"What the hell are you wearing?"
"What?" Harvey asked, glancing down at his black track pants and black hoodie. "Too much?"
"You're breaking into a locker, not a bank," I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Points for trying to be stealth though."
"I did try," he huffed.
"Might be less obvious if you actually wore school uniform?" I suggested, quirking my eyebrow. "So if anyone see's you, you can say you were looking for me or something. Otherwise they're going to think there's an intruder in the school."
"Ah," he agreed with a nod. "I didn't think of that."
"Which is why I'm the brains of this operation."
"And I'm the muscle," Harvey grinned whilst tensing his biceps.
"In your dreams." I laughed, shaking my head. I glanced down at my watch, realising that I'm going to be late to practice. "Crap, I gotta’ go. Hang back until you hear splashing, then you can go."
"Yes sir," he remarked sarcastically.
I roll my eyes at him as I playfully shove his shoulder, briskly walking past him and making my way over to the gym.
"Late, as usual, Miss Connaway," Coach Brennon sighed as I stride into the room, where everyone is already lined up and dressed.
"Sorry, missed my flight," I sarcastically remarked, walking past my team and out to the back change rooms.
I hastily slid my swimsuit over my body and grabbed my swim cap and goggles, before joining everyone in line.
"Ready?" he asked flatly, clearly annoyed having to wait for me.
"Yes sir."
"Good," he clipped, his tone snappy, before he wrote something down on his clipboard. "We will work on laps today but this afternoon, we're doing a gym work out. I want you guys to keep working on those arm and leg muscles. The Eagles almost had us in the relay. I don't want a repeat, alright?"
There was a murmur throughout the group.
"Good, now get swimming."
As everyone began to trail out of the room, Hayden hung back, awarding me with his gorgeous, dimpled smile.
"Good morning," he greeted.
My stomach clenched as the odd sensation off butterflies stirred in my stomach. We had such an amazing day, yesterday. But when I think back to it, I get an overwhelming sensation of guilt. I could hardly sleep last night at the thought of having to tell him what I've done.
"Good morning," I replied with a smile. "How was the rest of your night?"
"Fine, yours?"
"Fine."
"Are you going to mimic everything I say?" he teased as we made our way over to the pool.
I stuck my tongue out at him as I placed my goggles over my eyes.
"Alright love birds, break it up," Ashton snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Get in the pool or you're both running laps on the oval."
We exchange an eye roll, ignoring the stares of everyone around us as Ashton called us 'love birds', before climbing onto the mounting block, beside Hayden’s lane.
I nervously glanced over my shoulder, towards the doorway of the locker room.
I hope Harvey pulls it off, otherwise, I'm dead meat.
***
"Piece of cake."
"Really?"
"Really," he confirmed with a nod. "She takes a scary amount of selfies with her cat."
I snorted with laughter, placing my hand over my mouth. "Does she?"
"She's going to know; you do realise that?" Harvey replied, taking a bite of his chicken roll.
"I know."
"She probably has it backed up."
"Oh shit," I muttered, suddenly losing the appetite I had. "I didn't think of that."
"It's alright, because you're going to tell him anyway, right?"
"Right," I replied weakly, staring down at my pizza.
"You have to, the truth will come out anyway." he told me, ever-so-wisely, also giving me the "I'm right and you know it" look.
"I know."
"Not that I approve of you dating Hayden."
"We're not dating," I rolled my eyes.
It feels like we are, but we haven’t exactly made it ‘official’, yet.
"But still." He said with a frown. "He was a real dick to you."
"He kind of justified that."
"Doesn't matter if you look like his ex-girlfriend. He didn't need to be an asshole."
"That was then, this is now," I insisted.
"I'm just sayin'."
"He's never been mean to you, has he?" I questioned, chewing at my lip softly.
"Not personally, no," he admitted. "But he stood by and watched Mike do it. He doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself."
I'm relieved to hear Hayden wasn't rude or mean to Harvey, but it still concerned me that Harvey doesn't like him.
"You don't even know him."
"Yeah, neither do you," he pointed out, finishing off his roll and clearing the table. "I'm going to go see where Caitlyn is. You coming?"
"No," I replied with a sigh.
"Suit yourself."
I made a face at him as he walked away. I get to my feet and threw the now-cold pizza, what was left of it, into the bin, before hitching my bag onto my shoulder.
