Chapter Fourteen

"Yeah, I've got a few more. You know what; I should probably do my homework on the way to Easton," Arriana said groaning, thinking about the chemistry homework she had been given that afternoon.

"Me too. I have so much English to do."

The rest of the bus ride to Easton was silent. When they finally pulled into the parking lot, everyone looked up at the building. The school was large and very ominous looking and as if that was not bad enough the wind began to pick up even more as they stepped off. Arriana zipped her jacket up and pulled on her Tigers beanie. Pulling her bag up further on her shoulder, she headed towards the front doors as the snow and wind tried pushing her away. The girls' locker room was large and uninviting. Everybody changed quickly hoping to avoid any conflict with the Bears female swimmers and headed to the deck. Once everybody was in their suits and on deck Coach Doare began in on his usual spiel.

"All right, guys and gals. This is the big rematch. You know that you hardly ever have back-to-back meets against the same team. So, make this one count. You have been training hard all year. Do you want to give them the gratification of winning again? Do you want them to think that they can wipe the floor with you again? Do you want to let those poor excuses for swimmers take your victory? Do you want them to take YOUR title? Do you want to break with the winning streak you people have been on for the past four years? You are the better swimmers, the better team. You deserve to win this meet! To clinch the champion title again this year! Not them! Remember transitions with your IM's and make sure you finish breast and fly with both hands, not one. Now, let us go win this thing! LET'S TAKE HOME THE TITLE!"

After Coach Doare's speech, everyone started to cheer. He was always good at getting the team riled up. They all threw their bags on the benches and dove into the pool. Arriana stood next to the blocks for a few minutes scanning the bleachers looking for her family. She spotted them sitting front and center like always. Waving to them, she saw someone else she was not expecting. Deacon. He was standing at the back in the shadows just staring. He looked even more mysterious just leaning against the wall. She was trying to ignore him and get her warm up in but she just could not take her eyes off him.

What is he doing here? He never goes to meets at home let alone an hour away. Are he and Zoe a couple now? She would tell me if they were, wouldn't she? If they are, why is he staring at me instead of at her?

Trying to push the thought of Deacon to the back of her mind, she dove into the pool. The water was a lot colder than theirs was. Her breath caught for a moment, but she quickly regained her senses and pushed ahead. Even while doing the workout she could feel his intense blue eyes burning through her. After the quick warm-up, the announcers came over the loudspeaker.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Easton High. Tonight, we are seeing the rematch of Easton High's Bears against Smithtown High's Tigers. Everybody has been waiting anxiously for this rematch all week. I hope you are all ready because our first event is starting now. It is the 50 Freestyle. Swimmers, step up. Take your mark and," from somewhere in the pool area a buzzer sounded.

Hearing the loud buzz, everyone dove into the pool. With every breath she took, she could see Coach, Zack, and Zoe running alongside her. She must have had a decent lead because once she did her turn Zoe was jumping up and down, screaming. Laughing to herself, she pushed even harder. As soon as her hand hit the side of the pool, she ripped off her goggles and looked. She won. Not a big surprise. The 50 freestyle was not a big challenge for her. The one she was nervous about was the Inter Mediate. She had a little while to wait for that, normally she would be able to relax but was unable to tonight. Deacon was still standing in the guest section watching silently. Throughout the meet, she kept times for Coach Doare. She tried to split up her time between the meet and watching Deacon. She still had not figured out why he was there, and it was bothering her. He never moved from his spot. At one point, she looked over at Zoe and saw her looking at him as well.

"Arriana. Arriana. Hey Arriana!" Zack was calling to her.

"Huh? What?" She said coming out of her daze.

"You feel like joining your relay today?" He smirked at her.

"Oh, right. Sorry guys. Guess I zoned out for a minute there." She said grabbing her cap, goggles and jogging to her lane, being careful not to fall on her ass. That was the last thing she needed was to slip in front of everyone and get hurt.

"Right, well just hurry it's about to start." He just shook his head as she shuffled past him.

Arriana was always the anchor in relays. She was trying to concentrate on the race, but she glanced up at the bleachers. Seeing her parents smiling faces always gave her a small sense of peace and more courage. That was not how tonight would be. She then let her sights rest on Deacon. The look on his face. It chilled her to the bone. It wasn't a look of anger or bitterness, but it pierced her to the very core. It was a blank expression. No smile, frown, scowl. Which was what made Arriana most uneasy. She was unable to read him.

