Of All The Things I Didn't Say

Chapter 8

People were loud, as if all hell broke loose. I pulled myself out of the water, my whole body shaking from the lack of strength, I felt exhausted. I tap a nap, ok? I take a nap right here, right on the floor, is that good? Cool.
Natasha glared at me and I literally felt her eyes pierce right through me. Like a blade just cut me in half. Calm, self, Natasha.

Mason ran over to me, ignoring the water on the floor. He was smiling and yelling but I could barely hear him over the roar of the crowd. He grabbed my shoulders and started shaking my weak body.

"You did it Olivia!" He screamed and smiled so widely that his dimples showed clear as day. "You did it! You won!"

"I- I won?" I stuttered. Was he serious? Did I actually win? Oh my god, I couldn't believe it. I won!!!!
"You're serious?!" I yelled excitedly back at Mason.

"Yes! I told you you'd win. It played out exactly how I imagined it".

"Oh my god", I smiled and put my hands on Mason's broad shoulders for support. That was a lot of exciting information to get in thirty seconds.

"You did it!" Mason said again and quite literally, sweeped me off my feet and twirled me around in his arms.
I was laughing. Not from the fact that I won (mostly) but because of what Mason was doing. What the hell was he doing?!
He was twirling me around a swimming lodge, in front of at least a hundred people. I was dripping wet with water...we're both wearing swim suits; so that means barely any clothing. And once again....I'm dripping wet with water!!!

It's weird! Like, really weird, right? But I couldn't stop laughing, but boy was I confused as hell.
He set me down and I braced myself on his shoulders, I was so dizzy. And laughing only made it worse. I got Mason soaked from all the water on me, so it only made this encounter worse.

Ashely ran over to me and gave me a huge hug.
"Girl, you did it!" She squeaked. "See! I told you you'd make it".

"I guess you were right", I smiled.
I still could t believe it. I won.

~

Ashely and I watched the boys swim. Mason was a beast. He swam through the water like a boat ripping though the ocean waves. But unfortunately he didn't get first place.

"Alright everyone, settle down, settle down now. Thank you". The instructor told the lodge. The last race finished about an hour ago, and we've all been waiting not so patiently.
"We have rallied up the scores and our winners have been chosen".

They awarded the level one racers first like the races, only this time they did it back to back from boy to girl. Level one girls, then level one boy and so on and so on.
I was practically pacing until mine and Ashely's level came. Everyone was claiming that I've won but I needed to hear the actual scoring, I needed to see the proof.

"Level four contesters", the instructor announced. The seven remaining swimmers gathered around and we awaited our scores.
"The third place winner, with sixteen minutes and ten seconds is Payton". Clapping aroused around the lodge as Payton walked up to the podium. She bowed her head as she was awarded her bronze medal and stode proudly on the lowest box. I clamped my hands loudly and smiled. She did a fantastic job, and like me and Ashely, this was her first tournament such as this one.

"Second place winner, with fifteen minutes and fifty-five seconds is...Natasha".
Applause broke all around, Ashely and I maybe clapped three, slow claps.
She smiled her little snotty smile and took her silver medal proudly and stood on her podium.

I took a deep breath and shook lose my arms. This was the moment I was waiting for, to see if I actually win or not. Ashely grabbed my hand and I squeezed back and shut my eyes.
"And the first place winner, with fifteen minutes and thirty seconds!....". Gods the wait is killing me right now, just say the name!
"Olivia!" He announced.

I smiled and breathed out a sigh of relief. I actually won, I won!!!
I walked up to the instructor and bowed my head to retrieve my gold medal. The weight of the medal felt light around my neck. I stepped on my podium, the top one. I felt Natasha glare at me from below, but I simply lifted my chin and stood proudly as people took photos.

I saw Lucas upon the crowd, smiling widely and clapping. He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture. I lifted my medal from neck, placed my other hand on my hip and smiled at Lucas's camera.
I saw Ashely and Mason too, smiling at me. Ashely mouthed, told you so. Mason winked at me and my heart fluttered. I guess Mason was right, I did win and I won in the way he thought I would.

I couldn't be happier. This was the best day of my life.

Our coach wanted the winners for our team to get a photo and then the whole team would stand for a photo. Mason and I stood together. He was to my left and I picked up my medal with my right hand to show the camera. Mason doing the same with his opposite hands. I wasn't sure if we should stand closer together or... Suddenly Mason grabbed my waist with his free hand and pulled me closer. My cheeks flared as I wrapped my arm around his back. I wasn't sure why I was so uncomfortable. I mean, I've liked Mason for how long, and I have a chance to be close to him. Like physically close to him when I couldn't before, when we had a chance to be together.

We took our pictures and headed for the change rooms. My left side felt cold without his touch.

~

I was utterly exhausted by the time I changed out and met my family at the front doors.

"I am so proud of you!" My mom screeched and bear hugged me.

I laughed and gasped for air. "Thank you mom".

"I couldn't be prouder kiddo", my dad said.

"And you thought you couldn't do it", Lucas teased and hugged me.

"Technically I never said that", I said as I squeezed my brother back. "I was just nervous and scared that I wouldn't get gold. But, clearly I was wrong". I saw Ashely come from behind Lucas and I ran to her.

She smiled and shrugged. I knew what she was thinking, she didn't win. Not even the bronze medal.
I shrugged back at her. "Sorry girl. I thought for sure you'd win bronze.

"Meh, it's fine", she waved her hand. "Gotta let some other teams win huh".

I laughed. At least she was taking it well.

The ride home felt short as I was falling asleep in the back seat. It only quarter to ten but I was exhausted. Some of the other swimmers went out to celebrate the tournament, even if most of them lost, but I wasn't up for it. I was sooo tired.