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Dedication: xxLivexLovexLaugh for the awesome cover! I love it!

Recap:

I pulled it from the butterfly stick it was stuck to and opened it.

Congratulations for making the team. I had no doubt that you would. I look forward to working with you more closely.

Sincerely,

AB.

AB...

Ashton Brennon. The Coach.

A small smile curved my lips as I pressed the card to my chest.

I had a feeling, I was the Coach's number one.

-----------------

When my phone read 8:35am, I got worried.

Every Wednesday, Harvey picked me up from my house because it's my rest day from swim practise. He is never late. I let out a sigh as I stretch, the warm sun rays hitting my face. I hate the fact that we have to wear these hideous, heavy jackets and ties each day. It's not practical nor climate-appropriate.

When the time hit 8:40am, I sent him a text, asking where he was. It soon came to 8:50, when I let out a groan, getting to my feet. I began my trek to school, my school bag feeling unusually heavy on my shoulders. Maybe it was because I felt lazy and had become too reliant on Harvey's transportation services. It was the one day I didn't have to walk.

I arrive just as the bell rang. I hastily grab my books and make my way to History, hoping that Harvey is there. My stomach clenched when I saw that his seat was empty. I collapse onto my own chair and check my phone one last time, before shoving it into my bag.

Harvey is literally my only friend. I have never thought about the fact that I would be by myself if he ever didn't show. Casting a surly look towards the vacant chair beside me, I flip my writing book open. I angrily write the date and the title of the chapter we're working on.

Mia snickers in my direction and nudges Mike, pointing at me. I choose to ignore her and focus on the boring lesson that I am forced to endure. I already feel like a loser, Mia doesn't need to rub it in.

The next two periods dragged by slowly. When the lunch bell rang, I almost cried with joy. I dug my phone from my bag to find a text from Harvey.

Harvey: So sorry! I had a fever last night and crashed early. Forgot to set my alarms. Hope you weren't late today. Should be back tomorrow!

I quickly sent one back saying it was fine and that I hoped he was feeling better. I made my way down to the cafeteria, before stopping. Harvey and I usually ate lunch outside. I glanced through the large windows and saw Mia and Mike sitting at our table. She was obviously waiting for me to come out. She probably had some evil plan of embarrassing me in front of everyone and pointing out the fact that I had no friends.

I could already hear Mike's deep, annoying voice stating something like, "Aw, look, there's only the one dork today."

Narrowing my eyes, I turn on my heel and storm towards the gym, feeling frustrated. Being alone sucks. I had that enough at home, I didn't need it at school, too.

Pushing through the door, I made my way towards the Coach's office. I was there and knocking on his door before I had even really thought about what I was doing.

"Come in," his voice calls.

Letting out a deep breath, I slip through the gap and shut it behind me.

"Grace," he says, a look of surprise falling over his face. He brushes back some of his golden locks and reels back in his chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I have no friends," I confess, my eyes threatening to release hot tears, but I refuse to let them. I wouldn't let them get to me. I couldn't.

Noticing that I was upset immediately, he gestures towards the empty seat, opposite to him.

"You're welcome to have lunch here."

"Thank you," I reply earnestly, taking a seat. I clear my throat and attempt to maintain a light and casual tone. "Whatcha' up to?"

"Just organising the next practise swim off," he answers, leaning forward onto the desk. "I'm trying to make it for next Friday."

"Is that where other schools come here and we do a practise comp?"

"Exactly that."

"Sounds cool."

"I might do an actual comp, just depends."

I undid the foil and took a bite of my salad wrap, having taken Harvey's advice on making myself food for lunch. I notice his eyes on me and looked up.

"Where's your friend that you're never seen without?" he asks, cocking his head to the side.

"Sick," I mutter. "Who even gets sick?"

"Everyone," he laughs.

"Not me. I never get sick."

"Why does that not surprise me?" he asks, giving me an amused smile.

I offer him a tight-lipped one in return, as I have food in my mouth.

"Kids being mean to you?"

"Mia's a bitch," I state, my voice a little rough sounding. "She goes out of her way to be rude, but everyone else just acts like I don't even exist. This whole outsider/transfer thing is so fucking stupid."

I pause, realising I just swore. He shrugs.

"It is, but you have to understand, these kids have been together since they were about five years old. They know each other well. They're not used to new people coming into their cliques and in this town, people thrive to be in cliques. It's just the way it is. They're afraid the new people will be better or more interesting than they are, so they reject them." He shrugged again. "You just gotta' get in their face and beat them at their own game. It's the only way to survive, really."

"I'm trying. It's a lot easier when I have someone at lunch to sit with though."

"You're doing good," he compliments.

"Thanks."

I finish my wrap and move onto my apple, after taking a swig of water.

"Good to see you have a healthy lunch."

"I make myself lunch when I'm feeling organised. I had time today, with no practise."

"You need to eat well if you're going to train as hard as you have been."

I roll my eyes. "Yes sir."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Whatever," he replies, mimicking my tone.

"Be careful or I'll throw this at you," I threaten, waving my half-eaten apple in the air.

He scrunches up his face. "You can keep it."

"What's your next period?" he asks.

"I have a free and then English."

"What are you doing on your free?" he asks, his eyes lighting up slightly.

"Probably hide in the library and pretend I don't exist," I admit.

"Get up," he says, suddenly standing and turning his computer screen off. "We're going out for ice cream."

"Huh?" I ask, the apple pressed against my lips, muffling my voice.

"Come on," he urges, pulling my arm up.

"We can't leave campus," I frown.

"Why not?"

"Er- because? It's like, against the rules?"

"I didn't peg you to be a goody-two-shoes," he snickers, flicking my nose, his eyes lingering on me for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"Hey! I'm not!"

