Escaping Virginia

Chapter 5

Mexico dipped her toes into the warm water as she padded along the edge of the pool, waiting for the rest of the class. She had had a swim during their break, as she was on the Swim team and it was good to get some practise in.

The rest of the class arrived slowly but surely, and eventually the two Coaches piled in, too. They both acknowledged Mexico with a smile and a nod - she was one of their best swimmers. Barbara-Ann immediately came out to Mexico with a grin, nudging her as the others filed in in their bathing suits.

Girls weren't allowed to wear bikinis and boys weren't allowed to wear skintight boxer trunks - so they all looked stupid in oversized baggy trousers and some of the girls looked pissed in swimsuits.

Barbara-Ann hoped to God that none of the trousers would come off in the pool: that would be a scarring sight.

She watched Alisha as she stepped into the water, acknowledging her long hair and wide hips with a mixture of frustration and envy.

"ALISHA!" Coach Lauren screamed, blowing her whistle twice. "NO ONE IN THE WATER UNTIL I SAY!"

At this a few students burst out laughing, then quickly smothered their giggles as Coach Matthew glared around the pool. Lauren had an incredibly strong Southern accent which would send even the most serious students into fits of laughter. She sounded like an adult version of Honey-Boo-Boo, and didn't look that dissimilar, either.

"Okay, kids, gather round. Today we gon' be learnin' 'bout how you do some good ol' divin'!"

Barbara-Ann exchanged a mischievous smile with Mexico. They in particular enjoyed mocking Coach Lauren and always found swimming lessons extremely entertaining because of her.

Both coaches demonstrated a headlong dive into the pool and Coach Matthew took the boys to one diving board whilst Lauren stayed with the girls on their board.

"Alisha, you can star' us off."

Alisha climbed onto the board with relative frustration, knowing that she wouldn't be able to make the leap correctly. She stood paralysed for a few minutes, before Coach Lauren bellowed for her to jump.

Alisha tumbled into the water in fright, just managing to clumsily tuck her legs underneath her before crashing into the water. Her blond hair floated around her as she swam annoyedly to the side of the pool.

One of the girls sniggered, and someone burst out with the common catchphrase - "A-least-ya-tried!". Alisha emerged from the water with a scowl, glowering at Pencil who had called her out from across the pool.

"Fuck off, Rubber-boy." Alisha said loudly, at which Coach Lauren rolled her eyes.

"I'll be rubbering up for you in bed." Pencil murmured lustily under his breath. Thankfully none of the girls nor the coaches heard it - only Pencil's best friend who sniggered quietly.

"Righ', les have Mexico givin' it a go on highboard nex'!" Coach Lauren announced enthusiastically.

Mexico pulled a poignant face of disgust before slowly making her way up. She'd been on the school's swim team for the past six years of her life, so she could just about manage a nine-foot dive.

Lauren and Matthew both clapped enthusiastically as Mexico executed a perfect dive, cutting through the water as cleanly as Trump's wall would cut through the Mexican border.

Barbara-Ann extended her hand for a high-five, chuckling as Mexico simple rolled her eyes boredly.

They gradually made their way through the rest of the group until everyone had had a go - then Coach Lauren and Matthew simply sat back and let everyone dive into the pool and swim around to have some fun for the remaining half an hour. As you can see, their school wasn't particularly big on rules.