The Meet
By Madelyn Srin

"Why, why?" Ariel wailed into her locker at the pool. "I thought she was not going to make it down for this meet!" Her fiercest competitor was going to swim Saturday, after all. Ariel looked around to make sure no one had heard her then tore off her required swim cap, grabbed her towel, and ran outside to her father’s waiting van.
"It’s my last chance to actually make Olympics finals, Dad. And Maria is going to be there. Maria and her stupid pink swim cap. High-fiving her dad for good luck before every single race. Ugh."
"Remember what I’ve told you, Ari," her dad started. "The only thing that matters is what you do, not what you win." She put up her hand to block the glare of the sun just peeking up over the horizon. Every morning she was at that pool, doing laps and practicing her strokes. Ariel pictured herself so many times holding that trophy and smiling triumphantly as she advanced to the Olympic finals. No matter what her dad said, she wanted to win.
Saturday morning, Ariel stood by the pool—waiting for Maria to come out—hoping that she wouldn’t. She did—crying. Ariel could barely hear what Maria was saying to the coach over the noise in the pool area.
"…lucky swim cap. gone…without it." The coach was trying to convince Maria to just wear another one when Ariel saw a pink blob, peeking out from under the bleachers. For an instant, she saw herself again, making it to the finals, and living her dream. This time, however, her vision was different. She held the trophy, but her smile was nowhere to be seen.
The world came into focus again, and Ariel knew what she had to do.
Moments later, she approached Maria and looked her rival in the eye, "Here," she said, handing her the pink cap. "It was under the bleachers."
"Oh, Ariel. Thankyouthankyouthankyou," Maria said through her sobs. "If I could not compete today, I don’t know what I would do."
Ariel watched Maria greet her father and receive her customary high-five. As Ariel started away, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Maria’s father stood smiling, his flat hand raised and ready.
“One for you, too!”
Ariel high fived the man, and saw a flash of embarrassment flush across Maria’s face.
Ariel turned to her own dad, who was sitting in his usual place in the bleachers. He gave her a thumbs-up as she walked to the platform and took her place next to Maria.
Maria tightened her pink cap and gave Ariel a smile. "Thanks again. And good luck."
“You’re welcome. And good luck, too.” Ariel replied. She smiled back, triumphantly.
Write a summary that includes the important elements of the plot and explains the theme. Use evidence from the story to support your ideas.
Who is the protagonist and the antagonist?