Chapter 15: When the heart overflows

  The judge's whistle had barely sounded when the atmosphere in the competition changed completely.

  "Attention, swimmers..." the judge's voice echoed throughout the enclosure. We have decided to add an extra round to define the best competitors.

  The murmurs erupted in the stands.

  "What?" An extra round? -Aurora asked, indignant.

  "What the hell are they doing now?" Azrat said, frowning.

  "Attention... those chosen for this new round are:" the judge made a dramatic pause. Talión... Bruno... and Jocelyn.

  "Me?" Talion murmured incredulously.

  Jocelyn and Bruno also seemed surprised, but neither of them protested. The decision was made.

  "If this is an extra challenge... we'd better be ready." Talión said, clenching his fists.

  ?

  First test: Azrat vs. The provocateur

  The first confrontation was between Azrat and a rival who had been bothering everyone since he arrived: a big, noisy guy with an unbearable attitude.

  "Hey, blond..." the rival told him before the exit. Do you know what it feels like to lose in front of all these people? Because it's going to touch you.

  Azrat smiled calmly.

  "Do you know what it feels like to have your mouth shut?" Because it's going to touch you.

  The whistle sounded and they both threw themselves into the water.

  From the beginning, the rival tried to push Azrat, moving dirty. But Azrat remained calm and, in the last stretch, left him behind with an incredible explosion of speed.

  —Winner: Azrat from the Blue Mountain team!

  Azrat emerged from the water smiling widely and looked at the provocateur.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Anything else to say?" he sneered, winking at him.

  ?

  Second test: Light

  The next to compete was Luz. He walked towards the pool, nervous but determined.

  "Come on, Luz!" You can! - shouted Talión from the stands.

  Luz smiled weakly and got ready.

  The whistle sounded and he threw himself into the water.

  Luz moved with precision, but suddenly something happened. In the middle of the race, the same rival who had bothered Azrat started yelling at him from the edge of the pool.

  "Nothing faster, princess!" Maybe that way Talión will notice you more!

  The comment pierced Luz like an arrow. His rhythm broke and he came out of the water abruptly, panting and with tears in his eyes.

  "Luz?" Talion murmured, surprised.

  Luz ran out, straight to the locker rooms.

  "What the hell is wrong with you?" Talión growled, looking at the provocateur.

  "What?" I just told him the truth.

  Talión could not contain himself. In a second he was already in front of him and, without thinking twice, he released a direct punch in the face.

  "Shut up!" Talion roared.

  The rival fell on his back while the audience murmured, surprised. The judge whistled immediately.

  "Talión, you're disqualified!" the judge shouted.

  "But that guy...!" Azrat tried to protest.

  "There are no excuses," the judge said. Rules are rules.

  Talión lowered his head, furious and frustrated.

  But then, something unexpected happened. The audience began to applaud.

  "Talion did the right thing!" someone shouted.

  "Yes, that guy deserved it!" said another voice.

  The judge hesitated, confused by the public's support.

  Finally, the coach of the rival team approached the judge.

  "I know this is not in the regulation... but that idiot won it. I think it's fair that Talión continues in the competition.

  The judge sighed and took the microphone.

  —For this occasion... Talión is allowed to continue in the competition.

  The Talión team burst into cheers. But Talión, instead of celebrating, ran straight to the locker rooms.

  ?

  Reconciliation

  Luz was in a corner of the dressing room, with her head buried in her knees. He didn't realize that Talión had entered until he felt someone sitting next to him.

  "Luz..." Talion said softly. Are you okay?

  Luz raised her head. His eyes were red and swollen.

  "Why did you do that...?" he asked with a broken voice.

  "Because I couldn't stand still watching how they hurt you." Talion sighed. That idiot had no right to say those things... and I'm not going to allow anyone to make you feel less.

  Silence filled the place for a few seconds.

  "Talion..." Luz murmured. Last night... after all... I thought you regretted it...

  Talion stared at him.

  "I don't regret it," he said firmly.

  Luz felt her chest tighten.

  "Then why did you avoid me?"

  Talión swallowed saliva, not knowing what to answer.

  "Because I'm afraid... I don't know what this means... but I know I don't want to lose you.

  Luz approached slowly, until their faces were inches away.

  "You're not going to lose me..." he whispered.

  Talión's lips met Luz's in a warm and sincere kiss. This time, there were no doubts or insecurity. It was real... and they both knew it.

  When they parted, Talión smiled with that mixture of nervousness and emotion that he hadn't felt in a long time.

  "We're going to win this competition..." he said, taking Luz's hand.

  "Yes... together," Luz replied, intertwining her fingers.

  ?

  End of Chapter 15