I stared, hard.

What were the chances? Maybe she was going to kill me or something!

"Why are you here, Tiger?" I declared while ('rudely') pointing my finger at the short girl, she huffed and looked at the wall, her silver hair swished at the motion. The other girls looked at us strangely, the blonde girl looked curious, the redheaded girl looked annoyed, the black-haired girl looked utterly bored and the brunette looked somewhat scared.

"I wouldn't have expected someone classless like you," she emphasised the last word "To join the swim club." Tiger finished and looked at me like I had done something disgusting by just being here.

My eyebrow twitched as I spun to face the other girls "Why would you let that into your club room?!" I demanded loudly, the brunette flinched at my volume and the redhead walked up to me and glared harshly.

I suddenly felt regret wash over me "The nerve," I swore I could see a vein throbbing on her face "You come in here and start this fight?" she asked me in an eerily calm voice, the calmness of the statement somehow made me feel more threatened.

"And who are you...?" I squeaked out, the girl gave me a terrifying closed-eye smile "I am the captain, Saskia, the brown haired girl is Iris,  the black haired girl is Annora, the blonde is Elspeth. Now, who are you?" she answered sharply.

"Emily." I managed meekly.

"Hmm," she hummed ominously, I gulped. Saskia then turned to Tiger and gave her an appraising look "You two are the only ones to join us this year, however I'm not sure if we can accept you..." she murmured, purposefully loud enough so Tiger and I could hear.

I gulped and glanced at Tiger, she was looking at the team of seniors and she looked elegantly in control, I couldn't understand how she did it!

"Ah!" the captain burst out, apparently having an idea, she turned to us "You two will be a team! If by the end of the month you can impress us with your teamwork and swimming you can become full-fledged members!" she challenged us.

My eyes burned passionately with the idea of earning my way in, this was better than I expected!

The captain chuckled at us "I see, that is all the answer I need, you two can practice at the lake near here, it's small and clean." she told us, I nodded in understanding.

== After introductions ==

I opened the doors and walked to the gate of the school, my eyes fogged over in consideration of captain's words.

"-Ily! Emily! EMILY!" a voice called out loudly, I jumped in surprise and looked at Sandra and Jack sheepishly. Sandra was in her 'disappointed mother' look, hands planted firmly on her hips. Jack gave me a sympathetic glance,

I knew I was alone on this one.

Her lectures were horrible.

"Bye! I gotta go!" I called out and made a dash for the general direction of my house.

I heard the angry calls of Sandra echo ominously, I skidded to a stop and panted, my hand on the wall supporting my weight.

"Whew." I stated while dramatically wiping the light sheen of sweat from my forehead.

"Boar." I heard a doll-like voice call out. I swore and my hackles rose as I turned to face the beast, though I had to look down to do so "Tiger?! Are you stalking me?!" I demanded furiously. The small girl scoffed "You wish I would waste my time like that." she stated. I bristled and growled, which earned me a murmur of 'barbarian' from the Tiger-girl.

I bit my tongue and forced myself to calm down "So, we have to work together?" I asked rhetorically. Tiger nodded and looked at the ground. I heard a sigh, I raised my vision and saw Tiger-girl had her eyes closed and her dainty fingers were massaging her temple, she looked up and her eyes were visibly less cold

"My name is Jasmine."

"Oh, how fitting."