Previously on "The Swimming Badge"...
"We'll try the kiddie pool next week, okay?" Hilda said.
"Okay..." Frida sighed.
"Hey." Hilda put her hand on Frida's back. "It'll be okay. Before you know it, you won't be afraid of swimming anymore."
"Are you sure?" Frida asked.
"Positive." The blue-haired eleven-year-old assured. "You have nothing to worry about, Frida. Me and David will be by your side through thick and thin."
"Thanks, you guys." Frida smiled and hugged Hilda. "You're the best friends ever."
"You too." Hilda said.
Just then, Frida's parents arrived in their car.
"We'll meet up at my house next week!" Hilda said as Frida walked up to her parents' car. "Meet me in my backyard!"
"Okay!" Frida shouted back and waved goodbye as she got into the car.
As Hilda watched the car drive off, she sighed quietly. While she was confident that she would be able to help Frida, she couldn't help but feel a little worried about her.
"Relax, Hilda." Alfur said as he and Twig approached Hilda and David. "You can always count on me if you need assistance."
"I know." Hilda said. "I just worry about Frida. She's my best friend and I can't stand seeing her miserable."
"It's normal to worry about someone you love." Alfur said. "I worry about you all the time!"
"Really?" asked a surprised Hilda as she, Twig, Alfur and David all began their walk home.
"Oh yes." Alfur said, riding on Twig's back like a horse. "Sometimes, I can't help but fear that you'll get hurt in one of your adventures."
"Aw, that's sweet, Alfur." Hilda chuckled. "But you don't have to worry about me. I think I know what I'm doing."
It had been a week since Hilda saved Frida from drowning at the beach.
Frida agreed to show up at Hilda's house to practice in her kiddie pool after her suggestion that they start out smaller before going back to the beach.
So on Thursday morning, Frida woke up bright and early, packed her bathing suit and walked to Hilda's house.
After her near-death experience at the beach, Frida was somewhat reluctant to continue practicing for the Swimming Badge. But as the Sparrow Scouts' best member, with by far the most badges earned out of any scout, she felt that she had no choice.
Frida arrived at Hilda's apartment and knocked on the door.
Within seconds, Hilda answered. "Hey, Frida! Glad you came!" She welcomed her best friend with a smile.
"How did the doctor's visit go?" asked David, who arrived at Hilda's earlier that morning.
"Surprisingly well." Frida said. "They didn't find anything wrong with my lungs. Though if Hilda hadn't saved my life, I probably would have died."
"Then you're very lucky to have us as friends." Hilda said with a hand on Frida's back.
"Are you ready?" David asked.
"I suppose." Frida said somewhat unenthusiastically.
"Frida." Hilda grabbed Frida's hands. "Don't worry. You can't drown in a kiddie pool."
"Hilda, Frida almost drowned last week." David chimed in. "Why wouldn't she be worried?"
"Hm, good point, David." Hilda said, before turning her attention back to Frida.
"In all seriousness, though, there is nothing to be worried about." Hilda assured her friend. "Not even a toddler can drown in a kiddie pool."
"Okay, let's do it." Frida said after thinking for a few seconds.
"Great!" Hilda said. "David, go out and fill up the pool. Frida and I are going to change into our swimsuits."
"Roger that!" David saluted and dashed outside.
"I'll change first." Hilda said to Frida as she grabbed her swimsuit off the table and headed to the bathroom to change. "You're sure you're ready for this?"
"Yes." Frida nodded. "I'm not going to hold off any longer."
"That's the spirit." Hilda smiled. "I'll be out in a minute, then you can change."
"Okay." Frida said.
A few minutes later, Hilda came out of the bathroom after changing into her bikini. "Alright, Frida. Now you change."
Frida gave Hilda a thumbs up and went into the bathroom.
After Frida changed into her one-piece, the two were ready. "Great! Let's go!" Hilda said.
Hilda and Frida went into the backyard just as David finished filling up the kiddie pool.
"Good job, buddy!" Hilda congratulated her friend.
"Wow, you were right Hilda. This pool isn't very big at all." Frida said.
"See? I told you." Hilda said. "Okay, David. You got the chart?"
"Yep!" David said, holding a chart listing the swimming positions required to earn the Swimming Badge.
"Awesome!" Hilda said. "Frida, here's how it's gonna go - David will show us a swimming move, which you will then try to master. This will continue until you've mastered all of them."
"Fair enough." Frida said with confidence.
"Good. Now let's get in the pool." Hilda said.
Hilda and Frida climbed into the kiddie pool, with Hilda helping Frida in. "Alright, David, what's the first move?"
"The Fishtail Position." David held up the first position for Hilda and Frida to see, which showed two swimmers, one at the bottom struggling to hold the other above her, and the other swimmer's hands were locked with hers. The other swimmer was doing a handstand with one leg slightly bent.
"Frida, you mastered that one last week!" Hilda said. "I'm sure you can do it again."
