Chapter 20 The 10-Meter
Connor
Ithought I would feel sad that I wasn’t competing today, but honestly, it’s been a blast. I decided at the last minute to go hard and paint my face, knowing it would bring a smile to Maisie’s beautiful face.
There isn’t a whole lot I wouldn’t do to see her smile.
I’m still worried about why she’s pushing me away, but I ignore it for now. I’m here to support her.
All in all, Magnolia was putting in a strong showing against our rivals. It made me proud to be part of the team. Sure, I wish I could participate and help out, but there is something special about showing support from afar without the pressure of worrying about my own races.
I hold my breath as she perches backward at the end of the platform. She launches, spinning through the air so fast, I can’t keep track of how many times she goes around. She’s about to enter the water when…she doesn’t quite make it out of her balled-up form. She smacks the water. Hard.
I’m on my feet in an instant, moving toward the pool deck, my eyes never leaving her.
She isn’t moving. Why isn’t she moving?
My heart rate kicks up another notch. A whistle blows and a lifeguard jumps into the water. A double beep sounds in the distance, and the announcer states, “Failed dive.” Who the fuck cares if she failed it? Why isn’t she swimming to the surface?
Panic claws at my sternum. The lifeguard has Maisie tucked securely against his flotation device, and they are almost to the stairs.
My body moves of its own accord, and I somehow make it over the bleachers’ railing and jump down to the deck from the stands.
I run to her as they pull her out of the water.
A whistle blows, but I don’t give a damn about the rules right now.
All I need is to get to her. When I drop to my knees beside her, she’s awake and groaning, and a tempered relief floods my system. I let loose a shaky breath.
“Maize? Maize, you okay?”
“Sir, please move,” the voice of an emergency personnel member bellows from the other side of Maisie.
I shuffle back a step but refuse to give them any more space than that.
My whole body is on alert, tension coursing through my stomach and limbs.
Maisie’s coach and teammates are crowded around the outskirts, waiting.
The trainer pokes and prods and asks her a series of questions.
When he’s done and announces she only had the wind knocked out of her and may have some bruising, she sits up.
Her sheened eyes meet mine, and I instinctually grab her hand, saying, “You’re all right. Everything’s gonna be fine.”
“I failed,” she states plainly. As if that is the worst part about the last ten minutes. Tears fall full-force down her cheeks.
“Hey, shh, it’s okay,” I soothe and move to gather her in a hug, her body chilled against me urging me to wrap my arms tighter. “Everyone fails a dive now and then. We’re all just happy you’re okay. That’s what matters, you hear me?”
She nods dumbly into my shoulder, but I know her—I know she’s struggling to believe me.
I adjust to gently assist her to stand. A small round of applause comes from the crowd, but other than that, things in the natatorium have continued as if nothing happened.
Swimming races are still proceeding, and once the divers see she’s okay, they begin stretching again to stay loose for the competition.
My whole world was just spun upside down. Adrenaline keeps me stiff as a board. I can’t fathom continuing to do anything other than be with her, making sure she’s all right.
I release her only enough to look into her emerald eyes. Her tears are drying up, and she says with a sniff, “That was my last dive. I think I’ll just go to the locker room. I don’t need to see the final scores.”
“Okay, but I think someone should go in with you.”
“I’ll take her after my next dive,” Lola says from a few feet to our right.
I shift to wrap my arm around Maisie’s waist and respond for her. “I’ll walk her over. Meet you there when you’re done. And, uh, good luck on your last dive.” I can’t imagine having to compete after watching something like that.
“Sounds good, and thanks,” she says, her shoulders set and posture strong.
“Come on, Maize, let’s get you out of here,” I say, leading us away from the diving pool. She doesn’t say anything, merely starts walking. She looks pale, and I’m worried that maybe they missed something while examining her. We’re almost outside the women’s locker room when Angie rushes over.
“I was in the middle of a race, but Brock found me immediately after and told me what happened,” she says breathlessly, drenched from just being in the pool. “Here, here, I’ll take her.” She shuffles so her arms are wrapped protectively around Maisie’s waist, practically holding all her weight up.
“I’ll meet you on the other side,” I say as they disappear behind the door. I shift to move toward the men’s locker room so I can exit through there when Brock catches up with me.
“She okay?” he asks, wringing his hands, gaze bouncing.
“Yeah, she had the wind knocked out of her, which is why she couldn’t move for a moment in the water. The guy said she’d probably be bruised, too, but nothing serious. Thanks for telling Angie.”
“Oh, good, I’m so glad. That looked really rough.” He poignantly ignores the Angie comment. “I have another race, but text me after if I can help with anything, ’kay?”
“Sure thing, man, thanks.”
He claps me on the shoulder and heads back over to where our other teammates are gathered.
I take a deep breath, letting some of the unease seep out of me. Being worked up isn’t going to help Maisie right now.