Swim or Sink by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox [Maddox, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Stone Arch Books; Jake Maddox; Jake Maddox JV; Brandon Terrell; Sports & Recreation/General; Social Themes/New Experience; Social Themes/Friendship; Divorce; Swimming; 9781496584632; 9781496584656; 9781496584670
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2019-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

PRESSING ONWARD

Baxter threw his arms out just in time to clumsily dive into the water. He sucked in a breath as he went under. Water rushed up his nose. He came to the surface, flailing and listening for the whistle that would disqualify the team.

It didn’t come. Arnold must have touched the side before I fell in, Baxter thought. That meant they were still in the race.

Baxter straightened out his body and sliced through the water.

He needed to get this race back on track. If they didn’t make it to the section finals, his team—Clark especially—would never let him forget it. But he needed to focus.

The teams on either side of him had caught up. He’d lost the lead Clark and the others had worked hard to achieve.

It was up to Baxter to gain it back.

He swam as fast as he could. He pushed himself until his lungs felt like they were being squeezed shut. Each stroke made his muscles ache, but he pressed onward.

The flashes—his mom, his dad, his life before it was turned upside down—came hurtling back. But he tried hard to brush them off. Concentrate, he told himself. Every yard matters.

Baxter made the last flip turn, shoving his feet hard off the pool’s side. When he came up, he saw he’d caught up to the other racers. Twenty yards. Fifteen. Ten.

Baxter kicked hard, swinging his arm up—five—and reaching out for the—two—side of the pool—one—and—

Got it!

He’d made it! Baxter stood up in the pool and looked around…

Half of the other racers in their heat had already finished. His heart sunk. It looked like their chances of making the section finals were done.

Baxter glanced up at his team, but they were all staring at the large electronic board where times were displayed.

The numbers next to Edgeview flickered, and a time appeared: 3:17:24. Eighth place overall.

They’d made it. Barely. They were the last team to qualify for the section finals. But they were in.

Baxter climbed out of the water. He felt he should be happy, but he knew his teammates were upset with him. If it weren’t for him, they’d be on top of the board.

Clark stepped up to Baxter and looked down on him. “What the heck were you doing out there, Tadpole?” he asked under his breath.

“Yeah,” Luke added. “We should have had the best lane placement at section finals, but because of you, we’ll have the worst.”

Baxter didn’t want to talk to anyone. “But at least we’ll be there,” he said, walking away.

“No thanks to you,” Clark said.

Baxter couldn’t stop himself. He turned toward Clark, his hands balled into fists. He didn’t care if the rest of the aquatic center was watching.

Coach Li stepped between them. He held out a parka to Baxter, who stopped cold in his tracks. “Rocky race there, Baxter,” he said. “I imagine you’ll work out the kinks by Saturday?”

Baxter took the parka, gripped it hard with both hands. “Yeah, Coach,” he said, putting it on and walking away from Clark. He leaned against the wall near Tayvon.

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