Where the Sun Sets

One.

"Faster! Go Faster! There is no possible way you can move any slower." Coach yelled from the side of the pool. "How the hell do you expect captaincy when you move this slow!"

This is a free day, Jessie. You insisted on us being here to work on technique not speed.

I finished my last lap just shy of my time from the one before. My lungs burn. I love it. And hate it. Swim is a love hate relationship. And it requires all of my attention. Soccer is a summer sport for me. Swim is always.

I floated on my back, drifting next to Pen, "I love this. But I can't breath."

"Good work, Cole. I'm seeing the physical labor Nifong put you through really paid off this summer because that was the fastest time you've gotten." Coach Jessie is a much much different than Peter Nifong. She pushes during training in and out of the water. But out of it she really cares for her team.

"Yeah, Petey really put me through shit." I lifted myself out of the water, immediately taking off the pink swim cap.

"I think you could have gone faster." She raised her eyebrows, a grin displayed on her face.

I glared at her, "I would love to see you put that time out." I smiled as I grabbed my bag off the bleachers, "I have to shower. Don't forget I have that 300 sprint planned in the morning so please don't shit your pants when you see all the lights on.

"Just make sure to turn the warmer off before you leave." She looked at her clipboard as she walked back into the office. She loves to write all of our times down to prove we are always improving.

I nodded and picked up my maroon water bottle. The ice was still floating on the top because I haven't touched it all practice. I was too focused on the first month of school and the fact that it was too good.

I heard the locker room door open and watched as Ophelia and Dani walked in and headed directly to the showers. A pang of jealousy rose in me knowing I couldn't shower till I got home.

"How the hell did you finish that quickly?" Maggie hung up her towel and took fresh clothes out of the floor length lockers, "Seriously, Natalie."

I grabbed my lotion, "Well, my mom and Jessie are actually lesbian lovers and that's why Jess likes me more and helps me practice." Kay laughed along with me staring at Maggie's shocked face. "Oh come on! What is it with you freshmen this year," I smiled at the girl, "I just practice a lot. You can come in tomorrow morning and practice with me, if you want?"

"You'd let me?" Maggie raised her eyebrows to her hairline.

I nodded, my smile not fading due to her reaction, "Yeah, I'll be here at 5."

"I will be here too." She smiled widely and started brushing her hair

"She practices every fucking day." Pen shoved my arm as she walked past me, "Take it down a notch."

"I'ma have to drown you, Pen."

She rolled her eyes," I'm telling your mom."

Kay strolled back into the open space. Her suit was off and her hair was wrapped in a towel, "Is anyone else up for Franks? It's Friday so it's about to be happy hour."

I put all if my swim things into my own locker, looking at the pictures of my team and I all over the inside door. A greasy burger didn't sound very good to me. And I wanted to get home before my mom left for her next shift. "I'd love to but we have to get home."

Pen shot me a look. She knows when I'm lying. We're cousins who have lived with each other since birth. She's also my best friend in the world. So of course she knows I'm a liar. She just wants to know why.