Cousins

Part 10

War was in practice. His times kept getting better. Bar would make him stay after everyone else was gone to practice more.

"The competition is in two days. Do you feel ready?" -Bar said.

"I feel ready" -War said smiling. He was feeling better.

"That's good. Go home" -Bar said.

War took a shower and changed. He walked out to wait for the driver. It felt weird. Yin would always be there waiting for him to take him home but this time he was on his own.

Yin was doing some homework. He couldn't pay attention to the books. He kept looking at his bracelet. The tiny soccer ball kept spinning like his head. The only thing on his mind was War.

"Hey!" -Ohm yelled. He had been calling Yin for a couple of minutes but Yin wouldn't turn around.

"Yeah?" -Yin responded.

"Dinner is ready" -Ohm said. Yin and Ohm walked downstairs to eat dinner.

"How was practice?" -Fluke asked.

"Good" -Yin said shortly. Ohm and Fluke turned around to look at each other.

"You have the first meeting for the fundraiser tomorrow. Don't forget" -Ohm said. Yin just nodded.

"When am I able to speak to War again?" -Yin asked. It was the only thing he wanted to know.

Ohm cleared his throat.

"It has barely been two days" -Ohm said. They knew it would be hard for them since they are used to spending every second together.

"I want to go to his swimming competition" -Yin said. Ohm and Fluke were invited by Kao but they didn't know if Yin should go.

Yin stood up and left to his room after his parents were silent. He really just wanted to talk to War and couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey" -War answered the phone call.

"Hi" -Yin said.

"What is it?" -War said.

"I miss you" -Yin said laying on his bed.

"Yin" -War said softly.

"I know. I'm sorry" -Yin said but still didn't end the call.

They were silent for a while.

"Can I come over?" -Yin said. He wanted to hug him.

"no" -War said with such a soft voice.

"Please" -Yin said. He isn't able to do anything. Practice and school today had been very complicated for him.

"my pa will get mad" -War said. Ohm would probably get mad too.

"ok" -Yin said. Maybe War just didn't want to be near him at all anymore.

"Good night War" -Yin said ready to cry. He hanged up. He hugged his pillow and tears started falling.
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It was the day of the competition. It had been four days already that War and Yin hadn't seen each other not even in school.

War would compete in the main and last race. He was nervous. He looked at the bleachers were the audience was. He saw his dads, his uncles, North and Wind but no sign of Yin. He didn't even invite him so why would he be there? He is friends with Bar too so he could come for him.

It was War's turn. He got in position as well as his opponents. The whistle was blown and they went in the water. As soon as he touched that wall and went up to get his head out the water and breath, there was cheering. He had won but somehow he didn't feel the joy he should be feeling after winning his first ever swimming competition in high school.