"You conniving, little, bitch," a voice snarled behind me.
I swiveled, quirking my eyebrow as I stared down at the angry-looking blonde haired girl in front of me, holding back a laugh.
"Thank you."
"You went through my phone and deleted it, really?" she snapped, blatantly ignoring my response. "I knew you were psycho, but I'm surprised you went this far."
"Save it," I replied, holding my hand up. "I only deleted it because I want Hayden to hear it from me."
"Like you expect me to believe you," she huffed, narrowing her eyes. "Do you think I'm stupid? I have other copies."
"I'm sure you do. I just needed to buy myself time to tell him."
"You're unbelievable," she ground out, running her tongue across her teeth. "I warned you not to go after him."
"He doesn't want you," I exclaimed in exasperation, throwing my hands in the air. "Get that through your thick skull."
"If you hurt him, Grace," she sneered, her nose scrunching up. "I swear I'll come after you."
"Like to see you try," I snarled back, stepping towards her and effectively towering over her petite frame.
The bell rang loudly overhead and she stepped back, glaring at me with severe intensity.
"This isn't over."
She strode from me, flicking her, blonde hair over her should as she did.
She's right. It isn't.
***
My chest is heaving as I wipe my towel across my forehead, removing the excess sweat.
Ashton had us doing a work out and had pushed us to our limits. Nothing could be heard except our heavy breathing in the gym as we began our cool down stretches. My skin is hot to touch as I stretch my arms out, my limbs aching.
"Good, could be better," Ashton rudely stated and I want to rip his clipboard out of his hands and smack him over the head with it. "Go home, get some rest. We're doing this again tomorrow."
A collective groan spread throughout the group as he gave us an arrogant smirk, before sauntering out. I feel he is punishing the whole team due to seeing me with Hayden. He really is a dick when he wants to be.
I use the locker room showers to rinse off, before getting dressed into my denim shorts and loose, black t-shirt that had "bless this hot mess" written in white, cursive writing across the chest.
After throwing my hair into a messy pony tail, I walk out, my body sore with each step I took.
As I walk out of school, practically limping, I noticed that Hayden's Ute is still in the car park. He rested back onto it, his arms folded across his chest.
"Hey," he called out. "Want a ride home?"
"Please," I begged, making my way over to him. "Everything hurts."
He rolled his eyes. "You need to work out more."
"We're not all freaks like you," I told him as I crawled into the passenger seat. "But I do work out, just not as intense as that."
"You should be doing that kind of work out as a warm up."
I scrunched my face up. "God no."
He let out a laugh, before starting the engine.
"How was your day?" he asked, surprising me.
"Yeah, alright. Yours?"
"So-so," he said with a shrug. "You feeling okay?"
"I'm sore as hell, but I'm okay," I told him. "Why's that?"
"You didn't eat all your lunch. You always eat all your lunch."
A wide grin spread across my face. "Stalker much?"
His cheeks reddened as he shook his head at me. "I'm not a stalker."
"You watch me, don't you?" I teased, jabbing his arm with my finger.
"It's hard not to."
My eyes widened at his bluntness. Wow, he has taken a complete 180. I love it completely, but it still shocked me.
When he pulled up to my house, I am surprised to see my mother's car in the driveway.
"My mum's home," I mumbled, more to myself, than Hayden. "That's random."
"She's not home much, is she?"
"Not really." I replied honestly. "Want to come in?"
He grew quiet for a moment, before turning off the car and unclipping his seat belt. I climbed out of the car.
"Mother," I called as I stepped inside, taking off my shoes.
"Kitchen," she yelled back.
I wandered in and set down my bag on the floor. She was reading a recipe book, leaning against the counter.
"Don't tell me you're trying to cook," I gasped in mock-horror. "Please don't."
"Oh hush," she frowned, looking up from her book, noticing Hayden beside me. "Oh, who's this?"
"Hayden, the captain of the swim team," I explained, knowing that she would definitely be impressed by that.
"Hello Hayden, I'm Vera," she smiled.
He nodded at her in greeting, forcing a polite smile onto his face. I tried not to laugh at his awkwardness.
"What are you kids up to?"
"I'm starving. Ashton made us do a killer work out today," I groaned and both of them stared at me. I swallowed uneasily when I realised I used his first name. "I mean Coach Brennon. I don't know why I said his first name."
