Array
(
[text] =>

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

Dedication: H_smith64 for your kind comment a few chapters ago! I really appreciate it. :)

Recap:

They yanked Harvey off Ashton and Harvey stumbled back, blood soaking his shirt and his hands. Ashton was in hand cuffs, having his rights said to him in a matter of moments.

Harvey stumbled over to us, looking far too casual, considering the situation. The seriousness he had possessed moments earlier faded as he gave me a lope-sided grin,

"Well, this was an interesting double-date."

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

I am damn sick of this hospital.

I hope to never sit inside these walls, ever again. I shift in the uncomfortable seat, resting my head in my hand as I wait.

Caitlyn and I have been waiting almost three hours. The first two hours were waiting around for someone to see Harvey, Hayden went in straight away. The last hour, we have been waiting for them to come back out.

I have hardly felt any relief now that they've taken Ashton into custody because I have been so worried about the two boys in my life. They mean the world to me. Harvey is okay--a little bruised and battered but Hayden took a few serious hits.

Harvey emerged from the room with a slight limp. His clothes were still bloodstained and dishevelled. He looks so out-of-character with his roughed-up appearance that I almost want to rub my eyes, to see if what I am seeing is right.

"How're my girls?" he asks with an adorable smile.

I leap to my feet and throw my arms around Harvey's neck. He stumbles back in surprise, letting out a chuckle. As soon as I step back, I slap his chest.

"Ow!"

Before I know it, I am throwing my arms around him again.

"Caitlyn, is it just me, or is Grace acting a little crazy?" he huffs over my shoulder.

I step back from him, wiping at my eyes. "You're a fucking idiot and I love you."

He grins. "Okay, definitely crazy."

"Shut up!"

"Was I badass? I was, wasn't I?" he teases.

"Yes," I laugh, rolling my eyes.

I side-step out of the way so Caitlyn and Harvey can hug. He kisses her briefly before they separate.

"That was amazing, Harvey. Seriously. So brave."

"I had to have my five seconds of fame sometime," he replies. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's you guys we're worried about!"

"Don't worry about me, I'm as tough as they come," he boasts, tensing his muscles, before wincing.

I roll my eyes. "Really convincing, Harv."

"Grace," my mother's familiar, stern voice slices through the air.

"Yeah?" I ask, pulling away from the two.

"Come."

After sending a look over my shoulder to Harvey, I follow mum through the corridor.

"He's awake," she explains once we step into the elevator. She turns, her dark eyes intensely meeting mine. "Should I be taking time off work?"

"What for?"

"To spend time with you?" she questions. "Are you okay?"

"You don't need to do that, mum. I'm back at school and swimming now anyway, so I'm not home much. There are people that need you here."

She stares at me for a few moments, before nodding. The doors opened with a ding sound and I begin jogging, trying to keep up with her long strides.

"Hey, Hayden said you have a surprise for me?" I ask her.

She rolls her lips into her mouth as she flickers her eyes towards me. "Did he?"

"Yes! What have you got planned?"

She winks, before opening the door.

All previous thoughts vanish when I see my boyfriend laying on the hospital bed, his face bruised and swollen.

"We must be the most bruised and battered couple, honestly," I laugh, heading over to him. "I can't believe you did that!"

"What?" he asks, giving me a heart-warming smile. "I had to get him back."

Feeling my heart swell, I dive into his chest, snuggling my head up to him.

"Ow, fuck," he whines. "I hurt. Everywhere."

"Oh, sorry," I straighten up, glancing back at the door, only to see that my mother had left. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," he replies with a sigh. "I didn't really think that through, did I?"

"No," I shake my head, rolling my eyes. "Our new swim coach is going to think we're crazy."

"I'll still swim," he assures me. "Nothing will ever stop me swimming at comps. Unless I break a break my spine or something."

"And that's why I love you," I say to him feeling the words roll off my tongue effortlessly. "Do you have to stay here overnight?"

"Yeah," he exhales, closing his eyes. "My mum is going to have a heart attack, honestly. The carer is working over-time so much."

"I'll go cook dinner for her," I say quickly. "I think we could both use the company."

"Would you do that?" he asks, quirking an eyebrow.

"Of course! I like Heather more than I like you," I tease and he rolls his eyes.

"I actually believe that."

I reach out, sliding my fingers between his. "He's been arrested, thank God."

"I couldn't let him get away. Not after what he did to you..." he trails off, looking up to me.

"I know," I smile, leaning down and pressing my lips gently to his.

"I know we haven't been together for very long but I can't lose you, not again," he sighs, his eyes dropping to our hands. "I need you to keep me sane."

