Finding Love In The Deep End

I walked in to the cafeteria with a grim expression and headed over to my usual table, where Alice and Rose were already seated.

"What's with the long face?" Rose asked, biting in to an apple.

I dropped my book on to the table and hung my head. "I signed up to go to the camping trip..."

"And? What's the problem? I thought you were looking forward to it? We're missing a week of lessons to take part in outdoor activities, what could possibly be wrong with that?" Alice said, her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.

"Two words - Water sports!"

Understanding crossed their faces. Rose's face was full of sympathy, "What are you going to do?"

I shrugged, "I'm just going to have to tell Coach Clapp I can't go,"

Alice slapped her hand on the table, "No!"

I raised my head, "I have no other option, I can't take part in the water sports if I can't swim!"

When I was eight years old, I had a bad experience when I was learning how to swim. I drowned in the pool, by the time someone got me out I inhaled too much water to the point where I passed out.

I was lucky I didn't die and since that day I've never attempted to swim, not that I can. My inability to swim is what made me drown in the first place. Regardless to say, every time I go near a pool I freak out when I think about swimming.

Ignoring Alice and Rosalie's protests to not drop out of the trip, I went to find Coach Clapp in his office. I took a deep breath and raised my hand and knocked on his door. "Come in" He called out in his gruff voice.

I turned the door knob and stepped in to see he wasn't alone. Fork's resident delinquent, Edward Cullen stood opposite the Coach's desk, wearing a frown of his own.

"Miss Swan, can I help you?"

I focused my eyes on Coach Clapp and swallowed quickly. "Well...I...erm, I won't be able to go to the trip..." I trailed off, twisting my fingers.

Coach looked bewildered, "But you gave in your consent form,"

I nodded, "Yes, I know but that was before I knew we'd have to take part in...water sports," I mumbled.

"And why is that an issue?"

He clearly wasn't getting the picture here! I could feel my face heating up in embarrassment and I really didn't want to give him the reason in front of Edward. No doubt he would tell his friends.

Without another option available, I came straight out and told him. "I can't swim,"

Edward whipped his head around to me, wide eyed.

Coach Clapp chuckled and shook his head, "What seventeen year old doesn't know how to swim?"

I internally groaned, regretting telling him. I should have just pulled a sicky on the day of the trip. "Me," I replied with a sigh, "That's all so erm yeah..." I turned away to leave with the dignity i still had remaining.

"Wait!" Edward yelled out.

I turned around and raised my eyebrows in question. Edward and I have rarely ever spoken, what could he possibly want?

"I can teach you how to swim!"

I almost choked on my own spit, "W...what?"

He nodded and looked towards Coach Clapp, "She can't go if she can't swim. I'm the best swimmer on the swim team, so who better to teach her than me,"

I spoke up, "Why would you do that? What's in it for you?"

If there's one thing I've learnt about Cullen, it's he never does something unless he gets something out of it.

He clenched his eyes closed, "If I do this, you've got to let me go on this trip," He said to the Coach, "You said I need to prove I'm capable of acting like a mature student and this is me showing you I can!" He pleaded.

I felt the urge to snort, all this drama just so he can go on the damn trip?

Across the desk, Coach Clapp sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. "You have a week to teach Miss Swan to swim, if in that time for whatever reason she doesn't succeed then your not going to the trip Cullen. Don't make me regret this," He pointed a finger at Cullen who smiled in response.

I almost felt sorry for him. Does he really think teaching me to swim is an easy task? He can kiss any chance of going goodbye!