What is wrong with that boy? Why isn't he smiling or frowning? Something would be better than nothing!

She didn't have time to think about it, diving into the pool she was already in third place, so she had to pick up the pace. She would have to cut the distance by at least half before the turn if there was a chance her relay team would get first place. By the time she did reach the turn they were second, the only girl in front of her still had an entire body length lead. She could see the churning water from the other girl's feet as she kicked her legs harder. Holding her breath she knew the longer her head was down the less drag there would be. Her lungs were burning. Her body ached. She began to struggle but kept her focus on the water, on her body.

Focus, Arriana. Pain is temporary. Focus on swimming.

Pushing herself harder, she paddled and kicked despite the battle being waged within. Her body begged to stop but her mind said no.

Almost there! We're almost there! You can do it! You know you can!

Hitting the wall, she stood up, almost afraid to look. She slowly raised her head and looked around. Arriana had no idea who hit first. Looking at Coach Doare she knew, from his expression, she had won. He had a huge smile on his face. Sighing and letting a grin slide across her lips she was so sore she needed help getting out of the pool. She walked carefully to the benches and just collapsed in the corner breathing in slowly and deeply. Grabbing the notebook, she watched the swimmers for the next few races. Sitting there she kept trying to keep focused on the times but was finding it increasingly difficult. Her mind continued to think about Deacon standing in the shadows, how Zoe was acting and even thinking about the prop sword that Coach Doare had in his office. Just so many things were not right.

Is the world going mad? Or is it just me?

Eventually, the time came for her big race. Removing her warm-ups, breathing heavily, Arriana walked to her lane. She pulled her goggles over her head and straightened the cap trying to steady her breathing and heart rate. Arriana closed her eyes, listening for the announcers she could feel her heart pounding harder. It all came down to this. The fate of the meet rested on her slender shoulders. The voice over the loudspeakers sounded distant. She just could not concentrate on what she was doing. At the sound of the buzzer, she automatically dove into the pool and started her butterfly.

Stroke, kick, Stroke, kick. She kept repeating the pattern to herself.

Ok after fly is...shit what is after fly? Think Arriana! Hurry, wall, think! What is after fly? Free? No, free is last. Back? Yes, yes its backstroke! Ok. Both hands. Remember finish fly with both hands. Stay on your back. Kick hard! Stroke, kick, stroke, kick.

Coach Doare was standing at the end of the pool yelling and Zoe was running alongside her telling her to go, go, go! After what seemed an eternity she was in the final stretch doing freestyle. Pushing herself harder then she had all night she could feel her calves cramping. The muscles were tightening. Her back was beginning to go into spasms. She didn't know if she could make it. She could see the tears fogging her goggles. Arriana used her last bit of strength and pulled into the lead. Her mind started screaming.

It hurts! My body! It hurts! My lungs are on fire but I have to keep going! Harder! Faster! Almost done!

She hit the wall, hung on to the side for a minute catching her breath with her eyes closed. She tried to block out the cheers not sure who they were meant for. Turning her head up to Coach she stared into his face and saw what she had hoped to see, a big smile. She had won. She did it this time. Looking up into the bleachers at her family, they were all jumping up and down. She didn't make it far from the pool before Zoe ran to her screaming.

"That was amazing! You were freaking awesome! Where did you pull that out of? You did it Arriana!" Zoe squealed.

"I know Zoe. I was the one swimming," Arriana laughed while hugging her friend back.

They did not have much time alone before the rest of the team was surrounding them. It was a night for celebrations. They were going to get their title. After a few minutes to revel in their glory the meet continued.

"Hey Zoe, I um, need to ask you something," Arriana said nervously.

"What's up?"

"Did you see Deacon up in the bleachers tonight?" Arriana asked.

"Deacon? Deacon who?" Zoe asked innocently.

"Deacon Tomasarow," Arriana said ascetically.

"No. Why would he be at the meet?" Zoe was avoiding Arriana's eyes.

She just looked at Zoe. She knew that her friend was lying. Why would she lie about something as trivial as that?

"You're sure you didn't see him standing by the exit during the entire meet?" Arriana asked accusingly.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Why?" Zoe replied starting to sound nervous and acting defensively.

"It's just when I looked at you earlier you were staring at him. At least I thought you were."

"No, I never saw him. I was looking for my parents."

"Oh, okay," Arriana said getting lost in thought again.

Another lie.