It was gym class, outdoor gym class on one of the hottest days of the year. Double D was on his last lap of the mile and quite frankly was not doing so well. Sweat was dripping down his back, he was out of breath, and completely disgusted by the entire situation. His legs moved slowly around the last corner as he was trying his hardest to get to the finish line. Multiple people who had already finished were mockingly cheering him on. Everyone except for his childhood bully, Kevin, who was sitting in the grass watching Edd silently. His gaze made Double D blush and he looked away to his destination, the one thing that held him between a passing or failing grade. He was sure he was gonna fail and urged himself to move forward faster but he felt like he was running through tar and his legs might give out any moment. He kept going no matter how slowly, and after what felt like forever he passed the line.
Coach came over and put his hand on the back of the wheezing boy. "Good try son."
Edd looked up at his teacher and breathed out, "Did...did I pass?"
Coach shook his head slowly, "No...I'm afraid you didn't finish within 10 minutes."
Double D let his head fall, "Curses."
"And that leaves you with a 42.5 average..." looking at the distraught boy the teacher felt some sympathy for the wimpy boy, "but if you want to bring your grade up.." he was interupted by a very eager Double D, "Write an essay?! I could...I could do it on the endorphins released to the brain during large amounts of exercise! or..."
Coach cut him off, "No I had something else in mind. "
'Swim team?'
Eddward stood in the only store he never thought he would step foot in. Dick's, Dick's Sporting Goods. And the more that he looked around the store, the more he realised that this was not the place he belonged. In fact, he had half a mind to just turn around and leave.
'No, no, no, I can't just accept a failing grade that easy. I have to at least try...buuuut if I try it an it doesn't work out...I can always quit right? Yeah!'
With that he started walking towards the section labeled "Swimwear." However as he was walking he realised that he really had no idea what sort of swimwear to buy or if the brand he might pick would even be suitable. Therefore, Double D did the logical thing and marched off to find a salesperson. The first person he saw was a blonde girl who looked an awful lot like...'Oh goodness, Nazz,' he thought to himself but just as he was about to turn around she looked up. Her expression was one of confusion but quickly turned into excitement.
"Edd!? Double D!? What in the whole wide world are you doing here?!"
Noticing her emphasis on the word "you." He blushed and thought to himself, 'Is it really that obvious that sports don't come easy to me?'
She frowned and tilted her head in curiousity, "No really spill the beans, Double D. You are not the type of person to come in here on your own accord. What are you and that Eddy boy up to?"
Edd waved his hands in exasperasion. "No! Eddy has nothing to do with this and I'll have you know that I am in here on my own accord...well sort of." Nazz raised her eyebrows as if to lead him on, "See... I had a failing grade in gym...so Coach told me I could bring my grade up under one condition. I join the swim team.
Suddenly Nazz was smiling that big dazzling smile of hers, "The swim team?! Get out!" she playfully punched Edd in the shoulder, in turn causing him to stumble slightly.
"Uh yeah but I have no idea what things to buy for supplies and I was wondering if you could help me find appropriate equipment." he blushed slightly and shyly looked up at Nazz.
"Sure thing kiddo, Kevin's on the swim team so I have the whole shebang down pat..."
'Kevin's on the team? Oh no...'
Nazz waved her hand in front of Edd's face, "Hey kiddo you alright?"
"Yeah just a little scared for joining the swim team." It was a lie. A white lie. But a lie altogether. He was scared to go only because now he knew for certain that his one and only childhood bully was going to be there. One more thing he was certain about, this could not end well.