Just Keep Swimming

Chapter 1,

The ocean, filled with many different creatures, of all different sizes. The ocean, they depend on it to prosper and live. They depend on each other to live. They depend on the vast ocean that lets them swim freely without anything in there way. That is how the boys in the Iwatobi Swim Club feel. They aren't just swimmers, they are swimmers by heart. It's what they do for fun, and it's there getaway place. Nagisa, Rei, Rin, Haruka and Makoto. They all have known each other since they first started swimming. They look out for each other. They depend on each other. And they need each other, just like all the creatures in the ocean need each other, and when one comes out of the picture, everything comes crashing down.

      "Cmon Nagisa! You got this!" The brunet boy, Makoto shouted from the edge of the pool, "Just a little longer!" Makoto had been training with Nagisa, trying to build up his endurance. The orange haired swimmer, who was doing continuous laps back and forth a crossed the pool, had been to tired to do another.
     "I can't do anymore, Mako" He said as he lifted his arms up on the edge of the pool, taking in deep breaths. Makoto smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
      "You did really well, Nagisa! 20 laps, back and forth, is way better than last week! I can already see a improvement!" Makoto helps the boy out of the pool and hands him a towel. They both walk over to the bench were they see Rei, who is taller than Nagisa and Makoto, and Haruka, who is about Makotos height.
" I heard you did way better on your endurance this time, Nagisa!" Rei, the dark purple haired boy says, sitting on the bench, legs crossed one on top of the other.
"Yeah! I got 3 more laps in then last time!" Nagisa shouts excitedly.
"Keep working at it and you'll soon be able to keep up with me, but overall you have improved greatly" The deep sea blue haired boy says. The others nod in agreement.
"Thank you, Haru-Chan!" Nagisa, the youngest out of all of the swimmers, always comes up with the nicknames for everyone. They all don't mind it, since he is the youngest, and is close to being able to keep up with him.
"Well everyone, I think that's about it for today, since everyone's gotten laps in! I guess it's time to head home!" Makoto says, putting his hands together forming a clapping sound, signaling that the practice was over. Everyone stands up and goes to the locker rooms and gets change, and they all start walking outside, the cool breeze of fall bowing all their hair. They arrive at the house, and Nagisa goes upstairs to shower, while the rest of the boys stay in the kitchen.
"We should do something for Nagisas birthday tomorrow. Something really special, because of how much he's improved in the past year" Makoto says quietly so the younger boy can't listen in on the conversation.
"Yeah, I think he deserves it" Haruka replies
The next morning, the 3 boys and one of their closest swim team mates, Rin, a dark red headed boy, comes to help them prepare. They get up extra early to call their closest friends. They all meet at the Iwatobi pool to set up tables, food, and declarations. The normal practice would start in ten minutes and Nagisa is always on time. Everyone is waiting in the main lobby, with all the lights off to surprise him.
"I wonder when he's going to be here?" Rin whispered. After he said that, a few minutes later, they hear someone open the door.
"Hello?" A young boys voice can be heard. It is Nagisa. Confused, he looks around., "Why are all the lights off-" He is interrupted by the surprise of all the lights being turned on and everyone yelling 'surprise'
"Happy Birthday Nagisa!" Everyone shouts in unison. Nagisa has a slightly shocked face but yet very excited.
"Woah, you guys all did this for me?! You guys are the best!" The orange hairs boy smilies, walking over to the crowd. Everyone passes him, all saying happy birthday, and he walks to the swim team guys.
"Your 15 years old now! So we thought you deserved something special!" Rei says.
"Just wait and see the other surprise we have for you in the pool area" Makoto says suggesting that they should walk out there.
Another surprise? How much better can this day get?" The youngest boy smiles ever so brightly, putting a smile on everyone else's face. They all walk into the pool area, where there is balloons, confetti around the pool, and all the swimming lanes set up.
"Well, what are you waiting for? We all have our suits, now you need to get yours on as well! Time to show the crowd what you've been practicing for the past couple of weeks!" Haruka says, patting Nagisas back in a friendly way. The boy goes into the locker rooms and changes the quickest he's ever changed and comes back out.
"You can go first, it is your birthday after all" Makoto gestures to the pool. Nagisa walks over diving in and starting his laps. This is the best birthday he's ever had. Before this, he's only celebrated it with himself usually, and never with his parents. He tried not to think about his parents that often, as it bothered him to think back to those horrible, memories. As he continues to swim back and forth, a flashback sparks in his mind.
And he forgets to go above water to breathe.
And he stops swimming, and everything around him starts to turn black. He slowly sinks to the bottom, as he slowly looses consciousness.