Finishing her workday, Silvia decided to take James's suggestion. She made her way to the leisure centre.
Being the colder season in October, there were hardly any people in the swimming pool, especially the secluded 50m pool, which was barely used and normally only used by professionals.
The pool was empty.
Silvia walked up to the edge of the pool and embraced the feeling. Standing in front of the middle lane, she did some stretches. She definitely missed the feel of the water, the pool, the excitement, and the race, but ultimately, she did not miss the strict and unflexible lifestyle she was forced to maintain.
Even without the constant 5-hour training sessions a day, she used to fit into her life, Silvia was still in top form. Her skills were just that good.
She bent down, touching the edge, her blood pumped in excitement. The exhilarating feeling at the start of the race and the bond between the water and her. It all came back to her.
A slight grin as she prepared herself.
She dove in, swimming multiple laps, enjoying the flow. The water enveloped her body, and she connected with the water as it cradled her forward, as if she belonged.
She was so distracted that she did not hear a group of people come in.
As she reached the edge, a person disturbed her flow.
She felt a little displeasure, but Silvia did not show it.
"Excuse me, Miss, is it possible for you to take the last lane? We are a swim team, and as you are swimming in the middle lane, it kind of splits us up."
Silvia casually nodded as she dove under, swam to the edge lane, and bobbed her head back up.
They thanked her as she went back to her swim.
Suddenly, there was a loud chatter; someone had come in.
"Miss Clara, thank you so much for volunteering to help us practice," one of the kids said.
Silvia recognised the name.
It could be another person, that Clara is not the only Clara in the world. Either way, as long as she does not disturb me, I am fine.
Without a care, Silvia continued to make her impressive strokes, zooming back and forth.
She had even caught the attention of the students who saw her swim. They looked at Silvia. She swam from end to end with immaculate strokes; nothing was out of place, no mistakes, only perfection.
"Who is that? She is so fast... she must be a pro."
"She seems to be just as good as Miss Clara, right? Maybe even better."
Clara looked towards the lane where Silvia was swimming.
Who is that? They are really good... Is she a new recruit? I did not hear of any new swimmers in the area. This is not good.
Clara decided to ignore her for now and continued with the lessons with the students, and Silvia continued to swim.
Throughout the whole lesson, the students could not help but take glances at Silvia, who had been swimming without a break. Going through multiple strokes, resting only in the form of a backstroke swim.
Finally, an hour or so later, Silvia decided that she had had enough workout for today and pulled herself up. Out of breath from the strenuous workout, she pulled off her swim cap and goggles.
Her silver locks fell out, and the students watched in awe as her silver eyes blinked a few times, getting used to the lights without her goggles.
She caught her breath sitting on the edge.
Clara heard the fingers and whispers towards the mysterious swimmer, and she turned around to see that it was Silvia.
That was Silvia? What the hell is she doing here?
Clara walked up to Silvia as she pushed her hair back, doing a bit of stretching to end her workout.
"Silvia! What are you doing here? I did not know you swam here!" Clara came up close to her, acting all friendly. A smile of innocence on her face as she tried to pick up a conversation with Silvia.
"I don't want to talk to you." Silvia casually said, ignoring her as she continued with her stretches. She did not even bother to look up at Clara.
She knew exactly which Clara it was and knew that getting involved with her was a hassle.
"Are you still mad about what happened with Lucas... it was all just a misunderstanding!" Clara kept her act up, welling up with wet eyes, about to burst into tears, "Let's start fresh and be friends."
She tried to hold onto Silvia's arms, but Silvia, who hated being touched by strangers, dodged it.
Quickly thinking Clara pretended that Silvia pushed her away as she 'tripped and fell' into the pool. A slight visible grin on her face was visible to Silvia before she made a grand splash entrance into the pool.
Clara fumbled as she pretended to drown and screamed. "Help!"
I won't let you back into the swimming circle, Silvia. I lost my footing in school because of you. I will slowly make you pay! Let's see how you get out of this.
A little mischievous grin slipped out for a second again before she went back to her splashing, hair draped over her face as she opened and closed her mouth, bobbing in and out of the water. Her hands were splashing around as if trying to grab onto something, but underneath it all, her legs were perfectly kicking, keeping her afloat in place.
"Please help Silvia!" Clara called out, pretending to drown, but remaining afloat skillfully. Without showing even a sliver of shame, she kept on moving forward with her act.
Silvia just stared at Clara, making a fool of herself, with a stone-cold face, watching her act. The students were unmoving, thinking Silvia was going to do something.
Whispers filled the pool, hesitant.
Then one of the students, Nathen, who had a crush on Clara, decided to dive in, seeing that Silvia was not going to do anything. Holding onto Clara and bringing her to the edge so she can hold on and help her get out of the water.
"Miss Clara, are you alright?" The student held onto her waist as he pulled her to the edge.
That must be very embarrassing...
Silvia thought about how long Clara would keep up the act.
"I am so sorry, Silvia. I understand why you are mad at me, so I won't say anything cause I was at fault." Still putting on her mask, she cried.
"No, Miss Clara, you can't just let that girl go!" The guy walked up to Silvia.
"Apologise to her now! She nearly drowned!" He screamed in her face.
With a bored look on her face, she stared at him.
Is this guy stupid?
"She is a world champ swimmer... I doubt she was drowning, or did she hurt herself? Does she need to be checked out? If she is really hurt, she would not be able to make the upcoming short course competitions." Silvia was firm.
Clara panicked hearing this.
I can't be caught out just like that, and if we go to the medic team, I may be forced to step out of the upcoming competition, just in case, due to injuries.
"Nathan, it's fine. I think I just panicked, I'm ok." Clara said, pulling him back, "Let's just continue with the lessons."
Silvia went towards the changing rooms without another word, tired from the drama.
Some people just seem to be born crazy. I hope I don't see her again anytime soon.
Silvia took a shower, and after changing, outside was Clara waiting for her.
"When did you start swimming again? I hope you don't think you can catch up or something. You don't even have a coach," she smirked, leaning against the door.
Silvia did not even acknowledge her as she tied up her shoelaces.
"I am going to be the next star, get myself into the Olympics, and bring home a medal for Ravessa!" Clara said every word dripping with contempt.
As always, Silvia did not respond to or acknowledge Clara's presence to maintain consistency.
Seeing this, Clara could feel herself boil up, feeling as if she had been insulted and humiliated by Silvia. Clicking her tongue, Clara went back to the pool, shaking with anger.
On the way home, Silvia thought about what Clara said.
The University Open Championship will be held next month. Maybe I should try that out. It's not that big, so I can still enjoy the thrill of it without the other life-sucking part.
Silvia thought to herself, suddenly attracted to the idea of competing.
She never stopped competing due to her hate for it. Silvia loved every moment of it, but after going through her mother's death and the betrayal of her coach, she wanted to enjoy life. Stop hanging on to swimming like it was the only thing she had and pursue her mother's dream of being an artist, which was also now hers.
---
"Silvia, the world is a big place, and there are a lot of things to do. I remember when I used to do art in my young days, I would explore the world as much as I could to create beautiful masterpieces. With my muse by my side, it was such a beautiful past. So make sure to do things you find fun too. I know you swim for the sake of the family, but if you don't want to, that's fine. Mom will always be here to help!"
Silvia's mom would say things like this time and time again when Silvia was having a hard time.
---
Mother... I think I love swimming too, and even though I am freely doing what I want now, I think I can finally enjoy swimming on my own.
Silvia made up her mind. She was determined.