There was silence for a few seconds while I watched Valerie piece together my reaction and this new-found information. Finally, she sat down in her chair and looked across at me.
“Now, there’s no need to worry dear.” She told me in a gentle tone.
I remained silent but gave her a half nod to let her know that I was okay.
She smiled at me. “Well then dear, I’ll see what I can do.” I watched as she typed something into her computer again.
She shook her head. “There really are no other classes available, but I’m sure that I could set up a meeting with Ms Greenly and you could explain the whole situation to her. Would that be okay?”
I nodded my head silently and she set about organising an appointment for later that afternoon. Finally, Valerie handed me a little card with the time on it – 3.15pm. I nodded at her gratefully and quickly left the office; making a mental note to call the leisure centre to tell them that I’d be late.
I felt incredibly stupid when I thought about how I had reacted. It appeared that my fear of swimming was steadily getting worse and that was not a good sign. I sighed heavily and glanced at my watch – 9.35am. I took a fleeting glance at my timetable and discovered that my first class – English Literature – had started five minutes ago. Great, there went my chance to make a good first impression!
Just over an hour later and I had managed to survive my first class. My new English teacher – Mr Samson – had been pretty easy-going about my lateness and for that I was relieved. My first lesson turned out to be quite enjoyable as he informed us of what would be studying first – Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. I was actually quite happy about this as it was a favourite of mine.
It was now break-time and I found Harriet waiting for me at the locker area.
“Hey, you disappeared on me earlier. Where’d you go?”
“Oh I just had to go to the office to get my timetable,” I explained while I packed my bag for my next classes, “Why? Did I miss anything important?”
She shook her head. “Nah. So what’s your timetable like?”
I handed the sheet to her and she scanned it intently.
“Aw, we don’t have any classes together – that sucks!” She shot me a disappointed look before looking at the sheet again. “Ooh but we do have the same lunch Mondays and Thursdays!” she added excitedly.
I laughed and took back the sheet. “Hey, what class you in for P.E.?”
Harriet rolled her eyes. “Badminton. It’s the only thing I’m good at that fits in with my timetable. Why? What are you in?”
“Oh just swimming.” I said casually, trying my best to hide how terrified I actually was.
“Jeez, you’re lucky … not! Ms Mahon scares the crap outta everyone and she’s really tough on you when it comes to swimming.” She threw me a sympathetic look.
Great, can this day possibly get any worse?
Chapter Ten
Thankfully, the rest of the day passed without any further nasty surprises. I spent my study periods reading up on material for English and lunch was fairly uneventful. Sociology went by quite quickly and I even managed not to run into Danny all day.
However, it was soon time for my meeting with Ms Greenly. I had become increasingly anxious about the meeting throughout the day and now I was as nervous as hell. What if I couldn’t change it? Could Ms Greenly force me to do it? A lot of questions kept running through my mind but I tried not to think about it too much as I made my way to her office.
I smiled half-heartedly at Valerie as I entered the room; she nodded in return and motioned for me to sit on the chair by Ms Greenly’s office door. I heard her buzz the principal and two seconds later, the door opened and Ms Greenly ushered me inside.
“Ms Gilmore, take a seat.”
I sat in the chair opposite Ms Greenly’s desk and waited for her to speak again. She sat down and surveyed me intently over her glasses.
“Now, I understand from Valerie that you wanted to discuss your P.E. class – is that correct?”
I nodded. “The only one left is swimming and I – well um … I can’t swim.” I avoided her gaze and prayed that she would take pity on me.
She sighed heavily. “Darcie, I read your file and I understand your reluctance to take part in the class but … I’m afraid that no other sport is available to fit in with your timetable.”
“But that’s not fair!” I protested loudly.
Ms Greenly rubbed her temples wearily before addressing me again. “I know but Ms Mahon is fully prepared to take you on even though you can’t swim. She has no problem letting you learn the basics.”
“But I don’t want to learn! You can’t force me to!” I yelled, completely furious at her for suggesting such a thing.
I also knew that it was wrong to be shouting at someone of such importance but I couldn’t help it – I was positively seething.
“Ah well, there’s something that you should know …” She trailed off and buzzed Valerie. “You can send her in now.”
Two seconds later and my mother appeared.
This cannot be happening!
I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing – my own mother stabbing me in the back!
“Would you care to explain to me what the hell is going on?” I demanded, throwing my mother a withering look.
“Darcie honey, calm down.” she urged in a soothing tone.
“No I won’t! Tell me everything right now!” I bellowed back at her.
She threw me a scornful look but kept her voice calm. “Darcie, please sit down – now.” I knew by the tone of her voice that I was going to be in big trouble if I didn’t obey.
I took a few deep breaths and settled down in the chair again as both my mother and Ms Greenly rounded on me.
“Darcie,” my mother began, “before I tell you anything, I want you to apologise to Ms Greenly for your behaviour.”
I nodded and looked up at Ms Greenly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that. Please accept my apology.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay Darcie … I understand that this is a sensitive matter to you. Nevertheless, I think you should hear your mother out.”