"Yeah, I remember that one being easier than it looks." Frida said.
"Let's do it, buddy!" Hilda held out her hands so Frida could get into position.
Unsurprisingly, within seconds Frida was mastering the Fishtail Position.
"Good job, Frida!" Hilda cheered her friend on.
"One move down, five to go!" David said.
"What's the next one, David?" Frida asked.
"The Crane Position." David held up the next move, which showed one swimmer standing on another's hand with one leg, the other leg extended at ninety degrees.
Frida gulped. "That's the one I didn't make." She whispered to Hilda.
"Don't worry, Frida. I know you have it in you." Hilda comforted.
"If you say so..." Frida said reluctantly.
Frida climbed onto Hilda's hands and slowly extended one of her legs to ninety degrees, all the while making sure not to look down.
"You're doing it, Frida!" Hilda cheered.
After staying in position for a few more seconds, Frida hopped back into the water.
"I'm so proud of you, buddy! Keep it up!" Hilda congratulated Frida as the two embraced.
To Hilda and David's amazement, Frida also mastered the next three moves with little trouble. The Ballet Leg Position, the Knight Position, the Flamingo Position...she pulled all of them off with ease.
Now, Frida only had to master one more move.
"Alright, Frida. You only have one move left to master." Hilda said. "David?"
"The Split Position: Someone holds you by the head as you're upside down, with both legs extended horizontally and in opposite directions, making a 'T' shape, hence the name 'Split position'." David read the description aloud and showed a visual aid of the move to Hilda and Frida. Trepidation immediately rushed through Frida.
Of all the swimming positions that Frida had to master, this was the one she was dreading the most. Hilda and David had both already mastered it, though even they were nervous after first seeing it.
Like Hilda and David at first, Frida was worried that she would injure herself trying to perform the Split position, as it required the swimmer to make a perfect T with their body by doing an upside down split. To make matters worse, Frida would only be held up by her head, increasing the likelihood that she would lose her balance and fall, in addition to the fact that she was already worried about hurting herself while trying to master the move.
"Hilda, I don't think I can do this. That looks really dangerous." Frida admitted.
"Don't worry, buddy." Hilda said. "David and I were scared too at first. But we both mastered the Split position and turned out just fine. So why wouldn't you?"
Frida sighed. "I don't know..."
"Frida." Hilda put her hands on her best friend's shoulders. "It'll be okay. You can do this. I promise I won't let you go." Hilda reassured gently.
"Well..." Frida stammered reluctantly.
Hilda smiled lovingly at Frida to reaffirm her promise.
"...Okay." Frida said half-heartedly.
"Thank you for trusting me." Hilda said. "Now lie down in the water." Frida did so.
Then, Hilda gently grabbed Frida by her head and slowly and carefully raised Frida over herself.
"Okay...now stretch your legs out!" Hilda strained.
As Frida slowly extended her legs, she became increasingly terrified. The more she outstretched her legs, the more she realized how scared she really was, as the thought that she would seriously hurt herself trying to achieve the Swimming Badge came over her.
Unable to take it anymore, she finally snapped: "I CAN'T DO IT!" she shouted as she violently forced herself off of Hilda's hands and outside the pool, landing face first onto the ground and sobbing loudly.
"FRIDA!" Hilda gasped as she and David rushed to her aide. "Are you okay?!" Hilda kneeled down to Frida's level and David checked her body for injuries or scrapes.
"No, I'm not okay! I can't do it, Hilda! I can't do it! I'm not going to hurt myself over a badge!" Frida wailed.
"Frida, doing the split can't hurt you. It didn't hurt us." Hilda said softly.
"I don't care! I can't do it!" Frida blubbered hysterically. "I'm a failure!"
Hilda gasped. "No, no! You're not a failure, Frida. You're so close! You only have to master one more move. You can do it, Frida! I believe in you! David believes in you!"
"Yeah!" David chimed in.
Frida sniffled and looked up at Hilda.
"We love you, Frida, and we know you can do this. You're the Sparrow Scouts' best member! You have the most badges earned of any scout. You can't give up now!" Now Hilda was starting to tear up too.
"I need help." Frida said. "Professional help."
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"Help from a therapist. "I need psychological help if I'm going to earn the Swimming Badge."
"I understand." Hilda said. "I'm sorry David and I weren't good enough."
"No, it's not that. You guys were great." Frida asserted. "But I need help from a professional. That's the only way I'll be able to face my fears."
"Okay, Frida." Hilda said and helped her up. "Don't worry. We'll get you help."
"Um...Hilda?" Frida pressed her index fingers together.
"Yeah?"
"Would you mind if...if I stayed with you for a few days? I need a friend." Frida asked.
"We'll ask my mum." Hilda smiled.
"Thanks, pal." Frida hugged her friend.
"Anytime, buddy." The blue-haired eleven-year-old hugged back.
"I have to go home now. Good luck, Frida." David said.
