Start of class - Laps

His legs were tense. His throat dry.

He wasn’t sure if anyone had seen. Or if anyone would.

Twenty boys gathered around Mr. Jacob, standing on the slick tiles in a loose, restless huddle. Chlorine hung in the air. The water behind them rippled with faint waves from the last class.

Mr. Jacob, in his usual booming voice, laid it out: “Alright, team! Today, we’re doing relay laps. Partner up—one swims while the other rests. You switch when one of you taps out. Ten laps per pair. Slowest team stays an extra 15 minutes.”

He clapped once, sharp. “You’ve got 60 seconds. Go!”

The group broke apart in a flurry of motion—shoulders slapping, names being called. Glenn stood where he was, his arms crossed over his chest, subtly trying to cover his midsection. He didn’t even bother scanning the crowd; he already knew.

No one was going to pick him.

He watched as the athletes paired off instantly. The popular guys grouped with their crew. Even the quieter ones had friends they stuck with.

By the time Mr. Jacob shouted, “Ten seconds!” only two were left standing.

Glenn turned to the side and saw Simon—lanky, awkward, with a slouched back and glasses that fogged around the edges. He looked as uneasy as Glenn felt.

Simon gave him a quick nod, resigned. “I guess we’re partners.”

Glenn returned it. “Yeah.”

Could be worse, he figured. At least Simon wasn’t laughing. At least he wasn’t one of the guys who would’ve made a scene.

Mr. Jacob shouted, “Alright! Into the water, let’s go! One swimmer per team in the pool, now!”

Simon hesitated and gestured. “You want to go first?”

Glenn shook his head. “You can.”

He wasn’t ready to step in with everyone watching. Not yet.

Simon dove in—surprisingly smooth for someone who looked like he spent most of his life indoors.

Glenn stood at the edge, arms folded tight across his chest, the violet fabric clinging to him like a bad idea he couldn’t take back. The other guys were already shouting encouragements, taunts, challenges.

The race was on.