It was no surprise that mum's car isn't in the driveway as I walk towards my new house.
I step inside, feeling a little breathless from the walk, before slipping out of my hideous leather shoes. I went straight to the kitchen and dumped both my school and gym bag onto the floor. I strode to the fridge, withdrawing a black currant Powerade and downing half the bottle in one gulp.
Exhaustion fills my body as I collapse onto the chair. School sucked. The teachers were strict and the work was harder already. Even the basic classes were at such a higher standard than I was used to.
English is the only thing I felt like I had any idea in.
At my old school, it was common for fights between teacher and students to unfold. Half the class would be watching the fights, not actually learning. In class here, no one speaks a word unless answering a question. The silence is eerie and it makes me feel uncomfortable.
Especially when my stomach decided to sound like a dying whale.
After the grueling day of avoiding rich bitches and snobs, I spent about three hours in the pool. I pushed myself harder than I should have and my muscles are reminding me every second.
I want to make sure I'm ready to knock the socks off these guys. I had to. Swimming is the only thing that keeps me sane. If I can't join the team, I will be miserable.
After scrolling aimlessly on my phone for half an hour, I stretched, standing. My stomach howled in hunger and I rubbed it. I deserved a good dinner, after what I put my body through the last few hours. I winced as I leaned down to grab a pot, my muscles feeling tight.
I groaned as I realised most of our kitchen utensils were in boxes still, along with most of our things.
Mum didn't ease in to her new lifestyle. She dove in head first, which means on the weekend, I will spend most of my time unpacking. Until then, I guess I would be living on take out. I am way too tired to unbox the entire kitchen.
Searching for Harvey's number, I rang him. We only met today, but what the hell, he needed a friend and so did I. We're stuck together now.
"Hello?" he answered after the fourth ring.
"Can you cook?" I asked abruptly.
"Grace?"
"Can you?"
"Er- kind of."
I then realised you need food to actually cook.
"What are you doing?"
"Um," he trailed off. "Just doing some homework. You?"
"Come have dinner with me?" I asked, pressing the phone to my shoulder as I unscrewed the Powerade lid. "If I order Chinese, could you pick it up and I'll fix you up when you get here?"
"Um," he repeated. "Well, I guess...?"
"Jeeze, don't sound so excited," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Sorry, it's just that I have strict parents and it's a school night. Plus, I don't ever go out."
"Tell them it's important for you to make a new friend and you don't want to let me down."
He paused. "Okay, sure. Text me your address, I'll be over in half an hour."
"Cool as," I said breezily, taking a sip. "What do you want?"
"Mongolian lamb," he replied instantly. "And extra fried rice."
"Yes sir. That it?"
"Should do," he replied. "Oh, and those cracker chip things. I love those."
"Done and done. See you soon!"
After ordering, I quickly rinse off in the shower, attempting to remove the constant smell of chlorine that I often possess. I draped myself in some track pants, a loose Nike shirt and a black cardigan, leaving my hair falling limply down my shoulders, as it is still wet.
I was just hanging my towel up, when I heard a knock at the door. My stomach would have fist pumped, if it could.
I swung the door open and grin as Harvey stood there, a bag of Chinese in his hand and some snacks in the other.
"I am so glad to see you," I blurted, reefing the Chinese bag from his hand. "Come in, sorry about the mess. Haven't really unpacked yet."
"Woah, big house," he commented, his eyes scanning around the huge amount of boxes scattered through the rooms. "Where are your parents?"
I wander into the kitchen, dumping the bag onto the table. "It's just my mum. She's a cardiovascular surgeon at the new private hospital. I'm by myself, usually."
"Oh wow," he said, sitting down. "That must be tough for you."
I shrugged, grabbing another Powerade for myself and a coke for Harvey, thankful mum and I had done a brief shop the first day we moved in. "You get used to looking after yourself."
"You must get lonely," he murmured.
"Nah, not when I have friends like you to keep me company," I grinned, pouring him a glass. "Don't wait for me, dig in."
He is quiet as he loaded up his plate. "My mum wants to meet you."
I sat heavily on the chair across from him and stared into his faded blue eyes. "Why?"
His cheeks grew pink immediately and he ducked his head. "W-well, you're the first girl to ever, er, invite me over for dinner."
"Aw," I cooed, leaning over and pinching his flaming cheek. "You're so cute. I'll come over for dinner one night. I'm great with parents."
He gave me a nervous smile. "That would be cool."
"So, Harvey, how do I get on the swim team?"
He made a face at me as he chewed. "Not this again."
"Yes this again," I insisted. "I have to be on the team."
