Chapter 5

I swear one day my alarm will mysteriously be murdered, and no one will ever know the killer.

It’s 5:30 in the morning on a Sunday. A SUNDAY! I love swimming but after doing this for so many years I just want one weekend where I can sleep in. I shouldn’t tease myself with such a fantastical idea.

“Hey, monkey.”  Dad says, calling me by my nickname that I earned at the ripe age of two, as I open the car door.

“Ooo ah ooh ah.” I respond with my monkey arms, “How’s the new job going? You know the one we moved a million miles away for you to do.”

He chuckles “It’s going good; they’re loving my ideas.”

Dad’s job is working with different departments at a hospital to try and lower the cost, environmental impact, increase efficiency etc. To me it sounds boring as hell, but he’s been doing it for thirty plus years without moaning once.

“Of course they do, you are the one and only Darren Lock.”

He gives me a look.

“Doesn’t matter that you’re nearing eighteen it’s still Dad to you.”

“Okay, okay, Dad.” I say, putting my hands up in mock surrender.

“Anyways, have any plans after swimming? Need me to drop you off anywhere?”

“Yeah, I’m meeting up with Cassandra, a girl I met at school, we’re gonna go and study in a book café in Southwater. I was wondering if you could drop me at the train station.”

“Can do. How’s school been? I know we haven’t been able to chat much since I started my new job.” I hear a hint of guilt in his voice.

Maybe I shouldn’t have made such a fuss over leaving, it’s not like I’ve heard from any of my old mates.

But to apologise would be admitting defeat so Instead I just move onwards and upwards.

“No worries, school has been hard, I guess, it’s only been like two months and I’m drowning in the homework but I’m enjoying the challenge.”

“Good to hear, remember it all be over in less than nine months.”

I nod.

In nine months, many things could happen and I suspect it won’t go quickly. Knowing me it will probably be filled with chaos.

Knock on wood that doesn’t happen.

                                        ***

The heat of the pool hits me in a wave. I have barely any time to adjust before I’m dragged into a debate about what Coach Farmer’s method of torture is going to be today.

“Maybe 800m freestyle.” Noah suggests.

He’s only a little taller than me and has a ginger man-bun that’s apparently what all the ladies are currently digging.

“I hope it’s 400m butterfly.” Lottie says way too enthusiastically.

I groan; I hate butterfly.

“Why would you put that out there? I have plans later!” I moan.

“Who’s the unlucky person?” Jayden pipes up.

“Is it even person?” Leo adds.

I roll my eyes.

“First of all, it’s none of y’all’s business but yes it’s a person.” I give them my best glare.

“Someone’s grumpy.” Charles teases.

“Am not!”

“I know what it is…it’s a date!” Lottie squeals.

Ugh.

“I’m not going on a date; I’m studying with a friend.” I protest.

“What’s this about you going on a date?” A familiar voice asks.

I turn round to see its Rosa. When did she get here? Does she actually think I’m going on a date?

“Uh…” i stammer.

“Stop chatting you lot; you have swimming to do.” Coach farmer calls, “We’ll be starting with 400m butterfly.”

                                          ***

My legs have have turned to jelly. As it happened Coach Farmer decided to punish us with the excuse that county qualifiers are coming up.

I decided to shower and change here so I could catch the earliest train into Southwater. I’m just finishing up, putting my freshly dried hair in a braid, when a hand grabs my arm and drags me into the supply closet.

I let out a feeble yelp.

The closet is pitch black. Only after my eyes have eventually fully adjusted, I see that Rosalie-Mae is my captor.

My stomach twists. Is she here to interrogate me about the date joke? Surely, she doesn’t actually care who I spend my Sundays with.

At last, I find my words, “What the hel- “

“Shhh, I’ve only got a minute.” She presses a finger to my lips.

Truly, what the hell is going on? I look at her questioningly.

“So, my parents and little siblings are out of town next weekend for some Halloween football thing and I was wondering…”

I’m still confused. What has her family being out of town got to do with anything?

“And?” I prompt; I don’t have all day.

“And I wondered if you wanted to come over Saturday before the Halloween party at school and the crash afterwards at mine. It’ll be only us two.”

Shes inviting me over. Rosalie-Mae Bradford is inviting me to her house! OMG!?!

“Absolutely, that would be awesome.” I can’t believe this is happening.

“I hoped you would say that. I will come and pick you up from yours at like two. That work?”

“100%”

She smiles and the next thing I know her lips are crashing into mine. I hesitate for only a moment before wrapping my arms around her neck and deepening the kiss.

Her hands are in my hair; mine gliding down her back and onto her waist.

I’m lost in a world of feverish, chaotic, all consuming love and I would gladly stay lost here forever. All too soon it ends and I’m left breathless.

She leaves me with one last fleeting kiss before slipping out the door. Back into the real world.