Chapter 95: Chapter Forty Four-1

----------------- "I have to get back to work. You feeling okay?" "Fine, mum," I replied, my voice still raspy. "Thanks." She gave me a tight-lipped smile, before disappearing back out of the room. "Do you think he's going to come here and see you?" Harvey asked me. "Hayden, I mean." Biting my lip softly, I swivelled my eyes back to the door. "I hope so." ----------------- I slid out of my shorts, feeling the sting of the cool air on my bare thighs. I unzipped my jacket and shrugged it off my shoulders, before placing both neatly into my gym bag. After drawing my blonde hair into a low pony tail, I turned and let out a startled gasp as Coach Brennon stood there, a lazy smirk on his face as he watched me. "Coach?" I asked slowly, a little uneasy that he was standing there, watching me undress from my casual clothes, into my swimmers. "Mia," he smiled back. "How are you?" "Good," I replied curtly, meeting his eyes a little nervously. "Can I help you with something?" "Yes," he smirked, his eyes dipping down to my legs. I felt the hairs on my arms bristle under his intense gaze. "Just not right now." Just as I was about to ask what he meant, I heard footsteps, knowing that the rest of the team were arriving. I pride myself in being the first here every morning. It proved to myself, my parents and the Coach that I'm very serious and dedicated to swimming. Pulling his bottom lip into his mouth seductively, he winked at me before he sauntered out of the room. "Morning," I heard him murmur. "Good morning, Coach," the voice chirped back, just as Carrie rounded the corner, her dark eyes meeting my eyes. "What are you looking at, Mia?" "Nothing special," I muttered, grabbing my towel and stomping past her. I headed out to the locker room where I lined up. Coach Brennon's eyes lingered on my mind as I thought about the way he looked at me and the way he stood there, silently watching me undress... "Hey Mia," Hayden greeted and I felt the thoughts of Coach Brennon disappear from my mind as my stomach fluttered. "Hayden," I beamed. "How are you this morning?" "Good," he replied, tossing his bag onto the bench. "Mike coming today?" "Not sure. I texted him last night and he was still sick." "Hope he's all right," he frowned and I watched, lips parted, as he shrugged out his jacket, having no shirt on underneath. Hayden is by far the hottest guy in school. He is gorgeous and that smile... That smile made my entire day. He stepped out of his track pants and I looked away, feeling a blush kiss my cheeks. "Not even first period and I've already got your pants off," her annoying voice smirked as she brushed past me like I wasn't even there, zeroing in on Hayden. He rolled his eyes. "Hello to you, too." Carrie wrapped her arms around Hayden's neck, before placing a sloppy kiss on his lips. They began openly making out and I cringed, looking anywhere but at them, feeling sick. I hate that he can't see the other side to her. She acts so nice to me when he is around but when we're alone, she is horrible. I turned my head and watched Coach Brennon. His eyes were focused on them and they were narrowed. "Break it up, love birds," he snapped. "We have a swim practise to get on with." Carrie stepped back with a smirk on her lips. Their eyes met and she gave him a small, coy smile. I frowned. What the hell is that about? "Morning Mia," she sang in a warm, polite tone as she noticed me staring. "Morning," I muttered with a frown, looking to the front where Coach was standing. "I want us to start with some laps before we work on times. This afternoon we will be doing work outs in the gym. Any questions?" We shook our head in response. "Good, get to it," he said before clearing his throat."Carrie, a word?" I glanced over my shoulder as she hung back, a playful smile on her lips. Is it just me, or does it really seem like something beyond Coach-student relationship is going on there? The way he stared at me this morning... "That is just awful," I hear my mother say with a frown, drawing me from my thoughts, as she read over an article in the newspaper. "What is?" I ask, glancing down at my untouched breakfast, unable to stomach any food since I found out Grace was attacked and Hayden was arrested for it. "That poor girl in your class being attacked," she sighs, shaking her head, before taking a sip of her morning coffee. We had discussed this topic multiple times in the past two days. "You've never known Hayden to be aggressive, have you?" "I fucking hate your guts, Mia." His words rang in my head for the thousandth time. I can still hear the distinct sound his fist made against the l of the school locker beside mine. "No," I lie. "Not that I can recall. I don't think he is the one who hurt her." She peers at me over the newspaper. "You don't?" "No," I shake my head. "I really don't." "Guess you never know the full story," she says softly, taking another sip of her coffee. I push back from the table, feeling sick. "Mia," his voice said, making me jump. "Have I done something to upset you?" I looked up at Coach Brennon as he leaned against the door frame. I was halfway through undoing my jacket. "Why do you ask that?" "You have been very quiet in practise. Almost like you're avoiding me?" "Why would I?" I asked, trying to keep my voice relaxed as my heart began to frantically beat inside my chest. He stepped closer and I instinctively took a step back. "Mia," he frowned, noticing, coming closer. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," I whispered as he stood in front of me. "You can talk to me about anything, you know that right?" he asked me, his voice low and sensual as his eyes darkened, dipping to the exposed skin on my shoulder. I nodded weakly, feeling my eyes become wet. He leaned out, running his finger down my cheek, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm here for you. For anything."