Chapter 4 PRETTY PLEASE

CHAPTER FOUR

What is she doing here?

Has she been enrolled into this school? Any ways that good that will make us know each other well. Vincent was lost in his thought.

"I visited my aunt in London with my mom for the weekend and believe me, it was fun", Bill stated.

"Vincent, what did you do during the weekend?" Bill questioned Vincent and waited for a response but received none. That was when Bill and Kim realized that Vincent had his mind somewhere else.

"VINCENT." Bill and Kim chorused

"What?!" Vincent answered, coming back to reality.

"Where was your mind? What were you thinking about that made you not to respond to my question?" Bill questioned eyeing him.

"Did you ask me a question?" Vincent looked at Kim, then at Bill.

"What's got you this worked up?"

"Nothing. What did you ask?"

"I asked you what you did during the weekend." Bill asked again.

"Nothing. I just stayed in my room for the weekend." Vincent answered, but Bill and Kim still kept quiet expecting more answers from him. But to their utmost surprise, he kept quiet and said nothing more.

"Vincent, are you sure you are all right" Kim asked.

"Yes I'm fine."

"You know that if there is any fucking thing troubling you, you can let us know" Bill said

"Yes I know but there is nothing bothering me."

"Alright, if you say so."

*. *. *. *. *. *.

The bell rang at that time when Anika had settled down and had started going through Belle's note, trying to catch up on previous activities.

"What is the bell for?" Anika asked.

"It's time for PE. Anika which sport are you good at?" Belle said.

"I'm sort of good at tennis but I'm almost perfect in throwing stunts."

"That means you will join the cheerleading group and if you perform well, who knows, can lead them".

"What about you?"

"I'm good at swimming and racing."

"Ok. Since I don't know where I belong, can I follow you to swimming lesson today?"

"Let's go."

Anika and Belle stood up to go and at the same time the 3Hs stood up also.

Anika and Belle left the class and Belle led the way to the pool.

"Anika, swimming is really fun all you need to do is enjoy yourself" Belle said

"Well I can't relate. Swimming had never been an interest to me, so I never bothered learning." Anika shrugged.

"Trust me, it's a different kind of sport that can serve as therapy. A trial will convince you."

"I would have done so, but I can't swim."

"If you ask nicely, I might teach you." Belle said with a sassy hair flip.

"You will?"

"If you ask nicely."

"Oh this girl," Anika let out a soft chuckle, then put her palms together. "Pretty please."

"My pleasure" Belle straightened her tie the folded her arms.

This made Anika laugh harder and Belle soon joined in.

The laugh died from her lips when Anika turned her head and saw Vincent, Bill and Kim walking down the hall towards them.

"Are they going the same way as we?" Anika asked Belle.

"Who?" Belle turned her head and saw that it was the 3Hs she was talking about. "Them."

"Yeah?"

"Of course Vincent is the best swimmer in Horry High followed by Kim and Bill. He is also good at weight lifting and basketball, the guy is damn good at almost everything especially when it comes to academics, that's why most students and even respect him."

For real? Is Belle serious? Hmmn! Anika thought to herself.

Finally they got to the pool where people had already gathered and everywhere was noisy. Through the activities and attitude of people around the pool gave off tension.

"Belle, what's going on?" Anika asked

"Oh, it's today. I totally forgot"

"What is?"

"It called swimming drawl, where the winner of the former month will compete with those that are interested, to know the winner of the month. In this case, Vincent has been the winner for three and some people are trying to pull him down, especially that 'Devil', Mark Davis."

A man walked toward the crowd and everyone chorused "Good day sir", to the amazement of Anika."

"Who is that?" Anika asked Belle. She realized she was asking a lot of questions and felt weird about it, but was grateful for Belle's unwavering answers.

"That is Mr. Dan, the teacher that takes us on swimming classes. Some call him 'Pool Coach'" Belle said.

Finally standing on the raised platform at the extreme part of the pool room, Mr. Dan began talking "Hello everyone. Today will be a very tough day because as you all know, we are having our 'swimming drawl' where we can choose the month's champion." Mr. Dan paused for the cheering that came from the students. Then continued when it died down.

