Chapter 5 QUITE WET

CHAPTER FIVE

"Are you ready? Mr. Dan questioned.

They didn't respond instead Kim nodded, Vincent blinked looking straight into the water- that seemed like a rite he took before swimming- and Mark Davis just stood.

"Then let's begin," he said and blew his whistle. As if responding to the whistle's call, the three dived into the water and started swimming in great speed.

At the beginning Kim was taking the lead. Then Mark Davis quickly overtook him. Both struggled, leaving Vincent behind.

Through the silence from his fans at the pool side, Vincent realized that he was behind and he too knew that he wasn't adding effort. He felt their disappointment from inside the pool. He felt bad for them. He couldn't disappoint his fans. And most of all, he couldn't disappoint Anika who he knew was standing out there, watching him swim.

Even though there was nothing to win for, he decided to make his fans proud, especially Anika. And he didn't know why. He didn't even know her.

As the three got to edge where they would turn and return with the butterfly stroke Vincent increased his pace. He really used his strength now and within few seconds, he got ahead of both Mark Davis and Kim. And from inside the pool, he heard the deafening cheer going on outside the pool. He hadn't won yet, but he was leading. He was making his fans proud.

Would Anika be proud of me? He asked himself. But he would soon find out when he leaves the pool after winning the competition. First things first. But why do I keep on thinking of her?

He added more speed leaving Kim who was right behind him and Mark Davis. Finally, he got to the finish line. And through the shout that boomed in the pool side, he knew what had happened.

He had happened.

He had won!

He had also made his fans proud. He still stood in the water trying to catch his breath, then he shot his gaze at Anika.

The cheers were so loud she thought it would burst her eardrums. But when Vincent had taken over while swimming she uttered unknowingly, answering Belle's question that she had asked long ago.

"He really is." She said to Belle, who didn't understand what she meant.

But at this present moment she enjoyed the cheers coming from the crowd. There was no need to announce the champion, every one already knew who it was. Now looking at the fans cheering with excitement and Vincent who stood in the pool grinning slightly at his fans, she didn't know when a smile formed on her face.

It was unintentional. Her instinct failed her.

But when she realized she was smiling, she immediately stopped. Too late! Vincent saw that!.

Yep! She's proud of me. He thought and a renewed joy rushed through him. He didn't know why her being proud of him mattered a lot, but he liked it. And that made him feel strange.

Shocked, the idea that came to his mind as he stared at her was strange. He wanted to go meet her and he tried hard to stop himself but he couldn't. He realized that it may be his instinct leading him, so he moved to action.

Standing in the water, he slowly went in and swam to where Anika was standing, then stood up again.

And to Anika's surprise, he stretched out his right arm to her for assistance in getting out of the water.

Anika's eyes bulged out in surprise.

And with the surprise still in her eyes, she looked about and checked out the level of attention that single act brought to them. Majority had left but the few that remained stared at her with serious eyes. She was so confused and didn't know what to do. She didn't want to take that hand and didn't also want to embarrass him.

It took her few minutes of deliberation before she took his hand, after receiving a go ahead nod from Belle and pulled him out with all her strength because of his size and weight.

When he was finally out of the pool, he did the thing that really took Anika's and everyone's breathe. He didn't let go of her hand, instead he used his other hand to hold her back, really close to her waist. Then he stared deeply into those sea blue eyes.

What have you done to me? Why do I feel so attracted to you. I've never felt like this before. Are you using sort of charm on me? Why can't I just take my eyes off you? He thought and hoped he hadn't said that out as he continued looking into her eyes expecting answers from it. But nothing came instead she just kept on blinking rapidly out of confusion.

She tried to ignore the fact that she was getting wet.

Turning her head to the side a bit, she caught Molly's scary and threatening gaze. Milly looked as if she would strangle her if she didn't let go.

Oh boy! What to do?

She wasn't hold him, he was holding her.

She looked at Belle again and used facial language to communicate with her.

Belle! What should I do?

Belle understood that so she answered in likewise manner. Belle widened her eyes and darted it towards the exit.

First, she didn't get it, but when Anika repeated the act, Anika got the gist.

Break off and run.

She broke off from him and without looking back to see his reaction, she ran out of there, through the hallway to her class with Belle right behind her, running also.

Getting into their class room, Anika was still in shock and panting from the run.

"Belle, what was that for? Are those the type of people in this school?" Anika said in between heavy breath.

"To be sincere, Anika, I'm surprised as well. This is the first time something like this is happening and with Vincent as the doer of the action. He has never done something like that before. I wonder what got over him." Belle replied, defensively.

