"Are you ready for this?"
"Yes."
"No matter what happens, we will work it out."
"I know. Good luck."
"Good luck to you, too," Hayden smiled, leaning forward and giving me a warm, strong hug.
He tried to step back but I gripped him a little harder, before finally releasing him, having needed that little moment more of reassurance.
Today, is the swim competition that the scouts are coming to. I wasn't too nervous, I'm hopeful I can get into the University of Sydney with my grades and swimming times. A scholarship isn't necessary. I'm more nervous for Hayden, although he is one of the best swimmers I've seen.
With a fist-bump, we part. Hayden jammed his earphones in and I can hear his music blaring from where I am standing. I did a few warm up stretches, trying to bring myself into focus.
Mia came over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I met her eyes and she gave me a small smile.
"Good luck."
"Thanks Mia, good luck to you, as well." I replied, leaning in giving her a brief hug, surprising us both.
We continue our warm up and it wasn't long before they were calling us out. As I walk, I give Harvey and Caitlyn a big grin to show that I am fine, before going over to the bench to get myself organised. As Principal Mathers began his speech, I shrug out of my jacket and slide my goggles and cap on.
My eyes search the crowd, landing on two men sitting side by side, wearing suits, clipboards in their hands. I look away quickly, trying to not think about it too much.
It felt like seconds later, that my age group was getting called. With my legs feeling stiff, I walk to the mounting blocks and climb up, my fingers twitching in anticipation.
I close my eyes and inhale the strong, chlorine scent that is lingering in the air. I let myself listen to the chatter of crowd, the gentle sound of the water lapping the wall where the mounting blocks are and the sounds of footsteps walking on the cold concrete.
My time is up.
Once I was in the water, I feel my nerves fuel me into moving harder and faster. The cold water, the limited sound when I was beneath the surface and the energy I felt pouring out of me, was reassuring in more ways than one. Every time I swim, I realise how much I love it.
As I sit on the bench, a few races later, my wet hair falling limply down my shoulders, I watch Mia. Me, Hayden and Mia have gone exceptionally well so far, placing first in every race. It was then I realised, it is probably us three that the scouts are watching.
Hayden came over to me, collapsing beside me, offering me a smile. "Hey."
"Hey yourself."
"Did you see who's here?" he asked me, looking annoyed.
"Who?"
He nodded his head. I look up, to see Taylor standing there, talking to some guy I don't know. He isn't competing against us today, but of course he is here to watch.
I roll my eyes. "That doesn't surprise me."
"Guess who came with him."
I quirk an eyebrow, scanning the seats behind him, to see Carrie. Her eyes met mine and she gave me a deliberate wave. I wave back, a blank look on my face, before looking at Hayden.
"Great, everyone is here."
There's no doubt in my mind, now that her and Ashton are finished, she's back to dating Taylor. As long as she isn’t after Hayden, I don’t care what she does.
"Lucky we've been kicking ass."
I grinned. "Damn right we have."
After the swimming comp finished, I am standing with Hayden, toweling off, when I hear the distinct sound of leather shoes hitting the cement, heading our direction. I peer up to see the two men in suits approaching us. I straighten up, ready to warn Hayden, but he is already watching them.
"Hello," the man on the right greeted. "I'm Michael Fletcher, you must be Grace."
After shaking his hand, he introduced himself to Hayden.
"I'm from the University of Sydney. This is Roger Anderson, from the university of Melbourne."
After politely introducing ourselves and shaking his hand, I step back, feeling my heart beat start to pick up.
"We are very impressed with what we saw today," Michael beamed. "I am going to recommend you both for a scholarship, although we only give out one per school. However, even though we only offer one scholarship, we can still place you into a short list program. Is this something you would both be interested in?"
"Definitely," both Hayden and I chorus at the same time.
After exchanging small talk about the weather and how well everyone is swimming at the competition today, they left us to go speak to Mia. I was right - she is the third person.
Hayden let out a whoosh of air. "Wow."
"I know. That's amazing," I replied, attempting to calm myself down and being unsuccessful. "There's a good chance we're going to be together next year."
