"Look around you. Appreciate what you have. Nothing will be the same in a year."
• • •
"No, no, no," I repeated, "Are you serious?"
Willow gave me an innocent looking smile as she batted her black long eyelashes, "What?"
"What is it that I'm missing?" Daniela asked for the third time since we came here, not having an idea of what is going on.
We were currently standing in front of a natatorium. Willow was trying to convince me into walking in the building, but I denied all her tries.
I mean there was only one reason we were here and that one reason was pretty obvious.
"Come on, it'll be fun," she insisted.
"This is a bad idea," I countered, shaking my head.
"It isn't a bad idea, I don't see the problem here," Daniela commented.
Willow sent me pleading eyes as Daniela shrugged. I mean it's not like I had a choice I'm sure if it were up to Willow she would drag me in there, she was just trying to be nice and give me a chance to 'choose' if I want to walk in there or be dragged.
So I chose the first option.
Walking in before the girls, I heard Willow mutter a 'yes'. And two hands connecting.
As soon as we entered I caught sight of the one and only Jayden, a bunch of girls were surrounding him or were just looking his way from afar with lust filled eyes.
I mean I did understand the way they were looking at him, his brown hair was wet as well as his body.
Even from far I could see the little water droplets that slid down across his tanned abs all the way down to his blue trousers.
I could feel my cheeks heating up, but I quickly composed myself as I looked anywhere but him.
Willow gave me a knowing smile, nudging me on the ribs.
Rolling my eyes at her obviousness, I decided it would be better to just ignore her by looking at something and my eyes surprisingly fell onto the blue water in front of me.
Gulping, I could feel the panic rising as I took a couple steps away from the pool.
What would we be doing here other then to swim?
Oh no, please no. Hopefully we just sit in one of the chairs.
Clapping brought me back from my thoughts, looking at Willow's happy to go self I saw her smiling like a Cheshire Cat.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's start with our plan," she said, bringing her dark brown eyes to my green ones.
"What plan?" I questioned, looking over at Daniela I saw the same questioning look on her face.
"The plan in which we help you get Jayden's attention," she stated as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
"Uh, and why would you that?"
"Because clearly you need someone to help you with your undying love for him," Willow replied.
"Wait? What?!" Daniela exclaimed, looking over at me in surprise,
"You love Jayden?"
"Okay guys, calm down," I told them, "I can't exactly love someone who I barely know anything about." Right?
"Well, I for starters don't believe in love at first sight, but anything's possible now days," Willow shrugged nonchalantly.
"You're crazy if you think I'm going to cooperate with your plan," I said, moving slightly away from her totally forgetting what was behind me.
"What can I say," Willow started, "I wasn't asking, I mean you are the main reason of the start of the plan."
"But-"
"Step one; use Jayden's job as an excuse to get his attention," Willow chimed, "Ready?"
"For wha-" feeling two hands against my shoulder blades, I was soon pushed making me lose balance and start falling back.
My eyes widened as I remembered that the pool was there, I tried screaming, but nothing came out as I was in shock.
The feeling of something hard hit the back of my head as well as the rest of my body. Not being able to move, I watched as water invaded my vision and my body started sinking to the bottom of the pool.
Water entered my nose making it hard for me to breath, I was panicking and I could feel how I was starting to lose consciousness at the lack of oxygen.
I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out just like before. Slowly I felt my eyes drooping close and all I saw was black.
"Blair! Race you to the dock!"
"Oh you're so going down!"
Making contact with the dock, I separated my hand from it just so I could bring it up to the sky in celebration, "I won!"
Looking around to catch sight of dirty blonde hair I found myself looking at nothing but water. "Riles!" I yelled, searching for her frantically, "Stop playing with me! It's not funny!"
Feeling a presence in front of me I found myself staring at a pair of light brown eyes, her once olive skin, pale and I watched as water came out her mouth as she spoke, "You're the one to blame! This is your fault!" Her cold hands reached to touch my naked shoulders shaking them.
"No," I shook my head, feeling hot tears trail down my cheeks.
Opening my eyes while taking a huge intake of breath I started coughing out all the water that had entered my mouth.
Sitting up quickly my forehead made contact with something making me groan, closing my eyes while holding onto my aching forehead, I heard another groan all at the same time.
I opened my eyes to see a guy, doing the exact same thing. Piercing blue eyes stared back at me, the hint of green decorating the irises.
I didn't have time to think about the fact that Jayden had given me CPR. I was to occupied thinking back to what I had just seen while I fell unconscious.
