Let's Dive! (Ereri/ Riren)

The Competition

Surprisingly, I was not nervous. Everyone else seemed to feel and contribute to the tense atmosphere but I just sat in my tacky gray-leathered bus seat with Armin, listening to music and looking out the window. I went over the routine in my head that I was more anxious than nervous about because Levi had decided to make it a triple twist instead of a two and a half twist but I just kept taking deep breaths and going through, and through, and through, and through, and through the routine until finally, the bus lurched to a stop. The air was heard escaping as the door opened and the coach yelled, "alright, everybody off!" Everyone stood up in almost perfect unison and the faces  of almost all of the divers were almost exact copies of Levi's everyday face: blank and expressionless. I took this as a sign of stress that was so clearly felt among everyone in that big, metal container and ignored it, sauntering off the bus. I was the first one off along with Armin. Coach stood on the outside of the bus until everyone had exited and then politely thanked the bus driver before she drove the yellow vehicle into the back lot.

I turned around to take a look at the school. It was huge for a high school! It sat on a hill that overlooked a beautiful valley that was, thankfully, calming to look at. It was practically radiating modernity. The structure, from the outside, looked purely of wood and glass, but it was only until I entered that I noticed the cement floors and shiny steel beams that gave structure to the whole building. The halls were lined with dark blue lockers and the cafeteria was a huge space with a wall that was made entirely of glass that looked out onto the valley. Throughout the space, I found at least six different vending machines that glowed all different colors. Through the cafeteria was the locker rooms where the team momentarily took refuge.

With one headphone in, I sat on the sleek wooden bench and started taking off my jacket that I wore on the ride here. Sitting in my speedo with my team pants over them, I leaned forward so my elbows rested on my knees and my head was bowed. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes trying to clear my head of doubts and scenarios that only made me more nervous. I popped my other ear bud back in and continued listening to my music that consisted of all different genres. Before a competition, though, I usually like to listen to hip hop/rap songs; they help me focus. I continued to twitter pate and then, with one last deep breath, I leaned back and opened my bag, taking out my water bottle. Honestly, I didn't feel all too well but I was not about to back out of a diving competition especially since someone else is counting on me to even qualify. I assumed the slight flutters I felt in my stomach were due to nervousness and stopped sipping on my water bottle. I know I said that I wasn't nervous just a matter of minutes ago, but, this is the first competition of the season, I do not  want to mess this up. Once again, closing my eyes, (I probably looked like I was on the brink of an anxiety attack or something) I leaned back little more to start stretching my legs. I was finally somewhat in my element all the way up until someone slammed their hand down on my shoulder, ripping out my right ear bud, scaring me half to death.

I gasped and looked at the shorter, pale male that was in his warm-ups still with the jacket unzipped, revealing his bare chest and six pack. He was sitting with either leg on the bench as he said, "Don't forget about the changes we made, Jaeger, or there will be trouble." I gulped and he chuckled at my still terrified face. Once my body finally melted back into relaxation and he stopped laughing, he got back up, requesting to go over the routine one last time. We marked it in front of the bench and once Levi realized how in-sync we were he sauntered off with a satisfied grin.

Apparently, I was destined to not have my alone-time before the event commenced because just after Levi reached his bag on the other side of the room to change, Armin came up to me from behind, again, scaring me, but just a little less than Levi had.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Armin asked, excitement and concern in those big blue eyes. "I saw you a couple minutes ago and I thought you were gonna throw up or something." he chuckled and I felt the slightest of blushes creep up onto my cheeks.