Jamie’s stomach twisted in knots as she stared at the pool. The shimmering water looked more like an oceanthan a swimming lane. She tugged at her swim cap, her nerves getting the best of her.
“Why did I even sign up for this race?” she muttered to herself. She wasn’t the best swimmer—far from it. Running and hockey were her sports, but somehow, she had agreed to compete in a school swimming race. Now, standing at the edge of the pool, watching her classmates warm up with graceful strokes, she felt completely out of place.
She reached into her pocket and felt the familiar weight of the magic medal. Her fingers tightened around it as she whispered, “I don’t belong here.” A warm golden glow surrounded her. The world around her blurred, the echo of splashing water fading away.
When Jamie opened her eyes, she wasn’t at her school pool anymore. She was in Sydney, Australia—at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Disclaimer: This story contains elements that have been tailored for creative and entertainment purposes. While some aspects may be inspired by real events or people, certain details have been modified or fictionalised and should not be considered entirely factual.
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