CHAPTER 21

It has been weeks after the breakup, and I can say I really missed him. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep and wish I haven’t behaved the way I did about the issue with Kyle. The only good news is that I still get to see him, sit with him, and look at his face even though things still look feels so awkward to me, but he and the others have been trying their best to make me feel better and get over it on time.

On the other hand, Kiki and Mathis keep giving each other green lights but I will love to assume Mathis is being a coward to ask her out and woo her properly.

Today is the D-day of the competition and Kiki has promised to pick my dresses for me. I am currently in front of the dressing mirror, trying hard to pack my hair as so to avoid any type of discomfort at the competition before the doorbell rang.

I put on my crocs and went downstairs to open the door for Kiki. I opened the door to a very beautiful Kiki on a mini-skirt and a baby pink top wearing her Adidas black sneaker, her hair was braided on one side and the rest was made into a ponytail.

“Are you done checking me out?” Kiki asked as he pushed me to a side and entered “you look beautiful I must say” I commented pulling her into a hug while we started climbing the stairs.

“I know right” she said blushing while I winked at her “Now let’s get you dressed up miss Williams,” Kiki said dragging the W part of the Williams.

“Add some respect bitch” I replied sarcastically as she opened the door to my room Kiki went to the closet while I went straight to the mirror and continue styling my hair and finally, I packed it in a very high ponytail and use the ponytail to roll the root of the hair making it take the shape of a doughnut.

“a simple gown is fine,” I said loud enough for Kiki to hear “that won’t do because you have to dress like a damn winner that you are” Kiki replied.

I went over to pack everything I might need in my backpack as Kiki handed me a sky-blue pair of jeans and a brown oversized shirt. I quickly got myself ready and we make our way out.

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“I am a little bit nervous,” I said as turn off the engine “you have got this” Kiki replied as she came over to my side of the car and gave me a tight hug “Here Norah” a very familiar voice called I looked in the direction to see Coach waving to me with a very big smile on her face and signaling to me to come over.

“I have to go now,” I said to Kiki before making my way to coach.

“I hope you have come with full energy and your swimming equipment” Coach asked “swimsuit, goggles, swim cap, I have it all ready” I replied

“We are good to go,” Coach said as she grabs my hand and started taking me inside.

We entered the big hall, and it was full of people from different schools, some with their assumed coach while some are alone.

“The competition is starting in some minutes and I want you to get ready” Coach said “I have got this” I rumbled as I started gazing around the entire place “It is fine to be nervous but just give it all your best and I know it is something you can handle,” Coach said after handing over my kickboard to me.

Coach left me there while I moved to a corner to get myself ready.

“Hi”

I looked back to see who that can be, and it turn out to be a stranger I have never seen before “I am Jason, I saw your coach left you already and so also mine, but I don’t know if you don’t mind if we can keep each other’s company for the minutes left,” Jason said “Norah, and I don’t mind but I have got to change” I replied showing him my bag “I will be right here,” Jason said before I moved to the corner.

I had a lot of talks with Jason, we talked about everything and I got to know he is a final year high school brethren like me, he is also from San Diego but contrary to mine he talked about how cold and hostile his coach is and how winning the competition would have been his greatest achievement of the year. He seems so much like a sweet boy and we exchanged social media details.

“All competitors should move out now”

We all looked at the speakers from which the voice came from and started to make a queue outside.

There are a lot of people waiting for the competition and I can sight many dignitaries on the seat. I can see my sweet coach at the side, smiling and gesturing to me not to be afraid. I looked at the crowd of people but for some minutes I couldn’t see my friends.

“This competition was signed by the International Swimming Federation and so it will take place per their rules. The pool is 50 meters long, 25 meters wide and 6 feet in depth. The competition will be in three sections where the competitors will use different swimming strokes for each, and the winner will be decided based on what is obvious to us all. All the schools participating in this…” says the man anchoring the event.

After all the long talk by the event anchor, the competition finally started, and we all got to work. It was probably harder than I thought especially after realizing the pool is far longer than the one back in my school. I was among the first five for the first round which qualified me for the second round. I came third in the second round and I can say it was a narrow escape for me. Knowing the last round will determine my fate, I started feeling so nervous that my body began to shake.

I knew I was going to break down or get my body stiff and eventually lose.

Calm down Norah Beatrice is that you?

Yes, and you know how funny you look right now?

I am just so scared I might lose; I am left with the two best I have ever seen today, and I doubt if I have a chance Then does it aggressively, remember Kyle betrayed you? Why are you not angry?

You have to be angry because you know you will lose so you must do this with anger “This is the last lap of the completion which is going to give us our winner,” The Anchor said bringing me back from my trance and the I knew Beatrice was actually right, so I have to do this aggressively.

“1….2…3…. start!”

I jumped into the water and started diving so hard, so hard that Kyle was plotting to kill me, he wants to sell my properties, he wants to repay kindness with evil, he betrayed me! he betrayed my trusts in him, he is a damn cultist, now I am here with two unknown evil looking people trying to push me down, I even miss Bran, I can’t imagine seeing any other lady with him, I love him but I really desire peace. I won’t get oppressed by anyone, I will only face myself now, I won’t land in the hospital again. I am so angry with everything and everyone!!

I was got back to life by the noises from the crowd which reminded me that I was still inside the pool, fighting the water so hard and I am actually in a competition. I can’t remember how I got to the finishing line and why I am so far ahead of the others. I climbed out of the pool and waited for the others while the noises from the crowd continued.

I looked over to the crowd once again and I can spot Kiki, Mathis Fed, and Bran, they all carried a very big smile and happiness all over their faces. I can’t measure my happiness right now either and I can’t stop myself from smiling or hide my happiness.

“As much as I would have announced to you that we have a winner, yet it is sad there was no winner because I can tell you based on the rule guiding the competition the winner isn’t Norah.” the Anchor said while the noises from the crowd went down, I can see the changes in everyone’s face from my friends to Coach and everyone especially from my school.

The event anchor continued “…. but our winner for this year is Williams Norah from Academicals Model School.”

The noise went up again and before I could blink too much, coach came over to give me a very big hug.

“I and the entire school are proud of you” coach commented as she holds my hand in hers ………………………………………………………………………

“We are so proud of you” Kiki, Bran, Fed, and Mathis said in sync “Thanks, guys”, I replied before Kiki pull me into a tight hug then Fed, Mathis, and lastly Bran.

“Let’s pose for a shot,” Kiki said while pulling out a selfie stick from her bag.

“Everybody say cheese!”

“Cheeeeeeeeese!”

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I woke up to the reflection of the sun through the window, I checked the time, and it is 9 am. I remembered the event of the previous day and how I have won my school the pride and also myself. I picked up my phone from my bedside table to check my social media.

“Wow” I exclaimed as I rest my back well on the pillow.

I am trending on Twitter, OMG, with the hashtag #TheStarGirl. I have never dreamt of been celebrated like this and I feel so overwhelmed, I checked through the comments and all I can see are praises and flatters all over. A message popped up from my mom “Norah to the sky and kisses from your dad” I replied and smiled. I went through messages and replied to all of them one after the other.

I was still on it when my phone came up “Hi Norah, we are on our way to your place for Christmas shopping,” said Kiki from the other side “OH REALLY?” I exclaimed “Yeah, see you soon”