Synchronized Swimming

Chapter 31: The Dynamic Duo

Sang

I wave to Mr. Blackbourne before following Raven into a hallway. If we're learning a duet, we need some quiet and the pool area is too noisy with all the lift sounds. I'm excited to swim with Raven; I looked up some of his videos and he's truly amazing. Hopefully he doesn't think I suck in comparison to him, but if he did then why would he want to swim with me? Maybe he's just bored.

"So Zayka, do you want to choreograph something new real fast or learn something old?" he asks.

"I don't think that there's enough time to make a completely new routine," I say, "But I may have... um... already memorized your solo."

Raven looks at me, shocked. "Why?"

"I thought it was cool so I just went ahead and learned it. I hope you don't mind!" I say in a rush. Raven shakes his head before smirking.

"We can change a few elements to turn it into a duet. We'll give the little Blackbournes a show!" he exclaims.

I look into the pool area to see how far along the lifts have progressed. They're just now on platform lifts, so they haven't even split off into smaller groups yet. "I bet that we have at least thirty minutes." I inform him.

"We'll be done in twenty." he promises.

Eighteen minutes later, Raven's solo is finished being modified into a duet. While he's messing with the music so that we can deck, a shadow by the door to the hallway catches my attention. Did it just move? I watch the shadow out of my peripheral vision and sure enough, about ten seconds later it moves just a hair. Frowning, I go to investigate.

I stealthily stalk up to the door, angling my approach in a way so that if someone is on the other side of the door they can't see me. I rap on the glass, hard.

"Eeeek!" someone screeches. Without pausing to think, I push open the door as fast as I can and hop through it. I catch Luke trying to sneak away.

"What are you doing Luke?" I ask. There's only one reason I can think of as to why he'd be hiding next to a glass door, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt at first. Luke shuffles his feet guiltily.

"I was walking somewhere." he mumbles. I look him right in the eye and try to channel my inner Mr. Blackbourne. Luke looks hilarious as he clearly tries to avoid telling me something. Don't smile, that would ruin the whole effect!

He becomes more and more agitated before suddenly exclaiming, "I was watching you and Raven!" Immediately after his outburst he closes his mouth, horrified, but it's too late. I narrow my gaze at him and exhale sharply.

"Well Lucian, I'm glad to see that you trust us. Why don't you go back to playing with your friends and leave Raven and me to finish our project in peace." I say in a flat voice. Control is always scarier than anger, and also more effective. Luke flinches before whispering an apology and walking back to the lifts.

Raven looks at me when I come back into the hallway. "What was that all about Zayka?" he asks.

"Just a little misunderstanding." I tell him. Raven gives me an knowing glance.

"Jealousy issues already? Wait until they see us swim. Are you ready to deck?" he asks.

I nod, determined to prove to the boys that I am just as capable of a swimmer as they are. "Ready."

Luke

Whelp, I screwed up.

I must be losing my stealth skills if Sang caught on that I was watching her. I was only in position for about a minute before she discovered me. I can't believe I screeched! North will never let me live that down if he finds out...

My brothers look confused as I walk back up to them. "Why are you back so soon?" Kota asks. I wince- this is definitely one of the most embarrassing things that has happened to me recently.

"Sang found me." I admit. My brothers stare at me in shock.

"How?" North yells. Kota hushes him with a glare and a nod to the Guppies sitting slightly away from us.

"I don't know!" I say frantically, "I didn't get to see what they were doing either because Sang saw me too quickly."

"We'll just have to trust them." Mr. Blackbourne states. Well that makes me feel like slime for trying to spy on them.

Our discussion is cut short by Sang and Raven emerging from the hallway. Both of them have self-satisfied smirks that make them look like partners in crime.

"Is the sound system set up?" Sang asks once she gets closer to us. Mr. Blackbourne nods, looking confused. Why would they want the sound system... unless they made a routine together! I try to hold in my panic and glance around to see if any of my brothers made the connection. They look just as confused as Mr. Blackbourne. Ugh, and people call me unobservant!

Raven hands Mr. Blackbourne his phone and asks him to play the music once they're in position. By now, everybody has figured out what's going on and whispers break out among us. The Guppies look excited, while my team is freaked out.

Sang and Raven walk out and get in their deck position. "Whistle!" Mr. Blackbourne yells before starting the music.

I gasp when they start to swim. Did they just learn this? It's amazing- they're so well matched and they just met!

"They're all over each other!" North mutters darkly.

"That's what happens when two people swim a duet together." Nathan snaps.

"Shut up and pay attention!" Mr. Blackbourne commands. Reluctantly, we settle down and focus completely on the duet.

It's only three minutes long but it seems like an eternity of watching Sang swim with Raven. She's beautiful, but I can't help wish that it was one of my brothers swimming with her. Or me. After all, we do have the most similar body types on the team. Although Victor could also match well with her.

When they surface after their last lift the Guppies burst out into applause. Even the lifeguard claps! I reluctantly join them after Sang looks in our direction. I smile, but my heart's not in it and it feels weak.

"Maybe Ms. Sorenson should swim a duet at nationals." Mr. Blackbourne whispers to Dr. Green. Instantly, I perk up.

"I'll do it!" I yell.

"Do what?" Gabriel asks.

"Swim a duet with Sang." I answer smugly. Chaos descends upon our group as everyone argues as to why they should swim with Sang.

"I'm the strongest, so it should be me!" Silas yells.

"I'm the most flexible, so I should do it!" Victor retorts.

"Silence!" Mr. Blackbourne glares at all of us, "We'll decide this in a calm manner or no one gets a duet with Ms. Sorenson. Understood?"

We all mumble in assent and go back to glaring daggers at each other. Stupid Raven for starting this whole mess! And why did he have to look so perfect as he swam with Sang? It's not fair!