My muscles ache as I continue to jog on the treadmill.
Sweat beaded across my forehead and ran down the back of my neck. I push myself to do another ten minutes, before retiring. My chest is heaving as I collapse onto the bench. I wipe the sweat from my face with my towel, before taking a drink of water.
Mia joined me on the bench, looking pretty much the same as I do.
"You are so competitive." She breathed.
"Like you can talk."
We both continued to try and out-do the other, and now we're both sore and exhausted from it.
"So, are you going to tell me what the scouts said to you, or what?" I asked her, attempting to even my breathing out.
"Pretty much what they said to you," she shrugged. "I've already made my decision."
I quirk an eyebrow at her. "What is it?"
"Hayden has always had his heart set on going to Sydney, so I'm going to Melbourne."
My forehead crinkled as I took in her words. "But I thought-"
"I know things have changed between us all but I'd rather start fresh, away from everyone here." she confessed, her cheeks bright red from the exertion of our work out.
I pause for a moment. "That makes sense, I guess."
"We can all keep in touch, but I think Melbourne is where I'd like to go, regardless if I hear back from Sydney."
"Fair call."
"Obviously you're going to Sydney, as well, right?"
"That's the plan," I agreed. "Apparently Carrie wants to go to Sydney as well."
Mia smiled at me. "Of course she does."
"I can't escape her," I whined, swiping my hand across my forehead.
"Could come to Melbourne," she shrugged. "But long distance relationships don't ever work."
"Sydney is a big place, I think I'll manage to survive with her being there. Besides, she's been pretty nice."
"She isn't nice," Mia said to me as we get to our feet. "Trust me, if she's going to Sydney, it's no coincidence. She doesn't even swim competitively anymore."
I bite my lip as I consider Mia's words. I hope she's wrong but the feeling inside my stomach made me think otherwise.
We head into the change rooms. After rinsing off, I step into a pair of shorts and an off-the-shoulder, black T-shirt.
"If I don't see you over the weekend, I'll see you at school on Monday," I told her as we made our way through the gym.
"Yeah, see you." she replied, heading towards her car.
I walk home, feeling drained. Originally, I planned to organise everyone to meet down at the beach, but now I feel like I need a nap. I smile at my car as I walk beside it, heading towards my house.
Dragging my feet with me up the stairs, I make my way into my room, to see Harvey spread across my bed, reading one of my books.
"I haven't even read that yet. Any good?" I asked, not surprised that he has entered my house when I'm not home.
He peered over the top, giving me a grin. "It's not bad. When are you going to learn to lock your doors? Like seriously, after everything, you still don't lock the front door?"
I fell onto the bed, my eyes closing, ignoring his question, already realising that I have a terrible habit of doing that. "I'm tired."
"That's great, I'm here to rant." he announced, our previous locking-the-door conversation being discarded.
"Okay, go ahead," I replied, fighting off a yawn.
"My mum and I got into a huge fight. She doesn't want me to move so far away and with you, of all people." He said that last part in a high pitch voice. I assume he is imitating her.
I sighed. "I saw that coming but Harvey, it's your life. The best opportunities for you are in Sydney. She should be happy for you. I know it's hard for her to let you go, but it's not like you will never see her again. We will come back to visit all the time."
"I said that to her," he sighed, a pout forming on his lips. "She doesn't listen. You know what she's like."
I nod. "Give her some time. I'm sure she'll come around."
"Hmm." he shrugged, playing with a bit of his nail. "I hope so."
"And even if she doesn't like me, I'm your best friend. At least you will know someone when you move."
"Good point. I started looking around for accommodation and there's a few share houses near the Uni that will be available next year. The rent is crazy. We will have to pay a couple hundred each."
"I knew it would be. A share house would be cool. Caitlyn is looking at Sydney, too, right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, she is."
"Me, you, Hayden and Caitlyn?"
"I think that would work, if you and Caitlyn don't get in each other's way too much," he grinned.
"Hey, I'll play nice if she does. Besides, we have been getting along pretty well, don't you think?"
"You have made progress," he agreed. "I'm proud of you."
I beam at him. He sighed, leaning his head onto my shoulder.
"This whole future thing is freaking me out. I'm not old enough to move and live on my own."
"You won't be on your own. I'll be right with you, the whole time," I assured him with a smile. "You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because we'll always be best friends."
***
"That is hideous," Mia stated bluntly as Leisel emerged from the change rooms, wearing an emerald-coloured dress.
"Hey, it's not that bad," I quickly piped up, seeing Leisel's face fall. She has been trying to find a nice, green dress all morning, but has been unsuccessful. I shot Mia a look, and she rolled her eyes.
"This is useless," Leisel whined. "I'm never going to find my dream dress."