I felt my throat enclosing at the memories coming at me all at once, so I cleared it before managing to say, "I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?" He asked all the while coming closer to me.
"Y-yeah," I stuttered, "Thank you."
"It's no problem," he replied, "You sure you feeling alright?"
Physically, kinda, now if we're talking mentally, not so much. "Yeah," I started shaking as I felt the air hitting at my wet body as well as the simple thought of her.
"Here," Jayden was quick to grab a towel, draping it over my shoulders, I could still feel the touch of her hands on my shoulders.
I tugged at the ends as I made it hug my shivering body trying to reassure myself that it wasn't my fault, trying to get the sensation to leave, "Again, thanks."
"No problem, Kingston," he passed me an assuring smile, I returned the smile trying to stand from my current position.
"Let me lend you a hand," he offered, extending one of his arms, I flinch at the sudden movement but still let him help me up.
It seemed as though me flinching went unnoticed by Jayden as his face maintained his emotionless expression.
Feeling a little weak, I still stood tall on my two feet.
"Oh my, Blair! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to push you that hard!" Willow exclaimed.
Jayden gave me a look as to ask what she was talking about.
"It's fine," I told her, I mean she didn't know of my discomfort for water, "I'm going to go ahead and head home now."
I started walking out of the building when I heard Jayden scream, "Wait!"
Stopping in my tracks, I turned to face him, "What was that about?"
"What are you talking about?" I acted oblivious, I knew he noticed how I didn't even try to swim back up or the fact that I froze.
"Why didn't you try to swim?"
"Umm, well, I may or may not have a fear of water," I told him honestly.
"Really?" I nodded at his question, he stared right at me, but it seemed like he was looking straight through me.
It also seemed like he was having a battle in his head before he opened his mouth to speak again, "Uh, if you'd like, I could maybe help you get over your fear."
My eyes widened in surprise at his suggestion, never would I have guessed that Jayden would want to help me.
Composing myself I passed him a smile,
"I appreciate you trying to help me, but I would much rather not bother you with such thing," I said.
"It wouldn't bother me in any way possible, I mean I am a swim coach after all."
Right. "I'm sure you have many students already wouldn't want to put more in your plate," I insisted.
"Blair-"
"Trust me, you aren't the first person who offered to help or even tried," I reminisced about the time mom and dad hired a swimming coach or the time Elijah tried himself but failed miserably, although he did help me somewhat.
"Just so you know, the proposal is still up, you know where to find me," sending a wink he walked back to his class.
Willow and Daniela rushed to my side as Daniela shrieked, "It worked!" Taking a closer look she said, "You should probably get rid of the glasses you look good without them."
Searching my face for them I muttered profanities under my breath realizing I didn't have them on me anymore, probably long gone in the pool.
"Again I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't know how to swim until it was too late, should've asked you in the first place," Willow apologized.
So they noticed it too huh?
"It's fine, although you should've at least taken my phone out of my pocket," I stated, taking out my phone from my pocket.
It was so dead.
"Oops?" She offered with a smile.
Laughing at her attempt to feel sorry, I acknowledge how tired I was feeling right now probably after not having oxygen fill my lungs for a couple of minutes,
"Well ladies, I had a great time and all, but I should probably go wash up before I catch a cold," I noted, putting two fingers on my forehead I saluted.
Starting on my walk to the dorm building which wasn't far as it was two blocks away from the natatorium.
Before walking any further I gave a pointed look to Willow, "And no more trying to help me with 'my undying love for Jayden'."
Bringing two fingers up to do air quotation marks I saw how she smirked. I swear all that girl does is smirk, doesn't she ever get tired?
"I'm serious Willow," I gritted out.
"Yeah, yeah," she waved a hand in front of her as if to dismiss the conversation not before she rolled her eyes.
Rolling my eyes I continued on my route.
As soon as I closed my dorm rooms door behind me -luckily nothing happen to the key card- I closed my eyes sliding down the dark wood door.
The guilt was eating me up, I haven't gotten those nightmares for four years now. And I don't understand why I got one when I blacked out.
They left as soon as I entered high school, I guess cheerleading was a great distraction being the only thing clouding my mind at night.
And now without it, all those painful memories had to rush back into my head just to remind me of what happened that night.
Exhaling, I opened my eyes.
That shower is much needed now.
• • •
After the much needed shower, I let myself relax under the warmth of the water. The water helping me wash away all the guilt I was feeling, reminding myself that it wasn't my fault.
Right now what I need is a good nights sleep. And without even thinking of having any dinner, I went ahead and slept like a baby already dressed in my pajamas.
"Good morning, sunshine!"
