It feels refreshingly normal to walk into school.
I have my long hair in bun, praying that I did it messy enough that you can't notice my bald patch. As both Hayden and I are still exempt from swimming practice, we arrive at school the same time most others do.
Eyes swiveled our way as we walk down the corridor. I can see the whispers on people's lips and the shocked stares. People probably still think Hayden attacked me. I haven't read what the local newspaper has reported. Or, should I say, Harvey's father has reported. I like him even less now, broadcasting my story across the entire town, pinning Hayden as a filthy criminal. How he could be the father of one of the nicest and beautiful people I know, baffled me.
"I feel like a celebrity," I stated with an eye roll, as we reach my locker.
"At least people aren't looking at you like you're a criminal," Hayden muttered, raking his longer fingers through his tousled hair in agitation. He has done well to appear nonchalant but I know him well enough to see through it.
"You're not a criminal. These people have known you for years. If they believe the rumours, then they're as stupid as they look. Why would I be dating someone who attacked me?"
He grinned, glancing down the hall. "They do look pretty stupid, don't they?"
"They do," I agreed loudly, glaring at a group of four girls who are watching with wide eyes, their mouths hanging open.
"You're a mean girl," he teased as they hurried away from us.
I shrug, pulling out my Society and Culture textbook. "There's a fine line with being mean and standing up for yourself."
"Fair point."
"Good morning best friend and best friend's boyfriend," Harvey greeted us, his messy hair flopping onto his forehead, his bag slung loosely over his left shoulder. "How's the gruesome twosome today?"
I let out an un-lady-like snort at Harvey's new nickname for us and Hayden frowned at him.
"Fine and yourself?"
"Never been better," he shot back with a grin. "You know everyone is watching you two and talking, right?"
"I think I would have to be blind not to notice," I remarked with a sigh.
"Hi," a small voice squeaked. We all turn to see Caitlyn standing there with a shy smile. "Welcome back."
"Thanks Caitlyn," I replied with an easy smile. "Do you two know each other?"
Caitlyn nodded but Hayden looked at her blankly.
"Hayden, Caitlyn, Caitlyn, Hayden," I waved between them lethargically.
"Nice to meet you," Hayden replied politely, still looking confused at who she is and why she is talking to us.
The bell rang loudly and Harvey looped his arm with Caitlyn as they walked in front of us. Hayden made a face at them behind their back, causing me to giggle as we followed them.
"He is so lame," Hayden groaned.
"We come as a package deal so you must be nice to him." I informed him matter-of-factly.
"Fine," he sighed.
As we walked into the class, I held my head up high as I feel the eyes of my peers on me. I stroll unhurriedly over to a table near the back and sit down, Hayden sliding into the chair beside me.
Harvey and Caitlyn sat in the desk in front of us. I watch Mia walk in and she surprisingly gave me a small smile. When her eyes met Hayden's, her cheeks burned red and she averted her gaze, sitting at the opposite side of the classroom. After Mike came over to say hi to Hayden, he joined her.
"You should apologise to Mia," I whispered to Hayden.
He let out a sigh, playing with his pen. "I probably should."
I shake my head at him as I scribble the date onto the piece of paper in front of me.
People finally got over the fact that we are back at school and are together, eventually turning their attention to the substitute teacher we had for today.
As I sit there, my body is tense as I look forward.
I feel Hayden's warm fingers slide in between mine. I glance at him, letting out a breath, relieved that he was here with me.
"I love you," he mouthed with a smile.
"I love you, too." I replied silently, grinning from ear to ear.
***
It felt weird entering the locker rooms and not seeing Ashton standing there with his clipboard gripped in his left hand.
"Hello," an unfamiliar lady greeted Hayden and I as we walk in. She is a sturdy woman with auburn hair, pulled back into a tight pony tail. She is tall, with visible muscles. The sleeves of her shirt clung to her biceps, almost too tightly. She looked as if she is mid-forties. "You must be Grace and Hayden. I have heard so much about you! I'm Coach Mitchell."
"Nice to meet you," I smiled and Hayden nodded at her.
"It's good to have the Captain back," she continued. "After practice, can we have a chat, Hayden?"
"Alright," he replied casually.
"Are you two swimming with us today or watching?"
"Swimming," I blurted. "I can't go another day without swimming."
She grinned at me, wrinkles gathering at the corners of her eyes as she did. "That's what I like to hear. Just go easy, okay?"
I nod as I slip out the back to get dressed.
"Hey," I greeted, seeing Mia already there. She is pulling her swim cap over her head, somehow looking neat and elegant whilst doing so.
"Hey," she replied quietly.
She began to walk out of the room but I call out to her before she made it out the door.
"Hey Mia?"
"Yeah?"
"Want to go for a run this afternoon?" I randomly asked.
"A run?" she repeated.
"Or a work out?"
She blinked at me. "Why?"
"Why not?" I asked.
She looked really surprised for a moment, before nodding. "Do you want to meet at the gym at 4?"
"I'll be there."
She gave me a curt nod, before leaving me to finish getting changed. A ghost of a smile danced on my lips as I wriggle my swimsuit up my body.
We might not be exactly friends, but I no longer despise her. She had her reasons for acting the way she did. She still went about things wrong and handled situations badly, but she had her reasons. I've recently learnt that life is short - you need all the friends you can get.
It felt good to be back in my swimmers, standing in the cold, chlorine-stenched locker room, surrounded by my team. It hadn't been the long but I had missed being here.
"Let's get to it," Coach Mitchell beamed as we followed her out.
It is good to be back.
***
The next day, Harvey and I decide to get ice cream after school.