Even though the school formal is a couple months away, Leisel dragged us dress shopping now. I didn't even know when it was, when she rocked up at my house, with an unwilling Mia.
"Yes you will, it just might not be the colour you were hoping for," I replied.
Making a face, Leisel stomped back into the change room.
"You could be a little more helpful," I scolded Mia, once Leisel is out of ear shot.
"What? I'm being honest."
Mia bought the third dress she tried on. She chose a baby blue dress that captured her petite figure, but also had length that appeared to make her seem taller. A series of diamond-looking sequins were placed aesthetically on the top and over the one-shoulder strap. She also purchased shockingly high stilettos to match, making her almost my height. Since I'll also be wearing heels, she will probably only reach my shoulders.
I could wear the navy dress I wore to my mum's award ceremony, but I want to get a new one for the formal. You only have your high school formal once, I want everything to be perfect and new.
Leisel exited the change room, a scowl on her face. We continue browsing. I hadn't found much that I have liked yet, except a navy dress, but I don't want to wear navy again.
Leisel picked out a gorgeous, maroon dress. I envied it the moment she held it.
Don't try it on, don't try it on, I whispered in my mind as she slung it around her arm.
She tried it on.
She stepped out. The dress is beautiful, but didn't fit that well. It is too big in the chest, but too tight around the stomach/hip area.
"It's a really pretty dress," I told her, eyeing the elegant dress enviously.
"It makes me look fat," she huffed.
"Hey, that dress would look really good on you, Grace," Mia suddenly said.
"Are you hoping I look fat at the formal?" I deadpanned.
"No, that dress just suits your body better."
"Are you saying she is skinnier than me?" Leisel shrieked.
"Oh for God sake," I heard Mia mutter. "Leisel, give Grace the damn dress."
Looking fed up with the entire shopping experience, even though it was her idea, she stepped out of the dress and shoved it into my arms. We were away from the other shoppers, but anyone could come around the corner and see her.
"I'll try and find you something else," Mia suggested, but I know it was an excuse to get away from Leisel.
I enter the change room and swap my jeans and t-shirt, for the dress. The dress clung to me like second skin. The top dipped so low, that it exposed the sides of my breasts. It is revealing, but the dress is classy enough, that I think I can get away with it. It has thin straps, that exposed majority of my back, the dress falling shorter at the front, exposing my knees and the skin just above.
"Woah," Leisel exclaimed in awe as I step out. "That dress is made for you."
"It's amazing," I breathed, running my hand down the smooth fabric, entranced by the colour of it. "But, don't you think it shows too much boob?"
"Hayden won't mind," she smirked.
Mia walked back in, holding an emerald dress. Her jaw dropped.
"That looks like a completely different dress on you."
"Bitch," Leisel muttered.
I wave my hand to my chest. "This is inappropriate for a school formal though, right?"
"Who cares, what are they going to do, suspend you? We're graduating, no one will care." Mia justified.
It is Byron Elite, a school of prestige. Mia had a valid point, however.
"You've always stood out anyway, this is just like final statement," Leisel agreed.
"Okay, you've convinced me," I grinned.
I delicately remove the dress from me, before changing back into my comfy clothes.
"You found an emerald dress!" Leisel squealed, noticing the dress that Mia was holding. "I take back the bitch comment."
"It wasn't on a rack, I asked the sales girl if she had any. It's new stock, not even priced yet."
Leisel squealed again, yanking it from Mia's hands.
It is a simple dress. It has sequins beaded at the top, near the neck line and the same around the waist. It is simple, yet beautiful. It looked gorgeous against her pale skin and dark hair.
She gave us a big smile and Mia smiled in relief.
"It's the one!"
"Thank God." Mia muttered.
After Leisel and I purchased our dresses, we hop into Mia's car. It is a small, white Mazda, that smelled like the flower Jasmine inside. There were pink floor mats and the seat covers were lined with pink butterflies.
"Well, I think that was successful!" Leisel clapped, grinning.
"Only because you finally found a dress," Mia replied with an eye roll. "Who's hungry?"
"Starving," I piped up from the back seat.
As we drove through town, Hayden messaged me.
Hayden: How is it going? Find a dress?
Grace: I did! You're going to love it ;)
Hayden: I'm sure it will look good on the floor, after I rip it off you.
I smirk, replying back, as we pull into the Subway car park.
"Hey Leisel, what are your plans for next year?" I asked as we piled out of the car.
"I'm travelling with my family. We're going through Europe. I've applied for University now though and when I get an offer, I'll just defer for a year."
"That sounds like an awesome idea."
After ordering, we take a seat by the window. As Leisel began to text on her phone and Mia was making googley eyes with the guy who served us, I found myself smiling.
Who would have thought that I'm going to miss these two, when I leave?