I'm hear

Chapter 15

I started loosening my tie and then pulling the tie over my head. I placed the tie in my locker, hanging it on the hook at the right. Once I did so, I unbuttoned my collared shirt and replaced a t-shirt that has my schools logo on my collared shirt. Slipping over my head the t-shirt. Next up was my black pants, slipping them off, and replacing my boxers with a plain gray swimsuit. Finally, I placed my backpack in the locker. Once I did, the backpack shifted, exposing the top of it out the locker. I had to shove it in the locker and change its position. Checking if I got everything I need for Period 6 and managed to fit my backpack in the locker, I then slammed my locker shut. I followed a group of guys in their swimsuit. Many of the guys aren't wearing the PE shirt on top, many were shirtless. Revealing their abs and their thin bodies. I look down at myself to see my thin body. No sign of a rocky, muscly flesh on my stomach through my shirt. Making me realize I haven't really worked out that much.

Anyway, I continued to follow the guys, creating a small distance so I don't get caught between the group. Before I know it, we went through two large doors to show a large pool in the center. Across the room, you can see the girls in their swimsuit. I separated from the guys and headed over to a bench in the corner of the room.

I decided to sit on the bench and wait, like always. Also, like always, I look around to gather everything in my surroundings. Everything, because it was my the only thing that my life depended on. Every day of my life, it's just a constant fear that I would be found out or something worse. Everything, from the littlest details, is important to see.

From my viewpoint, I see students sitting down on the nearby benches. Some girls are hanging out with the guys but others are hanging out together. One of the guys brought their volleyball, so many students entered in a little game of volleyball. Other students are taking their phones out. And finally, a girl, sitting alone on a bench. She didn't wear a swimsuit, instead, she had her uniform on. It took a moment for me to realize I have seen that short brown hair from somewhere.

It was Candy, the new girl. She had her notebook on her lap and a pencil in her right hand. She too looked around. Staring at the students and scribbling in her notebook. Her pencil was all over the place, her pencil looks like it's on the right side of the page but after a few seconds, it's on the left page. To me, it looks like she is trying to keep track of the conservation with the other students.

I had that inner thought in my head, telling me to stand up and sit with her but I shook the thought out of my head. Sure I feel bad but I can't allow myself to do that. Trying to staple me to the bench, to not even move a single muscle. I shall not take the risk, I say as I continue to stare at Candy.

Candy is beautiful and different than the other students. Never have I ever seen such long bangs and her hair looks shiny than usual. She had the face of a doll but she wore no makeup. Even though she isn't going to swim, she still doesn't wear makeup. I look at the other girls, to see what I mean by when I say she is different from the others. The other girls aren't wearing makeup, probably the fact that they are going to swim, but many of the girls are wearing brightly colored swimsuits. Many girls swimsuits are revealing, they started to walk down the aisle as if they are in a pageant of some sort. The guys seem to enjoy it but many ignore them and continue what they are doing.

I look back at Candy, she isn't wearing anything revealing. Just her uniform, and big black jacket. She wore boots as shoes and wore leggings. There is no sign of skin from her, besides her face and hands. Everything else was covered. I mean, this doesn't mean I want to see her more 'revealing' like the other girls, it's just a thought that came through.

I *signed* and realized I was so lost in my thoughts about Candy, that I didn't realize a presence near me. I looked to the right of me to come face to face with my nightmare. It was 'Sarah,' sitting next to me on the bench. Close enough to feel her breath on my arm. I stood up as quickly as I can, letting out a quiet scream. Sarah just stares back, batting her eyelashes at me. 

What does she want from me?!

Sarah stands up to met my eyes and started mouthing words. I look away and laid my eyes on the door.

Telling myself, this would be a good time if the teacher would come by now... 

Though Sarah won't give up to try and get my attention. She pulls on my shirt to signal me to turn and face her. Looking back sweating, I find her pouting. Her cheeks are out and her red lips are plushy. Her cheeks are blushing red and her eyeliner really brings out her eyes. Her swimsuit is extremely revealing, showing a lot of skin. I too felt the room get hot, but not in a good way. I look around to see a bunch of students laying their eyes on us, even Candy. 

Embarrassed I had no choice but to shake off her hold on my arm. Though her hands are holding tight, enough to make my arm sore red through my shirt. I look straight into her eyes, begging to let me go to avoid attention among the other students. To my surprise she did, but not because I begged her. I look behind me to see Coach Keth entering through the front door. He looks around and starts mounting words with his mouth. The students seem to hear him, nodding their heads and preparing to sit in our respected lines. We sat on the floor, in front of someone and back. I looked to see Coach Keth taking out his roll sheet and writing in it as he goes down the aisle of students.

When he gets to my line, the students around start tensing up. Their shoulders high up and averting their gazes to the floor. The kid in the front doesn't have a swimsuit, so he seems the most stressed out of all the students. Coach Keth opens his mouth, where the kid stands up slowly. Coach Keth then continues to speak with the kid. Every time Coach Keth opens his mouth, the kid seems to shrink even farther down. I believe the Coach just gave a long lecture to the student about wearing the proper uniform. Later on, the Coach points to the bench where Candy is sitting. The kid, slouched, walks to the bench and plops himself down on the bench.

After that little scene we just witnessed, the Coach continues to take roll. He continues to go down the row I am in. Until he stops right next to me, I slowly look up and spot that Coach Keth is looking down at me. I took a deep breath... Our gazes connected for a brief second but Coach Keth just continues along the row. I signed in relief, letting the air that was contained in my lungs out.

I waited to see if any movement will take place, besides Coach Keth's slow pace as he takes roll. Until, all the students begun to stand up, following them, they seem to start to run around the pool. I continued to follow everyone. Until they stopped and I too stopped. The coach, later on, mouthed some other words and everyone with a t-shirt on, took their shirts off. Following their actions, I too took my shirt off. Exposing myself to the students. Once I took my shirt off, it was cold as the wind brushed against my skin.

Then all the guys lunge themselves to the pool, leaving me behind as the last one to get in the pool. The touch of the cold water sent a shiver through my spine. It's funny how if one part of my body is cold, my whole body turns cold. I let myself sink into the water, trying to accept the cold. Letting my black hair get wet and letting water streak down my face. I look around to see that the guys are still shivering in the water. The girls are surrounding the pool, watching us, others just talking with each other. I look to the left and see Candy sitting on the bench still.

She wrote down something and stood up from her seat. Walking towards to the edge of the pool, where Coach Keth is. Tapping on his shoulder, Coach Keth gave his full attention to Candy. Candy showed him the page she wrote on. I can't see what she wrote since she is far away but I see the word "Bathroom." I think she just asked Coach if she can go use the bathroom. The Coach just nodded his head and his attention went back to the guys swimming in the pool.

Candy began to walk by the edge of the pool. There she spotted me and waved at me. I waved back, not realizing I did it with a smile. After I waved at her, I prepared myself to swim but before I could swim, I saw a dark shadow cast over me. Turning back, I see someone's back falling towards me. As a reflex, I closed my eyes...