Victory in Defeat

Dan was thankful that when he entered the male changing rooms for the school's swimming pool, Curtis was not around. He could do without another altercation and would not have been surprised if less restraint were shown in a more private environment. Dan changed into his trunks, the same ones he had worn recently to Sarah's party. He did not currently own anything suitable for competitive swimming, having thrown it out after he quit the team last year. A decision that he partially regretted, knowing he had been sucked back in. Dan thought about quoting Michael Corleone, but there was nobody around to hear him, which he supposed was kind of Zen.

He stepped out into the pool area proper and was not surprised to find Donna and Ms Schafer waiting for him. Both were one-piece swimming costumes, designed for efficiency of movement rather than sex appeal. Both girls were reasonably busty, so he couldn't help but take glances at them in such a way.

“Morning, Dan.” Ms Schafer said to him

“Morning”, he greeted both of them.

“How are you doing?” Donna asked him.

“I had a run-in with Curtis earlier, which was fun.” He said sarcastically

“Yeah, Curtis was pissed when you quit the team. Guess what? He was pissed when we said you were coming back.” Donna replied.

“If you want me to speak to him. I can do so.” Schafer advised him.

“Maybe take him to a sweat lodge and load him up with hallucinogens?” Dan joked.

“I'm not sure what you're referring to, Daniel.” Schafer gave him a wry smile.

“I'll deal with Curtis. Just not sure how I'm going to make peace just yet.” Dan explained.

“So I know you're probably rusty and thought I would go over some basic exercises,” Schafer told him

“I still go to the gym, but I've not done much swimming of late, really. I suppose I've subconsciously avoided it due to leaving the team.” Dan replied

“So just some basic breathing exercises first,” Schafer advised.

Schafer went over some basic breathing techniques. Breathing in through the mouth and then out of the nose. Dan liked having Donna there with him so he could watch how he was being told in practice. It did not take him long before he had it mostly mastered.

“Let's make it a little more fun. Race each other. Whatever stroke you want to go with.” Schafer suggested.

“Don't expect me to go easy on your McNamara.” Donna taunted.

“This hardly feels like a fair competition.” Dan mock complained.

The Middleton pool was hardly of Olympic standard levels but was adequate enough. The pool was already set out in lanes. Both of them got into the water, and Schaefer rang a whistle. Dan decided to show off and attempted a Butterfly stroke and he watched Donna using a freestyle approach. At first the two of them were matching each other for speed, but Dan quickly realised that he had outpaced himself and Donna took the lead quite easily. The outcome was fairly inevitable as Dan had not done any training for months. Donna had almost covered half the pool on her return length by the point Dan was only just starting to swim again.

Donna was waiting for him with a gloating look on her face when he caught up with her. Dan decided to let her have her moment.

“See, I told you it was not going to be a fair competition,” Dan told them.

“Are you sure you're not just being a sore loser because you lost to a girl?” Donna asked.

“I'm perfectly willing to acknowledge your victory. You kept up with training, and I did not.” Dan replied.

“Which is why I'm going to recommend some training exercises for you,” Schafer told him.

“Yeah, send me some stuff, and I'll look it over,” Dan told her.

“Dan, if you ever want a training partner. I'm always available.” Donna said to him.

“I'll let you know if I need anyone to help out with some training. I think I need to get going and meet Nicole for some lunch.” Dan told them.

He exited the pool and returned to the male changing rooms. He decided to take a quick shower first to wash the scent of chlorine and then heard someone else entering the changing area. He twitched reflexively, expecting to be suddenly attacked by someone for the second time today, but saw that it was Donna looking round the edge of the shower

“Maybe next time, Dan, I need to offer you some incentive to beat me.” She said seductively and started sucking on one finger suggestively before departing.

Dan took a moment to have a cold shower before getting dressed and heading to the cafeteria. He saw the redhead new girl, who was having lunch with Sarah, Sienna and Maddie. He wondered if she was considering ing the team and also what Sarah would make her do before she was allowed onto the team.

He saw that Nicole, Emma and Randy were sat at one table. He also saw that Gwen had ed them and appeared to be engaged in a conversation with his friend. He waved at them and got some food before ing them. Dan sat down next to Gwen and opposite Nicole.

“You guys have never listened to Disintegration? Like, forget about any of the more commonly played singles; that is one of their finest albums.” Gwen was animatedly talking to Nicole.

“I was always more of a Bauhaus fan, to be honest,” Dan said as he sat down.

“Well, you've got good taste at least,” Gwen responded.

“I'm more of a pop girl, to be honest. Halsey and Lorde are fun,” Nicole itted, sounding ashamed.

“I still listen to Britney, and I will introduce blunt objects to your kneecaps if you disrespect Madonna in my presence,” Emma stated

“Frozen's a fucking classic song, and Ray of Light. What does everyone else like?” Gwen asked

“Still bummed out over hearing '68 split. We're all big fans of As December Falls,” Dan answered.

“I saw The Chariot once. They were fucking awesome. Did you guys get to the ADF gig in Pittsburgh?”

“Randy, why didn't we get to that gig?” Emma asked.

Randy mumbled his answer until Emma stomped on his foot under the table.

“I forgot to fill the tank up. Happy?” Randy answered under duress.

“You ever listen to Torturing Nurse? Randy asked Gwen

“Who?” She asked him.

Randy took his phone out and brought something up on it. The look on Gwen's face was one of confusion as Randy showed her the image of a Japanese guy in a balaclava.

“I'll look them up tonight”, Gwen told him.

Dan thought sounded suspiciously like she was saying it to stop Randy from talking about them. Gwen noticed Dan and Nicole holding hands across the table.

“Are you two together?” She asked them.

“We hooked up a few weeks ago,” Nicole told her.

“You look like a sweet couple. Dan and the Danish girl were really welcoming in the drama class earlier.” Gwen advised.

“That's Lieke. She's a good friend of mine. If you want to hang out with us sometime, we skate most evenings.” Emma told her.

“I have some Rollerblades at home somewhere. I'm still unpacking so much stuff,” Gwen told her.

“You should hang out with us sometime. Plus, I'm guessing you were talking to Randy about green earlier?” Dan suggested.

“That could be fun,” Gwen replied.

“Or if you needed any help with unpacking,” Nicole suggested

They realised that lunch was coming to a close, and they all headed to the next classes. Dan and Nicole had their shared Chemistry class. They all wished Gwen luck when she said her next class was with Mr Cohen. Emma and Randy were headed to their Media Studies class with Ms Bellamy.

“You guys want to come over and chill later?” Dan suggested.