I am damn sick of this hospital.
I hope to never sit inside these walls, ever again. I shift in the uncomfortable seat, resting my head in my hand as I wait, my legs having pins and needles from being in the one position for too long.
Caitlyn and I have been waiting almost three hours. The first two hours were waiting around for someone to see Harvey, Hayden having gone in straight away. The last hour, we have been waiting for them to come back out.
I hardly felt any relief now that they've taken Ashton into custody, because I have been so worried about the two boys in my life. They mean the world to me. Harvey is okay - a little bruised and battered but Hayden took a few serious hits.
Harvey emerged from the room with a slight limp. His clothes were still blood stained and disheveled. He looked so out-of-character with his roughed up appearance that I almost wanted to rub my eyes, to see if what I am seeing is right.
"How's my girls?" he asked with an adorable smile.
I leap to my feet and throw my arms around Harvey's neck. He stumbled back in surprise, letting out a chuckle. As soon as I stepped back, I slapped his chest.
"Ow!"
Before I knew it, I am throwing my arms around him again.
"Caitlyn, is it just me, or is Grace acting a little crazy?" he huffed over my shoulder.
I step back from him, wiping at my eyes. "You're a fucking idiot and I love you."
He grinned. "Okay, definitely crazy."
"Shut up," I breathed a laugh, wiping at the corner of my eye.
"Was I bad ass? I was, wasn't I?" he teased.
"Yes," I laughed, rolling my eyes.
I side-stepped out of the way so Caitlyn and Harvey could hug. He kissed her briefly before they separated.
"Thanks for doing that, Harvey. That was amazing."
"I had to have my five seconds of fame sometime," he replied with his trademark, lope-sided smile. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's you guys we're worried about!"
"Don't worry about me, I'm as tough as they come," he boasted, tensing his muscles, before wincing.
I roll my eyes. "Really convincing, Harv."
"Grace," my mother's familiar, stern voice sliced through the air.
"Yeah?" I asked, pulling away from the two.
"Come."
After sending a look over my shoulder to Harvey, I follow mum through the corridor.
"He's awake," she explained once we step into the elevator. She turned, her dark eyes intensely meeting mine. "Should I be taking time off work?"
"What for?"
"To spend time with you?" she questioned. "Are you okay?"
"You don't need to do that, mum. I'm back at school and swimming now, anyway, so I'm not home much. There's people that need you here."
She stared at me for a few moments, before nodding. The doors open with a ding sound and I began jogging, trying to keep up with her long strides.
"Hey, Hayden said you have a surprise for me?" I asked her.
She rolled her lips into her mouth as she flickered her eyes towards me. "Did he?"
"Yes! What have you got planned?"
She sent me a wink, before opening the door.
All previous thoughts vanished when I saw my boyfriend, lying on the hospital bed, his face bruised and swollen.
"We must be the most bruised and battered couple, honestly," I laughed, heading over to him. "I can't believe you did that!"
"What?" he asked, giving me his heart-warming smile that I’ve only got to witness recently. "I had to get him back."
Feeling my heart swell, I dove into his chest, snuggling my head up to him.
"Ow, fuck," he whined. "I hurt. Everywhere."
"Oh, sorry." I straighten up, glancing back at the door, only to see that mum had left. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," he replied with a sigh. "I didn't really think that through, did I?"
"No," I shook my head, rolling my eyes. "Our new swim coach is going to think we're crazy."
"I'll still swim," he assured me. "Nothing will ever stop me swimming at comps. Unless I break a bone or something."
"And that's why I love you," I said to him feeling the words roll off my tongue effortlessly. "Do you have to stay here over night?"
"Yeah," he exhaled, closing his eyes. "Mum is going to have a heart attack, honestly. The carer is working over-time so much."
"I'll go cook dinner for her," I said to him. "I think we could both use the company."
"Would you do that?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Of course! I like Heather more than I like you," I teased and he rolled his eyes.
"Standard."
I reach out, sliding my fingers between his. "He's been arrested, thank God."
"I couldn't let him get away. Not after what he did to you..." he trailed off, looking up to me.
"I know," I smiled, leaning down and pressing my lips gently to his.
"I know we haven't been together for very long but I can't lose you, not again," he sighed, his eyes dropping to our hands. "I need you to keep me sane."
I press my finger underneath his chin, pulling it so that he is looking back at me.
