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Part Three

January 24th: After School
It's the third day of me helping Mr. Morton, let me tell you he is the best teacher to do something like this for. Most people would want to sit in silence and just grade the papers. Not him. Maybe cause he is still consider young and wants to keep up with the trends. It's probably because he wants to be able to talk to the student in todays tongue.
"Nah, todays music is sooo much better than when you were a teenager."
"First off, what is 'nah'?" He gave a slightly puzzled look.
"It's means 'no'."I kinda chuckled. "Not everyone my age says it. I think I'm the only one. It's fun to say."
"Why not just say no then?"
"Because I'm different, duh!"
"Ok." He started to laugh.
"What? I am!" I'm kinda a offended right now.
"Josephina, you're just like everyone who is your age." He looked down at a paper and marked something on it. "Also music was way better in the 2000's. Pop singers like Rihana, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry were all at their prime. Also pop punk bands were big. Now it's just rapper saying the same thing over and over again."
"Whoa, whoa there. You can't insult me and the change the subject, sir." It looked like he was trying to hind a frown.
He licked his lips then said, "I think I can because I just did."
"You know also have you heard Lady Gaga's album Joanne. Whole thing is lit." I leaned back into my chair. "You know I have to grade these papers. I may lose my job if I don't get them done."
"You should go to school to become a teacher. You already have that line down." My stomach kinda dropped.
We a meet coming up this Friday. AU reps are supposed to be there. For me. Me! And honestly I feel like I'm going to fail. This is like the only I shot I have to get a scholarship so I can afford to go there.
"Are you okay?" I looked up at him. "You look kinda pail."
"Yea," I shook my head. "AU reps will be at the meet Friday. I'm soo scared I'll so shit in it."
"I'm sure you won't do shit."
"Did I say that? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to swear."
"It's ok. I remember when I had to perform in from of them. It's nerve racking. But once you get up on your block you'll be okay. Just take a deep breathe and slowly let it out."
"I think I may need someone to remind me that Friday."
"I will. I haven't been to a swim meet yet this year. I should and support you and the rest of the team." My heart heart kinda flutter when he said.
"Really?" I felt my checks start to warm up. What the hell is going on with me?
  "Yea. Teachers seem to only support the football and boys basketball. So I'm going to change that."
  "Ok. Umm well it starts at 6 and it's a home meet."
"I'll be there. Also no one says 'lit' anymore."
"Lots of people say it. I hate when people say 'littty' tho. Such a stupid word." I looked down and started to go thru the big stack of papers I have.

January 26: Swim Meet
  "I'm just kinda scared. Like what if I don't swim as fast as I normally do? What if I vomit and they don't let me swim? What if.."
  "Josephina! You're going to do amazing." My mom grabbed me by my arms. I could tell she was getting annoyed by me. "You have dedicated your life to this sport. You'll swim your fly in a 59 secs. You'll swim your 100 in 49 secs. You'll be my amazing little swimmer." I nodded my head a little.
  "You're right. I got this in the bag." But what if I don't.

Damn! I forgot how hot pool areas are when you aren't the one in a suit. Things you for to impress someone, right?
  Oh no! A suit! I'm going to see her in a suit? This is not going to help my situation. Why did I agree to come to this?
  I started to take my jacket off as so parents sat next me.
  "Hi there. Which school are you to see?" The wife said as they say next to me with a two feet gap.
  "Jefferson. I'm a math teacher here. I thought I would come and show some support to the school."
  "Oh well that's nice. Did you swim in high school?"
  "I was a diver in high school and college."
  "In college? What school?" She gave me a little smile.
  "AU." Her smile got really big.
  "Oh, really? I heard they have someone here to watch the swimmers."
  "I have heard that, too. A student of mine told me."
  "What do you teach?"
  "Math. More specifically Trigonometry."
  "Oh my daughter is taking that. Do you have Josephina Payne in your class." Oh dear god.
  "Oh yes I do. She actually my teacher assistant this year."
  "So you're the famous Mr. Morton. My daughter can ever stop talking about you." Oh she can't now?
  "For god sake, Sharon. The man doesn't want to know that." Her husband chimed in.
"Oh all right. Well we all should keep our fingers cross for Jo. She's really nervous. Dylan honey look there is she."
Josephina just climbed out of the pool and pulled her cap off. Warms up we're done and they were just about to start the first event.
It's hard not think about how beautiful she is. Even with soaking, saggy bun on top of her head. Those long legs of hers. I never noticed how she has a butt. I mean she does always wear over sized hoodies or sweaters that always cover it.
Shit, Alec! Stop. For fuck sakes her parents are right next to you.

Deep breathes, Jo, deep breathes. You got this. It's just any other met. Nobody is here for you.
They stared to play the national anthem. I looked over on the crowd to see my parents. They are always so amazing. Coming to each and everyone of my meets. I looked over more and saw Mr. Morton sitting right next to them.
Really? All that empty space on the stands and that's were you decided to sit. Right next to each other?
Ok focus, Jo. You're first event isn't until 24. You got this.
I started to do my pre-meet stretch.
"Look over here guys. We got Ms. Bigshot."
"Andy, shut up." Andy was the other co-captain on the team. He could easily get a scholarship with any school he wanted, but he joining the military way after school.
"What? Everyone knows you'll get the scholarship to AU."
"No I won't."
"Ok. Everyone besides you." I rolled my eyes and he walked away.

Before I knew it it was time for my first event. 100 free. I got behind the block.
"Good luck, Jo." The timed said to me as I got up.
"Swimmers take your mark."
Beep!
And I was off. I never felt a greater high in my life as I do right now. I took my first turn before I knew it my second and then my third and then I hit the wall.
I looked over to see my time one the wall timer.
Josephina Payne 47.34
"Good job girly" the timer said as I got up.
"Thank you." I walked over to my coach. I saw my parents jumping up and down. I think you could I made them proud.

The meet was over. I ended taking time off everything. I now swim 100 free at 47.34, 100 fly at 55.67, and 100 breast at 1:10.83.
I was walking out of the locker room when a guy in a button up and slacks walked up towards me.
"Josephina Payne?" He looked tight at me.
"Yes. Everyone calls me Jo."
"Ok, Jo. I'm with Akron University and I have to say that was so nightingale fine swimming. I'm going to have to talk to the coach but I'm pretty sure you'll be a Zip this time next year." He had me a business card and left.
Holy shit a Zip!!

I saw a man walk away from Josephina.
"Hey." I walked up to her.
"Holy fucking god! That was the AU guy. He said he pretty sure I'll be a Zip next year." She had on the biggest smile of her life.
"And you thought you were going to do bad." She started to jump up and down. In her excitement she wrapped her arms around. I kinda put my arms around her. Even I wanted to hold her and never let her go.
"I have to go find my parents and tell them. I'll see you Monday. Bye, Mr. Morton." She ended up running off.
I don't think I have ever seen someone that excited. Reminds me when I got told I got my scholarship.