Page 55 of In Too Deep

“I think he was nervous,” I reply.

We watch his muscles tense up as he pulls more forcefully through the water, gaining speed.

“Oh, thank fuck. Lift, East. C’mon,” Caro calls as we both stand up.

He slips into third place. Getting any higher is near on impossible, as the first place hits the wall, then the second. He dives, hitting the wall just in time to be in third place.

Caro and I slump and shake our heads. “What do I say to him?”

I lift my shoulders briefly. “You know him better than I do. He qualified, that’s all that matters. He can go for a better time in the semi.”

She nods and pulls me to her for a hug. “Don’t let our swims get to you. This is a huge race for you, Lace. This is what you came here for. If you hit the wall in the top three, you get a medal. Just remember that. Top three, okay? Doesn’t matter which one. Just. Get. Top. Three.”

I’m up next.

The stomach butterflies hit full force like never before. It’s like the can is open, and they all flutter out at the same time, flurrying about in a whirl of excitement and nerves. This is what my life has been pointing to. Every day, a step toward this moment. If I win this, I’ll become an Olympic Champion.

Marta walks over and stands right next to Caro and me.

I glare at her.

Why is she standing in our personal space?

We stare at each other in silence.

The tension thickens.

Our shoulders stiffen.

Marta smiles and finally faces me.

“See this…” She waves her hands over her body. “You’ve just been standing in the presence of greatness. Remember that. It will prepare you for your loss.” She smirks and marches off to get ready for the lineup.

“Was that supposed to be intimidating?” Caro scoffs.

“Nope, it was laughable. If anything, I’m even more determined for thisconvictto kick her pommie arse.”

“That a girl! Go get her!”

Checking around, I cannot find Katie. I furrow my brows. “Where’s Katie?”

Caro swivels and checks—we can’t see her anywhere.

There’s a few minutes before my lineup, so I figure we should search for her. I need all the support out there I can get. “We should try to find her.”

“Okay, let’s check the bathrooms,” Caro suggests.

I bob my head in answer, figuring that’s probably the first place we should search. We race off, and as we push through the door, the echoes of a girl crying are loud and clear. I turn to Caro and furrow my brows as we slowly edge further into the bathroom.

“Katie?” I call.

“Leave me alone,” she cries.

Giving a slight head shake, I race toward the stall where her voice came from. “Katie, we gotta go. Our race is up.”

“I can’t,” she replies.

“What? Why? Open the door.”

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