In the Heat of the Moment

Chapter Four

Jen's P.O.V.
I've had nothing but Josh on my mind for a while now. I don't understand any of this. No guy has ever made me feel this way. He's handsome, and I've got to admit, pretty hot. And he's smart and caring and friendly. I've known Josh for years-my whole life actually-but it feels like I just met him for the first time. Whenever I do or say something, I imagine what Josh would say, what Josh would think. And whenever I'm around Josh, like at swim practice, I always feel like I have to look good. Even Blaine noticed when he came to pick me up from practice the other day.
"Are you wearing makeup?" Blaine had asked.
"Uh, yeah. I always wear makeup, Blaine." I responded, as if nothing was different.
"But you never wear makeup to practice, Jen. In fact, you've always been annoyed with girls who do! Geez, Jen, what's gotten into you lately?"
"Nothing, Blaine!" I snapped. "You need to chill and stay out of my business!"
At this point, we had arrived at home, so I was able to avoid any further interrogation from Blaine. God, he could be so aggravating sometimes!
~~~~~
Since I'm almost 17, it's time to get a job. Lots of kids in my grade already have one, so I decided it was about time for me to make my own money. Sitting down at the kitchen table, I pulled out my laptop and started typing.
"Hey, Josh-I mean, uh, Ben-could you help me with my résumé?" I asked as Ben walked downstairs.
"Uh, sure," he replied, shooting me a quizzical glance.
God, am I seriously thinking about Josh that much? I need to get this boy out of my mind, and quick. Sure, he's attractive, and I'd give anything to call him my boyfriend, but what if he doesn't feel the same way? He probably only thinks of me as a friend. Josh is just about as popular as I am, but I doubt I have a chance with him. I hear girls talk about how hot he is all the time. I'm sure he's interested in another girl. But, boy, would it be nice to be held in his arms...
~~~~~
Today was our third swim meet of the season. I was already in a bad mood because I had to get up at 5:30 am just to be here! Plus, I have to swim the 100 meter IM, 50 meter butterfly, and breaststroke in the 200 medley relay. All of my least favorite events. I had a feeling that if this morning was any indication, it wasn't going to be a very good day. Then Kelly showed up.
Kelly Smith, that is. Kelly and I have hated each other since second grade when we had a fallout. She was being mean to me and I, apparently, was mean back. We had an argument and that was it. We were no longer friends. Kelly moved to another town so I haven't seen her in years. And now we'll be versing each other in a swim meet. Doesn't this day just get better and better?
After meeting up with my relay team for my last event, the 200 meter medley relay, we were lining up behind the blocks when who but Kelly herself comes over.
"Jennifer!" She squeals. "I haven't seen you in so long! I've missed you so much!"
"Oh, I'm sure you have, Kelly." I said sarcastically.
"No need to be sarcastic, now." Kelly drawls in her southern accent. My friends and I used to call it her bitch voice. "Oh, you never were one to be kind, Jennifer."
"Excuse me? You're one to talk, Kelly! You have no right saying those things!" I started to go on, but stopped when the head timer called our race.
"Good luck, Jennifer. You're going to need it." She spat before walking off to join her relay team. Ugh, the nerve of her! We just had to beat her and her team! I was so fired up that I didn't even notice Kelly suspiciously walk over to my relay team's block. Nor did I watch as she poured a clear substance on the surface of the block.
Briana jumped into the water, awaiting the head timer's signal for the race to start. Since she was swimming backstroke, she would begin the relay in the water. I would be the first one up on the block. Once she was off, I stepped up on the block. I noticed that it felt strangely slippery. Briana was about 5 feet from the flags, so I got myself into position to dive. Just as she was nearing the wall, I could feel myself slipping.
Splash!
I couldn't believe it! I had false-started, therefore disqualifying my relay. There was nothing I could do, though, so I started to swim. After the 50, I stepped out of the pool. The rest of my relay team looked disappointed. All of a sudden, I was terrified as to what my coaches would say. And Josh! He probably thinks I'm pathetic! And I wouldn't doubt that he had a good laugh when I dove in. Suddenly, my eyes filled with tears. Someone put something on the block to make it slippery, causing me to false-start and bringing an endless amount of humility on myself. Who would do something like this? I run through a list of suspects in my mind. Kelly! She probably did this! Oh, she's gonna get it!
I made my way through a crowd of people towards where Kelly was sitting, chatting up Josh. What the hell? She's not even friends with him!
"Kelly!" I screamed. "I can't believe you! You poured something all over the block to make it slippery, causing me to false-start! I understand we don't get along, but was this really necessary?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Jen. Do you, Josh?" Replied Kelly quite calmly, the picture of innocence. How dare she bring Josh into this? Josh gives Kelly a sidelong glance.
"I think you've got it all wrong here, Jen. Kelly would never do something like that." I couldn't believe he was defending that bitch.
"Yes, she would, Josh! And you know it, too. You're all caught up in whatever crap she's trying to start! I can't believe you would believe her instead of me! Especially since we've been friends our entire lives! Does that mean nothing to you? Does our friendship mean nothing to you?" I screamed at Josh, before running out of the pool deck.
"Jen! Jen, wait up!" Josh was chasing me now, but I could care less about what that traitor had to say. And to think I even had feelings for him! I'm never, and I mean never, talking to him again!
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Some swimming terminology for all of you non-swimmers:
Block- what swimmers dive (also known as a start) off of for their race
Flags- flags hung up above the pool about 2 yards from the wall so backstrokers can see/know where they are
100 IM(Individual Medley)- 100 meter (4 laps) race consisting of 1 lap each of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle in that order
50 meter butterfly- 50 meter (2 laps) race of butterfly
200 medley relay- 200 meter race where 4 different swimmers each swim 50 meters of a certain stroke (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle)

Hey people! I hope that helped you guys better understand the story and I hope you all liked that last chapter! Thanks for over 300 reads already! Remember to keep voting and follow me! Ily all! ~Avery :)