"Why should this be happening on my first day at school? Now the person I was warned to avoid would take me as an enemy," Anika soliloquized

"But are you guys in any sort of a relationship?"

"Forget it! That's not even possible. He's a rude person and also a snub. I don't even know him." Anika knew she was overreacting.

Why? She couldn't tell.

Belle opened her mouth to talk but was interrupted by the sound of the bell.

"Now, that's for?" Anika enquired, ready for the worst.

"It's for another class session, buh... you can go home. Our classes over for today." Belle explained and before she could finish Anika had already started packing her bags.

"Oh thank heavens. I have had enough for a student in her first day at school she packed up while Belle was packing also trying to keep pace with her. Anika picked up her bag, ready to leave.

"Goodbye. Belle see you tomorrow", she turned to tell that to Belle, because she realized it will be impolite to just walk out without saying goodbye to a friend who had helped her.

"Can't you wait for me to pack up so we can leave together?" Belle whined.

"Alright. Hurry up." Anika responded, though she wasn't alright with spending another second in that classroom.

Belle picked up her bag and they both left the classroom room and headed towards the school gate where they both parted because Anika wanted to take the bus home. While Belle wanted a cab.

Anika headed to the bus station and just having a flashback of what happened that day made her stomach grumble.

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

Vincent still stood at that pool side looking dejected. He didn't understand what was wrong with him but just seeing Anika run off without looking back, strangely annoyed and hurt him.

Milly saw the look on his face and smiled to herself.

Serves you right. You fool. She thought and walked towards him with intention of mocking him in the form of sympathy.

"Vincent are you okay? You look down." She said in a sing-song voice. "What's the problem? Talk to me". She made to reach for his cheek with her hand, which he waved away. Through that action, she got the answer to her question.

"Well Vincent what was that for?" She now has her hands on her hips.

No response.

This made Milly humiliated because people around were watching.

"Is there anything between you and the new girl?"

For the first time since she had been talking, Vincent looked straight at her and this gave her hope as she waited for his explanation.

"That's none of your business". Was all she got.

Vincent made to go but was stopped by Milly. "Remember I'm your girlfriend and when you do things like this it breaks my heart. You understand me right?" She said still feigning a pitiful face and voice.

Vincent turned to answer. His stern gaze on her.

"No, I don't. Because you're not my girlfriend. So I advise you don't keep anything I do to heart because I don't really care about your feelings. I didn't mean to talk rudely but you pushed me to." He said and walked to where his friends were.

They had both watched what just happened between Vincent and Milly so they didn't talk to Vincent for some time after his arrival to where they sat in the pool side. They waited for his temper to reduce before bringing up their suggestions and comments.

Bill kept his gaze on Milly who looked dejected. He felt bad for her. "Vincent don't you think you were too harsh?" Bill asked.

"No you weren't. Why doesn't she just understand that you have no feelings for her?" Kim questioned.

"She's a bitch." Vincent gave both of them just that short answer and this made both of them give him a questioning look. He only insulted people he really hated.

"Don't call her that!" Bill defended

"Bill you know what? If you really like her, why don't you go get her so she can leave innocent Vincent alone and stop pestering his life. Vincent don't you think so?" Kim suggested.

"Of course I don't like the way she follows me around acting like a parasite. Help me get rid of her by telling the truth that you like her." His anger had reduced but he wasn't smiling.

"Its not like I'm afraid to tell her but can you guy stop talking nonsense about her? She's an innocent girl." Bill still defended.

Kim chuckled. "Indeed!"

Silence fell as the three stared into space. Different thoughts running in their heads.

What got over me to do something like that? Thank goodness they're not talking about it.

"But Vincent don't tell me you have something going on between you and that new transfer student." Kim broke into his thoughts.

Oh gosh!

"That's true. It seems you recognize her because you lost concentration immediately she came to our class. I smell something fishy. Is there anything you are not telling us?" Bill added.

Vincent didn't have the answer to that, so he decided to avoid the question since two pairs of curious eyes were staring at him.

"Don't know. Don't ask me!" He barked as he picked up his towel and began walking out of the pool room. Bill and Kim knew what he was doing. He was running away from their questions. They didn't follow him.

Exchanging knowing glances, they decided to let him go.

For now.

"You haven't answered us yet?" Kim called out to him and Vincent increased his pace.

Vincent didn't turn back.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Bill questioned loudly.

"Home!" Vincent responded still not looking back. Bill and Kim turned to each other and smiled. It wouldn't take long before they will realize what was going on.