For the first time I'm awake before the alarm even rang. I could barely sleep last night thinking of today. Today is the first set of swim matches of the Under 10s State Championship. We have to be there by 1 p.m. and the contest begins at 2:30.

I check the other side of the bed to find it empty. I frown at this because Daniel promised to stay home with us for today. Something must have come up at the office.

I throw back the covers and head into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, I'm in Hazel's room. She is already awake, lying in bed with Vanessa tucked under an arm.

"Morning Bunny." I kiss her head.

"When will we go?" She asks siting up.

"You're going to shower, change, have breakfast and then we'll leave." I tell her. She hops out of bed and walks to the bathroom. I help her shower and then change into a shirt and skirt. Then I send her downstairs to give Vanessa her first breakfast while I get ready too.

I choose a plain shirt and jeans to keep me comfortable during the drive and while we're at the pool.

I'm more nervous that I have ever been before for any of Hazel's swimming matches. Today there will be children even five years older than her, these children will be from all over the state of California.

I take a minute to calm myself down before walking downstairs to find Hazel.

"Hazel?" I call out from the living room and she answers from the kitchen.

"What are you-?" I trail off as I take in the kitchen counter.

Daniel stands at the stove in an apron, flipping pancakes on the stove.

"I can't believe my eyes." I say, "Daniel Aaron is cooking!"

"It's Bunny's special day! Of course I was going to do something different." Hazel claps in glee as Daniel flips a pancake in the air and barely manages to catch it in the pan.

"Don't push your luck." I laugh and pick up the plate he has taken out to the dining room.

After a filling breakfast of pancakes and coffee for me and apple juice for Hazel, we put Hazel's required belongings in the car and start towards UCLA where the matches will be held.

The hour long drive passes quickly, filled with nervous chatter from both Hazel and me. Daniel tries his best to keep us both calm but when we near the university's pool, we all fall silent as we take in the streamers and rows of cars in the parking.

"I'll drop you both off at the entrance so that you can find Mr. Elliot while I find parking space." Daniel suggest.

I agree, "Okay."

Hazel shrugs on her bag pack which has her swimming costume and other necessities. I help her out of the car and then take her hand as we head towards the check in table. I pull up the email that Mr. Elliot sent me last week and show it to the lady at the table. She hands me a form to fill out.

It's just basic biodata so I quickly fill it in and hand it back to her. She hands me Hazel's number and a card to get me into the changing rooms.

Ushers are scattered all over the pool premises, probably UCLA students since they're wearing the university's t-shirts. One of them guides me towards the changing rooms and showers. When we get there, I find Hazel an empty stall where she showers and then changes into her swim suit.

I neatly stow all her things back into her bag and then help her put on her swimming cap and goggles. As she does so I look around and notice that most children are near ages eight or nine which is a quite a few years on Hazel.

I am instructed by an usher to find Hazel's school mentor who will take Hazel to her place. I run into Daniel in the main building.

"Mr. Elliot called me. He said he tried calling you but you didn't answer." Daniel tells me.

"It was really noisy in the changing rooms." I reply as Daniel adds, "He said he'll meet us here in five minutes."

"Okay." I nod and look down at Hazel who is looking around with wide eyes. Daniel notices this too.

"Bunny." He says, crouching in front of her. "This is going to fun, right?"

She nods but I can see the uncertainty on her face. I place a hand on her back and say, "You are as good as any of them. Just have fun."

Then I kiss her cheek and tickle her neck which makes her laugh.

"There's my star swimmer!" Mr. Elliot calls out, walking up to us.

This makes Hazel really smile.

"I'll take her from here." He tells us and Daniel quickly gives Hazel a high five and I kiss her head. Then she walks away with her teacher to find her place.

"I'm so nervous." I groan, leaning into Daniel.

He kisses my head, "She is a wonderful swimmer. Let's see how she fares against those four years older than her."

"Let's go find our seats." I tell him.

When we walk out into the sun, the swimming pool looks massive to me. The pool at the country club is tiny compared to this one but at least Hazel got enough practice at the pool at her school which is the same size as this one.

The bleachers are arranged in a circle around the pool, towering up. An usher points us towards our seats which are on the left side of the pool but at the very front. Once we've sat down, I scan the rows of seats where the participants sit.

