Page 2

Lacy

Twenty Years Old

My lungs burn. My chest tightens like a vice. Water smothers me, its icy grip pulling me down, daring me to stop. But I don’t. I can’t. I push harder, slicing through the liquid cold, my muscles screaming in protest.

No matter how hard I propel, I can’t seem to break through. My brain swims in a fog, my body falters. Still, I thrust , harder and harder—reaching, straining, desperate—

Just a bit further.

My hand slams into the wall.

I burst upward, my head breaking through the surface, then I gasp a deep, desperate breath. The crisp blue water trickles down my face as my legs turn to jelly at the bottom of the pool. I heave. I pant. My heart pounds like a drum in my chest.

I’ve pushed myself to the edge.

Glancing up at the clock, my breath catches—then a smile breaks across my face.

I’ve shaved 0.92 off my personal best.

A squeal escapes my lips as I throw my arm into the air, victory buzzing through me.

Someone pats my head—gentle, warm, grounding.

I giggle, feeling light, feeling alive .

“Excellent work, Lacy… a personal best. But if you want to qualify tomorrow, you need to do even better. I know you can do this. Now try again,” Tuck proclaims.

I slump and nod.

He smiles and stands as I hop out of the pool.

Every part of my body screams at me…

I need to do this.

Caroline steps up next to me and smirks. “Race ya!”

Her words are just the boost I need.

Caro isn’t just my teammate—she’s my housemate and my best friend. I couldn’t get through a day without her. Her signature pink cap hides her chestnut-brown hair, while her goggles shield her warm brown eyes. Despite her small frame, her broad shoulders reveal the strength she carries. Her pale complexion and delicate features give her a timeless beauty, but it’s her playful, childlike spirit that truly lights up a room. At nineteen, she’s a mix of fun, energy, and unwavering loyalty—everything I need in a best friend.

I get into position on the starting block.

“Take your mark,” Tuck bellows, readying his timer.

The starting signal goes off.

I leap into the water. The icy liquid envelops my body, and the adrenaline kicks in. Every time I hear the starting signal, and every time the water splashes against my face, I think of my favourite quote by Mia Hamm.

And at just the right moment, I light the match inside of me. Sometimes, it’s right at the start of the race. Sometimes, it’s in the last fifty. But either way, during the race, that match will be lit. There’s no greater rush than being one with one of the world’s greatest marvels.

As I swim the butterfly stroke, I sense the same rush from the very first time I swam.

This rush will never change.

Even as my body screams in protest, the need to keep going, to improve—no matter how small—drives me forward. The wall comes up fast. A sharp turn, a powerful dive, and my legs explode, propelling me through the water. I break upward, arms slicing cleanly overhead, pushing into the depths again.

The final fifty meters is where fatigue sets in, but it’s also where the fire ignites. This is the moment to light the match and burn through the finish. Teeth gritted, arms churning faster, I fight the burn in my lungs and the ache in my muscles, forcing every ounce of energy into this swim.

The wall meets my hands with a slap. My body surges upright as I suck in deep, life-saving breaths. Somehow, a second wind hits—less exhaustion than last time, more strength left in reserve. A glance at the board confirms it—another .34 seconds shaved off my personal best.

Caro follows close, just .78 behind.

“Yes!” The roar bursts out as Caro slaps my shoulder in celebration.

Tuck’s laugh echoes from behind us, light and carefree, breaking the tension. “Good work, girls. You’re ready. Now, get out of the pool, head home, and rest up. You have a massive day tomorrow. I want to see you back here bright and early. No excuses, Caro.”

“Hey! Why me?” she asks with a dirty smirk.

“Because it’s always you,” he chides, but with his usual smile.

She giggles. “True… thanks, coach. See you tomorrow.”

He walks away.

I turn to Caro, who takes off her cap and says, “You ready for tomorrow?”

With a shake of my head, I purse my lips. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. Olympic trials? That’s huge. Tomorrow could be the start of something massive for us, Caro.”

She tilts her head. “Just because we’re small-time girls from South Australia doesn’t mean we can’t whip everyone’s butts and make the Australian Olympic team. We’re just as good as everyone else. Don’t forget that.”

I take off my cap, letting my shoulder-length blonde hair fall down my back. Then I hoist myself out of the pool. I’m only twenty, so I’m still young to be chosen for the Olympic team. This is my second time trying out—the last time didn’t go so well, so I’m apprehensive about tomorrow.

“Let’s go get changed, I need some food.”

Caro laughs and gestures. “Yes, burgers and curly fries.”

“I wish,” I scoff.