"One, it's near impossible. You'd have to impress Hayden, who's a hard-ass and the Coach. Even if you did make it, they would make your life hell until you quit. I've seen it happen." He shuddered, looking horrified. "It is not something I wish to see you participate in."
"I'm a big girl, Harvey. No need to worry about me."
"I-I," he stammered, looking down at his plate. "I don't want them to drive you away. A couple months ago, a guy named Blake transferred and tried out for the swim team. He ended up dropping out. He was my only friend."
My face softened. "Don't worry, Harv. They won't drive me out. I won't be leaving any time soon."
"You don't know what they're like," he whispered, as if they were here in this very room, able to hear him.
I rolled my eyes. "Quit being so dramatic! I'll be fine. Now eat before it gets cold."
With a sigh, he shoved his fork into his mouth, giving me a sad look. "Just promise me you won't quit school."
"I promise."
He looked a little more relieved after hearing that. What he said did make me feel a little nervous. I am worried about trying out for the team. I didn't even think if I did make it, what would happen.
No matter what Harvey says, I am trying out for the team.
***
It was precisely 6:30am when I arrived at the pool.
The gym is located down the back of the school and it is huge. It was like my last school could fit entirely in this one room. It has a huge floor for futsal and basketball - where most of the sport is played I'm assuming. It then had a gym in one room and if you keep walking, you reach a series of windows that you follow, before you reach the pool.
The pool is amazing. It is longer and wider than my previous one and the grandstand is huge.
I wonder if the swim team drew a large crowd. The swimmers at my last school were the only team that was successful. Therefore, majority of the students, along with parents, came to watch our swim meets and competitions.
I wasn't the only one here.
There was someone doing laps and there was another guy fiddling around in the storage shed. Dumping my bag, I slip out of my hoodie, shoes and track pants, already having my swimsuit underneath.
I grab my goggles, looping them around my neck and picked up my swim cap between my index and middle finger.
Wandering towards one of the blocks, I sat on number four and watched the boy in the pool. I drew my thighs to my chest, hugging them, as the cool air nipped at my exposed skin.
His strokes are phenomenal.
The last swimmer I saw like this, was regional swim champs and he knocked my best friend out of the competition. I remember the smug smirk on his lips as he fist-pumped out of the water, acting like he was Michael Phelps or something.
I scowl, thinking back to him. He was unbeatable and it drove all of on my old team nuts.
I blink, suddenly frozen to the spot. The guy that I used to despise so much, our biggest competition, was Hayden. We only ever versed him when I got really far in the comps and I had only versed him in the co-ed relays. I hadn't ever seen him outside the pool, really, so if it was Hayden Cameron, the guy who supposedly is the captain of the "elite" team, I am screwed.
Because we hate each other.
As I was undergoing my epiphany, the boy had finished his laps and pulled himself out of the pool. My mouth went dry.
It is him. The guy my team had spent the last three years trying to beat.
Getting to my feet and ignoring the coldness of the concrete, I march up to him. He was chugging down a bottle of water, when I reached him.
Hardly acknowledging me, he flickered his eyes to me, before wrapping a towel around his shoulders.
"Hayden Cameron," I said, my voice flat. "Didn't recognise you outside of the pool."
He turned and stared at me, his green eyes boring into mine. He cocked his head to the side, really staring at me.
His dirty blond hair fell messily onto his forehead and was sleek with water.
"Grace Connaway, right?" he asked. His voice caused goose bumps to erupt over my skin. "Thought I recognised you from somewhere."
"Yeah, that's me," I sassed, planting my hands on my hips. "So, you're the captain?"
"Yep." He turned his back to me and continued toweling off.
"Excuse me," I clipped, tapping him on the shoulder. "I'm talking to you."
He sighed, glancing back at me. "Yes?"
"Isn't it obvious? I want a spot on the team."
"We're full, sorry."
My mouth fell open. "No you're not."
"We are," he said, once again turning his back to me as he began chucking his things into his gym bag.
My teeth ground together.
"I think we both know I'd make a good asset to the team, Cameron."
I felt like I would seem cooler referring to him by his last name.
"Last I recall, is me kicking your team's ass every regional competition for the past three years."
Oh, he had some nerve.
"Doesn't mean I'm not a good swimmer. My free style slaughtered you in the co-ed relay last year. Remember that?"
"We won the relay."
"By like, a millisecond and that was because they didn't put me as anchor." I snapped, my eyes narrowing.
At my old school, I was treated like a God for my swimming. I’m not used to someone treating me with such disrespect. Treating me like I’m not good.
"Probably a reason you weren't anchor," he shrugged, his voice monotone.
