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Dedication: _daunicorn for the cover! Thank you!

Recap:

"I don't care, Harv. I'm sure they're great. What time is dinner?"

"Six."

"I'll be there," I nodded.

My phone dinged and I glanced down in surprise. A new email had been sent to my school email. That was weird. What teacher would be emailing me at 9pm on a Friday night?

I opened it. It was from Coach Brennon. It was a photo of a piece of paper. Opening it, I zoomed in, feeling a little shocked.

Mia Granteire - Time Sheet.

A smile stretched across my face.

I was going to take that bitch down.

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My body hates me. It would have to after the torture I just put it through. I did two hours of straight breaststroke. My body is aching as I dress. I can't help but wince every time I bend over.

"And I thought the Elite team members were competitive," a familiar voice remarks. "They've got nothing on you."

An automatic smile makes its way onto my face as I hear Coach Brennon. I straighten my back and glance over to where he is lazily leaning against the girl's locker door.

Was he watching me change? How long has he been standing there?

"I have to be the best," I smirk with a shrug. "Do you always watch the girls get dressed?"

He rolls his eyes. "Only the special ones."

"Right," I reply, yanking my hoodie over my head.

"Grace," he says, opting for a more serious tone this time.

"Ashton," I say back mockingly.

He grins, a playful smile on his face. "Coach Brennon, to you."

"Since when?"

"Since always," he laughs. "But seriously, what I sent you can't be repeated to anyone. Got it?"

"Yes sir," I salute. "Anything else?"

"Are you ever serious?"

"Nope."

He smiles amusedly, his eyes dipping from my eyes for a moment.

"Your breaststroke times are good, you know," he eventually says as I continued to gather up my things, feeling his gaze burning into my skin.

"Not good enough, apparently," I say sourly, my good mood evaporating.

I have spent hours trying to get my times to match hers and I'm not quite there yet, which annoys the hell out of me.

If it was freestyle, no problem, but breaststroke just isn't my strongest.

"You are so tough on yourself," he says lightly, coming towards me and squeezing my shoulders. "Do you ever get time to relax?" His fingers move over my shoulders, pushing gentle but firm circles into my skin.

Suddenly, the door that had swung shut slams open and Mia stood there, with her doe blue eyes piercing into us.

Instantly, Ashton steps back. Her face is a mirror of shock. Slowly, she recovers, clearing her throat as she does.

"Sorry to interrupt," her voice is clipped and polite.

"Morning Mia," Ashton greets. He glances at me slightly uneasily. "Good job today, Grace. Looking forward to seeing you continue to improve your strokes."

Fighting to keep my face neutral, I nod. "Thanks Coach."

The door bangs shut behind him. Making my face impassive, I begin tossing everything in my bag, planning to ignore Mia.

"So that's how you're planning to get on the swim team?" she asks me, her voice icy. "Screwing the Coach?"

I roll my eyes. "I don't need to stoop to that level. I'm good enough on my own."

"Right," she says, nodding. "Because it didn't look like you two were getting cosy with each other or anything."

A clear look of disgust is on her face as she eyes me, her nose turned upwards. No matter what angle she stands, there's no way she could ever look down to me.

"No, it didn't," I say, fighting to keep the anger out of my voice.

"You better not be going to Alice's party tonight," she sneers.

I do plan to go and I have a killer outfit planned.

"Might swing by," I shrug. "Is Hayden going?"

I only asked because I knew it would piss her off.

Rolling her tongue across her teeth, her nostrils flare. "It's sad that you're that pathetic."

"Yeah, I'm the pathetic one," I agreed with a dramatic nod. "See you there!"

With a wave, I exit the locker, laughing quietly to myself.

This is going to be fun.

***

"You are a makeup genius," I gush, staring at Bridget's artwork. "I love you."

She laughs but I know my words mean more to her than she lets on. "Thanks, cuz."

I stare at my reflection. Although I am darker than the actress who plays Harley Quin, you can still tell who I am. I have a wig with pigtails the exact same as hers, my makeup is identical and I have the outfit on point, right down to the bat.

I glance over to Harvey, who sits at my dining table, a grumpy expression on his face. I grin, going over to him.

"You look incredible!"

I didn't think he was going to look as good as he did. Bridget did an awesome job with him. He looks amazing.

"I feel like an idiot," he huffs.

Someone is still cranky that I forced him to come tonight, clearly.

"You look awesome! We look awesome! Come on, get excited!"

He exhales deeply and forces a fake smile onto his face.

I roll my eyes. "Start drinking then, you negative Nelly."

He stares at the alcohol I have scattered across the dining room table skeptically. "I don't drink very often."

"You'll be fine," I wave at him. "Just take it easy."