We head to the foyer, where Caro’s parents, Trinny and Harry, wait alongside her three older brothers—Ryan, Logan, and Joshua. They’re here for both of us like they always are. The Hughes family is my surrogate family, the support I never got at home.

My mum, dad, and sister, Stacy, see my swimming dreams as just that— dreams. To them, I’ll never get anywhere, not after failing last time. They don’t believe in me, but luckily, the Hughes family does. So does my coach, Don Tucker. Their unwavering encouragement and guidance keep me grounded, focused, and pushing forward.

“Hey, hey,” Logan calls. “It’s the next two Australian Olympians coming right up.”

“Shut up, idiot! You’ll jinx us,” Caro hisses.

“It’s not jinxing. It’s called good juju. I’m making good karma.”

“Yeah, Nah. You’re just a dick,” Caro chides, rushing up to Logan and pushing his chest.

He steps back and chuckles. “You love me!”

“No… I don’t.” She smirks while he pulls her into a headlock.

She giggles as he gives her head a scruff.

“Scrag.”

“Tiny dick.”

“Okay, okay… enough, you two.” Trinny chuckles, pulling Caro from Logan’s grip into a hug. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”

“So am I,” her father, Harry, chimes in. “We’re proud of you too, Lacy. You got a personal best today. Well done you!”

“Thanks, Harry. Hopefully, I can keep up the good times tomorrow.”

“You will, sweetheart. You two are going to do amazing things. But for now, let’s get you both home, hey?”

We bob our heads.

Josh rushes to my side and links his arm with mine. “Great swim today, Lace. As always, you’re so beautiful in the water.”

I smile and lean my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Josh. Let’s hope I can do these times tomorrow.”

“You’re gonna nail it.”

He leans his head against mine as we walk to their minivan.

“I made you girls kale smoothies. They’re in your fridge when you get home,” Trinny calls as we arrive at the van. “Oh, and I provided a tub of supplements on the counter to help.”

We all file inside the van.

“We can’t take supplements that aren’t approved, Mum. We can get done for that.” Caro chuckles.

Trinny shakes her head and giggles. “Oh shit! Right, I forgot. They are just health supplements. I’ll take them away, but drink your kale smoothies.”

“What’s in them?” Caro asks.

“Kale and water.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep.”

I cringe.

Caro catches me and sticks out her tongue. “Sounds delicious.”

“Caro… are you being sarcastic?”

We all chuckle.

“Yes, Mum.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Trinny chides.

Harry starts the van.

It’s not a long drive, but it’s loud and chaotic, as usual. When we arrive at the unit, everyone files out into our small, familiar space.

I make a beeline for the refrigerator, spotting the jug of kale smoothie. Grimacing, I take a sip— because why not?

Noise fills the room, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls.

Then Trinny walks in. She smiles at me, but I know that look. The tilt of her head, the hand on her hip—it’s a dead giveaway. A heart-to-heart is coming.

I freeze mid-sip, then gulp and flop back against the kitchen counter, bracing myself.

“Lacy, I’ve known you going on what… six years now?”

“Yeah, about that—”

“You’re nervous, sweetheart. I understand how big tomorrow is for you. Just because you didn’t make the team last time doesn’t mean you won’t this time .”

I slump into the bench. “I’m working harder than ever before, but what if I choke again? What if I freeze?”

She takes my hands gently in hers. “Lacy LaBelle, you’re a strong, confident, brave young woman. Ever since those trials, you haven’t frozen. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. Don’t let your head get in the way. Swim from the heart.”

Nodding, I smile. “It would be nice if Mum, Dad, and Stacy supported me. But knowing you guys will be there, you’re all the family I need.”

“Oh, honey, your family is, well, different to ours. But you are a part of our family. We’re there just as much for you as we are for Caro. You’re my second daughter.”

My eyes mist.

She clears her throat. “No tears, not tonight. We save them for celebratory ones tomorrow, okay?”

I giggle. “Deal.”

“Let’s have some dinner and then get you girls to bed.”

“Thanks so much. I’d be lost without you.”

“Family is here for each other… blood or not,” Trinny says softly, leaning in to kiss my forehead.

I reach out, wrapping my arms around her. “Thanks, Trinny. I love you all so much.”

“And we love you, sweetheart.” She squeezes me gently before pulling me toward the kitchen. “Come on, let’s get some dinner, hmm?”

I cuddle into her side as we walk. Her warmth steadies me, anchors me. She’s more of a mother to me than my own mum ever was, and tonight, that means everything.

For once, the ache in my chest feels just a little bit lighter.