I have never walked to school so fast in my life.
I storm from my house, slamming the door behind me. I left extra early to go pay Mia a visit. She always has to be the first one at practice. Today, I am thankful for the annoying trait.
Stalking into the gym and out into the locker room, I saw her blonde hair draped in a high pony tail. Before I could process my thoughts, I stomp over to her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and reefing her head back.
A scream left her lips as she staggered back, whirling around to face me.
"You think you can threaten me?" I sneered, stepping closer to her. "You don't want to start a war with me, Mia," I threatened, my eyes narrowing.
Her cheeks burn crimson, revealing her true emotions, but her eyes cloud over as she takes a step back from me, folding her arms across her chest.
"I'm looking out for him."
"Hayden?" I let out a humourless laugh. "Don't you think you would be with him, if he wanted you?"
She opened her mouth to retort but I continued, hardly drawing a breath.
"You're a psychopath! He's not yours to claim. You blackmailing me is pathetic and shows what kind of person you really are."
"Yeah, and you," she points out with a shrug. "I'm sure Hayden would love to hear the stories about you sleeping with the Coach."
"One, we never did. The thing that happened between us is long over, so it isn't even worthy of blackmail, really," I laughed, shaking my head. "Why have you been sitting on this? Why not try and expose me when you first stalked me?"
She made a face at the 'stalk' comment, but doesn't say anything on the matter. "I wasn't sure what way you would go - the Coach or Hayden. You chose Hayden," she narrowed her eyes. "So, I decided to use the photos. Turns out, you're not like Carrie as much as I thought."
My stomach clenched at the mention of Hayden's infamous ex, who seems to be so much like me. I don't take the bait, however, and roll my eyes.
"So what, you can't have Hayden so no one else can, either?"
"I will have him," she breathed, stepping closer to me. "It's so close to happening and you're getting in the way."
"Oh God, you're delusional," I laughed, staring at her in disbelief. "Do you know what he says about you behind your back?"
She stiffened. That was a bluff, but a good one. It got her attention.
"You're lying."
"I think your name saved in his phone proves it."
"You're a fucking bitch, Grace. You shouldn't speak to me like that when I have-"
"I know what you have," I snapped. "You have nothing except your smart mouth. I'm not scared of you."
"You should be," she warned in a low voice, just as the rest of the swim team began to enter the locker, most yawning from being up so early.
The glare between us is fiery hot as we step back and begin to get changed.
"Morning Hayden," I greeted as he trudged in.
He nodded, going over to the bench and dumping his bag.
I shoot a sweet smile towards Mia, before sauntering into one of the change rooms.
Game on, bitch.
***
"You little bastard," I muttered as I wriggle the lock and have zero success getting it open.
"No need to name call here," Harvey commented as he materialised beside me. "What's wrong?"
"My locker is being dumb," I muttered with a sigh. "I can't get it open."
"Move over, amateur," he rolled his eyes, playfully shoving me out of the way.
Swiftly, he punched his fist against the door and twists the lock simultaneously. My locker door pops open and my lips part as I stare at him.
"You're welcome," he winked, stepping back. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know."
"Clearly," I grinned. "Thanks."
Folding his arms over his chest, he leaned against the next locker as I withdraw my English book.
"Hey, do you think you could break into any locker?" I asked, suddenly having a genius idea.
"I've only ever broken into mine, and yours now, but I suppose so. Why?"
Running my tongue over my bottom lip and slamming my locker door shut, I follow his movement of leaning on the locker.
"Mia is threatening me."
"Mia? Why?" he asked, a hint of surprise evident in his tone. He shouldn't be surprised, honestly. It is Mia we're talking about.
"Because she's jealous and insecure."
"Rightfully so," he agreed.
My cheeks warmed at his words. I look away from his piercing eyes. "Er- Thanks," I stammered idiotically.
"What has she got on you?"
"Photos."
"Of?" he pressed.
"The Coach," I groaned, covering my face. "Don't judge. Please."
"Clothes on?"
"Yes," I snapped, looking at him between my fingers. "I told you we didn't have-"
"Okay, okay," he quickly held his hands up. "You want me to break into her locker and steal her phone or something?"
"Just delete the photos, if you can," I nodded. "While we're swimming, or something?"
He shook his head, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards as he fought the smile trying to form on his face. "The things I do for you, Grace."
"I know, you love me, right?" I grinned, looping my arm through his as the bell rang loudly.
"Of course."
"I keep your life interesting," I teased, sticking out my tongue.
"That's for sure," he agreed with a soft laugh.
The rest of the school day went quite quickly and not long later, I was climbing out of Harvey's car and waving to him over my shoulder.
"Do you have swim practice tomorrow before school?" he asked as I hauled my bag from the floor of his car.
