After the Coach grilled me Thursday and in our Friday morning practice, I woke up at 6am on Saturday to go for a run. After pushing myself much harder than I probably should have, I returned home to complete my exercise with a series of work outs I used to make my team do at my old school.
I began with 100 sit ups, moving onto 20 lot push-ups, with a three-minute interval after completing twenty. I did that until I hit 100. After stopping for a brief water break, I continued with holding a plank for three minutes, doing suicide jumps, before concluding the work out with 50 burpees.
I. Am. Exhausted.
Dragging myself from my home gym and into the lounge room, I collapse onto the floor, completely breathless. By this point, it is about 9am. I have achieved a lot, I thought, for a Saturday morning.
I am going to train harder and faster. The Coach is not going to win this. I am.
Peeling my sweat-drenched clothes from my body, I exchange them for a cute, navy and white striped bikini. After making myself a banana smoothie, I set up the outdoor chair and table, ready for sun bathing when I finish my swim.
I had just hung my towel around my neck, when there was a knock at my door.
My heart almost gave out when Hayden stood there.
"Wow," I commented, leaning on the door frame. "You're the last person I expected to see at my front door."
He scowled, an embarrassed look falling onto his face. "It's not what you think."
"And what do I think?"
"That I'm becoming your friend or something."
"Oh no," I said sarcastically, shaking my head. "Hayden Cameron befriending a transfer? That could never possibly happen."
"Quit being a pain in the ass," he sighed. "For some reason I thought it was a good idea to come here. I guess not."
He turned and began to walk away. I rolled my eyes.
"Learn to take a joke, Cameron. What's up?"
He looked back at me. With a sigh, he returned to his previous position.
"The Coach is riding you pretty hard," he said and I snorted, unable to keep my dirty mind out of the gutter. He let out an exasperated sigh at my childishness, before continuing. "And I thought I would just check in to see if you were okay. You didn't come to the practice comp last night. You're a part of the team - you should have been there."
"I didn't think I was welcome," I replied, folding my arms across my chest, realising I am still in my bikini. "Considering I was suspended and all. The Coach was the only nice one that made me feel like I had a place on that team and now, he's just as bad as the rest of you, if not worse."
"I know what you mean. He's a hard ass and the rest of the team are cliquey and unwelcoming. Including myself, I know, but as the team Captain-"
"It's your duty-"
"Can you let me talk?" he frowned. "God, you're so petulant."
"Sorry, oh wise one, do I need to go sit in the naughty corner?"
He closed his eyes and squeezed the skin in between his eyes. "Why did I bother?"
"Okay, sorry," I laughed, holding my hands up in a peace-like signal. "You're being nice so I shouldn't push my luck."
"Exactly. You should know I'm not nice."
"None of you are," I muttered.
"Are you sweating really bad or did you just hop out of the pool? I honestly can't tell."
"I'm sweating."
He wrinkled his nose up. "Ew."
I rolled my eyes. "I did an intense work out. I was just about to jump in and cool off."
"Oh."
"I'm taking the Coach's assholeiness in a way that is going to make me work and train harder. I'm turning this negativity into something positive."
"Assholeiness?" he repeated slowly. "That's not a word."
"Really?" I asked sarcastically.
He smirked. "Okay, that's good. I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to the party tonight all depressed and end up drunk and annoying like you usually do."
"Aw, you're sweet."
He gave me a deadpan stare. I grinned cheekily in response.
"I'll try and be on my best behaviour."
"Okay, good."
"Want to come in for a dip?" I asked, pushing off the door frame.
The slight smile he had on his face quickly dropped. He stepped back and looked at the ground.
"Uh, no, I have stuff to do. I'll see you tonight."
"Oh, okay," I said, feeling a little cut at his obvious rejection. "Yeah, see you tonight."
He nodded and turned, walking hurriedly down my driveway. I shook my head after him, before shutting the door.
That was so bizarre. What is with these boys of Byron Elite? One minute they hate me, then they seem like they care, and then they go back to hating me again?
It is honestly so confusing.
Pushing thoughts of bipolar natured boys from my mind, I dove into my pool. The cool water hitting my skin and running through my hair felt amazing. I let out a sigh of bliss as I emerged.
The water is my oasis. It made any problem in my life seem insignificant. I could sit here and relax or I can push myself and swim hard. Either way, it is sublime for me.
Pulling myself from the water and having to practically sprint to my chair, because of the burning pavements underneath my feet, I sprawl out on the plastic chair and take a sip of my smoothie.
I let out an, "ahh", sound as I placed the glass down beside me.
