Meriedeth Salazar
"Are you sure about it, Shark girl? You can still back out."
I raised a brow at Rovic, he asked that question a couple of times while we are on our way to school. The four of us are currently here at the building of the swimming club.
We are at the lounge area. The championship game is going to start at 1:30pm. There are people who going to the outdoor pool. I don't know why I'm still a participant of the competition, tss.
"How come I am still included for the competition, I'm absent for days?" they looked at me.
"There are only four of you who swam that day. They just want to repeat the event again."
"Is it allowed?"
"It is the championship game, also, there are only four of you who are competing. We never know, maybe now you'll be on second place," Rovic teased.
"Fighting, Salazar," Shelanie cheered.
"Don't cheer for me. I don't like those stuff."
"Noted," and she nodded.
"Since Shark girl is going to swim, I'm going to treat you," Rovic announced.
"Shut up, Soldier."
I stood up and went to the indoor pool. I can feel that they followed me. I looked at the three of them. Hays.
"This is the last time that I'm going to do this."
"What are you going to do if you are going to be included as one of the athletes they are going to bring for the district meet? Something like that, you still don't want to?" Rovic asked while stretching, he is still wearing his physical education uniform.
"In the first place I have no plans on swimming again."
"So, that's why you were cutting every time we have classes held at the pool area, Salazar?" Eryx asked while stretching.
"Tss. Just shut up," he just nodded.
Silence surrounded us. Just then, a lot of people are going to the outdoor pool area.
"There are a lot of audience."
"This is the only time that there are a lot of people who come here at the pool area," Eryx said.
"We never know, maybe after intramurals the club can gain new members," Shelanie said.
"Hope so. Because if there is no new members, we are done for."
We went outside, we sat at the first bleachers. There are some announcements that are blaring through the speakers, Eryx stood up.
"See you later, guys" he said and walked towards the pool.
There are only four participants for this event. Shelanie and Rovic began cheering, also the people behind us started cheering. Ugh, it's too noisy, how annoying.
"I'll go back inside," I told them.
"Oh? You're not gonna watch, Shark girl?" Rovic asked.
"It's too noisy," I answered.
I stood up and went inside to the indoor pool area. I sat at one of the benches here, I lean as I sit down. I took a deep breath and close my eyes.
Here I am, swimming again.
I'm not fragile.
They are just too annoying, I just want them to stop.
There are a lot of things running in my mind right now. The words that Kuya Marcus spoke are still in my mind.
Dad still supports me?
Tss.
Kuya really has no idea.
"You didn't watch?"
I looked at the direction where the person spoke, it was Eryx. He is really wet, he is topless and he is holding his swimming cap while his goggles are hanging around his neck. Water is dripping from his hair.
"It's too noisy outside, Fuentabella," and I closed my eyes.
"You hide your trophies," I felt him sat beside me.
"You don't care."
"You should be proud of what you have won."
"Can you? Stop digging something about me. Mind your own fucking business, Fuentabella. You know nothing, so shut the fuck up," as I throw glares at him.
"Did you know that your mouth can make my ears bleed because of your curses? Are you really like that?" he just raised a brow.
"Mind your own fucking business," I coldly said.
He raised his hand, as if his surrendering.
"Okay, okay. Just calm down."
"Stay away from me. I want to be alone. I hope you understand that,"
"You can call us when you need help. You can talk to us when you need somebody to talk to-"
"I don't need anyone, Fuentabella. I want to be alone, so just leave."
"You're good at pushing some people away," he said and left.
Peace of mind.
Its better to be alone.
Why?
If people get to know you, they will know more about your life. Your hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. you'll depend on them because they are your friends.
And, it's a bad thing.
What if, one day they will suddenly disappear?
What if, they will betray you?
Hassle. You will be sad. You'll get disappointed because of their actions if they betray you of if they will disappear.
Yeah. Having friends is fun, but at the end of the day, nobody cares.
Youre all alone.
That's reality.
Nobody cares and nobody understands.
I heard the buzzer sounded, it is time for the butterfly event. I went outside and sit down near Shelanie, but there is still a distance in between,
"Youre up next, Salazar," I looked at Shelanie. "Fighting!" as she raised her hand.
I just nodded. My phone suddenly ring, it was Kuya Marcus calling. I answered it.
"What?"
"Bring your friends later at home."
"And why would I do that?!"
"I just want to see them and get to know them better."
"No."
"I know you would say that, see you."
And he ended the call. Tss. Weirdo.
"First place," Rovic said and did a dub in front of us.
"Congrats!" Shelanie greeted Rovic.
