Chasing the Bull

The fluorescent gym lights flickered as Maya shoved another neon-orange vitamin C tablet into her mouth. Third one this week, because apparently her immune system needed more help than her confidence did.

"You're overthinking the regionals again," Zara said, not looking up from her phone.

"I'm not overthinking. I'm being strategic." Maya cracked her knuckles. "Marcus—that bull in lane four—has been shaving seconds off his time all season. Meanwhile, I'm out here choking on air."

Marcus, aka "The Bull," had earned his nickname freshman year when he'd plowed through the water like a force of nature. Now a junior, he was the swimming team's golden boy, all broad shoulders and annoying humility. Last month, when Maya had mentioned his names, he'd just smiled and said, "Your flip turn's improving."

She'd wanted to scream.

The pool deck smelled like chlorine and anxiety. Coach Patel blew his whistle—shrill, demanding. "Finals in five! Marcus, you're in lane four. Maya, lane two."

Her heart did that thing where it forgot its job. The vitamin C wasn't helping. Nothing was helping.

"Hey." Marcus appeared beside her, dripping wet, impossibly calm. "Good luck."

Maya scoffed. "You don't need luck. You need a cape."

He laughed. "Dude, I saw you practice yesterday. That finish was something else."

She blinked. He'd noticed?

"Whatever," she muttered, but something in her chest shifted.

The whistle blew. Maya exploded off the block, water cold and perfect. Two laps in, her arms burned. Three laps, lungs screaming. On the final lap, she remembered Zara's voice: Stop overthinking and just swim.

She touched the wall, gasping, and spun around.

"Maya Rodriguez," the timer announced, "fifty-two point three seconds. New personal best."

The pool erupted. Marcus clapped louder than anyone, grinning like he'd won instead of placing second.

Later, as they sat on the bleachers sharing Zara's emergency granola bars, Marcus bumped her shoulder. "Told you you had it in you."

Maya smiled, actually smiled. "Maybe the vitamins finally kicked in."

"Or maybe," Zara said, "you stopped letting The Bull live rent-free in your head."

Maya laughed. The race wasn't everything—she'd still chase that win next season—but for the first time, she wasn't swimming scared anymore.