Today has been a good day.
***
Drunk Harvey is fun.
As we are doing pres together, we drank, sang and danced with each other for about an hour. It was pretty fun. It took a fair amount of convincing to get him to attend Leisel's birthday party, but here we are, half way to being intoxicated, dancing around my living room.
Leisel is a part of the Elite group and actually invited us. Personally, invited us. This made me feel like she isn't some stuck up cow, like the rest of them. Or, she invited me to perform some evil plan with Mia.
Either way, I am going.
I bought her a present and if it turns out she is also an evil spawn from hell, I shall consume her present myself.
Harvey's dress styling is dismal. I had to raid his closet to find something that remotely looked like he wasn't still a twelve-year-old, with no fashion sense. Eventually, right at the back, I found a few nice dress shirts that his mother made him wear to weddings and whatnot.
I dressed him in a teal-blue, button up shirt with some beige slacks, paired with white and black Converse shoes. He looked pretty nice, if I do say so myself.
"We are definitely going shopping," I said to him, shaking my head, as I thought back to the horrible clothes he had.
"I do need some help," he agreed with a laugh, taking a swig from his can. "You always look nice."
"Thanks," I grinned, glancing down at my own attire.
I chose to wear a navy jump suit that gathered tightly in the middle, enunciating my petite waist and showing off my long, tanned legs. It is low cut, allowing a bit of cleavage to be visible. I don't mind, I like to dress to impress, especially if I can show off parts of my body that Mia only wished she had. I paired my jump suit with my Dr Martins, as they are the comfiest pair of shoes I own.
My hair fell softly down my shoulders in natural waves and I applied a little more make up than I usually would. Not that I often go out of my way to wear makeup. I didn't often get to - the water washed it off within seconds.
After taking a few photos with Harvey, we decided it was time to head to the party. I shrugged my back pack onto my shoulders and let out a groan as it was heavy. I had a few goods that I planned to take tonight and they are weighing me down.
"You sure you don't want me to carry that?" Harvey asked.
I flickered my eyes to him. "We both know who has the muscles out of us two."
"You're right," he admitted. "I just wanted to be polite. You can carry it."
I laughed as I locked the door behind me and hid the key in my mother's pot plant in the corner of the porch. She should be proud; I often forget to lock the doors.
It is a cool night, but not too cool that you need a jacket. I tilt my head back and gaze up at the pale blue, with a tinge of orange, sky. The stars are beginning to peek through as it was bordering on darkness. With daylight savings, night time didn't arrive until after 7pm.
We had only take mere footsteps onto the street before we heard the loud thump of the bass. We exchanged a glance with each other. Mine filled with excitement, whereas Harvey's reflected a look of dread.
Sending him a light punch on the shoulder, I grinned. "Let's get this party started."
"You can, I'll watch."
I laugh as we make our way up the driveway. We enter, the first thing I see are two people, whom I've never met, making out against the wall. I let out a laugh at Harvey's horrified expression. He looked disturbed, which only made me laugh harder.
"Oh, look who it is," Mia drawled, taking a long swig of her drink. "Who invited you?"
I opened my mouth to retort, but much to my surprise, Leisel answered for me.
"I did," she declared and the Elite eyes swiveled to hers. Mia narrowed hers into slits.
"Happy Birthday, Leisel," I said with a smile, breaking the awkward silence. If you could call it silence, the music is deafening.
"Thanks, honey."
Shrugging my bag off, I withdrew a bottle of Vodka from my bag. I had placed a big, red bow on it, even though it got a little squished on the walk over.
"This is for you," I explained, handing her the bottle.
Her eyes widened. "Oh, wow, you didn't need to get me anything."
I shrugged. "You only turn eighteen once and it's a thanks for inviting us transfers," I pronounced the world slowly, my eyes flicking towards Mia, who looked like she is about to have steam coming from her ears. "I know that's probably taking a social plunge, so I thought I owed you a bottle."
"Aw, you're sweet," she grinned. "Thank you."
"And," I announced as the Elite group, and several others, stared at our exchange with round, sauce-pan eyes. "I came with a peace offering. Let's just put this dumb, transfer shit behind us, at least for one night, and party, okay?"
No one replied and I sighed. I reached into my bag and pulled out three bottles of tequila, a container of cut lemons and a shaker of salt. I proceeded to pull out three packets of plastic shot cups, before placing them neatly beside each other on the bench.
"Let's get this party started, on me." I grinned and everyone glanced at each other, before letting out a loud cheer.
"This chick is awesome!" I heard someone shout and I am thrilled to see Mia's appalled face.
