Chapter 16: The Value of Moving Forward
The sunrise filtered through the windows of the beach house. After everything that happened the day before, the atmosphere felt calmer... but also more intense.
Talión was on the balcony, watching the sea with a thoughtful expression. Luz approached silently and leaned next to him.
"What are you thinking about?" Luz asked softly.
Talion sighed.
"In us..." he confessed.
Luz smiled.
"And what does your brilliant mind tell you this time?"
Talion chuckled.
"That I have no idea what I'm doing... but I want to try."
Luz leaned over, resting her head on Talión's shoulder.
"That's enough for me...
For the first time in a long time, Talión felt that everything was in its place.
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The story of Jocelyn
Later, in the rest area of the competition enclosure, the team crossed paths with Jocelyn, who was sitting alone, with her eyes fixed on the empty pool.
"Is everything okay?" Aurora asked, approaching.
Jocelyn barely smiled.
"Yes... just... I was thinking about everything I had to go through to get here.
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"What happened?" Aurora asked, sitting next to her.
Jocelyn took a deep breath.
"My family never believed in me... They always said that swimming would not lead me to anything. My mom wanted me to be a lawyer, and my dad... well, he didn't even see me.
Aurora was silent, listening carefully.
"I trained in secret... I swam in an old community pool that barely had clean water." Jocelyn smiled sadly. But every time I was in the water, I felt that nothing else mattered. All that noise... disappeared.
"And what happened next?"
"It happened that... I started to win... and although my family never came to see me, I knew I didn't need their approval.
Aurora patted him on the shoulder.
"You're stronger than you think... and you're going to prove it today."
For the first time all day, Jocelyn smiled sincerely.
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Bruno's story
In another corner of the enclosure, Talión approached Bruno, who was alone, adjusting his goggles nervously.
"Nervous?" Talion asked.
Bruno barely nodded.
"You know?" I get like that too... but don't tell anyone. -Talión joked, trying to break the ice.
Bruno laughed, but his smile was brief.
"I guess it doesn't matter... I'm not as good as you..." he murmured.
"Why do you say that?"
Bruno squeezed his goggles in his hands.
"In my old school, they always said I was too quiet... too "weak" to be a swimmer. They made me feel that no matter how hard I tried, it would never be enough.
Talion stared at him.
"You know what?" When I saw you swim yesterday... I didn't see someone weak. I saw someone incredibly fast.
Bruno looked up, surprised.
"Whatethers say doesn't matter... just what you believe of yourself." Talión patted him on the back. Today you are going to show them what you are worth.
For the first time, Bruno looked confident.
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The decisive moment: The beginning of the grand final
The audience roared with emotion when the presenter took the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The grand final of the Coral Cup is about to begin!
The teams lined up by the pool. At one end, Talión, Azrat, Aurora, Luz and the coach formed a solid line, ready to give everything.
On the opposite side, Jocelyn, Bruno and the rest of their team were preparing with equal determination.
The judge approached with the microphone in his hand.
-Remember that this final will define not only the winning team... but also who will have the opportunity to recruit one of the best swimmers of the opposing team.
Talion looked briefly at Jocelyn and Bruno. Despite being rivals, he felt respect for both.
"Ready?" the judge shouted.
The swimmers positioned themselves in their places.
"In their marks...!"
Talion closed his eyes, took a deep breath and felt the water calling him.
"Ready...!"
The world became an instant of absolute silence.
"NOW!"
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End of chapter 16