"Good luck, Shark girl!" as Rovic tapped my shoulder.
"Maybe your phone will get wet," I looked at Eryx.
I looked at my phone which is inside in the pocket of the robe that im wearing. It really has the possibility of getting wet-
"I can hold it for you during yor event, Salazar," I looked at Shelanie.
"Take care of it," I said as I hand my phone to her.
She accepted it and gave me a smile. They wished me good luck for my event. Just like what Eryx said, there are only four of us here for the freestyle event. I went to the platform and fixed my goggles. They signaled us to prepare for the dive.
I'm staring at the water, I can see everything clearly underwater. I can feel my heart racing.
Calm down, Meriedeth. This is your last game.
I heard the buzzer and we dive into the water. I can hear cheers from the bleachers, making me panicked.
Calm, Meriedeth. Calm.
I found myself swimming just like what I used to do. Rotating my arms and kicking my feet underwater. It feels good to be in the water.
I turned around and swim back. I caught a glimpse of my side. Somebody is almost ahead of me.
I don't want to win.
But, it seems my body is acting on its own.
I swim faster until I touched the end of the wall. I removed my goggles and I'm catching my breath.
I heard a particular cheer from the crowd. I looked at the scoreboard. I shook my head sideways. I want to disappear.
"Congratulations, Salazar!"
I looked at the one who spoke, the three of them are standing in front of me, smiling. I went out of the pool and I took my robe.
"Since we all got first place, my treat!" Rovic announced.
"Buy everything that are sell at the cafeteria," Eryx said.
"Wow, you are going to eat everything?!"
"Salazar, somebody called," as she handed my phone.
"Who was it?"
"Aunty Rebecca is the name of the caller ID, I answered it because maybe it was important."
"What did she say?"
"Uh, she's looking for you. I told her you are swimming for your event."
I don't know if I will be happy or not.
"she told me to call her if you have vacant time."
"Thanks."
I just found myself following them. They will not let me go home unless I'm going to finish Rovic's treat.
"I think you have plans to hold a festival," Shelanie commented because Rovic bought a lot of snacks.
"Just bring the ones that you want, uh wait, let's go back to the swimming club. Let's give some to Kuya Wesley and Ate Mel."
"Nice idea!" Shelanie agreed.
"You don't like the snacks Rovic bought?" I looked at Eryx. He is eating some chips.
"I want cup noodles. I'll buy-"
"What flavor do you want, Shark girl? The food is on me! Only for today! Today."
"You have a lot of money. Why don't you save it?"
"Just let me, also, I often treat you guys. Once in a blue moon," and he winked.
I looked at Shelanie and Eryx, they both nodded. I stood up and Rovic followed me.
"Let's try here. They almost have every flavor," as he pointed a stall.
"How about you try on becoming an endorser for a commercial. You know a lot."
He just grinned. I shook my head, I pointed at the special beef flavor and he bought it. I was about to bring it to our table but he took the cup and he was the one who brought it to our table.
"Thanks," he nodded.
I enjoyed the cup of hot noodles and c2 solo that he bought. After having some snacks, I went with them to the swimming club but while we are walking towards the club building, Mel texted that they are at the teacher's office.
When we arrived there, Wesley and Melanie just went out from the office. Melanie happily ran towards us and got the bag of snacks from Shelanie.
"How did it go?" Eryx asked Wesley.
He just shook his head. I can feel negative vibes.
"Anyways! Since tomorrow is the awarding ceremony, maybe you want to take a swim at pool tomorrow. Just nothing, we are just going to hang out," Melanie invited. "Also bring some snacks."
"Food and drinks are not allowed in the pool area."
"Meriedeth is such a killjoy! Its just our secret!"
They just stared at me waiting for a reply. I nodded so that they keep quiet. I told them I'm going home.
"E? It's still early," Melanie said.
"I'm tired."
"Uh, Salazar," I looked at Shelanie. "You'll come here tomorrow right?"
"What's up tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow is the awarding ceremony, Shark girl!" Rovic answered.
"Oh?"
"You are not going to attend?" Eryx asked.
"It's tiring. What time is it going to start?"
"Around 1pm."
"Please, attend, Salazar!" Shelanie pleaded.
"I'll just try, I'll go ahead," I told them.
On the next day, I woke up around noon. I slept late last night because I was having fun on what I am reading last night. I went downstairs to eat, Kuya is not there. He left for work, he just left a small note at the ref.
I eat and took a bath. When I came out from the bathroom, I looked at the wall clock. It's almost 1pm, as if the awarding is going to start right away, Filipino.