"What did you say?"
"Look," he sighed, slinging his bag onto his shoulder, finally facing me again. "Why don't you do some laps, since I'm assuming that's what you actually came here for. From what I've seen, you could use the practice."
My mouth fell open as he smirked at me, before stalking off towards the lockers.
With my fists clenched, I decided to take my anger out on the water. Moving my goggles up my face, I place them before my eyes. I stomp towards the block, mounting it, shaking with anger.
I dove into the water and my muscles screamed at me. I had half-forgotten the grilling I gave my body yesterday. Pushing through the pain, I focus all my energy on powering myself forward, wanting to prove, even just to myself, that I am good and I am capable of making it onto the team.
After finally letting myself stop, I hauled myself out of the pool and collapsed onto the cold, concrete floor, completely breathless.
I glance at my watch, seeing that it is now almost eight. I have to shower and get ready for school, which begins at nine.
My body isn't quite ready to cooperate yet.
"Well, you sure proved that jack-ass wrong."
I quirk an eyebrow as I stare up at a new face that is looming over me.
"He insulted me."
"No idea why," the guy said. "You're definitely good."
Holding his hand out, I clambered to my feet, trying not to wince as my muscles ached from the intensity of my practice.
"Thanks."
"I'm Ashton Brennon, the swim coach." He greeted, offering me a friendly smile. "I am very interested to know who you are."
He had me at swim coach.
Giving him a broad smile, I gripped his hand firmly. "Grace Connaway - your newest addition to the team."
He let out a laugh, his smile lighting up his face. "I like the confidence, Connaway."
He is gorgeous. He is tall, lean with broad shoulders and a thin waist. He has soft, green eyes and slight stubble on his chin. He has messy blond hair that spilled across his forehead. I wanted to reach up and run my fingers through it.
He has loose board shorts on and a whistle wrapped around his neck. He definitely is the most casually dressed person I've met here so far and one of the nicest, excluding Harvey.
"So, like what you see?" I asked, smirking slightly.
"Definitely."
I glance at him in surprise, feeling a double meaning to his words. Mentally shaking myself, I refuse to let my smile waver.
"Apparently you're full."
He rolled his eyes. "Hayden is an ass. Don't take any notice of him."
I like his attitude already.
I wipe the excess water off my face and flick my hands at the ground. "He's probably intimidated."
He grinned at me. "Probably."
"I'm just going to grab my jacket," I told him, as I began shivering.
"I'll walk with you."
We began strolling towards the bench where my stuff is.
"So, what's the go?" I ask as I begin toweling off. "How can I get on the team?"
"You need to try out," he explained, his eyes never leaving mine. "Myself, Hayden - as he is the captain, and the principal, will sit and watch you swim. We then will decide if you're right for us."
"I actually got into school based on my swimming skills," I smirked. "I should automatically be on the team."
"You still need to go through standard procedure," he chuckled, giving me an amused look.
I slip my hoodie over my head. "Hayden's going to vote no - I can tell. Will that matter?"
Ashton shook his head. "You already have my vote, based on what I saw this morning and you'll just need Mathers. If he accepted you into this school, based on your swimming results, I'm sure that won't be too hard to conquer."
"Great!" I grinned, feeling a lot better. "Thanks for your help."
"No worries, Grace," he said, giving me a smile. "You know; I think I've seen you around. I often go with Hayden and some of the others to swim comps. I'm sure I've seen you swim before."
"Probably," I said smoothly. "I'm not hard to forget."
That was a joke, but he nodded in agreement. "No, you're not."
Our gaze connected. Is he flirting with me?
I naturally flirted, it is just what I do, but he is responding?
"Do you still swim?" I ask him, sitting down on the bench, not caring that I was running out of time to get ready for school. For some reason, I didn't want to leave just yet.
"Yeah, but not as competitively. I won nationals and since then I've just been coaching. I love teaching here and I'm saving at the moment. I'm sure I'll get back into it, but right now, I love what I'm doing."
"Huh," I replied. "Nationals. That's cool."
I understated that a lot. That was awesome. He grinned at my blasé attitude.
I wonder how old he is. He can't be much older than me. Early twenties, perhaps?
Shaking my head, I suddenly stood. I could not be thinking about how cute the swim coach is right now. I need to focus on getting on the team.
"Well, thanks for the chat," I said breezily, grabbing my bag. I began walking from him. "See you around, Ashton."
"You definitely will, Grace. I'll be here this afternoon, if you want to swing by."
"Maybe, if you're lucky." I called over my shoulder as I walked into the locker room.
As the door close behind me, I leant on it.
Now there’s even more reason to join the team.