experts at that job? I started practicing the four main strokes of swimming; butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle plus IM, which is all four strokes put together. Lily jumped in the pool with a handful of swim toys. Thank God she was at the shallow side.“ If any of these toys end up at the deep end, you getting them back for me!” she yelled.“You didn’t need to bring so many!” I chuckled. I practiced my techniques. After a while Lily climbed out of the pool asked if she could time me. “Sure.” I replied and drifted back to the wall to start. I pushed myself up the wall and got ready in a diving position. She started the timer and said “Go!” so loud, I bet the whole neighborhood heard it. I dived in but made a loud splash as I entered the water. In simpler words, I landed flat on my belly at the surface. “Urrg… that totally hurts your stomach” I cursed in my mind. I swam as fast as I could, but you always do better in the races then practicing, and that is a fact. The issue was... I felt slow. I touched the wall and stopped, then glanced at Lily who was staring at the timer, then looked up at me blankly. So….how did I do? “ I slowly asked. “She handed me the stopwatch.” “Lets go home already.” I grumbled and made my way to the changing room. When I exited the changing room we both walked home in silence through the neighborhood.

“Hi Callie, hows it going?”my friend Cindy asked, as we walked through the crowded hallway together. “Boring.” I muttered. “Well, I went to Great America with my parents.” she boasted.  I didn’t feel like talking to her...like she was a total stranger. I stared down at the stained titles and didn’t reply. She noticed my glum look and decided to change the subject. “Are you ready for the meet this Friday after school?” she asked excitingly.” She shouldn't have brought it up. I took a deep breath. You sure must of practi-“ she started, but I interrupted her. “Um...I'm gonna be late for class, bye!” I yelled and ran off. ”But there are still 5 minutes left!” she yelled back, but I already was out of sight. What a coward I must be for doing something like that, but there was no other way. I didn’t want everyone talking about swimming, like I was going to be in the olympics or something.

The days flew by quicker than ever, until the day before the meet came. “Callie, I appreciate that you're actually practicing now, but it won’t do any good!” Lily stated. She waved my swimming magazine in the air. “It clearly says here that swimmers should correct or/and improve their technique, plus always practi-”. “STOP!” I yelled. “Can I please swim in peace, without you giving me the worlds biggest lecture...and where did you find that magazine?” I questioned, but in a way it sounded like a command. “Your loss.” she replied and strolled to the front gate and left. I was glad she was gone but had a strong urge to call her back; and it wasn’t because of the magazine she took. I shook off the thought fast.

“You'll be fine.” Cindy told me. I was having goosebumps. ”I’ll be there at the meet  to support you.” She was such a considerate friend. “See ya!“ she called out, and headed to her moms car. I scanned the parking lot and spotted my mom too. “You too!” I called out back. Lily was there in the back seat as usual.  My mom drove right away to the other school where the swim meet was. Shouldn’t the drive be much longer? I checked in at a corner where others were lined up. They all seemed to enjoy themselves. Addition to that, the girl in front of me who was wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue shorts said she was excited. Wish I could say the same. After that, I did a little warm-up in the a pool and sat on the bleachers, turning into nervous wreck on the inside. The first race was called. “200m butterfly, 6th grade girls”, the speaker boomed. The girls went to each of their lanes. “Get Set.” it continued and they got ready in their diving position. “GO.” it finished and they dived in. Speaking of the butterfly stroke, I think I've got them in my stomach. Cheering had started from each school team, supporting their teammates. I just sat there quietly, not showing any spirit. One of my teammates, Nancy heading towards me. “C’mon, cheer Amanda on!” she shouted excitedly. Amanda came second. She climbed out of the pool, slipped on her yellow slippers and waved at us. Nancy talked with me but every race she cheered frequently. Then the moment I dreaded appeared. “200m freestyle 6th grade girls.” the speaker blasted as I froze. ”Beat em.” Nancy encouraged me as I stepped up to the block. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Lily put down here novel and watch. The rest happened in a flash. The speaker announced GO, and I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear it until I heard the splashes of the other girls diving in. I quickly dived in after them but the dive came out sloppy and splashy. When it was all over I gazed at the screen and saw that I was second to last with a personal worst time. Shoot. I climbed out of the pool and saw Nancy pouting at me. When I turned to Lily I saw her “I knew it” face. How I hated when she’s right. Our eyes met and she gave me a big thumbs down.

“I...can't...go...to...school.“ “ I’m sorry but the truth always hurts.” Lily said smugly. That totally ticked me off. I glared at her and decided to walk to school, instead of riding in the car with her. I heard her calling my name multiple times I but didn’t glance back even once. Cindy spotted me as soon as I entered in. “I've never seen you look so dejected.” she told me. Before I could speak she added,” I was at the meet but since your event was at the starting I wanted to surprise you after you swam but you left right after because...”she trailed off. I hate when people feel sorry for me. “I just need to practice a little, or should I sat a lot.” I was practically repeating Lily’s words. I wanted to get away from Cindy for now, so I said I needed to drop something at the office. I did some homework in the library too.

