Pearl’s point of view.
I’m not popular like some people are, I’m also not gothic like some people think. I’m a “freak, who cares, right?
My best friend’s name is Hilary, she has red hair, green eyes, and she has a particularly loud voice. She could start a singing club, they might not sound good, but she’s so loud she’d be heard. For sure.
I ‘m not a great athlete, or music player. I swim, water is the only place I feel good, like I belong. Nobody has ever seen me swim except my mom, who will use any article or story with swimming in it to encourage me to practice.
I was talking to Hilary when the speaker went off. ”This is your principal students of oak wood school. I want to announce that you will not be allowed to come to school until next Monday. The school will be renovated so we have a big enough room to hold a good-sized pool. We will be starting a competitive swim team. All students are required to try out. That is all.”
Everyone started clapping, probably ‘cause we miss school and get a pool. I’m thrilled the school was getting a pool. At the same time I’m a little nervous that I wont make the team, and get made fun of.
When I got home I told my mom the news. She told me “You better go practice.” And with that I left.
I took the bus to the public pool. At the public pool they have a big change room with seven or eight stalls. There are no lifeguards in the area where the little kids and there parents swim, but the rest have two lifeguards watching.
When I got out of the change room I headed straight for the lap pool. I did five laps of front crawl and five of back. One of the lifeguards was watching me. He took out a timer and timed me when I started back crawl.
“That was supper fast.” he said and showed me the time. One minute and fifty-Four seconds. “My new best” I replied. I climbed out of the pool and got dried off.
I got changed back into my clothes and caught the next bus to my block.
I wonder If I’ll make it or not. I hope I do. My mom might get off my back about practicing. At least a bit.
