When I'm with you

Chapter 7

GABRIEL CLARK

It was Friday and I, like every other student, couldn't wait for this day to end. Like what Rebecca Black said, "Everybody's looking forward to the weekend!". But then I remembered I had plans for the next day. Anne and Jane asked me to attend to their swimming competition. At first I refused to go but Chad was pestering me to come.

On Saturdays, I normally woke up at noon, but not this time. It was 8 o'clock in the morning when someone annoyingly knocked into my door. I got up to see who it was, and when I saw Chad's face I immediately shut the door.

"Gabriel! How long are you going to lay in there. It's already 8 o'clock. We have to hurry."

As Chad said that, I then remembered that I had somewhere to go to. We were going to watch the swimming competition. "I'm coming," I assured him. Then I quickly took a shower and got ready. I wore a blue v-neck longsleeve and jeans and black sneakers. I grabbed my phone and jacket since it was fall and the wind was chilly, and hurriedly went downstairs.

Chad was already waiting for me in the driveway. I quickly made my way there and jumped into the passenger's seat. As soon as Chad saw me ready he immediately started the engine and drove as fast as he could. It was already 8.30 and the event will start at 9, so we needed to rush. Chad overtook all the cars that were in our way. Though I looked calm, deep inside of I was hoping that we could get there safe and sound.

We arrived at Acqua Complex 10 minutes before the event would start, thanks to Chad's driving skills. We saw heaps of people at the entrance. As soon as we parked the car, we immediately went inside. There were different kinds of people sitting on the bleachers. The supporters of their respective schools, the proud parents and friends of the participants and the normal group that went there just to watch the show.

While we were searching for our seats, we saw our schoolmates near at the center. They seemed to be here to cheer for the swim team. They were holding a big banner, and they brought empty plastic bottles and pom-poms.

As we made our way there, my eyes were darted to the couple seating under my schoolmates. Their faces were so familiar, it looked like I'd already met them before but I couldn't remember when and where. As we got nearer to them, they were looking and smiling at us like we were some sort of relatives. The only free seats left were beside them so we quickly made our way over there. At the sight of us approaching, the lady's smile grew wider and turned into a grin. It made me curious, but then realized that it was Chad who they were looking at. They gave him a hug and greeted him but after that, their attention was focused on me. I didn't know how to react since I didn't know them. But I was surprised when the lady looked at me like she had known me for so long and proceeded to hugging me tightly.

"It's been a long time, Gab," the lady said, her voice was so familiar that it warmed my heart. "I'm glad that I finally got to see you."

A confused look was etched on my face. Dad was the only one who called me Gab, but then I remembered there were also a few other people in my childhood who used to call me that. The lady finally let me go but it was now his partner who spoke.

"I'm guessing you don't remember us." I forced a smile since I didn't really know what to answer. It seemed like they understood my response so they introduced themselves.

"I'm Robert Winston," the man started, "and this is my wife Carrie. We are your Dad's friends."

"We used to visit each other every summer before you moved to Canada," the lady continued.

I tried to remember who they were since it looked like they played a big role in my childhood. As my mind digged through my childhood memories I glanced at them once again and finally remembered who they were.