I ended the semester with all As. The only thing left between me and my diploma was the swim test.
That goddamned swim test.
It was now or never. Do or die. Sink or swim.
Literally.
The test proctor explained, “When I blow the whistle, you can go at your own pace. Remember, no holding on to the walls, and no flotation devices. Some of our engineers like to test the limitations of the rules, so this year we’ve also added ‘no riding on anyone’s backs,’ and ‘no motors of any kind.’ Any questions?”
No questions. I knew what I had to do.
As I checked out the other calm and collected seniors in my swim lane, the queasiness in my stomach turned to full-blown nausea. I glanced at the pool entrance and the emergency exit. Remember, Lily, this isn’t a race, you’re just trying to pass. And also to not drown.
The shriek of the whistle startled me, but what really made everything so much more unpleasant was all the splashing that immediately ensued. The other students had no regard for personal space, dousing me in water with all their aggressive, propeller-like kicking.
I clung to the wall. My fingers wouldn’t uncurl. I was frozen in place, too scared to make a move.
“Okay, Lily, no more second-guessing yourself. It’s just like we practiced. Let’s go go go!” Beth appeared above me with a megaphone hanging by her side.
She clicked a button and spoke into it, pointing the speaker down at my head. “Sorry I’m late. The battery ran out and the line at the drugstore was ridiculous. It takes a nine-volt, so annoying. Anyway, I’m here. And you said no whistle. You ready?”
I nodded.
“As we practiced, Lily! Let go in . . . three, two, one!”
I pushed off the wall and glided on my back, and I could hear the muffled sound of Beth arguing with the swim test proctor. Desperate to hear more, I stayed floating on my back as long as I could before kicking and circling my arms to prevent me from sinking.
Beth shouted into her megaphone, “Sorry, Coach, let’s read the swim test requirements then, I have them printed from the website. There’s absolutely nothing in the rules that says she can’t do the elementary backstroke.”
Muffled, muted mumbling. More arguing. Then I heard Beth’s voice.
“It’s a modified elementary backstroke. And it’s mostly floating and drifting, but the rules state she just needs to refrain from holding the edges of the pool or the ropes.” Pause. “All you said was she can’t use flotation devices or be on anyone’s back.”
Mumbling.
My hand scratched against the concrete wall. I’d made it to the other side.
I turned around and float-drifted the other way, carefully avoiding holding on to anything.
More megaphone shouting. “Sorry, Coach, I have my whole day cleared for this. There’s no time limit, I triple-checked, so looks like it’s just us three here until whenever she finishes.”
Circle. Kick. Circle. Kick. I was done with the second lap.
One more to go.
I moved faster than ever before, knowing I was past the halfway point. All of this was so embarrassing, especially knowing Beth and the proctor were watching me and arguing about my unconventional approach to the swim test. The one good thing about getting out of the water last was that no one other than Beth and the proctor could see me barely finish.
Poolside cheers from a few new voices confused me as I kicked my way down the lane. I briefly turned my head toward Beth and saw PJ, Grace, and Ethan.
“You can do it!”
“Half a lap left!”
“Let’s goooo, Lily, let’s go!” It was Jake’s voice on the megaphone. I glanced over and there he was, next to Beth, grinning at me with tousled hair and sleepy eyes. It looked like he’d just woken up and come here in a hurry. Just for my laps of shame.
The blue flags lined above my head meant one thing. A few kicks more and I’d be done.
And done meant I would graduate.
My hand scraped the end of the concrete pool, and yes, there was some blood. It wasn’t exactly an elegant way to end, needing Neosporin and a bandage, but you know what? I did what I needed to do.
When I pulled myself out of the pool, Beth was ready for me with my terry-cloth robe, like that Rocky Balboa coach in Creed. “Congratulations, Roomie!”
Through heaving breaths, I managed to say, “We did it!”
She laughed and helped me pull the robe over my shoulders. “You did it, Lily.”
I did.
I did it.
“Thanks, Coach,” I said.
My friends gathered around to hug me. “I’m dripping all over you,” I apologized. “Thank you for coming. Please make sure you delete all video and photographic evidence of this embarrassing event.”
Ethan asked, “Did you get the internship? I just got the email!”
I shivered as I pulled out my phone from my gym bag. “Oh wow! Yes! Holy shit . . . I’m going to work at Solv!”
We laughed and hugged, then Ethan, Grace, and PJ agreed to meet up with me for a celebration dinner later that evening. They headed out for brunch at a new Asian fusion café and waved goodbye to me.
Jake pulled me into him and held me tight. “You were awesome,” he whispered into my ear. “Congratulations to my favorite intern!”
Beth asked Jake, “Mind taking her back? She might want a shower.”
I nodded and leaned my head against his chest. “I’m dying to go home.” A shower sounded good. A hot shower with Jake sounded even better.
Heading back to his car, I said, “Thank you for showing up today. I wasn’t expecting you, but it really meant a lot to me.”
Jake stopped walking and turned to me. Placing his strong, warm hands on my shoulders, he looked into my eyes. “I will always show up for you.” He ran his fingers down the length of my arms, then kissed me gently on the lips. Then to my surprise, he grabbed my hands and kissed each of them, even the scratched and bloody-knuckled one. “Mmm. Chlorine. Blood. Very sexy. Very wet.”
I laughed. “So, my place?” I suggested as he pulled me closer to his body.
I knew what he had on his mind and beat him to the punch. “Wanna take me home and get me out of these wet clothes?”