"Then what are you waiting for?" he asks, standing at the door, giving me a lazy smile that made my stomach do a flip-flop.

Grinning at him, I shake my head. "Coach, you're a bad influence on me."

"Maybe it's you who is the bad influence on me," he suggests, offering me a mischievous glance, before slipping out the door.

Without a moment of hesitation, I follow him.

***

Ashton ordered us ice cream and drove me to the lookout. We had to leave the school at opposites ends and meet up around the back, in case anyone saw us. I felt so badass.

The lookout was gorgeous. It overlooked the entire town. The turquoise-coloured water shimmered underneath the sun. I gazed out across the sea in awe.

"This is pretty," I comment, peering over the railing. "I used to always go to the lookout at my old town."

I let out a sigh at the thought of my old town. Only one or two of my friends had bothered to keep in touch with me. I guess it is hard, living so far away from them now, but it wouldn't hurt for them to message me every once in a while, or reply when I send them one. I had a good group of friends at my last school, or so I thought. It becomes clear who was actually your friends when you leave.

"I like to come here to think," he says, giving me a soft smile, before looking back out to the water. "It's so calm and quiet."

"Except when it's windy," I point out.

"Valid point."

After finishing my ice cream, I chuck it into the bin and withdrew my phone. As Ashton leans on the railing, I smile to myself.

He is so handsome.

I can't believe I left school to go have ice cream with the Coach. He could probably get us both kicked out of school for this, but at this moment, I honestly didn't care. It was nice knowing that there was someone at the school that I could turn to and trust.

"Hey Ashton," I say as I walk over and joined him. "Thanks for the flowers."

"Did you like them?" he asks. "I thought lilies were nice."

Roses are my favourite but I still like lilies.

"They were beautiful. Thank you."

"I just wanted to give you a little something for your hard work. I know your mother isn't around a lot to support you."

"That's very thoughtful of you."

He shrugged, looking a little bashful.

Pushing off the rail abruptly, he tugged at my arm until I followed him. He jogged down the stairs effortlessly and I ran after him.

"Slow down," I laugh, a little breathless due to the sudden exertion. "Where are we going?"

"Over there," he answers, pointing to a tree.

"Okay?"

"It's my place," he says. "The place I always come to."

We wandered over to the tree. There is a bench next to it. When you sit on it, your entire view is purely of the water. It looked gorgeous. It was perched under the shade of the tree, blocking out the harsh rays of sun.

"It's really nice here."

"It is," he agrees. "You could come here, too, if you like. For whatever reason."

"Why thank you," I say sarcastically. "I'm glad you're allowing me to sit on this public bench."

He rolls his eyes. "Not what I was going for."

"I know," I say, softer this time. "Thanks."

He glances down at his watch and let out a sigh. "We better get back soon."

I pout slightly, not wanting our hang out to end. Hang out, date? I don't even know what to label this as, but whatever it is, it has made my day ten times better.

"All right."

I glance up at him. The wind is blowing into his hair. His bronze skin shone underneath the sun. His structured and strong jawline made me want to reach out and trail my fingers across it.

"Thanks for taking care of me today," I say softly, completely mesmerised by him.

He gives me a gorgeous lop-sided smile in return. A dimple appears in his left cheek, making my stomach clench. He is jaw-droppingly attractive.

For what started out a pretty crap day, it is really starting to take a turn.

***

Harvey failed to show up to school the next day, claiming he is still sick.

My reaction is quite different from yesterday. Instead of wanting to bang my head against my locker until I went into a coma, I felt a grin light up my face. This meant I could go spend lunch with Ashton again.

Wringing my hair dry, and failing miserably to wipe the smile from my face, I hung up my towel and brushed my hair back into a high ponytail.

"Where have you been hiding?" a voice asked.

Grimacing, I turn, facing the gremlin in front of me.

"Hi Mia, how are you today?" I ask with a large amount of false enthusiasm.

"Cut the shit," she snaps, her cheeks staining a dark red. She plants her hands on her hips, as if to appear menacing, as she glared up at me. I made it a point to purposely look down at her. "Where have you been eating lunch?"

"Stalker alert."

"Trust me, I'd rather stalk a cockroach, than you."

"Charming," I comment with a snort. "Why do you want to know, then?"

"Just want to make sure a fellow team member isn't getting herself into any dangerous extracurricular activities," she sneers, her evil, bird-like eyes glowering up at mine.

"Fellow team member?" I echo, smirking. "Huh. You're finally admitting it. I'm one of you guys now."

"You're not one of us!" she barks, completely contradicting what she said a few moments ago.

"You actually bore me," I sigh, leaning back onto my locker theatrically. "Your threats are empty and you can't even deny the fact that you're kind of obsessed with me. I know that I'm hotter and more talented than you, but that should just make you work harder. Try not to be so jealous, it's not a flattering look."

Her jaw swings as she gapes at me. I lean forward, hitting it with my finger. snapping her mouth closed. She wrenches away from me, throwing daggers in my direction.

"Don't underestimate me," she whispers.

"Again, empty threats," I say, leaning close to her. "You've got nothing."

With that, I turn and stalk out of the locker room.

If she thinks she can get to me, she can think again.

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What do you think about Grace spending more time with the Coach?

And about her encounter with Mia?

You know you're obsessed with your story when you start dreaming about it lmao. Speaking of stories - I've come to realise that I do far more writing than I do reading. I want to read more Wattpad stories and support writers out there like you guys support me. If you have any book recommendations you think are worth while to read, please drop a comment!

Stories you love [insert here]

Please vote and comment as much as you can! I love to hear your feedback, suggestions and ideas.

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