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise."
***
"Let's make a deal not to get into any fights from now on," I told Harvey, Hayden and Caitlyn a few days later when we're all back at school.
"No promises," Hayden smirked.
"Yeah, once these bad boys start swinging," Harvey added, tensing his arms. "I can't control them."
I snorted. "Keep telling yourself that."
We are all heading to lunch. As we get to the cafeteria, my eyes almost bulge out of my head when I see Leisel locked lips with Ryan. He stepped back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Woah, since when has that been going on?" I asked out loud, more speaking to myself, than the others.
Hayden shrugged and Harvey scrunched up his face. "He's weird."
"So are you," both Hayden and I chorused, before looking at each other.
"Great, now there's two of you," Harvey muttered.
He looked at Hayden and Hayden nodded at him.
"Hey, Grace, have I shown you the new photocopier in the library? Let's go test it out." He grabbed my arm and pulled me after him, Caitlyn in tow.
"What...?" I asked, giving him a baffled look.
I glance back at Hayden, to see him loping towards Leisel.
"It's very cool," Harvey continued. "You can press these buttons and stuff."
"What are you doing? Why is Hayden going over there?"
He turned to me, winking. "Can't say, sorry."
"Harvey!" I exclaimed and he gave me a big smile. "Caitlyn?"
"Nope, sorry," she said with a shrug.
I've noticed that Caitlyn has been a lot friendlier towards me, now that I'm dating Hayden officially. She seems to have relaxed and doesn't seem to think I'm going to steal Harvey from her.
"You guys suck," I muttered, letting Harvey lead me to the library. "Is this about my birthday?"
"Can't say."
Letting out a huff, I collapse down on the table near the printer and photo copier. Turns out, Harvey did need to use it. I tap my fingers impatiently as he did, my mind wandering back to Hayden and what he is up to.
Suddenly, there is a crackling sound overhead, before a throat cleared. "All Cobra's, please find your way to the locker room for a team meeting. Thank you."
I raise my eyebrows, getting to my feet.
"Adios, liar," I said to him in mock seriousness.
"Bye best friend," he waved and Caitlyn gave me a smile.
I hurry over to the gym. Considering the library is at the opposite end of the school, I am the last one there, like always.
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt your lunch break, but otherwise I won't see you until tomorrow and I'm too excited to wait," Coach Mitchell grinned. "We have scouts coming to the competition next Friday and I want you all to be on your A-Game. They've given me three student's name who they're looking at but I am not going to say who. I want you all to try your hardest because even if three have caught their attention, doesn't mean it isn't too late for some of you others. I am willing to hold more practices for those who want to. Any questions?"
"What scouts are coming?" Hayden asked.
"We have two, one from the university of Sydney, and one from Melbourne."
Hayden and I met eyes. We are both very interested in attending the University of Sydney as it has the best swim program in Australia. Even Harvey is talking about applying. It has loads of great courses, much more than any Universities around here. Most people that want to go to Uni, have to move because opportunities around this area are so limited.
"Does anyone want to do a work out circuit with me this afternoon?" Coach Mitchell asked.
We all nodded and murmur in agreement.
"Great, I will see you here after classes. It's not compulsory so if you have homework or anything, please do that. Otherwise, I'll see you guys tomorrow." she smiled and I can’t help smile back. Coach Mitchell’s kindness is refreshing.
As we walk out, I try to get Hayden to give up what he is up to, but he won't let on. I let out a sigh, slightly annoyed.
"Don't pout, you will know on the weekend."
"I know, I know," I sighed again. "How's things with Mia?"
"Bit tense but a lot better."
Hayden had apologised to her about everything and they were pretty much back to normal. Yesterday, Mike, Mia, Hayden, Harvey, Caitlyn, Ryan, Leisel, two other girls I've seen around and myself, sat together at lunch. Mike doesn't pay much attention to Harvey, but at least he doesn't go out of his way to be mean to him anymore. It feels good to finally have a bit of a friend group forming. It's about time.
We re-join Harvey and Caitlyn. Harvey has a sour look on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"We get our exam timetables today. Can you believe that in a few months, we won't be school students anymore?"
"I don't even want to think about it," I replied honestly.
We all began to make our way to class and I couldn't help but smile. Even though the thought of finishing school is scary, I know I'll be fine - because I am going to make sure, I'm with my best friends, no matter what.