Chapter Six

READY FOR COMPETITION?

The arena buzzed with voices as Jenny made her way to the pool the next afternoon. She breathed deeply, in and out, and tried to focus on her teammates and on what the coach was saying. She tried to remember how much fun she’d had singing karaoke and what it had felt like when people applauded.

Just like at the last meet, today’s first event was the 200-yard medley relay. And once again, Jenny was swimming freestyle. Maya gained a small lead right away, and then Larissa widened it with her strong breaststroke. But during the butterfly portion, the other team started to gain on Sarah.

The cheers and chatter of the large crowd echoed in the arena, but Jenny kept her thoughts focused on her teammate. “Come on, Sarah! You got this!” she called from the starting block.

Sarah touched the wall just ahead of the other team’s swimmer, and Jenny dove into the water and began swimming. She could feel all eyes on her as she cut through the water, but she told her muscles to keep working. She reached the opposite end of the pool and flipped quickly.

Jenny felt her cheeks beginning to burn even in the cool water. But before the worry could fully set in, she felt the wall beneath her fingers and heard the buzzer sound. The Knights had won!

If I can sing in front of strangers, I can swim in front strangers, Jenny thought. Right?

Jenny looked over and saw the other team’s swimmer also at the wall, looking disappointed. It had been a close race.

“Yay! Great job, Jenny!” Sarah said as Jenny climbed out of the pool.

“Yeah, way to go! See, it’s only your second meet, and you’re already doing better,” added Larissa.

Jenny smiled at the encouragements. She wanted to feel excited, like she had after she and Maya had finished their songs. Instead she still felt nervous. They’d won, but just barely. If they’d lost again, it would’ve been all her fault.

The next few events were a blur. Jenny sat on the pool deck trying to cheer her friends on, but mostly she worried about her next event — the individual 200-yard freestyle. Eight laps, with all those people watching her? It would be just her and the other swimmer, no team. Jenny felt sweaty just thinking about it.

A whistle sounded, and suddenly Coach Turner was waving her over. Jenny closed her eyes for a moment. Just focus on the swimming, she told herself. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, then walked over to the edge of the pool and got into position.

BZZZZZ! the buzzer sounded.

Jenny launched off the starting block, but as soon as she hit the water, her arms felt heavy. When she glanced up at the end of the fourth lap, she could see that the other swimmer had already flipped and was pulling ahead.

Jenny swam as hard as she could for the remaining laps, but her nerves were too much. All she could think about was how everyone was watching her fail. She lost the event by several seconds.

“It’s okay,” Coach said kindly when she saw Jenny’s sad face. “We’re way ahead overall. One event isn’t going to make us lose the meet. Why don’t you take a break on the bench?”

Jenny walked over to the bench and sat down, huddled in her towel. She looked down at her shaking hands. Will I ever be able to compete? she wondered.