"Yeah, I need to squeeze in one more session before the comp," I told him, letting out a slight sigh. "I've been waiting for this for so long and now it's here, I'm kind of worried."
"Don't be, you will knock them out of the water," he assured me with a warm, smile. The smile that makes me smile in return. The smile that can make my worry cease and my chest feel lighter. "I have no doubt in my mind, that you will."
"Really?"
"Yes Grace," he smiled.
This is why Harvey is my best friend. He is so supportive of me, even though he despises the swim team for the way they have treated him in the past. Mainly Mike, but the others haven't gone out of their way to be nice to him, either.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Have fun at the movies!"
"Will do!"
I shut the door and walk to my front door, a little disappointed Harvey can't hang tonight. We usually try and do dinner together a couple times during the week, despite his mum's opinion, so that I don't eat alone all the time. However, now that he is "hanging out" with Caitlyn, his time with me has been halved. I'm more than happy for him to have found someone, but I can't help the selfish thoughts that invade my mind.
Grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl, I shred the hideous school uniform and swap it for a loose dress. I sprawl onto the lounge and begin to flick through Netflix, ignoring the fact that I have homework to complete. After settling on one of the new releases, I let my eyes closed.
This morning during my laps, I told myself to do a gym session after practice but now I couldn't be bothered. I had been dozing in and out of sleep for an hour or so, before a loud knock brought me out of my daze.
Rubbing my eyes, I reach for my phone to check the time. The person knocked again, before I heard the door swing open.
I stayed, lying on the lounge as I heard the footsteps ascend towards me.
"Sure, just come on in," I stated sarcastically.
"Get up."
"No. Go away."
Hayden rolled his eyes dramatically and sits at the end of the lounge, causing me to draw my legs up. I scowl at him.
"Considering your first comp is tomorrow, I thought you would be preparing for it."
"I thought about it," I admitted. "But I couldn't be bothered."
"Come on, let's go for a run."
"Why are you here?" I questioned, reeling into sitting position. "You made it clear that you didn't want to be friends."
He props his elbow on the arm rest and swivels his bright, green eyes to mine. "I take that back."
"You take it back?" I asked, surprised. "I thought you said-"
"I know what I said, but I've changed my mind."
I can't stop the grin forming on my face. "You realised you can't live without me, right?"
He rolled his eyes. "Don't let it go to your head."
Mia's face flashes in my mind but I quickly push all thoughts of her away. She is not winning this.
"Fine, let me go get dressed," I pretend to groan, although I'm embarrassingly delighted that he is here.
I trot upstairs and he followed.
"So this is your room," he said, more to himself than me, as we walk in.
"Mm yeah," I mumbled, rummaging through my drawers for my leggings.
He plopped onto my bed and began to flick through one of the swim magazines I have. I shove my leggings on and pull the dress over my head. I begin to look for my Nike shirt, when I feel my skin heat up. I glance over to see Hayden staring at me. He quickly looked back to the page and I smirk. I shove the shirt over my body and throw my hair into a bun, before grabbing my Nike runners.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yep."
I follow him down the stairs and out to the front. He picks up a jog and I fall in step with him.
"Thanks for making me do this," I grunted as we ran down the street, heading in the direction of the beach.
He doesn't reply. Our breathing is heavy. Sweat glistened on my forehead as we made our way down the cracked pavement. I let him go in front as he jogged down the wooden steps and onto the yellow sand.
After gawking at Hayden from behind, I forced my eyes from him and watched the sun begin to sink into the horizon. That was one of the best things about living so close to the beach, we got to witness the most amazing sunsets. I breathlessly watch as the sky transformed into vibrant colours of pink and orange.
Even though the majority of the run had been silent, it was still nice. It was fun to do something with Hayden. No awkwardness, no tension, no pressure. Just two people, doing something they enjoy.
We slowed to a walk when we reached my street. My heart is hammering inside my chest, making my breathing heavy. I plant my hands on my hips as we walk back. My cheeks were red and clammy from the exertion with my hair sticking to my forehead.
"Do you want to come inside?" I asked him as he came to a stop at my driveway.
"Nah, I have to get back to mum." he replied, looking at his feet and I nod.
"Okay, sure."
He turned and began to walk from me. I bite my lip as I watched him. That's it?
He paused, looking back, his eyes finally meeting mine. "This was cool."
I smiled at him. "Yeah."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yep."
"I'll pick you up," he offered, looking back down at the ground, as if the pavement had become quite fascinating. I bite the inside of my cheek.
"Sounds great," I replied, attempting to appear nonchalant.
He nodded, before continuing. As I walk into the house, a huge smile danced on my lips.
That was an unexpected surprise.