Vera's POVMr. Blacksmith, our coach blows the whistle and all five of us swimmers adjust our goggles and quickly make a dive into the water.

“Woo-hoo!” All the Dame high school students in the stadium shout praises at us and clap.

“Go girl!! Yeah kill it, Vee!!” I hear Sage shout my name amongst the audience and I increase my swimming pace.

My hands shove in and out of the blue waters of the pool. I wade carefully enough not to swim over to the hurdle.

It'll take about five more seconds ...