"Good," he murmured, drawing me to him, wrapping his arms around me securely. "Because wherever I go, I want you there with me."
***
"Wow, that's fantastic!" mum beamed.
I feel most parents would usually be an emotional mess at the discussion of moving over ten hours’ way to attend university, but my mother could not be happier for me. It's not like we see each other a lot now, anyway.
"I don't want to do a gap year; in case I lose any of my swimming skills. I want to move to Sydney as soon as I can."
"Well, we can make sure things are organised so that when you graduate, you can be ready to move by either next January or February." she explained matter-of-factly. "Will you and Hayden be living somewhere together or living on campus?"
"I'm not sure, we haven't really discussed it," I told her. "Moving out together is a pretty big commitment and Sydney is a massive place. If we split up, it would be pretty hard to be there on my own. But on-campus is really crappy."
"That's something you need to discuss with him," she replied with a warm smile. "Whatever you two decide will be fine. Now, can you set the table?"
I let out a sigh at the dreaded dinner I have to endure through tonight. Mum is bringing Justin over so that we can get to know each other. I know that Carrie will be coming. She wouldn't pass up the chance to come snoop inside my house.
"If Carrie is coming, I should invite Hayden for emotional support."
"That might be a bit odd, don't you think? Considering their history."
A sullen look appeared on my face as I robotically move around the table, preparing for our guests. She had a point, I suppose. I don't like the thought of having to face Carrie, without my rock beside me.
After we set the table and clean up a few things, mum pulled me towards her, gripping my shoulders.
"How are you going?" she asked, her eyes searching mine. "You doing okay with everything?"
"I'm fine, honestly. I still have some nightmares about someone strangling me, but I think that's normal after what happened. I'm honestly excited to keep going and see what my future has in store for me."
"That's a good way to look at things," she agreed with a smile. "You've started preparing for the court, right? You will have to tell them everything."
"Yeah, I know. I'll be okay. Mia is going to back me up with a statement as well."
"As soon as I know the court dates, I'll take time off and be there for you. I don't want you to have to go through anything alone."
"I won't be alone, I know Hayden and Harvey will always be there for me. It would be really great though, if you could be, too."
"I will," she promised, before holding me to her chest, hugging me.
Too-soon, the doorbell is ringing. With a reluctant sigh, I get to my feet and trot to the door.
"Hi," I politely greet Justin.
"Hello Grace," he greeted, his dark eyes meeting mine. "You know Carrie, right?"
Carrie stepped out from behind him, giving me a coy smile. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
"Yeah, we've met." I replied, trying not to sound too blunt.
I step back, letting the two enter. Justin went straight into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Carrie.
"Look, things are too messed up for us to be friends, but let's try and get along. I don't want any mention of Ashton throughout dinner and I will respect that you and Hayden are together. Okay?"
"That sounds like a fair deal," I agreed with a nod. "Let's make the best of a bad situation."
"Sounds good to me," she chirped. "Nice house, by the way."
"Thanks. The dining room is through here."
I lead her into the dining room, where she puts down her bag. She looked around, a blank expression on her face.
"So, Grace," Justin began as he helped mum bring out the food. "You spoke to some scouts? That's great!"
"Yeah, they might be recommending me for a scholarship at UOS."
"That's where you want to go, yes?"
"It is," I nodded, taking a seat.
"Me too, what a coincidence," Carrie smirked and I blatantly ignore her comment, moving my glass of water closer to my plate, so I had an excuse not to respond.
"That's good news!" he smiled and I smile back, feeling a little of my tension ebb away. He does seem quite nice.
Carrie made no further snide comments and stuck to her word about being civil. The dinner isn't going as disastrous as I thought it would.
As mum sat down, we began to pile up the food onto our plate. I can feel mum looking between me and Carrie.
"What?" I asked her, feeling self-conscious.
"I don't get it," she muttered, glancing between the two of us. "I really don't think you look that alike."
I look up, meeting the deep, brown eyes of Carrie, to see her grinning at me. I can't help but grin back.
It's about time someone said that.