"See you later, David." Frida said as she and Hilda waved goodbye.
"Come on. Let's go inside." Hilda said to Frida. The two headed back into the apartment.
"So, how did it go? Is Frida making any progress?" Mum asked Hilda after she and Frida changed back into their regular clothes.
"No." Frida sighed.
"Well, that's not entirely true." Hilda elaborated with a hand on Frida's shoulder. "She was doing great until we got to the last move."
"I was just too scared." Frida said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Frida." Hilda's mum said. "Would you like a soothing cup of tea?"
"That sounds nice." Frida said.
"Mum, can Frida stay with us for a few days?" Hilda asked. "She's really sad."
"Well, as long as it's okay with her parents." Mum said.
"Do you have a phone for me to call them?" Frida asked.
"Here you go." Hilda grabbed the telephone from off a shelf and handed it to Frida.
"Thanks, Hilda." Frida said as she headed for the hallway outside Hilda's apartment. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Five minutes later, Frida came back inside.
"So, what did they say?" Hilda asked.
"I can stay for the weekend, and they're looking for a therapist for me to talk to." Frida smiled.
"Awesome!" Hilda said. "I'm glad you're getting help. You'll earn that badge in no time!"
"I hope so." Frida said.
"I know so." Hilda encouraged. "You're strong enough to get through this, Frida."
"Your tea is ready, Frida. Earl Grey." Hilda's mum handed Frida her cup of tea. "Careful, it's still hot."
"Thanks, Hilda's mum." Frida smiled.
"Please, call me Johanna." Hilda's mum insisted.
"Will do." Frida smiled.
"Want to play some Dragon Panic?" Hilda asked.
"What's Dragon Panic?" Frida asked.
"It's a really fun game." Hilda grabbed the game from the shelf. "Trust me."
"If you say so." Frida took another sip of her Earl Grey tea.
A few hours and several Earl Greys later, Hilda and Frida had played eight games of Dragon Panic together and Frida had won every time.
"Wow, Frida. You're better than me at this game and I've been playing it for years." an impressed Hilda said.
"Well, I'm a quick learner." Frida shrugged.
"That you are." Hilda chuckled.
Just then, Twig leaped onto the couch.
"Hey, boy!" Hilda giggled and ruffled Twig's hair.
"Hilda, your pet is the cutest." Frida said as she took a turn petting Twig.
"Cute and fierce." Hilda joked.
"I feel so at home here. Thanks for letting me stay." Frida smiled.
"Of course." Hilda smiled back. "I'm here for you, Frida. You can come over whenever you want...as long as our parents are okay with it."
"You're the best friend ever." Frida said.
"You too." Hilda said. "Just remember that everything will be okay in the end. Even if you don't earn the Swimming Badge, you're still my best friend until the day we die."
"I'll remember." Frida promised as Twig sat comfortably on her lap.
"Aww, I think Twig likes you." Hilda giggled.
"Heh, I think he does." Frida petted Twig softly. "Where did you find him?"
"I found him when we lived in the wilderness. He rescued me from falling off a cliff. He's been by my side ever since." Hilda said as she petted Twig's head.
"Wow, your pet is a hero!" Frida said.
"Yeah, I suppose you could say that." Hilda chuckled, still petting Twig. "Heroic, adorable, and fierce all packed into one little deerfox. Isn't that right, boy?"
Twig let out a cute little bark.
Frida giggled. "I wish I had a deerfox."
"Heh, sorry, Frida. But I wouldn't trade this little guy for anything." Hilda rubbed her nose against Twig's.
"Oh..." Frida yawned mid-sentence. "...well."
"Heh, you getting sleepy?" Hilda said.
"Kind of...what time is it?" Frida asked.
Hilda looked up at the clock on the wall. "It's just past nine".
"Wow. Time flies when you're having fun."
Hilda let out a small yawn. "Doesn't it though?"
"Indeed it does." Frida said.
"You can sleep out here on the couch." Hilda said. "Twig will keep you company tonight."
"Thanks, Hilda." Frida said. "Can you get me a blanket?"
"Of course. Be right back." Hilda went to her room and grabbed a blanket from her bed.
A minute later, Hilda came out with the biggest blanket she could find. "Mum knitted me this blanket."
Frida grabbed the blanket and lay down on the couch. "Ah, nice and cozy."
"Can I get you anything else before I go to bed?" Hilda asked.
"Just a glass of water." Frida said.
"Sure thing." Hilda grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with tap water. "Here you go." She set the glass of water on the coffee table.
"Thank you so much." Frida said.
"No problem." Hilda smiled. "Good night, buddy. Have sweet dreams." She said as she headed to her bedroom.
"Night, pal." Frida said as she drifted off to sleep, Twig laying on her belly.
And that concludes chapter seven.
I apologize that it once again took two months, but as I said at the end of last chapter, I am a busy man but I never break my promises. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Chapter eight should be out sooner. Stay tuned.