"How the hell did you get this much alcohol?" someone asked me. It is a guy I'd seen around, but I didn't know his name.
"I bought it."
"You're not even 18 yet?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Apparently I look it. They didn't ask for ID."
"You're a bad ass!" he exclaimed, before bumping fists with me.
"What are we doing?" Harvey asked.
I hardly heard his voice as he had been pushed to the back.
"Hey, make some room for my main man," I yelled, grabbing Harvey's hand and pulling him beside me, knocking a few people out of the way. "We're doing tequila shots."
"Okay?"
"Follow my lead," I said as I prepared eight shots, for whoever wanted to do them. I glanced up to see Hayden watching me, his expression unreadable. He had taken a step back and was leaning on the kitchen bench, a can of coke in his hand.
I passed a piece of lemon to Harvey. I shove the shot glass in his direction and pour salt on the top of both of our hands.
"Lick the salt," I commanded, before I performed the act myself. Frowning, he did so. "Take the shot." I threw the burning liquid down my throat and as fast as I could, bite into the lemon. Harvey copied me and the horrified, scrunched up look on his face made me want to cry with laughter.
"That is horrible!" he spat, wiping at his mouth. "Totally disgusting."
"Want to do another one?"
He paused. "Yeah. Okay."
I laugh loudly, before we repeat the tequila shot. Most people around us joined in, except for Hayden, as he doesn't drink and Mia, because she is sulking. She probably thought I contaminated the alcohol with my transfer cooties.
"I was wrong about you, little transfer," Mike said, reaching around me. "You're a party girl and a party girl, is my kind of girl."
I made a face at that. He is gross.
"Ah, thanks?"
He slapped my butt, before walking away. Harvey and I stared at each other, exchanging a WTF look.
About two hours into the party, I found myself in the bathroom, swaying. I grip the sink, a wave of nausea washing over me. I clamp my lips shut, refusing to vomit. I still want to keep partying, without gross smelling breath.
The door banged open and Leisel staggered in.
"I'm so sorry, but I'm busting." she sprinted over to the toilet and I laughed, looking down at the sink again, focusing on not throwing up.
A few moments later, she materialised at my side and I moved over, so she could wash her hands.
"Sorry," she laughed. "That was kind of gross."
"I don't care. I'm trying not to be sick in your sink," I laughed, rubbing my hand over my churning stomach.
"I didn't think it was going to end well, when you had that many shots."
"Don't," I whispered, closing my eyes. "Don't mention shots."
She snorted, before getting up onto the sink.
"Hey, I just wanted to say, I like you."
"Oh, that's nice." I replied, keeping my eyes closed.
"Seriously. I like how you stand up to the others. They're a bit ridiculous sometimes."
"I agree."
"You look so much like Carrie," she sighed. "It's weird."
My eyes flew open. "Who?"
"Carrie," she repeated. "No one has told you about her?"
"No, I don't think so."
"She was a transfer. We both were. We transferred in grade seven. The whole transfer wasn't such a big deal when we were 12."
"Ah, so that's why you seem decent," I smirked. "You're one of us."
"Kind of," she laughed. "Anyway, she looked just like you. She only left, like, a year ago, maybe? She swam, had dark skin and hair like you."
"Why did she leave?"
"Only Mia and Hayden know the full story," she said slowly. "She dated Hayden from year seven, until she left. They were pretty serious."
"Hayden dated someone?" I asked, my eyebrows shooting up. "That's weird."
"Yeah, they were like in love with each other, but something happened. Something serious - none of us really know. But ever since she left and they broke up, Hayden has never been the same. He wasn't always angry and bitter; like he is now."
"I would have liked to know him then," I admitted. "There's something about him that intrigues me."
"There's a lot to him that you don't know," she said, a look of seriousness falling over her face. "But it isn't my place to say. Again, I don't really know the whole story."
"Huh." I said thoughtfully. "There you go."
"There you go," she repeated with a laugh. "Anyway, we should hang out one day. Go to the beach or something."
"That would be really nice," I smiled. "I've missed having a girl friend."
I grimaced, thinking back to my old friends, who barely talk to me anymore.
She grinned, before pushing herself from the bench.
"Thanks for the vodka, by the way."
"No problem."
She left the bathroom and I stared at my reflection. Is that why Hayden half cares about me? Because I look like his ex-girlfriend?
With a sigh, I shook my head, exiting the bathroom. I didn't want to think about this, whilst I was this drunk. It won't end well.