Groaning I turned on the bed all the while pulling the covers over my head as the mornings sun was hitting me straight in the face after someone pulled open the curtains.
"What is it with the yelling!" I muttered against my pillow.
And just like that, my covers were peeled off of me.
Is this pay back for waking her up early those other times? Come on! I haven't done it in a while now.
"Isabella!" I shouted, "Can you give me my covers back!"
"Actually I have something I need to ask you?" She told me as more of a question.
Moving upwards so that I could lean on my elbows I looked over at her all the while rubbing away the sleep from my eyes, "What is it that you want to ask that couldn't wait 'til later?"
"WellIkindaneedyoutostaysomewhereelseforthenight," she rushed out all in one breath.
"Huh? I didn't quite hear you clearly," my voice came out in a teasing tone as I acted oblivious.
I may or may not have nearly woken up, but it's not like I'm that slow in the mornings.
Taking a deep breath she repeated herself, but said it more cautiously as if to see my reaction, "I kinda need you to stay somewhere else for the night?"
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
In reply she sent me a deadpan look.
"Okay," I shrugged.
"Okay?" She sounded surprised at my answer.
"Don't make me change my mind," I warned her, "you already ruined my sleep," I pointed an accusing finger her way.
Slapping my finger down she said, "Haven't your parents told you that's it's disrespectful to point at someone."
"I'm letting you use the room for sexual purposes and this is how you're thanking me, you know you're making me rethink my decision," I smirked her way as her cheeks turned a shade of red,
"Oh and if you want to use the room you better stay on your side of the room or we don't have a deal."
"You're very much manipulative has anyone told you that?"
Shrugging I let myself fall back on my bed, putting my arms behind my head, "One has to become something they've never dreamed to be for moments like these."
Isabella narrowed her eyes at me as I laid still on my bed waiting for her reply, letting an aggravated sigh she agreed, "Fine."
My smirk widened in victory, "We got a deal then."
Later on she left saying she had an early class. I had nothing better to do and seeing as I couldn't just lay here until my class started just so I could remember unwanted things, I decided to get dressed.
After dressing I grabbed a rubber band before tying my hair up into a ponytail. Grabbing all the things I needed specifically my new pair of glasses, I headed to the campus.
Walking into the school building I found myself bumping into someone. "Um, I'm sorry."
Looking up through my lashes I saw a girl with black hair and anger filled hazel-green eyes.
As soon as her eyes took in my face, recognition passed through them before a fake looking smile took over her features.
"Hey, the names Holly!" She chirped.
"Uh, hi?"
"Aren't you the girl I saw with Jayden at the party?"
"Do I know you from somewhere?" I questioned her warily as I tried digging into my brain for any memory of her introducing herself at the party, I found none.
"No we don't," she answered, "but hey what's a girl gotta do to start a conversation with someone without having the person question her kindness."
My eyes narrowed down at her, even with heels I towered over her short form.
Letting out a sigh, in just a few seconds her nice act dropped and went back to I'm guessing her normal self,
"I wanted to warn you," her voice was laced with such venom as she spoke I was guessing she was one of the many girls who are after Jayden.
"And what is it that you wanted to warn me about?" I asked, crossing both my arms across my chest.
Taking a couple of steps forward in a menacing way she started,
"Just because he talks to you, doesn't mean that he'll want to be with someone like you. I mean he always comes running back and this time it won't be any different," she spat,
"So don't get your hopes up honey. You and him, will never happen, not on my watch."
A breathy laugh escaped my lips just at hearing her words, if she didn't see me as a threat she wouldn't be cornering me now, "And what makes you think I'm like the rest of the girls. I'm not them and surely am not you."
"What is it that you're trying to say?!" She growled.
"What I'm trying to say is that I'm not easy, and I sure as hell don't need you to come up to me just to 'warn' me because I don't have anything with Jayden," I affirmed, "now how about you run along, I don't need this right now."
By now the girl in front of me was raging, if we were to be in a comic book actual smoke would be coming out of her ears.
Turning on her heel she left, some of her hair whipping my face, hard may I add.
I was holding in the laughter that was rumbling at the pit of my stomach as I watched her stomp away. These college students were much more childish than anything.
Now back to reality, since I had a couple minutes before class started I could use them to start thinking where I could stay for the night.
I mean I didn't have many options.
Maybe I could ask Daniela or even Willow if I could stay in their dorm, but it would be too much to ask and they are barely getting to know me.
"Blair!" Seeing a hand wave in front of me, I snapped back to reality. In front of me stood Daniela, Willow and Veronica.