I spot Hazel walk out of a door with Mr. Elliot as he shows her the seat where she is to sit and then he steps away to join the other mentors.

I watch Hazel nervously glance at the bleachers which are filling up quickly as it nears the start time of the event. When her eyes roam over to where we're sitting, I raise a hand and wave to get her attention. She sees me and I give her a thumbs up, making her smile.

At sharp 2:30, an announcement begins welcoming us to the event and then moves on to explain the set up. Children will compete in cohorts of age groups and the winner and runner up of each cohort will compete in the final race. Next week will be the relay race matches.

Hazel's is the first age cohort. They announce the school name, the child's name and their age. Hazel is the youngest competitor! She's the only four year old, so they've put her in the five and six year old cohort.

They find their places and line up at one end of the pool. When the whistle blows, I marvel at the swiftness with which Hazel dives into the pool. Yes, the children are older than her but Hazel is definitely the fastest swimmer. She reaches the other end first and grabs her plastic rod before flipping over and swimming back. She wins the race by a very big margin from the runner up.

I cannot believe my eyes. The whole crowd cheers and claps for Hazel as she pulls herself out of the pool and accepts a towel from one of the ushers who then guides her back to her seat. Four more cohorts follow with two of ages eight and nine.

A five minute break is announced before the last race, which will decide the Under 10s State Champion will take place.

I turn to Daniel and show him my hands, "I'm shaking."

He takes my hands in his and nods towards Hazel, "She looks pleased with herself."

I nod, watching her chat with the girl who was runner up in her cohort, "She needed the motivational boost."

When the contestants are asked to line up for the final race, my heartbeat accelerates as I watch Hazel take her place. She looks to the boy by her side who is clearly at least three years older than her.

But before I can further worry, she catches my eye and gives me a thumbs up. Daniel and I laugh and she turns away to listen to the referee.

When the pistol blows, all children are neck to neck until they reach the other side of the pool where Hazel uses her flip and push off technique that gives her the edge to just be one stroke ahead of all the other children to the swim back.

When Hazel cuts through the ribbon just a second before the older girl right behind her, I turn to Daniel by eyes wide and he laughs at my expression.

"Bunny won!" He exclaims, wrapping an arm around my waist as we rise to our feet with the rest of the crowd and clap of Hazel and the other contestants.

"I can't believe it." I whisper, watching Hazel beam from ear to ear as she shakes hand with the referee.

When the children are allowed to return to their parents, Hazel is the first one to break away and run to us.

I remain seated so that we're on the same eye level as she runs into my open arms. I hold her close to me and kiss her head, "Bunny. I'm so proud of you."

When she pulls away from me, we're both crying in glee as I kiss her forehead.

"Guys." Daniel calls out and we look in just in time for him to take a candid picture.

Hazel moves to hug Daniel and then I take a picture of them with the pool in the background.

"Mr. and Mrs. Aaron, the event management would like to have a word about Hazel's award ceremony." Mr. Elliot says as he joins us.

"I'm going to get Hazel changed out of her swim suit. Why don't you check with them?" I suggest.

So, Daniel heads off with Mr. Elliot and take Hazel back to the changing rooms. They're relatively empty now, compared to how packed they were when we arrived.

I swipe my card to unlock Hazel's locker and take out bag. Once she has changed back into her clothes and her slightly damp hair hangs lose around her shoulders, I take her hand and head out to find Daniel.

"Hey!" He calls out to get our attention. He's waiting right outside the changing rooms.

"The award ceremony will be collective for the entire contest after next Wednesday's relay races. They want an official portrait of Hazel for their publications on the day of the ceremony." He tells me, "If we're willing to of course since she's a minor."

"I would love for her to get the recognition that she deserves. A state championship isn't something we can keep hushed even if we want to. Might as well let Hazel enjoy the spotlight. Plus, she's earned it." I say.

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Daniel says, "Let's inform Mr. Elliot that we agree of on this and then head back to Pasadena to celebrate!"

"Burger King?" Hazel asks, clasping her hands.

"Burger King it is." Daniel kisses her head and then takes her hand.

Just know that prodigies have a special place in my heart and hence, I wanted Hazel to be one 🖤 Do you guys love prodigies too?

I feel like a proud mama :')

-T