Drowning With You

CH. 9 ❄️

WINTER'S POV

Detention a few days ago was quiet. Louie read her book and I sat in the corner on my phone, listening to music and watching videos for classes. The two lessons we had were still yelling, maybe a bit less, but still frustration everywhere.

My whip kick was awful and she told me just that. She told me that I'm slow and will never get it right. Mean, but probably right.

We haven't really talked since that conversation in the sauna, which hasn't left my mind. Is she right? Am I really so uptight that my life is shit? Is that why I'm constantly stuck in my own mind?

I just don't understand. My way works, it's worked for years and it paid off. I'm a great freestyler and I became captain because of it. Why do I need to change when I have more I need to work up to?

She's just full of shit. I don't need to relax. The moment we were in the sauna, my mind switched and I felt... lighter. Calmer. Free.

It wasn't right. I hated it. I had almost let myself stop thinking about what's needed to be done in my life.

I was sweating out my issues, yet I still couldn't push the thought of her out of my head. Despite her arguing with me, all I could think about was her, dripping sweat, so close to me.

I wanted her closer. God, thinking about how my mind went to this is exactly why I can't let myself relax. My mind went places that it should never go to. I should never listen to her again.

I'm exhausted. Swim practice is way too early-- I went to sleep late, almost missed my alarm, and am now here just in time to get ready. Walking into the locker room, a few girls are chuckling in groups.

It's more than usual, they always gossip but this seems centered on their phones. I am about to ask what the commotion is about, but the door opens, disrupting my thoughts. Louie enters, duffel bag over her shoulder and head held high, despite her eyes looking flighty.

What is happening this morning? Am I just too tired to understand any and all social cues? Am I just stupidly paranoid?

Louie goes over to her assigned locker, though the girls who had been huddled around there are now moving away from her, disgusted looks on their faces.

The fuck?

She only ignores them, continuing to grab her swim suit and toss it on. I don't watch, I instead watch as everyone who was changing previously, stops. Once Louie has her swim suit fully on, she turns back and sees everyone staring at her.

Shit, I guess I am too, although I don't think it's for the same reason as the others, whatever that may be. Just as before, she shoves her towel and bag into her locker, slams in shut, and starts walking across the locker room towards the exit.

"How do I know she wasn't watching me? Fucking creep." One of the girls mutter behind me.

"She's probably only on the team so she can be in here with us while we change." Another replies.

"Nobody wants you in here!" One of them yells at her, which finally pulls my last nerve. What is going on?

Louie slams the door behind her, I'm not sure whether to follow her or ask the team, but since I am already here, I look at them all. They begin changing again, continuing their conversations as if none of that just happened.

"Girls! What the hell was that?" I ask, my voice already loud and stern. I am wide awake now, fury building up, I hate feeling left in the dark, especially with my team.

Nobody answers, only looks confused. As if I should know what's wrong. What did Louie do that made them all act like this? They always mess with her, but this was fucking weird. Wrong. Warning bells rang in my mind.