F•A•S•T//r.s.l.❣

0.3

Not two hours after my defiance of going in a pool, I was stood shivering/shaking in front of the black lines at the bottom of this pool, a an appalling 3m layer of lukewarm water between us.

There were people walking about and in the pool but they all quickly exited, expect from someone who was sat at the sides, away from the water but watching me. I couldn't see their face, mainly because my glasses weren't on.

"You don't have to fully dive in, just dip your legs, then your chest. And then we can try anything above that" David encouraged.

"I-I can't do it. I can't. No, I hate water- you don't get it- I cannot swim and I'm pretty sure I will drown and I don't want to die without a first kiss-"

"For real?" David asked and I nodded. "We really have work to do"

A couple of girls walked in our direction, but I focused on the water below me and inhaled. Then screamed and backed away. As I did so, I bumped into one of the blonde girls who was walking by.

"Come on! Don't be a baby!" She exclaimed a little bit too excited and did the exact same of 10 years back which very almost killed me.

It was like everything was slow motion- her arms stretched and collided with my shoulders, shoving me back into thin air where I flailed like a dying fish until I landed in the pool with a splash, water closing in above me.

It fell upon me sharpish that I was in the pool and I started screaming and thrashing, the air in my lungs becoming replaced by water. However, something happened, a blur of black appeared beside me and, its arms wrapped around me tightly.

This person pulled me back to the surface where David (I assume) helped to pull me out. I looked at the lights of the pool above, all a bright blur until floppy blonde hair came into view.

"Are you all right?" The guy called and I turned myself over, coughing the remaining water in me. "She'll be fine"

I instantly curled into a ball, something I usually did out of panic. David touched my back supportively, my eyes turning to him. "Hey. It's over, we're done here for the day, alright? Would you like to say thank you to Ross? He helped you get out"

I looked at the blonde guy kneeled beside me, who flashed me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. This told me he didn't do it frequently.

"T-Thank you" I stammered out, then allowed David to pull me up and give me a towel, leading me away from the forming crowd.

+++

I was now sat in the room I was allocated during training, and my stay here, a purple towel wrapped around me. In my hands was a mug of tea I allowed to go cold as I was doing more thinking than actual drinking.

Everybody here probably already thinks I'm a loser- a 16 year old who can't even swim, hasn't ever kissed anyone, has four phobias. Absolutely, freaking-
"RIDICULOUS!"

"Huh?"

I looked at the ground first, the rectangle of light containing a shadow in the middle. My eyes then cruised up, the same boy who rescued me from my imminent death was stood there with a smirk. "May I?"

I nodded, and he walked over, kneeling opposite me. His eyes looked directly into mine, and I shifted slightly; I don't do eye contact, although his eyes were mesmerising.

"You know how to swim, right?"

"No, I have a phobia of water"

"Why's that?" He seemed intrigued.

"I don't open up that easily" I chuckled.

"Are you suggesting another encounter?" He laughed slightly and my eyes widened. "No- I mean, yeah, I wouldn't mind being friends with the rookie, as long as we don't see each other in near death situations"

"Yeah" I smiled. "Thanks for saving me"

"No biggie, I just came to check up on you" he stretched out his hand. "I'm Ross"

"Athena"

"That's a nice name" he beamed, then touched my leg. "Things get easier with experience, you just have to give it a go"

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind" I nodded at him as David appeared in view. Ross stood up, greeted him and then gave me a wave.

David sat beside me. "He's a nice guy, cold hearted usually, but nice. And also the best at what he does- anyway, how are you?"

"Still cold" I chuckled.

"Go change into something nicer, yeah, and then go to sleep. We have quite the day tomorrow and you might enjoy it" David informed me. "Head to toe make over"

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

The question hung in the air for a while, until he pulled me into a tight hug that I retributed. "It's my job to welcome you, and mentor you. And I may like you slightly, in a daughter kind of way"

I chuckled. "Thanks, again. For everything"