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Dedication: Tourmalite for the awesome cover! Thank you!

Recap:

"Great! Lead the way!"

He stopped and smiled at me. "I'm really glad I met you, Grace."

He looked completely sincere. I felt so sorry for him. School must have been hard for him.

"I'm glad I met you too, Harvey."

He smiled at me, before inclining his head. "Let's go."

I trailed behind him silently.

I was going to make sure no one picked on him again.

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

It's no surprise mum's car isn't in the driveway as I walk towards my new house.

I step inside, feeling a little breathless from the walk, before slipping out of my hideous leather shoes. I beeline to the kitchen and dump both my school and gym bag onto the floor. I stride to the fridge, withdrawing a black currant Powerade and downing half the bottle in one gulp.

Exhaustion fills my body and I collapse onto one of the dining table chairs. School sucks. The teachers are strict and the workload is heavier and harder than I've ever had before. Even the basic classes are at such a higher standard than I am used to.

English is the only thing I feel like I have any idea in and I'm still behind.

At my old school, it is common for fights between the teacher and students to unfold. Half the class would be watching the fights, not actually learning. In class here, no one speaks a word unless answering a question. The silence is eerie and it makes me uncomfortable and almost scared to raise my hand. 

Especially when my stomach decides to sound like a dying whale.

After the gruelling day of avoiding rich bitches and snobs, I spent about three hours in the pool. I pushed myself harder than I should have and my muscles are reminding me every second.

I want to make sure I'm ready to knock the socks off these guys. I have to. Swimming is the only thing that keeps me sane. If I can't join the team, I will be miserable.

After scrolling aimlessly on my phone for about half an hour, I stretch, standing. My stomach howls in hunger and I rub it. I deserve a good dinner after what I put my body through the last few hours. I wince as I lean down to grab a pot, my muscles feeling tight.

I groan as I realise most of our kitchen utensils are in boxes still, along with most of our things.

Mum didn't ease into her new lifestyle. She dove in headfirst, which means on the weekend, I will spend most of my time unpacking. Until then, I guess I would be living on takeout. I was way too tired to unbox the entire kitchen.

Searching for Harvey's number, I rang him. We only met today, but what the hell, he needs a friend and so did I. We're stuck together now.

"Hello?" he answers after the fourth ring.

"Can you cook?" I ask abruptly.

"Grace?"

"Can you?"

"Er- kind of."

I then realise you need food to actually cook.

"What are you doing?"

"Um," he trails off. "Homework. You?"

"Come have dinner with me?" I ask, pressing the phone to my shoulder as I unscrew the Powerade lid. "If I order Chinese, could you pick it up and I'll fix you up when you get here?"

"Um," he repeats. "Well, I guess...?"

"Jeeze, don't sound so excited," I roll my eyes.

"Sorry, I have strict parents and it's a school night. Plus, I don't ever go out."

"Tell them it's important for you to make a new friend and you don't want to let me down."

He pauses. "Okay, sure. Text me your address, I'll be over in half an hour."

"Cool," I say breezily, taking a sip. "What do you want?"

"Mongolian lamb," he replies instantly. "And extra fried rice."

"Yes sir. That it?"

"Should do," he replies. "Oh, and those cracker chip things. I love those."

"Done and done. See you soon!"

After ordering, I quickly rinse off in the shower, attempting to remove the constant smell of chlorine that I often possess. I drape myself in some track pants, a loose Nike shirt, and a black cardigan, leaving my hair falling limply down my shoulders, as it is still wet.

I'm hanging my towel up when I hear a knock at the door. My stomach would have fist-pumped if it could.

I swing the door open and grin at Harvey, who is stood in front of me, a bag of Chinese in his hand, and snacks in the other.

"I am so glad to see you," I blurt, reefing the Chinese bag from his hand. "Come in, sorry about the mess. Haven't really unpacked yet."

"Woah, big house," he comments, his eyes scanning around the number of boxes scattered through the rooms. "Where are your parents?"

I wander into the kitchen, dumping the bag onto the table. "It's only my mum. She's a cardiovascular surgeon at the new hospital. I'm by myself, usually."

"Oh wow," he says, sitting down. "That must be tough for you."

I shrug, grabbing another Powerade for myself and a coke for Harvey, thankful mum and I did a brief shop the first day we moved in. "You get used to looking after yourself when you're forced."

"You must get lonely," he murmurs.

"Nah, not when I have friends like you to keep me company," I grin, pouring him a glass. "Don't wait for me, dig in."

He's quiet as he loads up his plate. "My mum wants to meet you."

I sit heavily on the chair across from him and stared into his faded blue eyes. "Why?"

His cheeks grow pink immediately and he ducks his head. "W-well, you're the first girl to ever, er, invite me over for dinner."

"Aw," I coo, leaning over and pinching his flaming cheek. "You're so cute. I'll come over for dinner one night. I'm great with parents."

