Five Months Later
As I walk into the kitchen, the smell of bacon caused my mouth to water.
Harvey stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing a pair of loose track pants. Mia sat on the bench, wearing his t-shirt as he placed a cooked piece of bacon into her mouth.
"Glad to see you feel comfortable around us," I roll my eyes, gesturing to Mia's bare legs. Harvey picked up another piece of bacon. I reach out and pinch it from in between his fingers, popping it into my mouth.
"Hey, that was for me!" Mia grumbled.
"Snooze you lose." I shrugged, moving around them and towards the fridge.
"Who's excited for their first day of University?" Harvey asked in a cheerful voice.
Mia and I both exchanged a look of dread as Hayden walked in. He grunted in response. His hair is sticking up in odd angles. My eyes landed on his bare chest, where a dark mark sat, from last night. I felt my cheeks warm as I thought back to it. We had sat down to watch a movie, before we got... distracted.
"All very enthusiastic, apparently," Harvey sarcastically said.
I pour everyone a glass of juice, before going around to the kitchen island and drawing up a seat. I watch as Mia leaned over, turning the radio on, Harvey’s eyes dipping down to her exposed legs.
Hayden is rubbing his eyes, yawning, while Harvey is bopping up and down as he cooked.
These, are my housemates.
Harvey, Mia, Hayden and myself found a share-house about twenty minutes from the University, which my mum bought as an investment.
Even though some of my classes are spread out, due to the public transport here, I can easily come and go from Uni as I please. I somehow managed to get my license, even though I probably wasn't ready, but have decided catching lifts and public transport to Uni will be safer for now, as driving through the city is a bit full on for a new driver, such as myself.
Mia had her heart set on Melbourne, but when she got an offer from Sydney and was wait-listed for Melbourne, she made the decision to move here with us. It made sense as we had another room spare.
We all moved here a couple months ago, to get used to our new life, before classes started. Harvey's mother rings us non-stop, often sending up care packages and food. It's awesome because we don't have to cook as often.
Hayden's mother sold the house and moved into group-home facility. She met a guy there who is also wheelchair-bound, meaning that eventually, Hayden might have a step-dad. We still never speak of Hayden's biological father. I brought up the topic of visiting him once, only to be shut down. Hayden wants nothing to do with him and I respect his decision.
Quickly, we had become our own, little family.
"Breakfast is ready!" Harvey sang and we eagerly grabbed plates.
I load up my plate with toast and bacon, making a sandwich. Everyone else spread egg across the toast "like normal people", according to Mia.
"First class is at eleven - how cool is that? Starting at eleven?" I asked everyone, my mouth full.
Harvey made a face at me and Hayden rolled his eyes.
"Yeah but we all have a swim meet at 9. Except for you," Mia pointedly said to Harvey.
"Yep, you suckers have to be there early and I get to relax. Who's the real winner here?"
Mia threw a tea-towel towards him but he swatted it away before it hit his face.
The house we got was the one Harvey found, when we were back at school. It had five bedrooms and all of us have our own, even though we end don't end up sleeping in our own beds, majority of the time.
The price of the house was ridiculous, but my mum said that it was worth buying, rather than renting. I didn’t know until recently, that mum has a few investment houses already.
I finish eating and down the rest of my drink. We all went about our routines to get ready, while Harvey lazed on the lounge, watching some fishing show on Netflix.
I settle on wearing a pair of intentionally ripped jeans, a Calvin Klein branded jumper and my black vans. I straighten my hair, considering this is one of the only days we're not going to be swimming. We're going to meet the Coaches and the other swimmers for the first time.
"You look cute," Hayden complimented as he entered the bathroom, wearing a white polo t-shirt, maroon shorts and his converse.
"Thanks," I grinned, rolling up the sleeves of my jumper.
He lightly pushed me back against the sink, before pressing his warm mouth to mine. Our lips moved together and I slip my tongue into his mouth, running my hands down his defined back.
"I knew living with my girlfriend would be awesome, but it has exceeded my expectations," he murmured, softly nibbling at the corner of my mouth.
"It has been pretty awesome." I agreed.
It is great - Mia and I share a bathroom and the boys shared the other. There's also a third toilet, to make things easier. The whole house is spaced out generously, allowing us all to have our own space.