It's not like I'll go.
I checked my facebook, I activated my profile. Messages keep coming in through my messenger. Hays, it's too noisy.
Incoming call from Rovic Fajardo...
I answered the call, he's face immediately fill up the screen of my phone.
"What do you want?"
"You'll not attend? Your trophy and medal are calling you!"
I just rolled my eyes.
"I'm still going to read something, so, can you? Leave me alone."
"Salazar, please attend!" I heard Shelanie from the other line.
"Do I have to?"
"Get your awards, Miss Rios is going to look for you. You know, attendance," Eryx said.
"Tss. Where?"
"At the theater room."
I ended the video call and changed clothes, I'm wearing all black. I travelled to school, when I arrived at school I walk towards the theater room. It is located at the third building. The building for clubs, the theater room is located at the back part of the building.
When I went inside the awarding ceremony is starting. I chatted Shelanie to know where they are, she replied that they are near the stage.
Meriedeth: Can you raise your hand? There are a lot of people here.
Shelanie: I raised it up.
I immediately went to them, they jumped in surprised when they saw me. I noticed that Shelanie is holding a camera, the other contestants of the swimming competition are with them.
"Good thing you're here, Miss Salazar," I looked at the one who spoke, it was Miss Morales. "Take your seat. After the volleyball, you guys are the one who is going to go on stage," and she went away, she has things she needed to attend.
"You are too much, all black?" I looked at the one who spoke, it was Rovic.
"Sit here, Salazar," Shelanie tapped the vacant sit beside her. I immediately sit down, Eryx is sitting beside me at the right side.
While sitting down Rovic is continuously complaining about what I'm wearing. Why am I wearing all black? Tss.
"You have a lot of complaints, Soldier."
"She looks good on what she's wearing. It's cool," Shelanie said, she is siding with me.
"Our team color is white, maybe if you will went up on stage they will thought you are representing a different team!"
"They will call her name, Dude. So, just chill," Eryx said.
Time passed by, the ones who are called first are the boys for their awards for the swimming events. When Eryx and Rovic went up on stage the some girls cheered. Shelanie is taking some pictures, maybe it's for their club.
"Shelanie, take a photo of me later," Rovic said while holding his trophy, his gold medal is hanging around his neck.
"Talent fee 500 pesos," Shelanie said as she opened her palm towards Rovic.
"Wow, expensive."
"I'll do it later, you know, I'm still on duty for our club."
Eryx's gaze and mine met, his holding his trophy and his medal is around his neck. Wait, why does he have two trophies and medal?
"Why do you have two of each?"
He smiled.
"I participated sa individual medley."
( O.O) (⌒,⌒ )
Okay.
"First place for freestyle event for the women's category, Meriedeth Salazar. Third year class A."
"Get your medal and trophy," Eryx said as he tapped my shoulder.
As I walked my way towards the stage, I can hear their whispers. I just ignored it and claimed my trophy and medal, there is also a certificate. There are flashes of light coming from cameras everywhere, its blinding.
When I came from the stage they congratulated me. We waited for the ceremony to be done because of Shelanie.
When we went out from the theater room we went to the field, we are looking for an instagramble background for Rovic. It's what he is saying since we went out.
"Does the background matter?" I asked.
"Of course, Shark girl. What are you saying? Even the lighting matters!"
"Do you have a lot of followers?" Eryx asked while raising his brow.
"How about in front of the flag pole?" Rovic asked.
Shelanie tried but she shook her hear. I looked at the swimming club building.
"How about in front of the swimming club?" they looked at me. "I mean, you won a swimming competition."
"Great idea! Let's go!"
We walked towards the building, Rovic did some poses for his picture. Shelanie also took photos of Eryx. Shelanie offered to take a picture of me, I wasn't going to agree but the three of them forced me.
"Try smiling, Shark girl!"
I just rolled my eyes.
"I'll take a picture of the four of you!" we looked at the one who spoke, it was Melanie, Kuya Wesley is with her.
"Thank you, Ate!"
They are beside me, Eryx and Shelanie are beside me, while Rovic is at the other end. Taking pictures is so, not my thing.
"I'll go ahead, Kuya is going home early," I lied.
"Okay, take care," Shelanie said and smiled.
I went home, I want to rest. I hide my trophy and medal under my bed. I know Kuya know that I joined the competition but I don't want him to know that I won.
I don't want them to know.
Monday came, Kuya dropped me off school. He was in a good mood today. While walking towards our building somebody called me, I saw Wesley coming towards my direction.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
I did not noticed, I just nodded and followed him.
I think I know about what we are going to talk about.