Creative Essay writing

I silently walked to the pool and sat on the side benches, which were in dilapidated
condition. This was my swim team’s space before and after practice – at least the individuals
who reached it first did. Room for everyone was diminishing. Drumming my fingers on the
rough wood as impatience got the better of me. I was anticipating for practice to begin since on
Monday I had missed it owing to it to the flu, and I wanted to be part of the team again. On
Friday there was a meet up too. The blue marble tile under my feet was freezing, which
compelled me to lift them onto the bench while wrapping my arms around my knees. Finally,
people began arriving. I waved at my friend Alice as she came out of the locker room to sit by
me.
“Hey bestie, Alice said. How are you doing?”
“Not much since school ended,” I said. “What transpired during Monday’s practice
session?”
“Not much bestie; just the usual,” she said. “But there is a new student, Nadia. I haven’t
told you about her?” shaking my head.
“Well, she is an outstanding swimmer.”
In my stomach, I felt a knot that tightened as Alice continued to brief me about the new
girl and her “magic” in the water. This unnerved me since I was the fastest in the swimming
team. I did not take the news lightly. She could not be faster than I was. I tried my best to push the thought away, but it kept on creeping back into my head. I just shrugged it off and said it
does not matter if I am the fastest or not – the team’s performance is the top priority. The knot in
my tummy progressively got tighter.
Alice and I talked about the units we shared back in school and how we spent our day.
More of the team members joined us at the “hang out” bench, and out the topic of discussion was
Saturday’s competition. With one look, I was able to notice Lorna right away at the edge of the
group. We had the same hazel eyes and blonde hair. She was quiet throughout the discussion, but
attentive.
One team member said, “I am a little nervous.” The other swimmers, including Lorna and
Alice, said, “Me too.”
To break this chain of fear, I said, “I am not.” The statement was right since I always
braced myself before competitions. I ever came first and was very fast in the water. Our long-
time serving coach, Jane, walked over. Our talks came to a screeching halt since we could not
afford to depict any fear. She quietly looked at us and then delved into her usual speech, “You
should worry not about the position you take but be proud of the one you earn.” Wise words
from a wise lady. Most of us were already used to it, and we had that pep talk in the heart. I took
glances at Lorna, the new girl, and her full attention was at the coach. It was amusing and
exciting, like looking int the mirror.

After the pep talk, which felt like forever, coach Jane finally said, “Let us start
swimming.” We trooped to the inception blocks, but I took some time to say hi to Lorna. “Hello,
I am Lyn, short for Carolyn,” I said. With a broad smile, “I am Lorna.” This was then
accompanied by an awkward silent moment. She then asked, “Are you ready for the meet? I
always get nervous.” With an effortless shrug, I said: “I was born ready, and I am already used to it, and besides that, I am a great swimmer.” We got in line, and on cue, we jumped into the water
as soon as Jane’s whistle went off. I gave my best in the water even though the coach told me to
save my energy for the competitions. I loved swimming fast, and within a short while, I was
touching the cold tile at the other end of the pool. To my surprise, I saw Lorna already out of the
pool and was headed to the starting blocks again.

A wave of mixed feelings of admiration and rage hit me, but the latter exceeded the
former. How was I beat? I was the fastest. I got out of the pool and ran to the starting blocks
again to defeat Lorna. When she saw me, she smiled, but I did not. “Amazing freestyle Nadia,”
she said. She had beaten me, but she still reiterated that I was a great swimmer. I tried again, and
she still beat me. I was in shock. I heaved out the pool, slowly trying to hide my anger and
frustration. “She beat me twice,” I said. Alice, who was behind me, said, “You always beat me.”
I clenched my fist and ground my teeth and angrily walked towards the locker room. This defeat
did not augur well with me, and nervousness grew the best of me. Lorna has shaken my
confidence.

I did not wake up early the following day, which made my mom come into my room,
something she seldomly does. “Are you feeling okay, dear?” she asked. I looked up to see her
wearing a concerned look. I was tempted to say I was fine, but I caved in and said, “No,” with
tears streaming down my cheeks. I let her in on my story, and she advised me to swallow my
pride and to accept things as they are without blaming others or hurting. This conversation with
mom helped as it helped me break another surface. This gave me a feeling of purity as the fresh
air hit my lungs, and it was better than any victory over Lorna or other swimming teams.