“Did anyone make fun of you?” Lily was literally throwing questions at me. “No, cause I was at the library.” “What did you tell your friends when you had gone to the library. They must of been looking for you, right?” “I told them I had a lot of homework to do because of the meet.” “And they seriously believed you.” “Um..yea”, I choked.” I answered all her ridiculous questions and added that I might quit swimming...for a long time. “Completely?!” she spluttered and pulled me back as I got up and tried to leave her room. “This wont work”...I started. “Callie, you're so good (cough) I mean you WERE really good but two things need to get checked off from your to do list; do practice every day and don’t get that nervous...or distracted.” she added, remembering  when I dived in late. “Lily, I don’t think I can do this” I protested. “Just give it another chance; whens your next meet; I’ll help you!” she pleaded hopefully. “Fine.” I managed to force it out of my mouth. “What are siblings for, she smirked. “Annoying you to death!” I joked. “Very funny.” she spat, as she rolled her eyes. ”Just kidding.” We highfived each other.

Lily was waiting for me after school. “ Today we are going to the neighborhood swimming pool.”she informed. ”What are you wearing?” I questioned shockingly. She had on nerdy black glasses and wearing one of Dad's striped ties. Addition to that, she was carrying a clipboard with a piece of paper in one hand plus a pencil in the other. I just stood there confused and amused. Maybe my sister was going to help me in a way...a odd way. “I have to do my homework first sis.” I laughed. “Excuses, call me when you're ready!”she shrieked and dashed upstairs. I entered my room and took out my school supplies and homework from my bag.

“Mom, were going to the pool again!”, I briefed as I headed out with Lily. “Okay, but be back before dark and take care of your sister.”she warned. She’s more like taking care of me, I was thinking, but didn’t say it out loud. When we reached, I put down my  teal swimming bag, and for a change, jumped in the pool. “You're doing the 200 meter freestyle, right?” Lily demanded. “Yes, for now only that.” I uttered. “Well, I got a plan. Everyday we are here I record your times for the event and soon we’ll see the improvement. Furthermore, you will do the stroke more than once every time were here and find the average.” she declared. Wait a minute, she knows how to find the average?! “Well that a good plan. I turned away from her to do a warm-up. I’m not sure if this goes well.

I think yesterday went okay. Fine, I guess. Well, at one point I splashed gallons of water, that landed on my sister’s recording paper. She squealed at me as I kept telling her that i'm unpredictable. Then she accidentally tripped over a crack and luckily fell on the concrete, unhurt. The unlucky part was that the timer fell in the pool and I had to dive all the way down, to retrieve it. Good thing it was water-proof since it still worked perfectly. Well, at the end she got my times down. When I ripped the paper of her clipboard and peaked at them I growned. “How will I do better than this?” I cried. “Just wait and see.” she aided.

We did the same routine for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning. I had swimming classes on the rest of the days except Sunday. Surprisingly my times kept improving but I doubt if it is enough for the meet. Lily tell me to stop fearing the day and that I should just do my best. “Your goal is improving, and in your case you're wondering you need to improve a lot.” she advises. I try to take in what she says but I don’t want to mess up again. It'll be a whole new chapter of embarrassment.

Today is the day, the dreadful day that I try not to think about. To be honest swimming has taken a lot of time out of my schedule, other than school of course. Well, I’m in the car, my brain stuffed like a beanbag, with a these thoughts. The meet is  hosted at a different school. I’m starting to get desperate. I have to do this.

I’m on the bleachers, biting my lip. Why don’t you stop worrying for once in your life?”Lily hissed. I was trying, but the memories keep coming back. When people say to just forget the past and move on, I don’t believe it. You should learn from the past, not forget it, because failure teaches you something. It’s true. Well, as the speaker is calling out races, each minute ticks faster and faster and finally, boom. My race is called. I want this over.

I proceed to my lane, and wait, paying full attention. When I hear ”GO!”, I dive in, all my worries leave my mind.  I swim like I’ve never lost, forgetting my past. When it is over, I glance at the huge screen and got third. A miracle for one week of practice. I’m partying in my mind. Lily highfived me as I got out of the pool. Cindy rushed toward me, waving to draw my attention. I've never felt so many feelings at once, excited, relieved, strong and many more.

After getting congratulated by the team, I got a medal. My mom was taking pictures, Lily was giving me a thumbs up sign and Cindy/swim team was cheering.. I stepped in our red painted Honda with my whole family and headed home. I give most of my credit to my sister. She helped me overcome the obstacles, forced me to practice, and was always there for me. She could of done any other activity she wanted but choose to help me. She made a valuable choice... she put me before herself. She changed me, permanently. There was no other way to express my thanks so I hugged her. She hugged back; both of us never wanting to let go.