It was still early morning on what was going to be a cold winter’s day. A few voices echoed through the cavernous structure that was the campus indoor aquatic center. Despite the early hour a few of the State champion girls swim team were well into their morning practice session.
The huge aquatic center was dominated by the Olympic sized pool, half a dozen girls stroked their way up and down the lanes, their coach following them poolside giving them instruction. At the end of the pool two girls climbed out of the warm water, shook the excess from themselves and headed towards the shower block.
The first girl was tall with long auburn hair which unraveled itself as she pulled her cap and goggles off. Her name was Nikki and she was the team star, with the trim taught body of a dedicated athlete. Nikki was the most popular girl on the team, and one of the most popular on the college campus, a real stunner that few guys could resist.
With her was her training partner, Leah, another tall girl with shoulder length black hair. Leah came from an Italian family and her skin wore a delicious olive tan. Leah followed closely behind Nikki as both girls walked into the dimly lit entrance to the lockers and showers.
They were greeted by a mess of gym bags, towels and discarded clothing from the other handful of girls who had come to the morning session. At four in the morning few of the girls could be bothered with keeping their lockers tidy. Each girl tossed her wet cap and goggles onto the heap sitting on top of the center bench.
“I tell you what, I am totally worn out after that session,” said Nikki as she rummaged through her open locker. Leah was doing likewise. Both girls knew they had the room to themselves, none of the other girls were scheduled to finish for at least another hour.
“At least it’s better than training in the afternoon with all the guys hanging around carrying on,” replied Leah with a giggle. The men’s swim team used to train with them, but the girl’s coach felt that they were too much of a distraction and had decided to shift the girls training time so they wouldn’t clash.
“I didn’t mind the guys that much,” winked Nikki as she shut her locker and waited for Leah to finish. Both girls had a bit of a laugh and headed into the shower stalls with their shampoo and moisturizer.
The showers were divided by granite stall walls, each stall with three shower heads and a couple single stalls at the very end of the room which few people used. Nikki threw the tap on each of the three shower heads open and let the hot water flow. A brief cloud of steam and the sounds of trickling water greeted her as she stepped into the middle of the three jets and let the hot water pour over her slender frame.
Leah joined her a moment later. It wasn’t uncommon for the girls to share a shower with two or three other girls. After all, they were in communal showers. The two girls basked for a few moments in the cascading water, brushing the chlorinated pool water from their arms and legs.
Leah reached to the tap and turned down the force of the showers to dim the roar of the water and allow her to talk with Nikki.
“You know, after all that swimming my body feels so achy,” offered Nikki as she bent over touching her toes. Leah watched on, she knew exactly what Nikki meant, because her body ached as well. “I’d say what the best treatment for an aching body is … but it might offend …”
Leah saw Nikki’s mischievous smile, her pearly white teeth and flawless face. It was no wonder the guys loved her so much, a hot body with supermodel looks, not to mention she was good at just about everything.
“Well you know me, a real family girl, maybe I shouldn’t hear your solution to my aches and pains,” giggled Leah. Leah had captivating blue eyes which drew Nikki’s attention. Leah had a reputation as a bit of a square, but Nikki knew better. Nikki had been a close friend of Leah’s for sometime now and she had seen a little of her less conservative side when out at parties or on double dates.
As the girls shared some meaningless chatter a third girl had left the pool and was headed for the showers early. Xanthe was the shortest girl on the team, barely five foot three. Her very slender frame was more common to that of a gymnast than a swimmer, but she had a fierce competitive streak and gave as good as she got.
Xanthe wandered into the messy locker room and threw her gear on the ever growing heap. She noticed the wet caps and goggles already there, looking to the showers she could see the steam seeping out, obviously she wasn’t alone. She looked briefly in the half fogged mirror to see her pale reflection and short red hair. Except for her trim figure, few would get her mixed up with the tall girls who populated that swim team. It was that overlooking which riled her.
Xanthe grabbed her toiletries and strolled into the wet and steamy shower block. She could hear the soft banter of Nikki and Leah as they shared the central communal shower, the water streaming down the tiled floor and down the drainage canal. She kicked off her flip flops and turned on the taps in the adjoining shower.
Xanthe kept to herself for the most part. She did talk to the other girls and was friendly with all of them, but she preferred to by the mysterious loner in most situations. She let the hot water flow over her fatigued body, washing away the chlorine and warming her chilled flesh. As the water coursed over her she could make out the other girl’s conversation which she quietly listened to.
Neither Nikki nor Leah had heard Xanthe enter the showers and both continued on as if they had exclusive use of the block.
“So got any hot dates for this weekend Leah?” asked an innocent Nikki. Leah tore herself away from the shower and looked at Nikki.
“No, not that I’m aware of. Got any suggestions?” Leah responded. “With my luck on the guys front, I think I’d better become a lesbian.” Leah’s straight faced answer led to Nikki doubling over in a fit of laughter, Leah following her shortly after.
“Well I best watch myself then,” offered Nikki. “You know with some of the jerks out there you probably could do better with another girl.” Leah laughed for a moment and then regained her composure. Nikki was still smiling back at her.
“Sounds like you’ve been thinking too much. Besides I have no experience with girls and can’t say it’s crossed my mind before,” Leah said in a more normal tone. She watched as Nikki’s demeanor changed slightly, a stern look swept across her face and she stepped towards Leah pinning her against the cold stall wall. Leah didn’t know quite how to respond and froze for a moment, before a broad smile broke out on Nikki’s face.
“Gotcha,” laughed Nikki as she retreated. “You were so petrified, you thought I was going to …” Nikki couldn’t finish what she was saying before laughter broke out again.