A Grave Problem

35. Swimming

"Next week we're going to be starting the swimming section of our class." Miss Danby announced.

Mia couldn't believe it. How could they make her go swimming? When she was younger, swimming was something she loved doing. But vampires don't swim. Even though she'd been pretty good before, once she'd become a vampire, all that was done. She'd tried to go swimming about two and a half years ago and sank like a stone. She'd spent several minutes on the bottom of the pool before finally making her way from the deep end where she'd jumped in to the shallow end of the pool. At least there, she could walk over to the steps and get out. She'd gotten some strange stares from a few of the people who'd been at the pool that day, and she'd left as soon as she could. Now, not only was she going to have to go through that whole thing again, this time kids from her class would get to watch.

Apparently, she'd looked as worried as she felt because Zev leaned over to her.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

Mia nodded, trying not to look like she might throw up.

"You sure? 'Cause you don't look ok." Zev pressed. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to swim." Mia told him.

"Yeah, me neither. There's too many people, and you smell like chlorine the whole day, even after you shower."

"I'm going to tell the teacher I can't do it." Mia decided.

"Well, good luck. I've heard of a few kids who've tried to get out of it, but it never works. Usually they make you at least try."

Mia nodded, but she was already forming her plan. Miss Danby continued telling the students what they would need to bring for swimming - mostly just bathing suits that were school-appropriate. She continued to talk, but Mia was only half paying attention; she was sure she wouldn't have to go. As soon as class was out, students began filing out of the gym. Mia waved a quick goodbye to Zev before hurrying over to the teacher.

"Miss Danby?" Mia asked.

"Yes?" she looked over at Mia.

"I wanted to know if there was a way I could skip the swimming."

"No, sorry. Everyone has to swim. I know it's not a popular activity with a lot of students, but it's only for a few weeks."

A few weeks! There was no way Mia was going to be able to stand going to the pool every day for a few weeks; she wasn't even sure she'd be able to do it for a single day! She put on her most pathetic face as she quietly told her teacher that she didn't know how to swim.

"That's alright." Miss Danby said. "You can stay in the shallow end."

"I really, really can't." Mia pleaded.

She felt the edges of hysteria creeping in and her heartbeat started to rise. She started fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, realizing that she probably wouldn't be getting out of this.

"It's not that bad. There's always a few students who don't know how to swim every year. You'll be fine."

"Is it too late to drop the class?" Mia asked in desperation.

Miss Danby stared at her a few minutes before she said anything. When she did speak, her attitude had changed just slightly. Instead of being businesslike, she had a hint of concern in her voice.

"The school year's almost over. Would you really drop the class and lose all the credit for it?"

Mia nodded silently, without hesitation. She didn't care if she got credit or not - she just couldn't face the idea of swimming. Miss Danby sighed.