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Dedication: XObadhestbabeXO for your really nice and encouraging comment. Thank you. <333

Recap:

"I had a really great day with you today," I told him as we got to my house.

"Me too, Grace," he smiled, before leaning over and pressing his lips to mine. "Now let's get inside and taste those tacos."

Considering we had only eaten lunch not too long ago, I know he wasn't referring to actual tacos.

I rolled my eyes and playfully slapped his arm before I got out of the car.

That boy and his dirty mind.

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When I wake on Monday, I groan, wishing that I could have a repeat of my wonderful weekend.

I spent every moment I could with Hayden. He stayed over again Saturday night and I could feel myself growing increasingly attached to him. Now that I have experienced sleeping with him beside me twice, it's even harder to fall asleep alone now. I wish he could stay every night.

I go about my usual routine of showering, getting dressed while appearing somewhat zombie-like. Grabbing a banana on my way out, I pad down the driveway, banana in one hand, my leather shoes in the other, my hair tied back into a messy braid.

Seeing Hayden's face through his tinted window, makes me perk up considerably and by the time I am opening the passenger side door, I am grinning.

"Good morning," I chirp, jumping into the car and pressing my lips to Hayden's soft, pink ones instantly. "How are you?"

"I like this happy, morning person," he grins back, giving me his adorable, cheeky smile. "What or who, should I say, has made such an impact on you?"

I clear my throat, holding my banana up as though it a microphone. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I announce, Hayden Cameron."

"Aw," he smirks, giving me a playful wink, before pulling from the curb. "How was practise on Thursday? Did I miss anything important? I forgot to ask."

"Oh shit," I say slowly. "I got in a fight with Coach."

"A fight? What?"

"He was being a dick, as usual," I reply, feeling my good mood evaporate as I get closer and closer to where the Satan Reincarnation will be.

He's on my shit list, possibly taking over Mia's position as #1.

I bite into my banana savagely.

"When you're finished with your banana, do you want to eat my-"

"Hayden!"

"What? I was going to say apple?" he finishes innocently.

I roll my eyes theatrically at him. "Sure you were."

He sends me a teasing smile over his shoulder as he exits the ute.

Hayden's warm hand engulfs mine as we walk through the school, into the gymnasium, and through to the locker rooms. When we walked in, eyes swivel to us, before they drop to our hands.

"Dude, you and Connaway official now?" Mike asks him when we part.

"Yeah, man."

Mike and Hayden exchange the one-shoulder-hug thing that all guys do and I bite the inside of my cheek. Ashton's eyes narrow and I swear I can feel the heat from his glare as I unzip my bag.

"Our next comp is this coming Friday," Ashton announces, his voice deep and demanding. "There will be important people coming to the comp to watch you guys so you need to perform your best. Understood?"

"Yes Coach," we murmur.

"Excellent. Oh, and Connaway," Ashton continues, latching his dark eyes to mine. "You're benched."

"What?" I exclaim, ignoring the satisfied grin that spread across Mia's face.

"After your little episode on Thursday, you've left me no choice."

"What the hell?" Hayden jumps in. "Coach, that's ridiculous. You know how important that comp could be for her."

"Maybe she should learn some manners," he snaps, his face reddening.

I feel my fists curl as I glower at Ashton, biting my tongue so hard that I can taste blood in my mouth.

Breathe Grace. Just breathe.

Hayden curses under his breath, frustration written on his face.

"What are you all waiting for? Hit the pool," he barks and everyone shuffles out of the locker room, sending me sympathetic looks.

I stand where I am, folding my arms across my chest.

"Yes?" he asks, an arrogant smirk on his face.

His eyes hold a dark, menacing look in them that almost made me want to shrink away from him. Instead, I straighten my back, meeting his eyes, staring at him as fiercely as I can.

"Immature move, yet again, Ashton," I say to him, my jaw clenched. "This is juvenile, even for you."

"Is it?" he shrugs.

I narrow my eyes as I study him. His eyes are bloodshot and his chin unshaven. He looks like he has been out drinking last night or something along those lines.

"Don't you have anything better to do than play with my life?"

"Like you do? Running around with your new little boyfriend?" he asks, his tone mocking.

"You need help," I mutter, throwing my clothes onto the floor and striding past him.

"You'll be all alone soon, Grace," I hear him say in a low voice. "Then what will happen to you?"

The hairs on my arms bristle as I hear the threat loud and clear.

I storm out of the room and take my anger out on the water.

I am going to swim at the comp, whether he likes it or not.

***

"Calm down," Hayden says to me later that afternoon as he sprawls lazily on my bed, whereas I am pacing my bedroom floor relentlessly. "He's all talk. Let his ego heal and then reapproach the topic."

"I hate that he has so much control over my life. Imagine if we both got scholarships, Hayden. We could be together after school."

"Babe, you can afford university with or without a scholarship. What are you even stressing about?"

My heart flutters at his word choice, causing my pacing to slow down.

"I still need to get accepted into the swim program. I don't want to wait until next year to find out that I might not be with you."

"I might not get in either."

I give him a deadpan stare. "Don't act dumb."

He shrugs, a lazy smile appearing on his face. "Just trying to be honest."

"Well, it's not helping."