I press my finger underneath his chin, pulling it so that he is looking back at me.

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

***

"Let's make a deal not to get into any fights from now on," I tell Harvey, Hayden and Caitlyn a few days later when we're all back at school.

"No promises," Hayden smirks.

"Yeah, once these bad boys start swinging," Harvey adds, tensing his arms. "I can't control them."

I snort. "Yeah, okay then."

We are all heading to lunch. Just as we get to the cafeteria, my eyes almost bulge out of my head when I see Leisel locked lips with Ryan. He steps back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Woah, since when has that been going on?" I ask out loud, more speaking to myself than the others.

Hayden shrugs and Harvey scrunches up his face. "He's weird."

"So are you," both Hayden and I chorus, before looking at each other.

"Great, now there's two of you," Harvey mutters.

He looks at Hayden suddenly and Hayden nods mysteriously at him.

"Hey, Grace, have I shown you the new photocopier in the library? Let's go test it out." He grabs my arm and pulls me after him, Caitlyn in tow.

"What...?" I ask, giving him a baffled look.

I glance back at Hayden, to see him loping towards Leisel.

"It's very cool," Harvey continues. "You can press these buttons and stuff."

"What are you doing? Why is Hayden going over there?"

"Can't say, sorry."

"Harvey!" I exclaim. I turn. "Caitlyn?"

"Nope, sorry," she says with a shrug.

I've noticed that Caitlyn has been a lot friendlier towards me, now that I'm dating Hayden officially. She seems to have relaxed and doesn't think I'm going to steal Harvey from her.

"You guys suck," I mutter, letting Harvey lead me to the library. "Is this about my birthday?"

"Can't say."

Letting out a huff, I collapse down on the table near the printer and photocopier. Turns out, Harvey did need to use it. I tap my fingers impatiently as he does, my mind wandering back to Hayden and what he is up to.

Suddenly, there is a crackling sound overhead, before a throat cleared. "All Cobra's please find your way to the locker room for a team meeting. Thank you."

I raise my eyebrows, getting to my feet.

"Adios," I say to him.

"Bye best friend," he waves, and Caitlyn gives me a smile.

I hurry over to the gym. Considering the library is at the opposite end of the school, I am the last one there. Like always.

"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt your lunch break, but otherwise I wouldn't see you until tomorrow and I'm too excited to wait," Coach Mitchell grins. "We have scouts coming to the competition next Friday and I want you all to be on your A-Game. They've given me three student's names who they're looking at but I am not going to say who. I want you all to try your hardest because even if three have caught their attention, doesn't mean it isn't too late for some of you others. I am willing to hold more practises for those who want to. Any questions?"

"What scouts are coming?" Hayden asks.

"We have two, one from the university of Sydney, and one from Melbourne."

Hayden and I meet eyes. We are both very interested in attending the University of Sydney as it has the best swim program in Australia. Even Harvey is talking about applying. It has loads of great courses, a lot more than any Universities around here. Most people that want to go to Uni, have to move because opportunities around this area are so limited.

"Does anyone want to do a work out circuit with me this afternoon?" Coach Mitchell asks.

We all nod and murmur in agreement.

"Great, I will see you here after classes. It's not compulsory so if you have homework or anything, please do that. Otherwise, I'll see you guys tomorrow," she smiles.

As we walk out, I try to get Hayden to give up what he was up to, but he wouldn't let on. I let out a sigh, slightly annoyed.

"Don't pout, you will know at the weekend."

"I know, I know," I sigh again. "How're things with Mia?"

"Bit tense but a lot better."

Hayden had apologised to her about everything and they were pretty much back to normal. Yesterday, Mike, Mia, Hayden, Harvey, Caitlyn, Ryan, Leisel and two other girls I've seen around and myself, sat together at lunch. Mike doesn't pay much attention to Harvey, but at least he doesn't go out of his way to be mean to him anymore. It feels good to finally have a bit of a friend group forming. It's about time.

We re-joined Harvey and Caitlyn. Harvey has a sour look on his face.

"What?" I ask.

"We get our HSC exam timetables today. Can you believe that in a few months, we won't be school students anymore?"

"I don't even want to think about it," I reply honestly.

We all our make our way to class and I can't help but smile. Even though the thought of finishing school is scary, I know I'll be fine--because I am going to make sure, I'm with my best friends, no matter what.

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

I remember my last few months of school (I graduated about two and a half years ago) and I was so emotional haha. Did you guys feel the same (if you've graduated?)

Just a warning, this story is coming closer and closer to the end! Anything you want to see happen before it does? :-)

[text_hash] => a42eeca2
)