Always Aaron

Chapter 30

The girls needed me.

The race was happening.

But the dread still stayed like a pick me up not moving away. I groaned aggravated and straightened up shuffling through my pockets for something- anything.

My fingers curled around my stig and I quickly took it out bringing it to my lips.

I took a good amount of puffs trying to train my senses but it just made it worse.

Anger fleshed me and I quickly pocketed it before jogging out the bathroom towards the pool side.

I braced my hand on the metal ladder and bent down handing Riley her goggles. My stomach felt tight and pained but I fought passed it looking up and getting met by splattering of water on my face.

"I hate them." Trinity groaned looking past her shoulders to where she clutched the ladder. I met my gaze to spot Owen and Tyler doing laps and splashing water at us.

"Don't worry." I tried not sounding anything but drained. "We'll make it."

"We already lost the archery." Trinity deadpanned. "That's one point that cost us. We are tied with the boys."

"Then break it." I huffed rubbing my face. "Sorry that sounded aggressive. Just... try your best okay?"

Riley and her nodded before getting into chat between them. I sat down on a white plastic chair getting exasperated by the slight scratch of it against the floor. It made me want to claw my ears out.

"Swimmers at the ready!" Principal Simone announced from her megaphone. I watched as the water was ripped with white currents trailing back as the swimmers pushed towards the white and blue tiled walls of the pool. "Ms. Clarissa, Mr. Torres are we ready?"

Both the teachers nodded looking at their stopwatch with precision. "Alright then. May the best team win. You start at the count of three and three only alright Mr. Hayes?" Owen gave us a sheepish grin and slapped his goggles on to his face.

The whole swim cap and trunks and suits made mostly all of them look funny but I rather kept my mouth shut then have Trinity wailing again.

"One!" I looked for Aaron and frowned when he was not there.

"Two!"

"Three!" The water was tested by as a tide of it pushed forth and between the waves the swimmers erupted one arm at a time. I heard shouting everywhere each cheering and screeching for their person or team.

My voice was too strained as I hollered my feet pressed firmly against the ground so the legs of the chair dug into the back of my calves.

I bit my lip silently praying we would win. I watched Trinity and Riley juggle for the lead as Tyler fell back.

Owen was at the lead and he was an inch short from winning.

I watched and watched my hands clawing at my knees as Owen touched the wall first and won. "Owen Hayes is the winner!" Ms. Clarissa's voice is barely audible over the yells and hoots of boys jumping in the pool.

I watch them cannonball while the girls sulk and sneer at them. This is bad for motivation indeed. I needed to get them back on the rail before the next competition.

My stomach tightened again and I looked helplessly through the seam of crowds trying to pinpoint Aaron but he is nowhere in sight. I do not think he came to the competition itself really.

My feet skid against the asphalt floor as I walk not sure of what. I felt so entirely sick and dizzy my eyes dulled.

"Bryce?" Reuben stands next to me. "Are you alright? You're stumbling a lot." His voice is another buzz in my ear and I just nod and walk past.