Swimming

Her arms slice through the cool, blue water. Bubbles rise, air caught in her palms each time they enter the water. She moves rhythmically, arms windmilling, legs kicking in a pattern that doesn't match but that comes together to make the motion smooth and seemingly effortless.

Bubbles blow out of her nose, her head turns out of the water for a breath, back into the blue water, more bubbles flow out, over and over again. This too falls into the rhythm of arms and legs, and now this turning of the head, twisting of body, sucking in air, breathing it out into the water.

She approaches the wall, sees the big black tile cross that marks the end, ducks her head, blows out hard and in one flowing motion rolls forward, ending with a strong whip of the legs. Feet hit the "x" where her head was moments ago. There's a slight pause while her feet plant firmly on the wall before they push her off. Body parallel to the water's surface, arms reaching straight out overhead, she glides straight out with the force of the push off of the wall. For a moment, arms and legs are locked in place and she feels water flowing past her like silk. Her momentum starts to slow and she picks up the rhythm again. Windmill ofr arms, kick of legs, body twisting, head turning toward the air.