Chapter 64 Athletes Everywhere
Athletes Everywhere
Maisie
I focus. Today’s the Vimer Invitational, and the pool deck is shrouded in athletes.
I tuck my headphones a little tighter and keep working through my warm-up routine.
Lola is nearby in her own world, Dublin and Finn are already warming up on the springboard, Jamey is over by the locker room chatting with one of his old high school teammates, and Janique is on the trampoline.
Nerves skitter down my spine. Breathe. I scan the stands out of habit.
True to my dad’s word, my parents aren’t here today, but where is Connor?
We met up briefly this morning. He brought me tea and a scone, but he only handed them over on the promise that I would eat some protein too.
He said he’d been looking into women’s health and that apparently protein-rich breakfasts are important.
He’d given me a kiss for good luck, and I felt like a balloon about to blow away after.
But now he’s not here. Maybe he went to the concession stand?
I can’t worry about that now. I need to stay focused.
I visualize my success, running through each dive on my list in my head.
I picture sharp lines and clean entries.
I picture victory. I haven’t let myself even hope to win since starting here.
I thought I wasn’t meant for diving at this level, but now I’m determined to prove myself wrong.
And even if today doesn’t go my way, another day will. I won’t give up.
Making my way through the throng of people warming up, chatting, or sitting—some not competing until hours from now—I cautiously sidle up to Coach Megan. “Coach, I need to talk to you.”
She slowly lifts her gaze. “What is it, Thatcher?”
“Add the back three and a half to my list today…please,” I tack on.
Her eyebrows pinch together and her nostrils flare. “You haven’t practiced that dive, and the last time you did, it didn’t go well.”
“I know I can do it. I’ve been working hard in the gym, visualizing, everything other than physically performing it at practice.
I’ve even been throwing some lead-ups when you weren’t looking.
” That gets her attention, but she lets me continue.
“Let me throw it in warm-ups, you’ll see.
I’ve got this, I promise.” Confidence feels good.
“It’s ultimately your decision, but I want it on record that I’m advising against it.” She marks something with a pen on her clipboard. I think she’s writing in my new dive. I smile. She frowns. “Next time, a little more warning than the day of would be nice.” She scoffs.
“Aye aye, Coach!” I salute. “You can count on me. I’m here for the long haul, and I’m ready to prove myself.”
She eyes me warily, but then relaxes her face into a clipped smile. “Well, I do love your spunk. Could have used that at the start of the season, but I know it’s a difficult task adjusting to college. Glad to hear you’re on board. Now go warm up.” She walks away without another word.
I wade through the sea of bodies toward the platform ladder. Time to do this.
Warm-ups went…okay. I didn’t enter perfectly on any of my back three and a half attempts, but I’m not going to let that stop me. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it simply needs to exist.
I scan the crowd again. Still no Connor. Flutters pick up in my chest. Is he okay? Should I go look for him?
Brock passes by, and I grab him by the arm, taking him off course. He slips on the slick deck but rights himself quickly.
“Maisie, what’s up? Everything okay? Is Angie all right?”
I quirk a brow. “Have you seen Connor? Every time I look in the stands, he isn’t there. I’m kind of worried. I’d go look for him, but my ten-meter competition is about to start.”
Brock squeezes my forearm in a friendly, comforting gesture.
“I’m sure he’s fine. I just saw him in the locker room not that long ago.
” He points behind him. “He’s probably going for a walk or something.
You know how long you can be sitting at these things.
I know he’s planning to be here once you start. ”
He ducks so we’re at eye level. He’s being really nice. Not that he’s ever been anything else to me, but with the whole Angie thing…you never really know.
I let my head fall back and rub at my eyes. “You’re right.” I shake my limbs. “He’s fine. Everything’s fine. I need to focus. Thanks for the pep talk, Brock.”
His smile stretches in the most boyish way. “Anytime! Glad I could help.”
He beams with pride. It brings a smile to my face, and I head back toward the tower.
This time, when my eyes wander toward the stands, they land on the face I want to see most. He’s here.
Relief floods my veins, and now I feel ready.
His steady presence gives me the final push of confidence I need before the competition starts.
I blow him a kiss like I did at my first meet.
This time, when he catches it, he presses it to his lips and sends one back. I think I could get used to this.
All of my dives have been solid. Not all rips, but solid.
I’m hovering in fifth place, which, for how many schools are here to compete today, is a decent showing.
I take a quick peek at the crowd. Connor’s no longer there.
My stomach churns. Where could he be? But I can’t think about him right now.
I inhale the familiar chlorine air and relax my shoulders.
Maybe his mom or brothers called. Maybe he had to go to the bathroom.
I’ll go find him after. It’ll all be fine.
I climb the tower. My legs are jelly, but my heart is strong. Although I appreciate Connor’s presence, I don’t need it to make this happen. I can do this. I’m meant to be here. I believe in myself.
Before I know it, I’m at the top. Ten meters. Thirty-three and a half feet above the water. Sometimes I think I must be crazy for throwing my body off this thing, but I love it. I can’t imagine anything else.
I walk to the end of the platform, toss my shammy, and turn to get into position.
We go on three, I remind myself. No matter what happens, I am worthy.
No matter what happens, I accomplished something today.
I take a final steadying breath, and the natatorium seems to quiet, the world homing in on this moment, holding its breath.
Taking a final deep breath, I close my eyes for a solitary moment.
When they flash open, determination strikes like a lightning bolt, and I launch.
I’m spinning faster than normal, but I keep my focus.
I’ve got this. When it’s time, my legs and arms shoot out with the strength of a torpedo, stopping my rotation at the perfect angle, and I glide through the water like butter. I did it! I fucking did it!
I take a moment at the base of the pool to revel in it, heart pounding. And when I push off the pool floor, I’m smiling as I rise. When I surface, my whole team and even some other teams are cheering for me. I look at the scoreboard. 9. 8. 8.5. 9. 7.
Whoever judged that seven must have had a stick up their butt, but I’m too elated to care. Those scores are amazing. I freaking did it!
Lola meets me at the steps and goes in for a hug, but retreats at the last second. “That was amazing,” she says.
I pull her into a hug, and although it takes her a moment, she melts into it. I’m glad to have such supportive teammates, and I really need to make good on our rain check to get dinner. She’s awesome.
I release her, but then we’re both caught up in Dublin’s arms. “You did it!” he shouts. We’re a ball of limbs and water, but I’m too happy to care. Then I remember Connor.
I’m about to go search for him when the announcer states, “Maisie Thatcher, National Championship Qualifier.”
“Hell yeah!” Dublin chimes in and barrels into Lola and me again. Janique, Jamey, and Finn have made their way over, too. Our little team may be small, but we’re mighty. I’m excited that this is who I get to spend the rest of my college career with.
Career. It used to taste like a bad word, but it’s true. I’ve been working toward this my whole life. I’ve built a résumé of camps, dives, coaches, failures, and successes. And now I get to live it on a bigger stage. That’s something to celebrate.
After about ten minutes—and a serious course in self-restraint on my part not to leave immediately—they host the award ceremony. I don’t get to stand on the podium, but I place fourth. Fourth and a ticket to Nationals. That’s what you can accomplish when you don’t let fear and self-doubt win.
But I am still an anxious girly, so the moment awards are over, I sling on my sweats and rush to find Connor. There’s something I need to tell him.