He offers me a nervous smile. "That would be cool."

"So, Harvey, how do I get on the swim team?" I ask with a mouthful after a few moments of loud chewing and gulping.

He makes a face at me as he chews. "Not this again."

"Yes this again," I insist. "I have to be on the team."

"One, it's near impossible. You'd have to impress Hayden, who's a hard-ass and the Coach, well, he's pretty tough too. And even if you did make it, they would make your life hell until you quit. I've seen it happen." He shudders. "It is not something I wish to see you participate in."

"I'm a big girl, Harvey. No need to worry about me."

"I-I," he stammers, looking down at his plate. "I don't want them to drive you away. A couple of months ago, a guy named Blake transferred and tried out for the swim team. He ended up dropping out. He was my only friend."

My face softens. "Don't worry, Harv. They won't drive me out. I won't be leaving any time soon."

"You don't know what they're like," he whispers as if they're in this very room, able to hear him.

I roll my eyes. "Quit being so dramatic! I'll be fine. Now eat your lamb before it gets cold."

With a sigh, he shoves his fork into his mouth, giving me a sad look. "Just promise me you won't quit school."

"I promise."

He looks relieved after hearing that. What he said did make me feel a little nervous. I was worried about trying out for the team. I didn't even think if I did make it, what would happen.

If what Harvey says is true, then it's game on.

***

It's precisely 6:30 am when I arrive at the pool.

The gym is located down the back of the school and it is ginormous. My previous school could fit entirely in this one room. It has a huge indoor sports area, with a gym, sauna, and two locker rooms off to the side, before you reach the pool.

The pool is flat and edgeless, making it look modern and like it's been transported out of a mansion.

I wonder if the swim team draws a large crowd. The swimmers at my last school were the only team that was successful. Therefore, the majority of the students along with parents came to watch our swim meets and competitions.

First thing I notice, I'm not the only one here.

There is someone doing laps and another fiddling around in the storage shed. Dumping my bag, I slip out of my hoodie, shoes and track pants, already having my swimsuit underneath.

I grab my goggles, looping them around my neck, and pick up my swim cap between my index and middle finger.

Wandering towards one of the blocks, I sit on number four and watch the boy in the pool. I draw my thighs to my chest, hugging them, as the cool air nips at my exposed skin.

His strokes are phenomenal.

The last swimmer I saw like this was at the regional swim championships and he knocked my best friend out of the competition. I remember the smug smirk on his lips as he fist-pumped out of the water, acting like he was Michael Phelps.

I scowl. He was unbeatable and it drove all of my old team nuts, myself included.

I blink, suddenly frozen to the spot. The guy that I used to despise so much, our biggest competition, name is Hayden. We only ever versed him when I got really far in the competitions and I have only versed him in the co-ed relays. I haven't ever seen him outside the pool, really, so if it is Hayden Cameron, the guy who supposedly is the captain of the "elite" team, I am screwed.

Because we hate each other.

As I'm undergoing my epiphany, the boy finishes his laps and pulls himself out of the pool. 

It's him. The guy my team had spent the last three years trying to beat.

Getting to my feet and ignoring the coldness of the concrete, I march up to him.

Hardly acknowledging me, he flickers his eyes to me before wrapping a towel around his shoulders.

"Hayden Cameron," I say, my voice flat. "Didn't recognise you outside of the pool."

He turns, staring at me, his green eyes boring into mine. He tilts his head to the side, really staring at me. His dirty blond hair falls messily onto his forehead.

"Grace Connaway, right?" he asks. His voice causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin. "Thought I recognised you from somewhere."

"Yeah, that's me," I sass, planting my hands on my hips. "So, you're the captain?"

"Yep." He turns his back to me and continues toweling off.

"Excuse me," I clip, tapping him on the shoulder. "I'm talking to you."

He sighs in irritation, glancing back at me. "Yes?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want a spot on the team."

"We're full, sorry."

My mouth falls open. "No, you're not."

"We are," he says firmly, once again turning his back to me as he throws his things into his gym bag.

My teeth grind together as I try to keep calm and patient.

"I think we both know I'd make a good asset to the team, Cameron."

I feel like I would seem cooler referring to him by his last name.

"Last I recall is me kicking your team's ass every regional competition for the past three years."

Oh, he had some nerve.

"Doesn't mean I'm not a good swimmer. My freestyle slaughtered you in the co-ed relay last year. Remember that?"

"We won the relay."

"By like, a millisecond and that was because they didn't put me as the anchor," I snap, my eyes narrowing.

At my old school, I was treated like a God for my swimming. I'm not used to someone treating me with such disrespect. 

"Probably a reason you didn't anchor," he shrugs.

"What did you say?"