Straight away, he asked if Caitlyn could come and soon after, it turned into a double-date-type-thing. We are perched on the bar stools near the counter as we wait for the lady to complete our order.
"Just going to be another minute or so with the milkshakes," she said to us as she gave us our ice creams.
Caitlyn and Harvey were getting a milkshake but I felt too full to have anything more than my ice cream. We planned to go for a walk down to the north wall and sit on the rocks as we ate.
"We'll meet you outside," Hayden said to them, lightly guiding me to the door.
I wince, my muscles still sore from my work out with Mia yesterday. As I am still recovering, I probably shouldn't have pushed myself the way I did. It turns out, Mia is possibly more competitive than me, which I didn't think was possible. We spent the entire two hours trying to out-do each other. I am regretting it now because my whole body is aching.
Mia is good competition – she encourages me to train harder. I should have waited until my body had recovered a bit more, however.
He opened the door for me and walked out. I turn, giving him a small peck on the cheek. He tapped my nose lightly.
"You're cute."
I performed a big lick on my ice cream with a smile, as I felt my phone vibrate against my leg.
"Can you hold this?" I asked him, sticking my ice cream into his hand before he could reply.
I fumble for my phone, to see mum ringing. I was just about to answer when I watch in horror as Hayden dropped not only his, but my ice cream onto the ground.
"What the hell!" I half-exclaimed, half-whined as I stare down at the mess of ice cream near our feet, feeling a little devastated.
Suddenly, Hayden wasn't in front of me anymore. Discarding my phone into my pocket, I hastily turn to see Hayden marching across the road. My heart seemed to skip in my chest as I see a tall, familiar looking man, heading out of the hardware shop, a plastic bag of goods in his left hand. He is dressed in dark jeans and a black hoodie, his hair looked unbrushed, his face unshaven.
Ashton.
My eyes widening in panic, I blindly run across the road, hardly checking for oncoming traffic as I try to reach Hayden, before he got to Ashton.
Why Ashton is still in town, is beyond me.
He is coming back for you... My mind whispered as I hurry over to the other side of the road.
Ashton looked up, mere moments, before Hayden's fist projected into his nose. I heard him grunt as he dropped to the ground, blood spurting down his face. I seem to choke on air as I half-gasp, half-cough in shock as I run, probably looking like I’m having a fit.
Ashton attempted to protect his face but Hayden is too quick.
He wrapped his fingers around his throat.
"How does it feel!?" he screamed, beginning to strangle him.
"Oh my God," I cried out, watching in horror as Hayden did the exact same thing to Ashton, as Ashton did to me. Unwelcome memories of my attack suddenly bombard my mind, making me feel woozy as I blink back to reality.
After strangling him, Hayden threw his fist two more times into Ashton's face, before he could retaliate. Ashton shoved him back and soon he was the one over Hayden. His fist met Hayden's jaw and I cry out, my hands flying to cover my open mouth.
They both began rolling around on the cement, grunting like animals, as they fought relentlessly. Blood dirtied their face, clothes and speckled the pavement beneath them as they continue to struggle with each other.
I was running towards them before I knew what I was doing. Suddenly, my arm was wrenched back as Harvey pulled me.
"Don't," he yelled into my face, pushing me back further.
"Get out of my way!" I shouted, trying to get around him.
He shoved me, with far more strength than I thought he had, back towards a parked car. He pressed me roughly against it, holding me still, his fingers biting into my biceps.
"Don't go anywhere near them," he warned, his eyes holding authority as he stared at me. I breathlessly met his eyes, surprised at his dominant position and seriousness. His cheeks were flushed as he stared at me intensely.
"Okay," I cried weakly, looking over his shoulder.
I vaguely hear Caitlyn calling the police. It is hard to hear her words as she is crying hysterically.
"There's no stopping them," Harvey told me firmly as I watch them continuously throw punches at each other, spilling more of each other’s blood.
A small crowd had gathered to watch, some having their phones to pressed to their ears, obviously reporting the brawl that was taking place.
Ashton got to his feet, his dark eyes meeting mine. "Hi Grace."
My face paled as I stare back to him, Harvey's grip on me tightened.
A growl-like sound emerged from Hayden as he launched from his spot on the ground, tackling Ashton down, the fight starting back up again. Ashton tried to get up a few times but Hayden successfully kept him down, quite brutally.
Even though this situation is terrifying, Hayden looked hot as he went after Ashton. The way he tried to punish him for what he did to me, made me feel slightly emotional. He's truly my knight in shining armour.
"They're on their way," Caitlyn sniffled, wiping her nose.
"Thanks," Harvey said with a nod.
I think she expected him to go comfort her, but he stayed where he was, his hands gripping my arms as he had me pressed against the random car parked.
His eyes met mine.
"Are you okay?"
I shook my head as I watch Ashton and Hayden continue to fight aggressively.
Sirens began wailing sometime later and Ashton shot up to standing position. Hayden leapt to his feet, looking very bruised and battered, just as Ashton swung his arm out, smacking his elbow into Hayden's forehead. He collapsed to the ground, out cold.
A strangled scream left my lips as I watch Hayden stop moving.
Suddenly, Ashton was running and so was Harvey. He sprinted after Ashton and tackled him to the ground. I watched in horror as Ashton punched Harvey, trying to get him to let go. Harvey fought back and managed to get a punch in himself. A full-on brawl began between the two and my heart almost gave out. Watching Hayden, who is very strong and fit was nerve-wracking enough, let alone watching Harvey who's never worked out in his life, try to take Ashton on. They battled against each other, until the police rushed over to them.
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."