Overload

Chapter One - Freak

The thick stench of chlorine filled June’s nose as she entered the indoor pool reluctantly.

Her grip tightened on the strap of her schoolbag as her eyes followed the figures in the water, cutting through the lengths in smooth motions. She turned away and swallowed the lump in her throat.

June’s gaze fell on her tough phys ed teacher who stood at one end of one of the pools, a clipboard in hand.

“You’re not gonna bail again, are you?”

June turned and managed a meek smile at her friend who came to a standstill and crossed her arms across her chest. June merely shrugged. “I hate swimming.”

“You love swimming,” Erica corrected and pulled June aside from the throng of their classmates piling in. “What’s gotten into you lately? And you quit swimming. What’s up with that?”

June took a deep breath. “I almost drowned three months ago and I’m too scared to go back into the water. How many times have I told you this?”

Erica clenched her teeth and gave June a stern glare. “You were one of the best at the club. You love swimming, Junie. Fears shouldn’t keep you from doing what you love.”

June shook her head, albeit reluctantly. She ignored the pang in her chest, the familiar call of the lapping chlorinated water. Her knuckles turned white as she held on tighter to her bag strap. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I’m too scared.”

“Coach isn’t going to take like that,” Erica warned and turned to walk away. “And you’re just letting Lila take all your glory.”

The very thought made June’s jaw grind together. Somebody bumped into her shoulder, causing June to stumble aside. Speaking of the devil.

“Sorry, Junie,” the girl said sweetly. “Didn’t see you there.”

“Right,” June muttered and glared at the back of her retreating head of red hair. Nothing pissed her off more than Lila Wilson and frankly, June wanted nothing more than to –

Stop! June shouted internally and clasped her hands together. She could feel them buzz again and a flicker of white caught her eye. June closed her eyes and held her hands tightly to her chest.

Calm down, June. Don’t let her get to you. She’s not worth it.

After several calming breaths, June felt the buzzing fade and opened her eyes. She found her phys ed teacher, aka her swimming coach, frowning at her then beckoned June over. Obviously she was wondering why June was the only one not in her togs.

“She’s too scared, Coach. You can’t trust someone like her.”

June caught the end of Lila’s words as she shuffled closer. She quickly rechecked her hands and sighed in relief. Nothing. She was used to Lila’s petty insults – rather weak ones too.

“I don’t know why you still put your faith in her.”

“Lila,” Coach growled warningly. “Don’t badmouth your teammate and sit down.”

Lila rolled her eyes but did as she was told. She shot June a triumphant smirk before settling down to chatter with her equally irritating friends.

“June?” Coach called to her hopefully. “Are you gonna get changed any time soon?”

June sucked in her lips and shook her head. She cast her gaze down at her sneakers.

“Sorry, Coach. Not today. I can’t. I’m still scared.”

June heard the disappointed sigh hit her ears yet again and felt a twist of guilt in her chest. She hated disappointing people and having it shoved right into her face was the worst part of it. But it was for the safety of herself and just about anybody around her really.