The trial for Ashton is still on-going. He has petitioned that he was not in his right state of mind at the time, which has dragged out the trial. He still hasn't been charged yet. I live far enough away from him now to not feel worried or threatened, at this point of time.
After kissing my nose, he stepped back. He began to spray deodorant as I exited. I hitch my bag onto my shoulders, the heavy weight making me take a step back.
"Feels like I'm at school again," I complained as Hayden strolled out.
"Yeah, except we had lockers there," he pointed out.
"Good point."
After one more run-through of my mental check list, I trot downstairs, to see Mia sliding her feet into her boots.
"Ready?" Hayden asked her.
"Yep."
She planted a kiss on Harvey's cheek, before leaving. I still find them being together kind of weird. Cute, but weird. They didn't socialise or interact much, for so long. Or if they did, she was probably mean to him, considering she was best friend to Mike, who openly bullied Harvey.
Mike moved down south somewhere, taking a gap year. I don't think he will end up attending University. We haven't really spoke to him much, since finishing school.
It is Mia's turn to do the driving today. I call shotgun, forcing Hayden to sit in the back as I pop my hip against his, moving him away from the passenger side door.
I plug my phone in, putting it onto my 2017 pop playlist, as Mia began to reverse out of the driveway.
"Guys, are you nervous about meeting the swim team and the Coaches?" she asked us. "Considering our... history."
"No way, I'm excited!" I told her, turning so that I am facing her.
Her blonde hair has been cut short and is dead straight, neatly brushing over the tips of her shoulders. She is wearing purple-tinted sunglasses, matching the amethyst necklace she always wears. Her new haircut made her seem older than she is. With her stylish dress choices, she often looked like she is mid-to-early-twenties, not turning 18 this May. It is easy to forget she is a year younger than us.
"They're going to be really good, I reckon," Hayden piped up.
"If you say so," she sighed, nibbling at her lip thoughtfully.
It took a little over twenty minutes to get there, due to traffic. As I step out, I inhale a deep lungful of the air around me, excitement coursing through my veins. We have already taken a number of tour guides through the Uni, as it is so massive. The first route we learnt is the way to the indoor pool.
We park as close as we could, meaning it is only a ten-minute walk to the pool.
I let my eyes roam. Even though I have visited the campus many times in the last couple months, I still haven't seen all of it.
Hayden swung his arm around my shoulders as we got closer. Mia looked incredibly nervous as we walked into the door.
"Don't be nervous, it will be fine," I assured her with a grin. "The best are here."
"I know, I know," she nodded, twisting her fingers together.
We walk through the door and a smile stretched across my face as my eyes land on the pool. This, is where I will be spending the next four years. More, if I go onto my Master's degree.
I begin looking around, seeing that a few others had arrived. There are two men standing off to the left, wearing matching uniforms. They both looked like Coaches. They were in deep discussion. I recognise one as Michael Fletcher, the scout who came to watch me, Hayden and Mia, back at Byron Elite.
I place my bag onto the bench, Hayden and Mia following suit.
"I'm going to get some water," Mia told us, heading over to the water cooler, on the other side of the room.
I look over my shoulder, to see another man standing there, writing on a white board. I grimace. From back on, he looked just like Ashton. Tall, blond, muscly and tanned, with the body of a swimmer.
I drop my gaze to the floor, letting out a breath, vicious flash backs of Ashton’s fingers enclosing around my neck, bombarding my mind. I blink furiously, trying to force the disturbing memories from my mind.
"You okay?" Hayden asked gently.
"Yeah, I'm good."
I look up to smile at him, only to see him looking shocked. I spun around, to see the man I was just watching, approach us. My mouth fell open as he smirked at us, looking so much like Ashton, it is scary.
"Hayden and Grace, I've heard so much about you," he grinned devilishly, his fingers enclosing around the whistle that is hung around his neck.
I feel my mouth turn dry.
"I'm Coach Brennon," he greeted, smirking. "Ashton's brother and your new Coach."
No... This could not be happening. I feel my stomach clench as I stare at him, my mouth gaping.
"Welcome to the team," he grinned, sending us a wink, before walking towards the other two men.
I exchange a horrified look with Hayden.
Oh crap.
THE END