As I emerge, I notice the group I had been with is now sitting on the floor, one of the empty tequila bottles in the middle. I joined them, collapsing beside Harvey and pushing my newly learned information, to the back of my mind.
"What are we playing?"
"Spin the bottle..." Harvey muttered, looking extremely uncomfortable.
"Oh, wow," I commented. "I haven't played that since I was like 13."
"13? Bloody hell," I heard Harvey mutter.
The bottle spun a few times. Leisel kissed the guy I spoke to before, a girl named Kayla kissed another guy and the bottle landed on Hayden. Without a word, a girl I didn't know resumed the game like nothing happened. I quirked an eyebrow at the gesture.
The bottle landed on Harvey.
"I dare you..." The girl trailed off. "To kiss Grace."
I can see his cheeks turn pink as a flush crept down his neck. I kind of felt bad, he’s never kissed someone before and now has to waste it on me.
He turned and leaned into me.
"I know what you're thinking but trust me, if my first kiss is with you, then I'm doing something right."
For some reason, his words made something flutter in my stomach. That was really sweet. I smiled up at him, touched by what he said.
He leaned closer and our lips met. His lips were much softer than I thought they would be. The kiss was quite stiff and awkward at first, until our lips moved together and he followed my lead.
Someone cleared their throat loudly.
"Er-it's meant to be a kiss, not a make out session!"
Embarrassed, I suddenly reeled back. Holy shit. I just made out with Harvey, in front of everyone.
I glance up and Hayden is no longer sitting there. I frowned, looking for him, but he is nowhere to be seen.
"Aw, look, the dork had his first kiss!" Mike announced a few others laughed.
"And yet, look at the girl he got to kiss," Leisel said, sending a pointed look to Mike. "He's not doing too badly."
I stared in awe at Leisel. Who is this amazingly, brave girl, not afraid to stand up to the Elite group? She is awesome.
Mike had no comeback and I grinned, glancing at Harvey. His face was beetroot coloured as he glanced down his lap.
The game continued and I reached over, giving his hand a soft squeeze.
The rest of the night was pretty much a blur. I never sighted Hayden again. I danced with Leisel for a bit, before realising that the jolting movement was not a good way to prevent myself from hurling my alcohol consumption on the floor.
Harvey looked tired, so I decided it was time for us to head home. Slipping the now empty bag onto my shoulders, I walked beside Harvey.
"My legs hurt."
Harvey suddenly crouched down and without a moment of hesitation, I climbed onto his back. My legs wound around his waist and I nestled my head into the back of his neck. I inhaled his weird-smelling cologne and decided I really do need to take him shopping.
My eyes are heavy as I rest my cheek against him. I had to keep telling myself to hold on, as I struggled to stay awake. We made it to the house and it took us about ten minutes to remember where I placed the key. After finally figuring it out, it proceeded to take another few minutes to actually get the key into the lock.
After pushing against the door, I landed face-first onto the wooden floor. I winced, knowing that was going to hurt tomorrow.
Harvey hauled me to my feet and practically had to drag me up the stairs and into my room. I collapsed onto the bed, feeling fatigued.
I hoisted my leg into the air and Harvey undid my laces, before yanking my shoe off. He repeated the procedure on my other leg.
"You're too good to me," I slurred, rubbing at my eyes.
He sat on the end of the bed and I pulled him half on top of me. He chuckled, before pushing my hair back from my face.
"I'm sorry if I wasted your first kiss," I whispered up to him. "I know you felt pressured and-"
He pressed a finger to my lips. "Grace."
"Yeah?" I asked although my voice was muffled.
"You're amazing. I would be crazy if I didn't want to kiss you."
"Really?" I whispered, my eyes feeling kind of wet, much to my embarrassment.
"I promise."
I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, before squeezing him tightly.
"I love you, you know that, right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I love you, too," he replied, hugging me back.
"My life would suck without you, you know that, right?"
"Stop saying that," he laughed, flicking my nose. "And my life did suck without you, so yeah. I'm glad you came to Byron Elite."
"Me too," I admitted, for the first time.
He laid down beside me, our arms touching. I rolled onto my side. Before I knew what I was doing, I bent down and pressed my lips to his, softly, before rolling onto my back. We both laid there, in silence.
"I need water," I gasped out a little while later, surprised at my sudden lack of voice.
"I'll go get you some," he offered, springing to his feet.
He was back within moments and I skulled the glass. I let out a sigh, reclining back.
"Much better."
He laid down beside me and I slithered across and pressed my head onto his chest. His arm snaked around my waist and I let my eyes drift close.
It took only seconds and I was asleep.