"We would start by calling out our contestants who all look ready and eager. They are Matt Roberts, Bill Kingston, Mark Davis, Kim knight and then our champion for the past three months, Vincent Danielson!" While he mentioned each of the contestants their various fans cheered for them but when Vincent was called there was a loud cheer that came from almost everyone at the pool. The reaction of the crowd, which consists of her classmates and other people whom she didn't see in her class, made Anika look around in amazement.

Is he that popular? She thought.

There were smiles on the faces of the contestants except Vincent and Mark Davis as he walked towards the platform where Mr. Dan stood. Through their facial expressions, Anika could see the line of competition and enmity between them.

Mr. Dan continued, "I can't just wait for the competition to begin already, but first things first. Here are the rules and guide lines. The contestants will be called out one by one to showcase their skills in water. During that period, they are allowed to perform in any stroke that suits them. After that, three out of the five would be selected to participate in the second round. And in that round, the front crawl will be used at the beginning, followed by the butterfly stroke. After that, the winner would be chosen through speed. And that would be our champion for this month. Now it's time to begin."

Tension filled the faces of the spectators as they contestants moved closer to the pool getting ready to perform. All were dressed in different colors of swimming pants. All were topless, except from Vincent. He was in a yellow body hug long sleeve and black swimming pant.

As their names were called out, they took the opportunity to perform all their special skills. Matt Roberts performed with a few people cheering for him. Followed by Bill, whose cheer was louder." Then Mark Davis, who performed as if he was an aquatic animal who lived and belonged in water. His fans cheered joyfully but while coming out of the water, he still maintained a stone cold face.

It seemed as if 'No smiling' was his motto. It was Kim's turn. The ever-laughing and ever-excited Kim got into the water with seriousness on his face. But when he came out his normal personality retuned.

Finally it was Vincent turn. Before getting into the pool he did something that only few noticed because other were busy cheering so loudly. He took a quick glance at Anika then brought his eyes down to look into the pool and a strange little smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Looked as if he was about to perform his hobby.

He dived into the water and started swimming. He showcased different kind of strokes that many people didn't know even existed. Unlike the ever frowning Mark Davis, Vincent looked as if he was enjoying himself in water.

Anika was so engrossed in watching this performance that she jerked away in shock when Belle whispered in her ear.

"Isn't he the god of water? He really seems like one". She didn't sound like she needed on answer or comment from Anika, so Anika didn't respond.

When Vincent came out of the pool, Anika tried to read his expression but it was unreadable because he was neither smiling nor frowning. He strolled forward –still dripping wet to where the other contestants were and took his position. Kim winked at him and he smirked in response. Anika's ever-noticing eyes caught them and she smiled at the nature of their friendship. Even during a competition they still communicated.

The panel of judges were whispering to one another, then Mr. Dan came out of the gathering, paper in his hand. It was the result for the first round.

"Now," he said and paused for the noise to die down. And as he expected, everyone became quiet and all eyes were on him. Anika was almost sure that if a pin dropped at that moment, it would be so audible, maybe deafening. Everyone was eager to hear the results, including Anika.

Mr. Dan continued "Now, it's time to know our three contestants that would participate in the second round. Though the five of them performed incredibly, but we have to choose three. Rules are rules. The three that were chosen include..." he paused again. This time, to increase the tension and curiosity of everyone.

"They include, Kim Knight!"

There was a loud cheer and a crooked smile appeared on Kim's face.

"Mark Davis" Mr. Dan called out.

His cheers were less. He wasn't really the favorite of majority. And as expected, his expression didn't change, he didn't even blink. The frown stayed on his face like a bad painting.

Hmmn! No wonder he's called the Devil. Never smiling. Anika commented in her mind.

"And finally, our favorite champion for the past three months ...." He wasn't able to finish because the crowd chorused before he could.

"VINCENT DANIELSON!" The hall boomed with cheers, as expected. Bill turned and gave Vincent a thumbs up. He didn't feel bad that he wasn't part. As far as Vincent and Kim are part he was Okay. After all, he was leading when it came to racing.

Vincent let out a mild smile in order not to snub his fans. He proved to be Mark Davis' opposite.

After the quick celebration, it was time for the second round. The three remaining contestants lined up facing the poll, waiting for the whistle to come. Once again, tension filled the pool side.