Synchronized Swimming

Chapter 8: Nicknames

Sang

I've seen these guys somewhere- I just can't put my finger on it. Mr. Blackbourne in particular looks very familiar. Where have I seen them? If I stop actively thinking about it, it'll come to me eventually.

"Are you ready to go, Princess?" Victor asks, holding out a hand to help me stand up. I blush, both at his nickname for me, and at holding his hand. His palm is smooth underneath mine, and I find myself wishing that he would never let go. Bus aisles are very narrow though, and he has to pull away before kindly letting me exit in front of him. I thank Sean for driving before stepping out onto the tarmac.

I squint at the brightness, unsure of the scene before me. North and Nathan are loading my luggage onto a plane with "The Pianist" painted in elegant script along the side. Mr. Blackbourne talks with someone who I assume is the pilot, and Sean exits the plane behind me and hands some sort of pill to Silas, who takes it without any water. Kota stands off to the side looking at something on his phone. Where are Luke and Gabriel?

An arm swings around my shoulders and I let out a little screech of surprise. "Hey Cupcake, are you ready to fly?" Luke asks. What is with these guys and nicknames? Maybe they forgot my real name and are trying to cover it up.

"I guess so. I'm not really sure what to expect though. Also, don't we have to go through security or something?" I ask. Luke laughs.

"Not when you know V-"

"Very nice friends," Victor interrupts Luke, "Who are kind enough to lend us a private plane." Victor shoots a look at Luke that I can't decipher. Luke nods in understanding, further confusing me.

"When are we going to go already? I have so many getting to know you games planned!" Gabriel whines. I smile a bit at his childish tone. Gabriel, seeing my reaction, grins and puts an arm around my other shoulder, so now I am sandwiched in between him and Luke. I blush so hard, I feel like I'll combust.

"It's okay Princess, I'll save you from these two hooligans." Victor says, grabbing my hand again and pulling me away from Luke and Gabriel. This time, he doesn't let go, and I resist sighing in contentment. I see that Mr. Blackbourne has finished talking with the pilot and is now watching us from far away. The corner of his mouth dips into a frown, and it suddenly hits me where I've seen them before- the meet yesterday! Mr. Blackbourne and Sean were the coaches, and the other seven boys were the swimmers. I pull away from Victor and face the three boys in shock.

"I saw you guys at the meet! You're the Charleston Synchro Sharks- is your team the one hosting this camp?" I ask. Victor, Luke, and Gabriel all look at each other briefly before Luke responds.

"Yeah, we are hosting the camp. I didn't know that you saw us at the meet, Cupcake."

"I only saw you right as I was leaving. You guys had just started swimming, and Mr. Blackbourne and Sean were standing off to the side watching you. Your opening lift got out so high!" I gush. I can't believe that I get to work with the Sharks! They are well known throughout our region and the nation for being one of the best upcoming teams. Avidite will be so happy. I deflate a bit at the thought of her, and Victor must have noticed the change in my mood because he pulls me over to the plane.

"I think we are ready to go now," he looks towards Mr. Blackbourne for confirmation, who nods, before continuing, "Just a heads up Princess, this won't be like any commercial plane you've seen in movies. Our friends lent us a private jet, so it'll be a bit nicer and we won't have to share with anyone else."

I'm relieved that we'll have the plane to ourselves. The boys are already making me feel very comfortable, and seeing strangers would ruin my fledgling sense of peace. I walk up the stairs, enter the plane, and barely repress a gasp. When Victor said "a bit nicer", I was picturing more leg room, not this! The whole interior of the plane is exquisitely decorated, and there's even a piano settled in the corner. I guess that if a plane is going to be named "The Pianist", it had better have a piano. I look at the ten seats, unsure of which one to pick.

Silas is already on the plane and gestures for me to sit next to him. I sit down a bit cautiously; his size is more than a bit intimidating. "Hey there Aggele," he whispers.

"Hi Silas," I say, "If you don't mind me asking, what's your accent?"

"I don't mind at all. I'm Greek, I moved to the United States when I was little." he replies. I swear I saw his chest puff out a little when he said he was Greek.

"Ah, thanks." I settle back into my chair and wait in silence for the others to board the plane. My eyes close and I start to drift, this whole day has been such a whirlwind and it's none even nine yet!

Loud voices abruptly pull me from my nap. "Nooorth! I just bought that, you can't take it away from me, that's stealing!" I crack open one eye to see Luke frantically reaching for a candy bar that North is holding away from him. I giggle at how ridiculous they look.

"Don't you start giggling, Pookie. You'll make me have to administer the giggle cure!" Sean says with a light-hearted smile. I can't help but laugh harder at his oddball nickname, and Sean starts to come closer to me.

"Sean, not appropriate. Mr. North Taylor, give your brother back his candy. Everyone, try to be quite. In case you didn't notice, Ms. Sorenson was sleeping when you all came charging in. Try to have some situational awareness." Mr. Blackbourne effectively puts an end to all disputes.

I nod in gratitude to him and rest my head against Silas's shoulder. Sleep quickly claims me, and I can't stop the feeling of happiness that washes over me just before I start dreaming.

It's too bad that happiness didn't carry over into my dreams.