Jacob froze in shock as he turned to look at the boy who had just spoken to him. "What do you mean I was kicked off the team, Jack?"Jack burst out laughing. "I mean you were kicked off the team at the last minute, Jacob. Don't you get it already?""What do you mean by 'last minute'? I did the final rehearsals just last night, so what do you mean by 'last minute'?" He frowned. "Where is Mr. Leo?""What do you need Mr. Leo for when I just told you that you're kicked off the team at the last minute? I'm the captain, and anything I say stands!" he reminded him.Jacob let out a deep sigh as a wave of confusion washed over him. Just last night, he had done the final rehearsals with the team, and everything had gone well. He had been picked to represent their school and their team in a friendly match, but now Jack was saying he had been kicked off at the last minute. Which "last minute" was he talking about? They had all left the pool at the same time, so when had the decision been made?He
Outside the locker room, Robert and Ben were holding a good luck armband that they had bought a few minutes earlier. Apparently, different vendors sell different items and brand them in various ways. One of the vendors had approached Robert and convinced him to buy the good luck armband so he could wish Jacob good luck, and Robert ended up buying two since Ben wouldn't be participating in any of the games.They manoeuvred through the crowd to go and give Jacob the armband, only to witness the ongoing confrontation between Jacob and his coach, Mr. Leo."Since you can't afford any of that, what was the point of you being on the team?" Mr. Leo hissed and muttered under his breath, "Such a waste of time!"Jacob felt his heart drop as the coach sided with Jack. He couldn't believe what was happening. He tried to convince the coach, but Mr. Leo was being condescending and dismissive, not even looking at him but fixing his eyes on his phone."Sir, please listen to me," Jacob pleaded. "I've be
His tone was laced with a mock sympathy as he spoke. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to underestimate you, but we all know that you can't possibly afford something as expensive as that clothing."Robert smiled. "How much is it again, Jack? Don't worry about me, worry about yourself.""I'm not worried about myself, Robert," Jack said condescendingly. "I can afford it, unlike some people who have to settle for hand-me-downs.""Hey, watch it," Robert said, his eyes flashing with anger. "At least I don't have to rely on my parents' money to buy my clothes, so just shut the fuck up and do your captain duties elsewhere!""Oh, so now you're an expert on my financial situation?" Jack sneered. "I doubt you even know how much that clothing costs. If you did, you wouldn't dare ask the price on behalf of your friend.""Actually, I do," Robert said, a sly smile spreading across his face. "It's $3,800, isn't it? I heard someone yelling outside, asking people to come buy. And you're complaining about me not
Apparently, the first competition was the intra-team competition at the school, not the main national team event. In Team One, Jack was leading his pack, and next was Jacob, who stepped up to lead his own pack since the swimmer who was supposed to be leading had sustained an injury.Once the gun fired and they jumped into the pool, the race began.As the gun fired, Jack and Jacob dove into the pool with the other swimmers. Their bodies sliced through the water with ease. Jack, being the confident and experienced swimmer that he was, took the lead immediately. His stroke was strong and powerful, his arms cutting through the water with a smooth, effortless motion, which made the students yell in excitement."Oh my god! Jack is a genius! Just look at the way he swims so well, like he's an aquatic animal," one student said."Wow, Jack is a total natural! He's like a fish in the water. I mean, look at Jacob over there, he's struggling to keep up!""Jack's technique is flawless! He's got the
The whole crowd went silent. What could be heard were just muffled whispers and silent hums. Robert's eyes widened at the allegations, and when he turned, he saw Jack walking towards Jacob."Do you really think you can cheat your way to being the winner?" he snarled. "Well, not in Campbell campus!""That is not cheating. Didn't they remove such a rule last time?" Jacob defended, hoping he was right this one time.Jack's face was red with anger and disbelief as he stormed towards Jacob, his eyes blazing with accusation. "You think you can cheat your way to winning? That's not fair! You used a different technique in the middle of the race, and that's a foul. The rule wasn't ruled out!"Jacob's eyes widened in shock and confusion, his face pale as he took a step back, his hands up in a defensive gesture. "What are you talking about, Jack? I didn't cheat!"The crowd was silent, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, their whispers and hums quieting as they waited for the judges' respons
"Oh my god!" Ben screamed happily. "Jacob just qualified for the national team! I am so happy for him!"Robert smiled, his eyes on Jacob as he stood in front of the judges to receive his medal for the school. "Go boy! You deserve every inch of your success!""Fuck the haters!" Ben shouted, loud enough for Jacob to hear. He just couldn't help but burst out laughing.The scene was one of pure joy and celebration. Ben's excitement was infectious, and his loud whoop of congratulations and a subtle remark towards Jack echoed through the hall. Jacob, visibly thrilled and a little embarrassed by the attention, grinned from ear to ear as he accepted his medal. The crowd around them erupted in cheers and applause, with many people laughing and clapping along with Ben's enthusiastic outburst."Go, Jacob, go!" Ben yelled, pumping his fist in the air. "You deserve every bit of this success! Screw the haters, we used the backstroke so they could use the back door!" Ben's colorful language and irrev
Jack's mouth dropped open in utter shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. He felt like he had been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The vice chancellor, the man who was supposed to be impartial, was actually suggesting that he, Jack, the best swimmer on the team and the captain, should step down and hand over the captaincy to Jacob, a beginner who had just gotten lucky? Jacob hadn't been training for long since they had imposed a f*e on using the pool, and now they had put him on the national team, and they wanted to make him the captain."No way," Jack muttered, his voice shaking with disbelief. "This can't be happening. Sir Jacob can't be the captain. He doesn't have enough experience."But the vice chancellor just smiled and nodded, his expression unyielding. "Yes, Jack. I think it's time for a change. Jacob has shown great potential and leadership skills. He deserves a chance to lead the team. Who knows? Maybe we would bring
As Jacob addressed the team, everyone had a smile on their face as they heard his soft words and assuring smiles he flashed at them, unlike Jack who would always seize any opportunity to show them how much better and richer he is than everyone. Meanwhile, Robert and Ben stood in utter disbelief as they watched their friend give a heartfelt encouragement speech.As Jacob continued to speak, his words dripped with sincerity and compassion. He spoke of teamwork, of perseverance, and of believing in oneself. His eyes sparkled with passion, and his smile was infectious. The team listened with rapt attention, hanging on his every word.Robert and Ben, on the other hand, were stunned. They had never seen Jacob like this before. He was always the quiet, reserved one, but now he was shining like a star. They exchanged a glance, both of them thinking the same thing: "Where did this come from? He speaks like he was born for this."As Jacob finished his speech, the team erupted into applause. Whi