"Look," he sighs again, slinging his bag onto his shoulder, finally facing me. "Why don't you do some laps, since I'm assuming that's what you actually came here for. From what I've seen, you could use the practise."

My jaw drops and he smirks at my outraged expression, before stalking off towards the lockers.

Now I'm pissed off.

With my fists clenched, I decide to take my anger out on the water. Moving my goggles up my face, I place them over my eyes. I stomp towards the block, mounting it, shaking with anger.

I dive into the water and my muscles scream at me. I had half-forgotten the grilling I gave my body yesterday. Pushing through the pain, I focus all my energy on powering myself forward, wanting to prove, even only to myself, that I am good and I am capable of making it onto the team.

Eat my bubbles, Hayden freaking Cameron.

After finally letting myself retire, I haul myself out of the pool and collapse onto the cold, concrete floor, completely breathless.

I glance at my watch, seeing that it was now almost eight. I have to shower and get ready for school, which begins at nine. My body isn't quite ready to cooperate yet.

"Well, you sure proved that jack-ass wrong."

I quirk an eyebrow as I stare up at a new face that is looming over me.

"He insulted me."

"No idea why," the guy said. "You're definitely good."

Holding his hand out, I clamber to my feet, trying not to wince as my muscles ached from the intensity of my practise.

"Thanks."

"I'm Ashton Brennon, the swim coach," he greets, offering me a friendly smile. "I am very interested to know who you are."

He had me at swim coach.

Giving him a broad smile, I grip his hand firmly. "Grace Connaway - your newest addition to the team."

He laughs, his smile lighting up his face. "I like the confidence, Connaway."

He is gorgeous. Tall, lean, with the most beautifully tanned skin. His soft brown eyes look adorable, matched with his messy blond hair and slight stubble on his chin.  Dressed in board shorts and a whistle wrapped around his neck, he's definitely the most casually dressed person I've met here so far and one of the nicest, excluding Harvey.

Didn't Harvey mention something about him being tough?

"So, like what you see?" I ask, smirking slightly.

"Definitely."

"Apparently you're full."

He rolls his eyes, looking extremely boyish as he does. "Hayden is an ass. Don't take any notice of him."

I like his attitude already.

I wipe the excess water from my face and flick my hands at the ground. "He's probably intimidated."

He smirks at me. "Probably."

"I'm going to grab my jacket," I tell him, as my body begins to shiver.

"I'll walk with you."

We begin strolling towards the bench where my bag is located. Our arms bump and I feel the hair on my skin bristle.

"So, what's the go?" I ask as towel off. "How can I get on the team?"

"You need to try out," he explains, his eyes never leaving mine. "Myself, Hayden - as he is the captain, and the principal, will sit and watch you swim. We then will decide if you're right for us."

"I actually got into school based on my swimming skills," I brag. "I should automatically be on the team."

"You still need to go through the standard procedure," he chuckles, giving me an amused look.

I slip my hoodie over my head. "Hayden's going to vote no - I can tell. Will that matter?"

Ashton shakes his head. "You already have my vote, based on what I saw this morning and you'll just need Mather's. If he accepted you into this school, based on your swimming results, I'm sure that won't be too hard to conquer."

"Great!" I grin, feeling a lot better about the situation. "Thanks for your help."

"No worries, Ca - Grace," he clears his throat awkwardly as he stumbled on my name. I think he might have gone to say my last name and changed last minute. "You know, I think I've seen you around. I often go with Hayden and the others to swim comps. I'm sure I've seen you swim before."

"Probably," I say smoothly. "I'm not hard to forget."

That was a joke, but he nodded in agreement. "No, you're not."

Our gaze connected and our eyes linger longer than normal. Is he flirting with me?

I naturally flirt, it's what I do, but he is responding?

"Do you still swim?" I ask him, sitting down on the bench, not caring that I'm running out of time to get ready for school. For some reason, I don't want to leave just yet.

"Yeah, but not as competitively. I won nationals and since then I've been cruising. I love teaching here and I'm saving at the moment. I'm sure I'll get back into it, but right now, I love what I'm doing."

"Huh," I reply. "Nationals. That's cool."

I understated that a lot. That's freaking awesome. He grins amusedly at my blasé attitude.

My eyes flick over him once again. I wonder how old he is. He can't be much older than me. Early twenties, perhaps?

Shaking my head, I stand. I cannot be thinking about how cute the swim coach is right now. I need to focus on getting on the team.

"Well, thanks for the chat," I say breezily, grabbing my bag. I begin walking from him. "See you around, Ashton."

"You definitely will, Connaway. I'll be here this afternoon if you want to swing by."

"Maybe, if you're lucky," I call over my shoulder as I walk into the locker room.

As the door close behind me, I lean on it.

He is definitely flirting with me.

And I'm going to use this to my advantage.

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What are your thoughts so far?

And what do you think of Ashton? Was he just friendly or was he actually flirting with Grace?

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