Bittersweet Candy Bowl

35. Under Pressure, original chapter posted 3/17/07

Page 3 of 10

Transcript

*The gym teacher glares at the students. David and Paulo listen to her blankly while Amaya splashes next to them, desperately trying to keep her head above water.*
Gym teacher: Okay, everybody.. for our final exercise, I’m splitting you into groups based on your swimming competence.

Gym teacher: Michael, Paulo, David. You three are the best in the class.
*Mike smiles, pleasantly surprised.*
Mike: Oh!
*Paulo cups a fist in his hand, grinning.*
Paulo: Kickass!
*David looks a little clueless.*

*The gym teacher scrunches up her face.*
Gym teacher: While I sort out the others, you boys race five laps. First place gets extra credit. Go!
Boys: Okay!

*The gym teacher wades off, calling over her shoulder and waving her hand dismissively.*
Gym teacher: The rest of you are mediocre or worse. Just splash around a bit until I say it’s enough. If anyone starts drowning, try to call out.
*The class collectively looks on in exasperation.*

[Caption: And so..]
*Daisy swims as fast as she can, huffing and splashing.*

*She taps the edge of the pool.*
Daisy: Hah! Third lap..

*Daisy looking focused, determinedly swims.*

*Daisy is startled by a massive splash behind her.*
Daisy: Huh?
Paulo: DAMMIT, MIKE!!

*Paulo, looking furious, swims towards Mike.*
Paulo: STOP BEING SO GODDAMN GOOD AT SPORTS I HATE YOU!!
*Mike blushes a little.*
Mike: Guh.. sorry..!

*Paulo bares his teeth at Mike.*
Paulo: If you were really sorry, you’d let me win! Smug asshole!!
Mike: I’m not trying to be smug!! Chill out!

*David lazily backstrokes past Paulo, whistling. Paulo’s mouth drops open.*
David: ♪

*Paulo growls.*
Paulo: WHERE’D YOU COME FROM YOU LITTLE RAT!!
*David stops, looking angry.*
David: HEY!!

*David crosses his arms over his chest.*
David: I’m not a rat, I’m a hedgehog!

*David suddenly looks confused, rubbing his chin.*
David: .. Wait.. I’m not either of those. Where did that come from? What was I doing again? Am I too tall for this pool?
[An arrow, pointed to David: standing]
*Paulo grins nefariously, taking the opportunity to swim past him.*

*Daisy looks over her shoulder at Mike, who’s cheerfully swimming by.*
Daisy: …

*Daisy looks a little sad as she begins to swim again.*
Daisy (thinking): Mikie never looks..

*Daisy closes her eyes.*
Daisy (thinking): How I wish I could do SOMETHING to get his atten--

*Daisy swims face-first into the pool deck, slamming her nose into the hard tile.*

Author commentary

Veronica: David, Paulo, and Mike are all-stars in their sports class.. and Paulo is feeling pretty awful that Mike and David surpass him with ease :( Even though he’s in the top three, he can’t quite measure up.

I am making a reference to Sonic and the Secret Rings in panel thirteen if you caught it. If not.. umm.. it was quite obscure a joke. Anyway, Daisy needs to pay more attention to where she’s going.