Frowning at me, he opens a can of Canadian Club, hastily taking a sip. I smile at him encouragingly.

"You guys look wicked," Bridget agreed, nodding at her work. "Let me take a few snaps for my portfolio."

After taking some with her camera, I threw my phone at her. She caught it last minute. I press my side to Harvey's and wrap my arms around him. She takes several photos and I can feel the heat penetrating from his cheeks. He blushes so easily.

Just when he seemed to have calmed down, I reach up on my toes and kiss his cheek, popping my leg up.

"Aw, that's adorable," Bridget gushes. "Facebook profile picture!"

Grinning, I let a flustered Harvey go and grab my phone. The photos turned out great. 

"Thank you so much for this," I say gratefully.

"No worries, babe," she replies, tucking her platinum blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm going to go wash my brushes and pack all my stuff up."

We hug quickly before she departs.

I had started drinking half an hour ago, but as the process has been slow, I am hardly feeling the effects.

I grab another two drinks. It's time that changes.

***

When we arrive, the attention on us is immediate and very muchly welcomed.

Heads and eyes are glued in our direction as Harvey and I stride into the party. Well, I confidently strode, Harvey kind of shuffled after me.

"This was such a bad idea," Harvey mutters.

I'm just glad other people were dressed up too, but no one was quite the extreme we were.

"Are you kidding?" I slur slightly. "This is going to be so much fun!"

He shakes his head at me. I laugh, not being able to take him serious with the green wig on. He frowns, taking a sip of his drink.

"I am humiliated."

"No one probably even knows who you are," I say dismissively.

He begins to mumble under his breath and I choose to ignore him. 

"Hey, why don't you go talk to that girl?" I nudge him and point to a girl who looked completely lost over the other side of the room. She has pretty auburn hair straightened down the side of her face. Her costume, from what I could gather, is Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones. 

"Oh, er, I can't..." he trails off. "I'm not good at starting conversations."

"Aw, she looks so lonely," I sigh. "Look at her, over there, by herself, no one to talk to..."

He glares at me.

I grin back. "Come on, worst she can do is reject you and on Monday she won't even know who she rejected. Don't say your name straight up, just in case."

"Thanks."

I roll my eyes. "Just go!"

Grumbling, he heads over to her and I beam with pride.

I turn and then realise I am now the one alone. With a sigh, I open another Cider and down half the can, before I begin stumbling around, trying to find someone to hang out with.

The main reason for attending this party is to make an entrance. Show up, look awesome and well, that's about as far as I thought, really.

Wandering around for probably ten minutes, I finally find some familiar faces.

Unfortunately, they are the Elite group. Plastering a fake, enthusiastic smile on my face, I saunter over to them.

Hayden's eyes roa over my body openly, until he realises who I am. His impressed smirk twists into a scowl. Mia's eyes darken as she takes in what I am wearing. The costume does show off my figure almost too well. The shirt clutches my curves dangerously and the length of my shorts would give my grandmother a heart attack.

"Oh hey guys," I say loudly, planting a hand on my hip, swinging the bat so that it rested on my shoulder. I don't miss Mike's gaze as he watches my every move. "Look at that, all my favourite people together."

"Ugh," Mia groans, downing the rest of her drink.

I stare at her, taking in her costume. She is dressed as what Elle Wood wore when she dressed up as a bunny. I roll my eyes. I should have expected nothing less.

Hayden isn't dressed up and I'm not surprised by that. He didn't seem like he would be bothered with something like dressing up.

"Hayden," I smile. "Always great to see you."

Her arches a dark, curious brow to me.

"Warmed up to the idea of me joining the team?" I ask him, nudging him.

He scowls at me. "You won't get on the team."

"I think I just might!" I sing.

"Yeah, she was practically all over Coach this afternoon to get a spot," Mia spits, the hatred evident in her voice.

Hayden flinches, his jaw clenching at the mention of the Coach.

"Don't spread rumours, Mia. That's a nasty trait and you already have enough of those."

I begin swaying slightly and I stiffened my back, trying to keep my composure.

"Excuse me-" she scoffs but I ignore her and swipe at Hayden's hand and pull him after me.

For some reason, he obliges and trails after me.

"Hi."

"What do you want now?" he asks with a sigh.

"I want to know why you hate me."

"You're annoying."

"Is that it?" I ask, blinking, attempting to regain my proper vision. Everything has started getting blurry.

"And you remind me of someone who also was annoying."

He snatches his hand from me and I let out a giggle. I was just holding Hayden's hand.

"Are you into me or something? Why do you keep harassing me?"

My mouth fell open. "Into you? I despise you."

"It sure seems that way."

I roll my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I prefer people with nice personalities."

"Why? You don't appear to have one."

"Oh, you're full of wit and comebacks aren't you."

