Between The Lines

Chapter 43: Distractions

Rebecca's POV (1st Person): 

Rebecca's muscles burned from the intense swim practice, but she pushed herself harder, determined to leave everything in the water. The repetitive motion of her strokes usually calmed her, helping her clear her mind, but today it felt like she was swimming through molasses. Still, she managed to stay ahead of the pack, her competitive spirit keeping her going.

Halfway through the practice, she couldn't take it anymore. She pulled herself up over the side of the pool and called out to her coach. "Coach, can I go to the bathroom?"

He nodded, giving her a brief look of concern. "Sure, Rebecca. Take your time."

Climbing out, she adjusted the straps of her swimsuit, feeling the familiar pinch of the tight material. She decided to take the long way around to the bathroom, hoping the extra steps would help ease the tension in her muscles. She peeled off her swim cap, letting her hair fall around her shoulders. The relief was immediate, but it brought with it a pounding headache that throbbed in time with her racing heart.

As she walked, she noticed a group of teenage boys loitering by the pool, their eyes tracking her every move. They elbowed each other and whispered, their gaze making her skin crawl. She furrowed her brows and glared at them, hoping her expression would convey the message to back off.

Suddenly, Jack appeared out of nowhere, his presence as unwelcome as ever. He sauntered over, a smirk plastered across his face. "Hey, Rebecca," he drawled, his tone dripping with fake sweetness.

She didn't have the energy for his nonsense today. "What do you want, Jack?" she snapped, not bothering to hide her irritation. Her chest ached, a constant reminder of her unresolved feelings for Mr. Montgomery, who she had mentally dubbed 'Shitface.'

Jack's grin only widened. "Just checking on you, making sure you're okay," he said, his eyes flicking down to her swimsuit in a way that made her feel exposed.

Rebecca's mood darkened further. "Save it, Jack. I'm not in the mood for your games."

She tried to push past him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Come on, Rebecca. Don't be like that," he said, his voice lowering as he reached out to touch her arm.

Rebecca jerked away, her patience snapping. "I said, leave me alone," she repeated, her voice quivering.

Jack's grin faltered, replaced by a look of annoyance. "Fine," he muttered, stepping back but not without giving her a lingering, disdainful look. "But don't think you can keep ignoring me."

Rebecca's glare intensified, her headache pounding harder. "I can do whatever I want, Jack. Now move."

She stormed past him, her heart racing with a mix of anger and frustration. Each step felt heavier, the ache in her chest intensifying with every thought of Mr. Montgomery. She needed to clear her head, to escape from the mess that her life had become. The bathroom offered a temporary sanctuary, a place to hide from everything that was going wrong.

As she reached the bathroom, she leaned against the cool tiles, trying to steady her breathing. The confrontation with Jack had only amplified her turmoil, the ache in her chest throbbing in time with her headache. She couldn't stop thinking about Mr. Montgomery—the way he made her feel, the confusion, the longing, the anger. It was all too much.

Taking a deep breath, she splashed water on her face, hoping to wash away the chaos in her mind. But as she looked at her reflection, she knew it wouldn't be that easy. The feelings she had for Mr. Montgomery weren't going away, and neither were the problems they created or the heavy ache in her chest.

Rebecca stayed in the bathroom for a few more moments, gathering her strength before she had to face everyone again. The cool water helped a little, but the headache and the emotional turmoil remained. She needed to figure out what to do, how to handle the situation without falling apart.