I glanced at my mother and waited for her to speak. She sighed heavily and paced the floor as she talked.
“Darcie, the first thing you should know is that it wasn’t just my job that brought us here. I moved us here because of what Dover High had to offer. I read all about the mandatory P.E. aspect and it all clicked into place. I’d been searching for ways to help you for months and when I found out about the syllabus here, I couldn’t resist. I met with Ms Greenly on Saturday past there and formulated my plan. I know it’s cruel of me to do it this way but I feel like I have no other choice.” She paused, as if waiting for me to interrupt but when I didn’t, she continued on.
“Honey, this is the last thing I want but I exhausted all other approaches back in Langley Falls … it’s time for some tough love.”
I glared at her but remained silent – I was too mad to say anything at this point.
Ms Greenly then decided to get in on the action. “Darcie, your timetable was delayed on Friday because I knew I was meeting your mother the day after to discuss your P.E. options. Considering your past, I know this will be difficult for you but we are just trying to help you.”
“Yeah, sure.” I sneered. “Have either of you considered my opinion at all?”
My mother reached out to touch my arm but I flinched away. I could see the hurt in her eyes but I was too irate to care.
“Darcie,” she began soothingly, “you’re gonna have to face your fear sometime. I know it won’t be easy but I know you can do it … it’s for the best.”
“Do I even get a choice in this?” I asked angrily.
Ms Greenly shook her head. “You know my policy and the only way to be excused from it is with a doctor’s note.”
My mother jumped in then. “And don’t even think you’re getting out of it that way – i
t’s not a medical condition.”
I decided to switch my tactic to the only one left – desperation. “Please Mum, don’t make me do this. You know I can’t.”
She shook her head sadly. “No Darcie, it’s time. If this is the only way that I’m gonna get through to you then so be it. You refuse to get help so this is my last option. Please try for me – and if not for me then for him. You know he wouldn’t want you to -”
“No!” I interrupted and threw her a death glare. “You’ve no right to say that! You know what I went through and I’m not doing it!” And with that I stormed out of the office and ran the whole way to the leisure centre.
I arrived at the leisure centre sweaty and exhausted. As soon as I was inside, I decided to make my way to the toilets as I figured I needed to clean myself up before I went anywhere near the Youth Club.
However, on my way to the Ladies’, I had the great misfortune of walking straight into Danny.
“Darcie!” he exclaimed in surprise, looking rather pleased to see me. However, the longer he took in my appearance, the more his expression changed to one of concern. “Wow, are you okay?”
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak – the last thing I wanted was to have an emotional breakdown in front of him. He seemed to understand my reluctance to talk since he merely nodded, took my hand and led me through to the employee locker room.
“Here, sit down – I’ll get you something to drink.”
I took a seat on the wooden bench and tried to compose myself before Danny came back.
Two minutes later and Danny returned with a bottle of water and a chocolate bar. He handed me both and ordered me to eat the chocolate bar first. I did as he instructed and then took a sip of water while Danny watched me closely. Within a few minutes I was starting to feel a lot calmer but also embarrassed.
I took a deep breath before I even dared to speak. “Thanks.” I eventually managed to mumble to Danny.
He shrugged. “No problem – what’re friends for? Are you okay now?”
I nodded. “I think so but I’d feel even better if I could clean myself up.”
Danny nodded. “Go ahead, I’ll wait here.”
I gave him a weak smile and made my way through to the toilets that were connected to the locker room.
I glanced in the mirror above the sinks and found that my hair was all over the place, my face was beetroot red and my cheeks were sticky from sweat and tears. It was now that I was able to think clearly about what had happened. Even in my present state of clarity, I still couldn’t believe the plan my mother had concocted.
What she was asking of me was too much – she didn’t understand how hard it was for me to get through a normal day never mind trying to overcome my fear of water. It was also a low blow when she had mentioned – no, now is not the time to think about that!
That said, she knew that I was still struggling with what had happened. I felt sick when I thought of how much I had enjoyed our day together yesterday.
She must have done it to butter me up before she dropped the bombshell!
I shook away these thoughts as I splashed some water on my face and fixed my hair. At least now I looked presentable – well as much as one can after what I had endured – and considering how rough I had looked five minutes ago, it was a vast improvement.
I then made my way back out to the locker room where Danny was still waiting for me.
He glanced up when he heard my footsteps and then threw me a genuine smile. “Better?”
I nodded and sat down beside him again. “I’m really sorry about all that …” I trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
Danny nodded his head understandingly. “Don’t worry, I was just skiving anyway cause my last lesson was cancelled.”
I nodded my head and then it suddenly dawned on me. “Oh my God – the Youth Club! I phoned this morning to say that I was gonna be late because I had a meeting with Ms Greenly after school. What time is it?”
“Almost four-thirty but don’t worry there’s only like four kids in today – I’m sure that Grace can handle it if you wanna go home.”
I shook my head. “No! I – I don’t want to go home – not just yet anyway.”
