(Extra)ordinary

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

I finally got the courage to approach Dakota. He laid on the stretcher with a pained expression.

"Dakota?" I did not even hear myself say that.

His eyes fluttered open to look at me. "Oh hi, Anna."

I walked nearer to him. "What happened?"

"I think I pulled my hamstring. I forgot to do warm up." His face twisted into a look of pain.

If Dakota could not compete anymore, the school would have lost 3 chances of winning.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

"You'll be alright," I soothed and patted his arm.

He nodded and gave me a weak smile.

"The Girls' Quarterfinals Relay will begin in 10 minutes." The host announced through the loudspeaker.

I needed to find my team and get ready. I shot Dakota one last worried look.

"I'll be fine, Anna. Go kill it out there!" He cheered. I smiled and scuttled off to the stands.

Since I was so short, I could not find my team in the sea if people everywhere. I might be late.

Suddenly, I had an idea. I rushed up to the bleachers. Then, I had a bird's eye view of the hall. My teammates were looking impatient.

I quickly ran towards them. By the time I reached them, it was 2 minutes to the competition and I was panting heavily. I was even choking.

"Anna! Where were you? The competition is starting in 2 minutes!" Jill yelled. They all looked angry.

"Sorry, guys." I paused to catch my breath. "Dakota injured himself, so I went to help him."

As soon as I said that, their infuriated looks morphed into one of suspicion.

"So it's true? Dakota and you are together?" Fanny questioned.

I blushed. I was still not used to people asking or even saying that.

I opened my mouth to answer her but was interrupted by an announcement.

"Last call for Girls' Quarterfinals Relay. The competition will start in 30 seconds."

I was saved by the bell. The girls looked annoyed and we did our warm up together.

"Alright, let's do it." Gabriella whispered. She went around hugging each of us.

Alice was first, so she took the board. She got up and bounced around. Must be the adrenaline.

The gun shot went off and the games begun. Everyone leaped gracefully into the water in a perfect arc.

Alice returned and Gabriella entered the water after her.

I was taking in the surroundings. So this is what being in a competition felt like. People were cheering for their respective schools, competitors were very determined to win and last but not least, the tension in the air.

Jill and Fanny entered the water too. I was up next. I took a deep breath and took the board.

Fanny returned and in I went. I leaped into the water and swam, hoping that we could enter the semifinals.

I pulled myself against the current and completed my lap. I looked up at the scoreboard to see that we finished second. We made it!

My teammates congratulated me as I gulped down a bottle of water.