I do my usual stretch halfway through class, then continue my run. Alex joins me at the bottom row of bleachers at the end of class, while I’m stretching out again. “I spoke to Jaxon. He’s on board.”
“Good. Are you going to your locker before practice?” He has all his schoolwork already stored in his messenger bag.
“No need,” I tell him as Jaxon walks over.
“Hey Alex,” he greets.
“Hi Jaxon. Do you have her? I need to head to practice.” Jaxon promises to stay close, so Alex leaves for the pool next door. We head towards the back door to the outside track, and Nick joins us.
“Hey Nick.”
“Shortie.” He doesn’t speak to Jaxon, but neither seems bothered by it. I’m sure students are used to his ways around here. Nick follows us to the stands where we wait for the coach. Ben walks by with his baseball buddies and smirks at us, but he doesn’t stop, since his coach is close behind him. Nick glares at his retreating form.
“Hey don’t you have a class to teach?” I say, pulling his attention, and get a grunt in return. “I’m okay, Nick. Get going. Jaxon and Holly will keep an eye on me. The coach is here too.”
He looks me over and nods, then leaves. Holly passes him with a wave and then joins us.
“Hey guys,” she smiles.
“Hi Holly,” I reply.
“We’re on Ben duty from now on,” Jaxon tells Holly. “We walk her to the locker room, then to one of her guys after track,” Jaxon tells her.
“Of course,” she readily agrees. “I wasn’t planning on leaving you alone with him around, anyway. I feel terrible I was drunk, and that happened to you.”
“No need. You’re supposed to relax and have fun at parties. None of us expected any of that stuff to happen.”
“Well, I’m still sorry. I won’t be getting drunk like that again. It’s not safe.” On that, we can agree.
Coach joins us, so we start practice. I make it longer in this practice compared to last week, but still not quite to the end. Jaxon and Holly both walk me to my locker, then next door to the pool.
Bay waves to me when we get there and points to the bench near the diving boards. I thank my friends and walkover to sit. I can’t see as well from down here, but it’s still fascinating watching everyone contort their bodies through the air. Bay waits in the pool in front of me while Alex changes, then they switch before we walk out to the parking lot together. “I’ll be driving you today, Summer,” Alex tells me.
“Okay, thanks. Goodbye Bay,” I wave.
“Any issues after I left?” Alex inquires after pulling out onto the main road.
“No. He smirked at me walking towards the baseball field, but that’s it.”
“Good. How are your legs adjusting?”
“Not bad. They still get sore because I’m pushing myself, but they’re manageable. How is your new dive coming along?”
“We are successful 50% of the time. I would like the percentage to be higher, but I do not believe we will need to perform the dive until later in the season. There is an unofficial meet this Friday that Bay and I are going to compete in. Rumor has it there are a few new divers in the city this year, and I would like to study them. The regular season starts the following week.”
That will be fun to watch. The meet will be in Charleston, so I’ll catch a ride with someone.
We arrive at the house, so I wave goodbye to Alex as I get out. I take a shower, then soak in the tub, apply my cream, and then stretch. Realizing I’m getting very low, I mix up a fresh batch in the kitchen. Seb shows up while I’m working. “Hey Sunshine. What'cha working on?”
“Making some more recovery cream. What are you doing here?”
“I thought we could do homework together.” He peeks over my shoulder, then takes a seat at the island to watch.
He usually does schoolwork right after classes, but I understand he will feel off for a while. “You didn’t do yours after school?”
“Nah, I worked out at the office until Nick finished class. Got a shower and now here Iam.”
“Alright. I’m almost done here, then you can help me make supper.” I stop to give him a hug before continuing.
