"Bro, you were awesome out there!" Seth yelled in complete exhilaration. "The way you dove in and streamlined, God! And your form! Your form was in such a super perfect shape throughout the entire race that it kind of made me wish I was in there, swimming alongside you."
"Really?" I yanked my goggles and swim cap off as we made our way through the corridors.
"Yeah." He nodded, then solemnity touched his features. "I didn't want to say anything initially but... for the past three days, I've been thinking about quitting the team."
My eyes widened.
"Seeing you in action today made me change my mind," he quickly added with a smile.
I tried my best to return it. "I'm flattered, Seth but... I don't get it. Why would you even think of quitting, when you're one of the best backstroke swimmers we have? I've seen you swim and you're really good."
"I know." Seth shrugged. "But it's hard to be appreciated for it when there's someone better, casting a large shadow over you."
Even without mentioning his name, I knew exactly who he was talking about.
"I've been a part of the team for about two years now, and within those two years, Ethan has been the center of attention. He wins all the time, even on the days that he doesn't make much effort. The only person who gave him a ran for his money was Daniel, and even he didn't last long on the team. When I sat down to think about all these things," his shoulders sagged with a sigh, "It made me realise that as long as I'm on the team, I'm going to remain in Ethan's shadow forever. But seeing you today, battling Ethan, it changed my perspective." He turned to me. "It showed me that no matter how good a person is, there's always someone better than him out there. And that person is you, Akwasi." He stopped to place a wide hand on my shoulder. "You have what it takes to beat Ethan, and because of you, I'm not going to quit the team. I want to be by your side when you win, and I want to do whatever it takes to reach your level. So please, don't let me down, brother."
Taking his hand off my shoulder, I clasped it in a firm handshake. "I won't. You have my word."
When I first met Seth, I didn't like him at all. He reminded me of those big, burly guys who used to bully me in primary school, and it didn't help when he said I wouldn't make the team because I was too frail and skinny.
But to have someone who made such a comment, stand in front of me today, saying that I have what it takes to beat Ethan, filled my heart with nothing but warmth. Indirectly, Seth had taken back his previous words. He didn't see me as a frail and skinny guy anymore, he had acknowledged me as a great swimmer, one that had the potential to exceed Ethan's capabilities. And because he'd pointed that out to me, I made a promise in my head to never let him or any of my friends down.
They believed in me, they believed in my swimming, and I had to do whatever takes to meet their expectations.
I pulled Seth into a hug, slapping his back so hard that it startled him, then he laughed, "Please don't slap my lungs out, I beg you."
I chuckled and let go off him.
"C'mon, I'll walk you to the locker room. There are some other guys I need to congratulate."
Arm draped across each other's shoulders, we strolled over to our destination and pushed past the doors, only to find utter disarray.
"What's going on?" I slipped away from Seth's side, pushing past the guys standing in front of me. Then my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "What the fuck, Ethan!"
Using a crowbar, Ethan had pried my locker door off its hinges and was busily raking out all my belongings. My underwear, shower bag, swim gear and a couple of toiletries were all strewn across the tiled floor, when I jumped over the bench and grabbed Ethan's arm, stopping him from sending the crowbar on another journey through my locker.
"What in heavens name is wrong with you?" I shoved him to the side and he nearly tumbled over a can of Nivea deodorant.
Regaining his posture, he angrily kicked the can and any other item in his way, before glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.
A wave of surprise hit me in the face. Has he been crying?
"Dude," Nana Kwame stepped forward. "You need to calm down." He tugged his friend's arm, but the growl Ethan sent his way had him shuddering away in the next minute.
"What are you on, Akwasi?" The angry guy bellowed out.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I folded my arms.
"Don't give me that crap!" He snarled, pointing the crowbar at me. "I know you're on something. That's what gave you that extra edge to beat me!"
"Unbelievable." I shook my head and tried suppressing the little smile warming up at my lips. Ethan was being super childish right now. "Look, the fact that you're on drugs, doesn't mean I am too. The whole reason I beat you was because I worked my butt off to earn both wins. I didn't rely on any drug to make it this far, so if you can't accept or understand that, then you better prepare yourself to lose that title."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "You must be pretty stupid to think that I'm gonna let you take away my title."
"It's not yours, Ethan," Seth joined in. "You don't own swimming in Penfield."
"Will you shut up and get lost?" Ethan turned to him. "Pussy-whipped morons like you don't belong here."
"Oh but drug-induced cheaters do?"
Without warning, Ethan hurled the crowbar at Seth who was fast enough to dodge it, thankfully. The curved iron bar hit the set of lockers behind him, leaving a visible dent before clanking onto the tiled floor.
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?" I pushed Ethan and he retaliated with a forceful shove, which had me stumbling back a bit. The vein at the side of his head pulsated with pure vexation and I was a hundred percent sure he would've launched another attack if Coach Sarah and the Basketball coach hadn't barreled in.
One of the guys must've sensed a brewing fight, and had quickly darted out to alert the authorities.
"What is going on in here?" The Basketball Coach yelled at the top of his lungs.
Coach Sarah moved past him; eyes glued to the mess Ethan had created. The sight of my mangled locker door, toiletries and other stuff clouded her face in thunderous rage. "Who's responsible for this?"
At first there was no response, then Ethan slowly turned to Coach Sarah and lifted his hand. "I am, coach, sorry." All the vexation in his voice withered away, leaving room for nothing but sadness and remorse.
But it didn't even tug at Coach Sarah's sense of pity. "My office, now!" She ordered in such a cold, stern tone that sent a chill down my spine.
With his head down, Ethan shuffled away, followed closely by the Basketball coach.
"Whose locker is that?" Coach Sarah asked and I quickly owned up. "Here, these are the keys to one of the empty lockers at the back." She tossed them to me. "You can keep your stuff in there for now, till we get your locker fixed."
"Thanks, ma'am."
She nodded, then her eyes flew over to the rest of the team. "With the exception of Akwasi, I want the whole lot of you out of here in the next thirty minutes! Anyone here after that, will automatically be kicked off the team, better get your asses moving!"
The moment Coach Sarah walked out; a flurry of activities ensued.
Bending down, I picked up all my stuff and made my way towards my temporary locker.