"Oh hey girls," I smiled their way.
"What's got you thinking so hard?" Willow questioned my thoughtful look.
"I kinda of need to look for a place to crash for the night," hesitantly I asked the pending question, "Could I maybe stay at one of your guy's dorm?"
My voice came out pleading and I guess they heard it as Willow said, "You can stay at mine."
Relief immediately washed over me until I remember about something or should I say someone, "What about your roommate?"
"I actually don't have one," she replied.
At her response my mouth fell wide open, "You lucky bitch."
Willow let out a nervous chuckle as she swept a loose hair out of her face, before she could reply Daniela started talking,
"Don't think she got a lone dorm room so easily, she actually complained at the front office quite a lot, saying she would sue them if they were to give her a roommate."
"And they actually agreed?!" I was flabbergasted.
Why didn't I think of that? Threatening.
"Well she does have her own dorm, so yeah," Veronica responded with a shrug.
Looking down at my wrist watch I checked the time,
"Well then I guess I'll meet you at our regular bench," I directed to Willow who nodded in response, bidding my goodbyes to the girls I made my way to class.
• • •
After all my classes ended, I made my way over to where Willow and I agreed to meet knowing she had one class left.
Sitting at the bench, I distracted myself by going on my phone. As I stared at my screen, I heard something up in front of me move.
Looking up I found myself staring back at forest green eyes that were covered with some black framed glasses that helped his eyes pop out.
Looking behind the guy in front of me I noticed how he wasn't alone and in fact had both of what I'm guessing are his friends, looking at us or should I say him, in anticipation.
Hearing someone clearing their throat I brought back my eyes to the guy, "I-," he froze making one of the boys nudge him to proceed.
Biting my lip to stop myself from smiling at how nervous he seemed I tried to keep a straight face,
"I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you are," the guy continued, as if he had just realized the words that flew out of his mouth he looked down at his shoes as I watched his cheeks turn a tone of pink.
"Thank you, you aren't so bad yourself," I complimented him back, passing him a sly smile.
At my words he brought his head up and I noticed how his face brightened. He was so cute with his ginger hair that was pushed to the side with gel, his jade like eyes, his small nose which was covered by freckles just like the rest of his face. He didn't seem like the cocky type, he seemed like a decent guy.
"Well, um, I'm sorry if I came out too blunt, but I saw you in one of my classes and I found you really pretty."
Letting out a laugh I said, "You're too cute."
"Really?!" He gushed, smiling brightly, "Oh, I'm Wesley by the way, my friends call me Wes."
"Well it's nice to meet you Wes," at hearing the name he smiles even wider, "I'm Blair."
Suddenly one of his friends shoved him closer towards me, "Come on Wes, you gotta do it unless you want to pay up."
I stared at the guy in confusion before looking at an even redder Wesley. "What is he talking about?" I questioned him.
"I- I'm supposed to kiss you, but if you don't want to we don't have to I can just pay him it's not such a big deal, don't worry-," knowing he was going to keep ranting I stood up and quickly placed my lips onto his tinted cheek stopping him from talking more.
It seemed as if his words were stuck at the back of his throat as he stood there in shock, his friends also seemed stunned by my actions.
After a couple of silent seconds I saw Willow motioning for me to go over to her, "Well Wes, I have to go," I waved at him, "See you around."
He shook his head as to bring him back from his day dream and turned to me, "Yeah, see you."
A small chuckle left my lips as I made my way over to Willow who had an amused smile on her face, "What was that about?" She asked as we started our way to the dorm building.
"Someone from my class," is all I said as an explanation.
"Seems like you have an admirer," she pushed on the subject, hitting her shoulder with mine.
"What can I say, I am quite the catch."
Willow gave me a genuine laugh as she pushed me, not before saying, "Cocky much."
Arriving at her dorm room, without much thought I went over to her bed and sprawled myself out like a starfish.
"Yeah sure, make yourself comfortable now won't you," Willow said, sarcasm dripping in every word that came out of her mouth.
"Don't be so rude to your guest, is this how you normally treat people? Because if it is, I think you need to learn some manners young lady."
"First off, this is my room so I can treat whoever I want however I want especially you, second of all I surely don't treat people this way, you just bring it out of me," she shrugs.
"Okay rude."
Rolling her eyes, she started walking over to her desk before sitting herself on the black office chair.
"So what we going to eat?" She questioned me.
Looking over at her I shrugged, "Does pizza sound good to you?" She asked, starting to type on her phone what I'm guessing was a pizza's place number.
"Sounds amazing!" I exclaimed, I have been craving pizza for weeks now.