Despite The Doubt

Three - Meets, Mad Awakenings, and Madness

EXTRA BEFOREHAND NOTE: Heat sheets- the list of where and when you will swim your race. These are posted after you warmup at a swim meet. Also, to anyone who has an inspired character: please do not think I think you are not a good swimmer or not a good friend. You are all amazing and I love you guys! Please no hard feelings about anything swim related.💋

Me👑: Morning Everyone! Happy Monday! We have a swim meet this weekend! Get Pumped! Stock up on sport beans and Gatorade!
Sydney🍒: I was peacefully lying in bed and thinking about getting up and you distracted me!
Avery🌼: Sport beans are important!
Chloe🌺: You woke me up too!😡 that's ok I would be late if you didn't!😋
Claire🐸: Rise and shine lovely morning people! Just be happy it's not five in the morning! It's six in the morning!
Me👑: Thank you for those words of wisdom.

~#~
"Nice warmup everyone! Stay warm, make sure you have sweats on, the heat sheets should be posted soon!" Coach Will said walking over to his chair. I pulled on my TSSA sweatpants and flip flops.

"Why do you never wear a sweatshirt too?" Chloe asked me gesturing to my upper body only covered by my orange and black Kneeskin.

"I don't know, it's just more comfortable." I said shrugging. "Are you feel intimated by my large biceps?" I teased, letting out a laugh.

"Not in the least." Chloe said placing a hand on my shoulder.

Most of the meet went by in a flash. I got all best times beating out my previous records. I got one or two heat winner ribbons for beating the other five people in my heat. Soon, it was time for my 200 Breast. That is eight whole laps of breaststroke. Agh. First of all I was worried because I'm not a distance swimmer, I like 50s and 100s with the occasional 200. The breaststroke was my best, second to freestyle which is everyone's best.

"Make us proud, girl!" Caroline said hugging me.

"We will cheer for you!" Chloe said giving me a hug.

"Good luck Jess!" Everyone said between a mix of hugs and well-wishing. Sydney pulled me away walking me up to the block as everyone else waited by my lane to cheer for me. Sydney and I always gave each other pep talks, of course we gave pep talks to the other girls too, but a Sydney pep talk was almost vital to swim a good race now.

"You can do this. You are amazing, you have to prove the to yourself, Coach Will, and everyone sitting in those bleachers," she said gesturing to the mob of parents supporting their kids in the 95 degree natatorium. "Remember why you swim." Sydney said giving me one last hug and going to join the others. Why do I swim? I've never though about that before.

"Jessica Trey?" The timer in my lane asked. I raised my hand and he put me at the back of the line because I was in one of the later heats. Too soon, it was heat 4, my turn.

The first whistle blew, signaling swimmers in the water to stay on the wall. The second whistle blew signaling swimmers to step up on the blocks. I stood with my hands at my side focused on a single point. "Take your mark." The official said through the speaker. I put my right foot in front and looked back through my knees with rpm you hands at my toes which were curled over the block.

The buzzer went off and I was flying, I dove to the flags which was great distance for me. I hit the water and immediately did my dolphin kick. I kept going in my pullout almost to the middle line. By the time I got to the wall, my friends had gone haywire, I caught a glimpse of Claire's face filled with joy. I knew in that moment I knew that I swam to make people happy, to make me happy, to make my friends happy and everyone around me happy. Claire showed me that and gave the final push that made me finish in first setting an event-winning time.