"If I wanted my come back, I would wipe it off your mum's chin."

"Gross."

He offers me a lazy grin. "Can I go now?"

"No."

He exhales, folding his arms over his chest and adjusting his stance.

"I just want you to give me a chance. We could be awesome together."

"So you are into me."

"No!" I snap, slapping his chest for emphasise. "As a swim team member! You and I would be unbeatable."

"I'm the one who's unbeatable - not you - and besides, I already have a female sidekick."

"Mia the midget over there?" I ask with a scoff. "I could push her over with my pinky finger."

"Jealous?"

"No."

"Sure."

"Hey," I ask, pointing at him with a wobbly finger. "Where's your drink?"

"I don't drink."

"Why not?"

His face darkens slightly. "None of your business, Connaway."

"Oh, did I strike a nerve?"

Glowering at me, he steps forward. I stumble back into the wall behind me. If I wasn't drunk, I wouldn't have done that.

"You've wasted enough of my time. Leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you."

"Keep telling yourself that."

A sound of irritation escapes him as he steps back from me. "Don't join the swim team. You'll regret it."

"I'm not scared of you."

He had begun to walk from me. He turns, looking over his shoulder.

"It's not me you should be afraid of."

***

After my strange encounter with Hayden, the rest of the night has gone in a blur.

Harvey had disappeared with Game of Thrones girl and I had no friends. Well, I had been dancing with some guy from the swim team, whose name is David, I think.

I was surprised, at first, when he began dancing with me, considering I was a "transfer" and all, but then I realised, he was the type of guy that would probably hit on anyone, so I wasn't really all that flattered.

He had been gripping my hips and grinding on me for about twenty minutes. When I peeled myself from his sweaty body, he gripped me harder and planted a sloppy kiss on my lips.

That's when I decided it was time for me to go home.

But... I can't really walk home in this state and I don't feel like waiting around to sober up. As usual, my drunk self is not sensible.

Logging into my school email, I hastily type a message, which most likely doesn't make sense, to Coach Brennon. 

"Hey, where have you been?" David asks, coming up behind me. He drapes an arm around my shoulders. "Want to go dance?"

"Er-" I say awkwardly, detaching myself from him. "I'm going to go now."

"No way!"

"Yeah way."

"Bummer dude," he sighs. "Next time we can dance again?"

"Sure," I lie.

"Oh, Grace," he calls as I attempt to run away from him. "Good luck at the swim tryouts."

"Thanks," I grin, liking that someone actually thought to wish me luck.

I wade through the mass of bodies and stumble outside, the cool fresh air hitting my face. I inhale deeply, feeling less claustrophobic.

Slowly, I begin staggering home, still feeling quite drunk. My feet are sore and I am so tired.

A car pulls up beside me. My heart skips a beat, warning bells blaring in my mind.

"Hey Harley," a voice calls. "Have you seen Grace Connaway anywhere?"

Thank God.

I spin, facing Ashton Brennon, lazily hanging out the window of his car. "My hero."

He laughs. "Get in, loser."

I crawl into his car and feel the familiar sensation of nausea entering my stomach. But this time, it could be from my intoxication, not the fear of driving. I'm a bit too drunk and carefree to be anxious about being in a car right now.

Maybe I should get drunk more often.

"How was the party?" he asks. "I'm surprised you went, considering everyone hates transfers. But then again, it is completely unsurprising that you would want to go."

"I have to do what people don't expect," I mumble, my eyes feeling heavy. "Thanks for picking me up."

"Thanks for the messy drunk message at one in the morning," he laughs. "You're lucky I was up."

"What were you doing?"

"Watching a movie."

For some reason, I don't believe him. His eyes appeared kind of bloodshot.

"Sorry to have messaged you," I say awkwardly, realising this was pretty inappropriate. "I had no one else to."

"I'm assuming your parents wouldn't appreciate the late-night call," he teases.

"What parents?" I mutter.

Silence fell and I wince. Drunk me is an idiot.

Leaning my head against the cool window, I let my eyes close.

"So, where am I taking you?" he asks, attempting to fill the awkward silence.

"Mm," I mumble. "Turn left up here."

"Okay," he says. "Oh and Grace, we probably shouldn't tell anyone about this either. Just in case they assume..."

"Uh-huh," I mumble. "Wouldn't want to ruin your reputation."

I know he is frowning. "Grace, it's not like that. I'm the Coach."

"I know."

My body feels like lead. I'm so exhausted. I can feel sleep tugging at me and I am effortless in preventing it.

Finally, I let the blackness swallow me as I fall into a deep sleep.

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.......Thoughts?

Hayden?

Coach?

Just wait. This might not be a teacher-student story. Just keep reading. ;)

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