Chapter Fifty-1

-------------------- As mum sat down, we began to pile up the food onto our plate. I could feel mum looking between me and Carrie. "What?" I asked her, feeling self-conscious. "I just don't get it," she muttered, glancing between the two of us. "I really don't think you look that alike." I looked up, meeting the deep, brown eyes of Carrie, to see her grinning at me. I couldn't help but grin back. It's about time someone said that. -------------------- My muscles ache as I jog. Sweat beads across my forehead and runs down the back of my neck. I push myself to do another ten minutes, before retiring. My chest is heaving as I collapse onto the bench. I wipe the sweat from my face with my towel, before taking a drink of water. Mia joins me on the bench, looking pretty much the same as I do. "You are so competitive," she breathes. "Like you can talk!" We have spent the last hour pushing ourselves beyond our limit, trying to out-do the other. All we have to show for it now is aching muscles and overwhelming exhaustion. "So, are you going to tell me what the scouts said to you?" I ask her, attempting to even my breathing out. "Pretty much what they said to you. I've already made my decision." I quirk an eyebrow at her. "Which is?" "Hayden has always had his heart set on going to Sydney, so I'm going to Melbourne." My forehead crinkles as I take in her words. "But I thought-" "I know things have changed between us all but I still like him. I know he's with you and that's not going to change. I'd rather start fresh, away from everyone here," she confesses, her cheeks bright red from the exertion of our work out. I pause for a moment. "That makes sense, I guess." "We can all keep in touch, but I think Melbourne is where I'd like to go, regardless if I hear back from Sydney." "Fair call." "Obviously you're going to Sydney as well, right?" "That's the plan," I agree. "Apparently Carrie wants to go to Sydney as well." Mia smiles at me. "Of course she does." "I can't escape her," I whine, swiping my hand across my forehead. "You could come to Melbourne. But long distance relationships don't ever work." "Sydney is a big place, I think I'll manage to survive with her being there. Besides, she's been pretty nice." "She isn't nice. Trust me. If she's going to Sydney, it's no coincidence. She doesn't even swim competitively anymore." I bite my lip as I consider Mia's words. I hope she's wrong. We head into the change rooms. After rinsing off, I step into a pair of shorts and an off-the-shoulder, black T-shirt. "If I don't see you over the weekend, I'll see you at school on Monday," I tell her as we make our way through the gym. "Sure. See you." She walks to her car and for a moment I think she considers offering me a life but I don't wait for the offer. I push my earphones in, feeling drained. Dragging my feet with me up the stairs, I make my way into my room, to see Harvey spread across my bed, reading one of my books. "I haven't even read that yet. Any good?" I ask, not surprised that he has entered my house when I'm not home. He peers over the top, giving me a grin. "It's not bad. When are you going to learn to lock your doors? Like seriously, after everything, you still don't lock the front door?" I fall onto the bed, my eyes closing, ignoring his question, already realising that I have a terrible habit of doing that. "I'm tired." "That's great, I'm here to rant." "Okay, go ahead," I fight off a yawn. "My mum and I got into a huge fight. She doesn't want me to move so far away and with you, of all people." He says that last part in a high pitch voice. I assume he is imitating her. "Harvey, it's your life. The best opportunities for you are in Sydney. She should be happy for you. I know it's hard for her to let you go, but it's not like you will never see her again. We will come back to visit all the time." "I said that to her," he sighs, a pout forming on his lips. "She doesn't listen. You know what she's like." "Give her some time. I'm sure she'll come around." "Hmm," he shrugs, playing with a bit of his nail. "I hope so." "And even if she doesn't like me, I'm your best friend. At least you will know someone when you move." "Good point. I started looking around for accommodation and there's a few share houses near the Uni that will be available next year." "A share house would be cool. Caitlyn is looking at Sydney, too, right?" I ask him. "Yeah, she is." "Me, you, Hayden and Caitlyn?" "I think that would work, if you and Caitlyn don't get in each other's way too much," he grins. "She's been acting a bit weird lately, though. Not really wanting to talk about the future and stuff." "Hey, I'll play nice if she does. Besides, we have been getting along pretty well, don't you think? And she's probably just nervous about it all." "You have made progress," he agrees. "I'm proud of you." I beam at him. He sighs, leaning his head onto my shoulder.