Byron Elite Private School is a lonely place.
Besides the classes I have with Harvey, I'm completely isolated the rest of the time. I don't really care, but it is annoying if I am confused about something. I can't talk to anyone. Everyone had their own tight-knit groups and I don't fit into any.
Damn being a transfer.
It was the end of Society and Culture, when I got to my feet and strode towards a group who I would label the popular kids. Their style somehow made the hideous uniform look kind of cool.
I wonder if I would have made the cut if I had originally started at this school?
I probably should have felt intimidated walking up to the group. One, they were clearly the elite of the elite. Two, there's a chance that they will now target me. Three, they probably won't hold back in embarrassing me.
"Hayden," I said coolly, coming to a halt.
The constant chatter stopped abruptly. Eyes swiveled my way. A girl, flanking Hayden glared at me so hard I almost wanted to take a step back. I understand why Harvey is scared of them. They definitely are intimidating.
She has short, blonde hair the fell to her shoulders. Her bright, doe eyes would have been pretty if they weren't narrowed into slits. The scowl on her face made her look unattractive, when she clearly isn't.
He didn't answer, just offering me an unreadable expression.
"Can I talk to you?"
The silence is deafening. The group flickered their eyes between us as if we were playing tennis. My heart rate began to increase. Maybe this was a bad idea.
Hayden cocked his head to the side and reclined back, looking extremely relaxed.
"We have nothing to talk about." His voice was flat and his eyes cold. His lips curled slightly in a smirk.
"Really?" I ask, my voice icy. "I think we do."
"Nah," he shrugged and a few snickers could be heard in the group.
One thing about being tan, is when I blush, you can hardly see it. I was thankful for that right now.
My nails began biting into the skin of my palm. He was showing off and I am starting to get pissed.
"Hayden," I warned in a low voice.
"Grace." he replied in the same tone.
Reaching out, I gripped his tie and pulled on it. Surprisingly, he stood and walked over to the other side of the classroom with me. The group he left stared at us in shock and I want to roll my eyes.
They went a bit over the top with this whole outsider thing.
I fold my arms defensively across my chest and stare up at Hayden, who is about a head taller than me.
"I'm going for a spot on the team."
"Good luck."
"You know I would be valuable, why are you being such a prick?"
He half shrugged, leaning nonchalantly on the wall. "Maybe you're not as good as you think you are."
"How will you ever know if you don't give me a chance?" I snapped, completely frustrated with him.
"I don't need to give you a chance," he said, pushing off the wall. "You'll be out of my hair in no time. Transfers don't last around here."
With one last arrogant smirk, he turned his back to me and strolled over to his group. There is possibly steam coming out of my ears.
He is impossible.
I hardly pay attention to my other classes as I am so annoyed at Hayden. Didn't he realise the potential I could bring to the team?
Maybe you were good at your old school, but you're at the bottom of this one, a bitter voice whispered.
I cringed. I would not mentally cope if that was the case.
Stalking to the pool, I threw my bag on the floor and changed possibly the fastest I ever have. I was going to push and practice as much as possible. I had to get on the team.
"Connaway," Coach Brennon greeted, giving me a charming smile. "How did I know you couldn't resist seeing me again?"
Warning bells rang in my ears. Should the coach be talking to me like this? I was in dangerous waters but I was at the point that I didn't care.
Smirking, I shrugged. "Of course not. I'm only human."
He smirked back and I flicked my hair over my shoulder, brushing past him. I shoved my goggles over my head.
"You coming in, or what?" I teased, slowly mounting the block of lane 4.
His eyebrows rose. "You want me to swim?"
"Well, yeah," I reply in a duh tone. "Have to prove to me what you got."
Grinning, he stripped and I could not take my eyes off of him. His abs looked rock hard, making me want to run my tongue across every one of them. He is so chiseled and sculptured that I suddenly feel privileged someone as good looking as him is flirting with me.
He stepped onto the block of lane three, not bothering with goggles.
"See you on the flipside, Brennon," I clipped, before diving into the pool.
My muscles still hadn't recovered considering I did laps this morning. However, I am used to the pain. It felt good.
Making sure I kept my strokes consistent, I propelled forward as fast and aggressively as I could. My hand slapped the cool tile and I emerged, gasping.
Annoyingly enough, even though I had a slight head start, we hit at the same time.
"Not bad," he panted, running a hand through his hair. "For a transfer."
"Ugh," I groaned, rolling my eyes. I lean back against the wall. "Not you, too."
He laughed. "They're not nice to strangers, are they?"
"No," I sighed. "I don't really care about making many friends, all I care about is swimming on the team."
"Grace," he said, leaning over the lane divider. "You will make the team. Don't let Hayden get the better of you. He's testing you out and you're falling for it. Keep your head up and swim your heart out. You'll make it."
"Glad you're confident."
Giving me a lazy smile, he leaned in closer. He opened his mouth to say something, when a throat cleared, drawing my attention to above me.
"Sorry," Hayden spat sarcastically. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Just me preparing to knock your socks off for the try out," I snipped back without a moment of hesitation.
"Looks like it."
I scowl, looking away, realising it probably did look a little friendly, having the Coach in the pool with me. The way he had leaned towards me too, probably didn't help.
"If you don't mind," he said, sliding into the pool and physically knocking me out of the way. "Some of us are actually here to practice."
"Get out of my lane," I barked, pushing him. "You have all the other ones to pick from!"
"This is my lane," he snapped, pushing me back.
"Now, now, children," Coach Brennon piped up, finally intervening. "That's enough."
"Tell the transfer to crawl back into whatever hole she came from." He snarled, before turning towards me. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Because we don't want you here."
With that, he pushed from the block and surged away from me.
My teeth were grinding together as I glowered at him.
"He really has it out for you," Coach Brennon said. He gripped the edge of the pool and flashed me a look over his shoulder. "But I wouldn't stress too much. You have my support and really, I overrule him."
He pulled himself effortlessly from the pool and I gazed after him. At least someone was kind enough to believe in me.
Suddenly, Hayden's hand slammed into my shoulder. Gasping, I hit the wall harshly, spluttering as water landed in my mouth.
That was fast.
He emerged and slammed his hands either side my body, trapping me. Our chests bumped and my breath hitched in my throat at our proximity.
"Why are you still here?" He growled, his eyes narrowed. "Get out of my lane."
Not letting him intimidate me, I stared challengingly back. "No."
"No?" he echoed, his voice slightly hoarse, water droplets running down his annoyingly, handsome face.
He isn't even breathless. He just conquered two laps in one of the quickest times I've seen. In person, anyway, T.V doesn't count.
"No. Now back off, you rich, little shit."
Considering my mum is wealthy, that is kind of a hypocritical insult, but he doesn’t need to know that.
He physically stepped back and blinked at me. "What did you say?"
"You heard me." I sneered, pressing my body to his, making him step back. "Don't think you're going to drive me out. The worse you treat me, the more I'll want to stay. So go ahead, give me everything you got. I'm not going anywhere."
Pressing my palm to his head, I push as hard as I can, so that he went under the water. I duck under the dividers until I am at the edge of the pool. I stomp, as fast as I can in water, up the stairs.
I've never hated anyone more than I hate Hayden Cameron.