Danny threw me a curious look. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes!” I told him rather quickly – too quickly.
“Are you sure?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“Yes,” I insisted even though I knew that he wouldn’t believe me.
He threw me a dubious look. “Right, so there’s nothing you wanna talk about?”
I shook my head. “I just – my mother and I had a fight and I don’t want to go home right now.”
Danny nodded. “Okay, well how about we get out of here and get some dinner?”
I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or not but I figured that it was better than going home to face the music.
I nodded my head. “Yeah, that’d be great.”
After Danny had informed Mr Deacon that he was leaving me home since I wasn’t feeling well, we made our way into town and scoped out the quietest café. Danny parked the car and jumped out of the driver’s side so quickly I wondered what he was doing until he opened my door for me.
He smiled at the look of surprise of my face, “What?”
I shook my head and said nothing – it was a miracle that he was still talking to me after my mini meltdown earlier when he really should’ve been running in the opposite direction.
“So,” Danny began as we were seated to a table, “am I allowed to ask about what happened earlier?”
I shook my head. “Next question please.”
He looked a little disappointed but still ploughed on nevertheless.
“Okay – fair enough. Um, well what about your meeting with Ms Greenly? Is everything okay?”
I wasn’t sure whether I should answer him or not; part of me wanted to tell him about what I was being forced to do but the other part wanted to remain silent. I debated for a minute and then decided to choose a bit of both.
“It’s just about my P.E. class – the only one available is swimming.” I threw him a pointed look and he nodded understandingly.
“Yeah, I can see how that’d be a problem. What happened – did you get it changed?”
I sighed heavily. “No – I tried but then my mother got involved and – well I don’t want to talk about the rest, okay?”
Danny shrugged nonchalantly. “Sure but doesn’t that mean you’re stuck with swimming?”
“Yeah – but I’m not gonna do it. They can’t make me!” I told him determinedly.
“Wow, calm down! Nobody’s gonna force you to do it.” Danny told me reassuringly.
I shook my head in protest. “It’s not that easy – things are a little … complicated.”
Danny frowned at me in puzzlement but I didn’t elaborate. Instead, I focused on the menu in front of me and pretended to be deciding what to order. Danny took the less-than-subtle hint and didn’t mention it again.
The waitress then arrived to take our orders for which I was grateful; it gave me time to come up with something else to talk about. I ordered my burger and chips and waited until we were alone again before speaking.
“So,” I began. “What subjects are you taking this year?”
Danny raised his eyebrows at my change of topic but answered nevertheless.
“Biology, Maths, P.E. and ICT – why?”
I shrugged. “Just curious.”
He threw me a questioning look but continued on. “Uh huh. Well I wanna be a paramedic or something where I can help people.”
I nodded my head. “I guess that’s why you’re the pool lifeguard and swim team captain then?”
“Yeah, that’s one of the reasons why I do it …” he then trailed off, looking quite thoughtful but didn’t elaborate further.
I wasn’t sure what to say next but I didn’t have to worry since Danny beat me to it.
“So, anyway … what subjects
are you studying?”
“English Literature, Psychology, Sociology and Business Studies.” I told him as the waitress appeared with our food.
Danny nodded thoughtfully. “Okay and what do you wanna go on to do?”
I shrugged at him as I bit into a chip. “Dunno, maybe a psychologist or a journalist or something.”
“Ah,” said Danny with a smirk. “You think that because you won’t open up to people, others will open up to you?”
I was a little hurt by his snide comment so I decided to retaliate.
“Just because I don’t like talking about my problems doesn’t mean that I don’t want to help others with theirs.” I told him testily.
Danny held his hands up in defence. “Wow, I didn’t mean it like that. It just strikes me as quite ironic – that’s all.”
I couldn’t answer him since I was taking a big bite of my burger so I settled for throwing him a dirty look instead.
Half an hour later and we had both finished eating without much conversation. I glanced at my watch – 6.10pm – it was still too early to go home but I had no other choice. I sighed heavily and Danny glanced at me.
“You ready to go?” he asked me cautiously.
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess I’ll have to face my mother sometime.”
Danny nodded knowingly. “Okay, I’ll just pay and then we’ll go.”
I nodded my head in agreement and tried to pay my half of the bill but Danny stubbornly refused to take it.
Once we were back in his car, I idly wondering what was waiting for me at home. I glanced at Danny and decided to distract myself by thanking him for dinner.
“Hey, thanks for buying me dinner … and I’m sorry I was a bit short with you before.”
Danny waved off my apology. “Don’t – I’m the one who should be apologising. I didn’t mean to be so rude earlier.”
I didn’t argue with him as he started the car and pulled out into the road. I could hear the faint strains of Lifehouse’s ‘Somewhere in Between’ and I didn’t mind when Danny turned it up as it meant that we didn’t have to talk for the remainder of the journey.
Once we pulled up outside of my house, I instantly felt sick at the sight of my mother’s car – I would definitely be in for a lecture. I sighed heavily and turned to Danny.
Learning to Breathe Page 7
