They'd been put through rigorous training that morning in preparation for their first swim meet, and Coach Goldsmith was hardest on Lois as if she were slower because she was being lazy.
And here they were after three hours in a van. She'd spent most of that time with her headphones on to isolate herself from hearing Lori speak to the others. Listening to Lori was like death or at least like nails on a chalkboard; she clearly liked hearing herself talk just to hear herself talk.
The pool was nicer than the one at Metropolis University, which probably hadn't been updated since the fifties. They were competing against six other schools in central Kansas, and it looked like they were the last to arrive.
"Get changed into your suits, girls, and then warm up," Coach Goldsmith instructed.
Lois did a double-take when she saw the stands. She hadn't told anyone about the meet, but there they were, Clark and Chloe.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked as they came toward her.
"I'm actually here for Lori," Clark said.
"Of course you are," she muttered. She couldn't believe they'd made it to a second date.
"I'm here for you," Chloe said with a smile. "I can't believe you didn't tell me."
"My parents wanted to come and root for you," Clark said, "but they're busy with the harvest. They wanted me to tell you they'll make it to the second meet for sure."
Lois was truly touched. She hadn't lived with them all that long, and they treated her practically like family. She supposed being Chloe's cousin helped. "They're so sweet. You'd think a little of that sweetness would have rubbed off on you, Smallville."
"I've got charm," he argued. "You're just the only one who refuses to see it."
Just as she was about to throw another barb his way, Lori called out, "Clark, you made it!"
Lois took that as her cue to go to the locker room. She really didn't want to see them simpering over each other.
She hadn't been put on many events. Only the diving, where it didn't matter that she wasn't speedy in the water, and the relay, because everyone on the team had to do it. It meant a whole lot of sitting and doing nothing, which she didn't do great with. If anyone thought she had escaped punishment for her drinking escapade, they were sorely mistaken.
"You're up next, Lane. Try not to totally blow it," Lori said with her idea of morale. Who had decided to make her team captain?
"Thanks," she said dryly.
She did well with the diving. No one could fall through the air like she could even on this Olympic-quality team she had joined. She placed first with a back dive and two full somersaults, which not even Lori could snub her nose at.
The relay, however, made her feel like a sea slug. She sprung into the water as soon as Morgan touched the wall, but she wasn't as fast as the others, a fact she simply had to face. Despite the glares she got from her team, they still placed first in the event. In fact, they ended up placing first at the meet.
It was dark by the time the meet was over. They were staying at a hotel for the night, and she couldn't wait to crash. Clark and Chloe had to leave a couple of hours ago to get home at a reasonable time, but they'd both stopped to congratulate her.
She was the last out of the locker room. Mostly because she went out of her way to avoid the other girls whenever she could.
"Good job," said an unfamiliar voice.
Lois looked at the red and orange of her t-shirt and track suit, a rival team. She should have known by the uncharacteristic friendliness. "Thanks. You too." She started to walk off, thinking the conversation was done.
"Too bad you didn't swim last year," she continued.
She turned back around. "What do you mean?"
"You killed it on the relay. It would have been enough to break the record last year, but your teammates are crazy good. Well, good night."
How were they all breaking records? Drugs? That could explain why they weren't happy about her intrusion. If the team was doping, she was going to find out.