The Swim

Monday

17h43

The laser modifications were easier than I expected. Management gave me five days to complete it, but I should be able to finish in four if all went according to plan. That left one day for testing, which was more than usual. The biggest challenge would be machining the needed parts. I solved that problem by enlisting O's help. He assured me it would be on my table by tomorrow's lunch.

I enjoyed this kind of work. A pity I had to do it on the laser.

Lunch made me feel better. It gave me the boost to work for three and a half hours with a little guilty-pleasure break to play Minesweeper. A futile exercise, for R remained unbeaten. I thought I would reign supreme after beating T's two-month record by five seconds, but R proved me wrong only a day later. Only two seconds separated me from the number one position, but it would prove insurmountable. I had half a mind to write an app to do the work for me, but I'd never save face if I were caught.

Helping T was easier than I expected. Her code was well structured, so it was easy to get my libraries working in her app. I guess my tips paid off. I didn't see P when I walked out of T's cubicle, nor when I walked through the mess hall, but I shrugged it off. The swimming pool had been on my mind since I woke up, and I was going to treat myself.

My swimsuit was already in my pool locker, so I didn't need to make a detour through my room. A quick jump into a nearby clothing cubicle would get me ready for the soothing waters. Only Management has seen me in my full glory, and it was going to stay that way.

Well, at least until P noticed my advances.

No, not the time. Shaking my head out of my daydreams, I patted myself once as a double check before stepping from the cubicle to show my black-and-silver bikini to the empty swimming pool. I preferred the one-piece, so I rarely wore the bikini, but P made the remark of showing up and... yeah.

Guess a part of me still wants to be more than just friends.

Putting the thought somewhere in the back of my mind, I laid my blanket, jumpsuit, and Sleeve onto the closest pool chair. I noticed a jumpsuit on the chair next to mine, but a quick scan of the room proved I was alone. Is somebody in the Jacuzzi? I looked at the door in question. Despite having cubicles dedicated to it, Management forgot to put pool chairs next to the Jacuzzi, and hasn't rectified the problem. None of us understood it or wanted to complain, so we simply left our towels and such next to the pool. It wasn't that big a problem since many of us jumped into the pool after a quick soak, but it was still odd.

Oh, well. Satisfied that nothing allergic to water was still attached to my person, I dived into the pool. The suddenness of the cool water sent several shivers through my body. I disliked the initial cold, but it was a necessary evil. Best to get the thermal shock over as fast as possible instead of slowly wading in and extending the torture.

Coming up for air, I bobbed a bit before sinking back into the watery void. Two toes stopped the water level between my mouth and nose. Just what the doctor ordered. I sighed in relief, idling as I let the water flow around me. Even my headache seemed to abate a bit.

I dived with lungs full of air, swimming to the edge of the pool and grabbing hold of the edge. Counting to five, I threw myself away from the edge, slamming a hand into the water as I started my lap. I could usually do about four laps before stopping for a breather, five if I was at my peak. Today, my limit seemed to be two and a half before I relented and slowly floated to a stop. My motivation reserves were empty.

Guess the deadline must have taken more out of me than I thought. I floated for several seconds before spying something that always lifted my mood. Grinning, I dived forward, making my way to the furthest side where the jets turned on. Nothing was more relaxing than having water gently blasting against your back, chest, or other places of interest. Today, the sweet spot was one between my shoulder blades. Sitting down in front of the jet, I gave the biggest smile I could before closing my eyes in pure bliss.