Swimming

Emerging from her hiding spot, Melissa cast a wary glance across the hallway. The familiar expanse of the schoolyard, normally filled with the chaos of PE class, lay eerily empty. Had they migrated indoors, to the gym maybe? Or was this a blessed reprieve, the class already dismissed? A silent debate raged within her. Should she press on with her unconventional mission, or retreat before encountering students streaming back from their activities?

The gym, a stage usually teeming with athletic activity, stood silent. Melissa wasted no time, her steps quickening as she crossed the threshold. Inside, the basketball court and football pitch lay empty, mere details in the grand design. Her focus was singular – the pool, its cool embrace a siren call on the upper level. Glancing around, Melissa confirmed her solitude. This unexpected privacy fueled her resolve. With a practiced stealth she'd honed through countless covert missions, she began her ascent, each step a silent beat leading her closer to her watery refuge.

Limbering up with a few quick stretches, Melissa launched herself into the refreshing water. The coolness spread through her, chasing away the day's heat. Lapping waves whispered encouragement as she carved through the pool, her movements fluid and free. After a few invigorating laps, she drifted to the corner, finding solace in the cool embrace of the tiled edge. Letting out a contented sigh, she surrendered to the gentle sway of the water, a sense of pure enjoyment washing over her.

A whisper, barely audible, broke the silence. "Shoes...there's someone else here."

"Looks like someone might have been here earlier, but the coast is clear now," another voice chimed in, a hint of unease creeping into the words.

Panic jolted Melissa. Her own shoes! How could she have been so careless? A silent curse slipped through her teeth as she dove back into the water, submerging all but the crown of her head. Her gaze darted around the pool area, searching for any sign of the other girls.

"You go ahead, I'll just snag some water real quick," the second girl chimed in, already turning towards the exit.

“Okay”, the first girl said

The pool door creaked open, and a silhouette emerged. Melissa, submerged all but her head, held her breath, praying she wouldn't be noticed.