"Come here," he says in a soothing voice, holding his hands out.

Taking in a deep breath, I walk over to him, letting him pull me down onto the mattress.

"I only have half an hour to spend with you before I have to get home. Isn't there anything else you would rather be doing?" he murmurs softly, his soft fingers trailing down my cheek, a naughty smirk lighting up his face.

Biting my lip softly, I look up at him through my lashes. "What did you have in mind?"

I don't have to ask him twice.

***

After Hayden left, I find myself wrapping my coat around me, before I march out of the door. I begin the short trek towards an apartment I told myself never to go back to.

I could have happily spent the afternoon in a blissful daze after being with Hayden, but my mind can't stop reeling about Ashton's words and the fact that he is playing with my future like it is some game to him.

As I get closer to the building, warning bells ring inside my head, urging me not to put gasoline on the fire, but I can't help myself.

I need Ashton to stop being such an asshole. I know I provoke him and I need to work on that as well, but there's no point trying if he won't.

I contemplate my decision to come here as I stand in the elevator, my own reflection staring back at me. My cheeks were flushed from my recent activities, my lips full and red, my eyes wide and bright.

The elevator doors ding open and I hesitantly walk into the hallway.

I should just let this go, but I can't.

Striding up to his door, impressing myself that I still remember which one it is, I knock loudly on his apartment door and wait impatiently for him to answer.

I was just about to turn and abandon my mission when the door swings open.

"Holy shit," I breathe as I stare at the girl in front of me. "Carrie?"

Deep, dark brown eyes stare back at me.

I step back, shock slapping me in the face. No kidding everyone mistook me for her, she had such similar eyes, hair and skin that from a distance, we would pass as twins. Studying her face, I can see a clear distinction between us but that's because I obviously know my own face very well.

"Well, well, well," the girl drawls, her eyes dipping over me. "I was wondering when I was going to meet you."

I take a moment to stare at her. Her long, dark hair is wet, as if she'd only just come out of the shower. She has a black, silk robe on that is gathered at the waist. She looks rather glamourous, considering she clearly just showered.

I was taller than her, but not by much. Her body was leaner whereas mine held more curves and muscles due to my gruelling swimming sessions. We look similar, there is no denying it, but I can clearly see the differences in just one glance.

"Likewise," I force out, my mind jumbling together as I try to calm down and act like a normal human being.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"I came to wave the white flag between Ashton and I," I admit honestly. "We're in a war at the moment."

"So I've heard," she comments, clearly not caring about our feud at all. "How's Hayden?"

I scowl at her, not wanting to hear her say his name. "Fine."

"Oh," she smirks, her left eyebrow curving upwards. "Touchy subject?"

"Don't start with me Carrie," I warn, bunching my fists at my sides. "What the hell are you doing here? You're still seeing Ashton?"

"What's it to you? Going to run and report me to your boyfriend?"

"He wants nothing to do with you, he wouldn't even care," I reply a little too honestly.

Something flashes in her eyes, but it isn't there long enough for me to work out what it is.

"Ouch," she replies in a faux, bored tone.

I fold my arms across my chest. "Did you know our parents are dating?"

"What?" she asks, her face mirroring shock, her voice low.

"I just found out. You didn't know?"

"No, I hardly see my father. I don't live with him anymore." She blinks a few times, her lips parting. Something in the air changed between us at the mention of our parents. "This is a messed up situation, isn't it?"

"You could say that," I reply.

"Babe, who's at the door?" I hear Ashton call and I feel my teeth grind together.

"You'll never believe who stopped by," she answers in a sickenly sweet tone, opening the door wider so that he can see me standing there.

Ashton froze as his eyes went from me to Carrie and back to me again.

"Grace? What are you doing here?"

"I was attempting to sort out the little issue we're having over the swim comp next Friday," I explain. "I didn't realise you had company."

"My decision is final," he asserts, his lips spreading into a thin line. He is shirtless, his wet hair spilling across his forehead. The thought of them still hooking up made my blood boil. How long has this been happening? Even when I was with him? The thought made me feel sick. Thank God I never slept with the monster. My eyes dropped to wear a joint is held in his hand. What the hell... Ashton is a stoner? That's a bit ironic, considering he's my Coach. "You blew it, Connaway. You're disrespectful and until you learn your lesson, you're not swimming in that competition."

"Should have known you'd be an asshole about it," I say, my eyes still lingering on the joint. He moves his hand so that it disappears behind his back.

"Oh snap," I hear Carrie say under her breath.

"Besides, it will be fun watching you, watch Hayden get everything you want while you're stuck on the sidelines."

"Fuck Ashton," Carrie says, much to my surprise. "Don't be a condescending dick-wad. That's just cruel."

Both of us stare at her in shock.

"What?" she asks, flickering her eyes between us. "I may be a bitch and have made more than a few mistakes in my life, but even I think that is mean."

"Okay, this is just getting weird now," I state, holding my hands in the air. "Think about it Ashton. I'm willing to change my ways if you are."

"Don't hold your breath, Connaway."

As she shut the door behind me, I let out a silent scream.

This already messy situation just got a whole lot worse.

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

And so we finally meet Carrie. What are your thoughts on her so far? Anyone else surprised that her and Ashton are still sneaking around with each other?

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