Rising Shards

“Back and Forthies”

For once, I was looking forward to gym class. At least slightly more than normal. Our swimming unit was about to start. This was the first time in my life I was excited to have a swimming unit; prior to this I’d just have Stella write me a note to get out of it.

I was mostly just excited for the free swim time, where I was craving some float and relax time. I thought floating in a pool and clearing my mind would be good after all the stressors that arrived and were approaching.

Our class lined up beside the pool, which was divided into four general areas. One section divided into lanes, another for diving, a third filled with big pool needles and other swimming toys, and one that had a plastic gate around it that gave it a mysterious presence.

“So that gated community over there is for void-related activities,” Mrs. Junea said. “We’ll get there, just not today, so nobody sneak over there. Got it?”

For swimming class, we had Mrs. Junea instead of Mr. Krangel. I’d rather have Krangel for this, even if he would have just talked about Haven fights the whole time. My experiences with Junea were more…constantly disciplinary.

“So to get on with it then, kiddos,” Junea started, tapping her clipboard. “Big Wildfire recreant you know coming up very soon, well. Maybe. But even if it gets goofed by the whatever the heck you call what those Wildfire dingbats did, finals are still coming up. And for gym class, since this is the swimming time, your final is gonna be swimming.  Are we feeling ready?”

She was answered mostly with shrugs from the class.

“Whatever situation we end up needing to prepare for, I’ll make sure y’all girls are ready,” Junea said. “So let’s started with some back and forthies.”

Oka made a slight noise at that, not loud enough for Junea to hear fortunately. But enough for me to have to hold back a giggle at Oka’s distaste for phrasing like ‘back and forthies.’

We each got split into groups, and unfairly I wasn’t put with Oka or anyone I was really friends with.

“Faleur, c’mere.” Mrs. Junea said, beckoning me over with a pointer finger, a small gesture she somehow made condescending, especially considering she did it as the rest of the class waited to get in the pool. She pointed at my right arm.

“Hm?” I asked, holding my arm forward slightly. She grabbed my wrist and made sure my power blocker band was on tight.

“Clipboard says you got some electric powers, just wanna make sure this thing is functional and not set for zap allowances, you get me?” Junea said.

“I uh…sure, yeah.” I said.

With that squared away, it was time to swim. We each had to time the girl before us with old stopwatches. I wasn’t sure I was a fast swimmer, but it was a price I was willing to pay to get my floaty time later. When it was my turn, I noticed Oka looking my way from a few rows over. Wanting to show off for her, I jumped into the water, not fully doing a belly flop but definitely landing with more of a flop than would be desired for girlfriend impressing. As I was getting ready to start, someone reached over and tapped my shoulder. It was Iris, who stood a row over.

“Um.” She said, tapping her nose.

I felt my own to find out I’d somehow given myself a nosebleed just by landing in the pool. Because of this, I had to go back to the locker room immediately to stand by myself in the showers, waiting for the blood to stop and my embarrassment to end. It was one of my gusher nosebleeds, so it took a while to die down. But once it was starting to, I got some paper towels and asked Mrs. Junea if I could sit in the bleachers. I spotted Kalei there earlier, as she wasn't taking part in gym today, which seemed more like a punishment than a mercy after her awful weekend. I think it was because of her hand injury, but I couldn't be sure. Junea was not entirely a fan of the idea, but luckily my charm or something won her over.