Hayden's eyes stayed on me a heartbeat longer than necessary, before walking over to the wall and leaning on it.
"Well, lucky I'm cooking you a big, nutritious meal," she smiled and I cringed.
My mother never has the time to cook, therefore, isn't very good at it.
Suddenly, Hayden's phone began ringing. He excused himself, before walking out of the kitchen.
"He is hot," mum grinned and my mouth fell open.
"Ew, don't call my friend hot."
"Friend?" she asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively.
"Yes, friend," I repeated even though we both know we're beyond that.
"Hey," Hayden said in a low voice, poking his head through the door way. "I have to go. Mum's carer had to leave early."
"Oh, okay. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I'll pick you up," he promised. "Nice to meet you, Vera."
"You too, Hayden."
As soon as the front door shut, mum turned to me, smiling from ear to ear. "Does he often pick you up?"
"Sometimes," I muttered, my cheeks growing warm. "Leave me alone."
"You're too cute," she teased. "I can tell there's something going on. Do we need to have a repeat of the safe sex talk?"
"Oh God no," I groaned, sitting down at the table. Little did she know I have actually had sex before. It was one time, but it still happened. "The first three times were bad enough. And besides, we haven't even kissed, let alone gone that far."
"Well, I know you're a smart girl, but I see accidents happen all the time, Grace. I want you to understand how serious pregnancy is."
"I get it," I said in a pleading voice. "Just stop speaking out sex and babies please."
She laughed. "Okay, okay. Does his mum have a life-threatening disease or illness?"
"No, she's wheelchair bound."
"Really?" she asked slowly. "What's her name?"
"Heather Cameron, why?"
Her face fell slightly. "Heather Cameron? And that's Hayden Cameron?"
"Yes...?" I said slowly. "What do you know?"
She opened her mouth, before snapping it shut again. "Nothing."
"Bullshit. Spill."
"I just know what happened, that's all."
"What happened with that?" I asked, not understanding.
"Why she is in a wheel chair," she stated, as if she was carefully considering her words. "She only become wheel chair dependent last year, I think it was. I read the file at work. A friend of mine, that I met at the hospital, was the lawyer for their case."
"Lawyer? Case? What happened?" I asked, my curiosity peaking, questions upon questions piling in my mind.
"I'm not allowed to say, you know that."
"I won't tell anyone," I promised.
"A promise to not tell is not going to get me to break patient-doctor confidentiality, Grace. Especially considering you may be involved with the said patient's son."
I hate when she goes all doctor on me.
"One, you weren't her doctor. Two, we're not involved."
"End of discussion," she replied, her tone laced with authority. "No further questions on the matter, okay?"
"Fine," I mumbled, knowing that my mother's entire life is dedicated to the hospital. I know for a fact she would never leak information about a patient, even to me. She goes by the book, through and through.
"Anyway, I have two bits of exciting news."
"Do you?" I asked, picking at my nail polish, my mind still reeling at the endless possibilities and questions that are whirling in my too-active mind.
"I know what I'm going to get you for your birthday," she beamed. "You're going to love it."
"Can I have a hint?"
"Definitely not. The next thing is that I got nominated for a very prestigious award. I would like you to come."
"That's great!" I smiled, enjoying the fact that we were having a genuine conversation that hasn't ended with me getting pissed off. "I'm glad that your hard work is paying off."
"Me too," she said with a tired smile. "You can bring a friend, if you like. I realise you won't know anyone and I'll be busy, but I'd really like you there."
"Of course."
"It's a very, formal event. Formal dress and suit attire." She explained. "I'm taking a half-day off next week to go shopping. I give you the permission to skip a half-day of school, if you would like to come."
"Definitely. I haven't dressed up formal for ages!" I exclaimed in excitement, somewhat surprised mum is willing to let a half-day of school slide. She is very adamant about education. "This is going to be fun."
"It's next Friday."
"Okay, I'll be there." I assured her.
After a little more chit-chat, I left the kitchen and made my way upstairs, to my room. Collapsing onto the bed, I withdrew my phone from my pocket and dialed Hayden's number.
"Hello?"
"Do you own a suit?" I asked, a smile forming on my face.
"I actually do. It's kind of old, but I have one."
"Good. We're going to an event next week."
I suddenly can't wait for Friday.