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Ocean
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After practice was over we needed to shower and get ready for school. We got up early and went to extra practices when a meet with St. Reece's was coming. Our two schools, Jasper High and St. Reece's, occupied the same territory so to speak since one was a public school and the other was a private charter school in the same city. The close proximity of our schools always led to a huge amount of rivalry and more than a few fights.
Still, I didn't let it bother me. I didn't mind the morning practices either as it meant more time for me to be in the pool. Any time in the pool was time well spent.
Once I was cleaned and dressed for the day I walked out of the locker room and towards class. Waiting right outside the door for me was my girlfriend, Brittney. She and I started dating at the end of the last school year when I won the championship. She was the hottest girl in school and she loved me more than life itself. She had even professed her feelings for me first when she ran up to me and kissed me after the final swim of the day. We've been inseparable ever since.
Brittney walked up to me and wrapped her arm around my waist while I snaked mine around her shoulders. She was about five feet six inches tall with platinum blonde hair and hazel eyes. The tan she wore was from many hours of effort as she laid in the sun, usually watching me swim. Today she was wearing a tight black skirt that was just barely long enough to keep her from getting kicked out of school and it was paired with a spaghetti strap shirt in a bright bubblegum pink. To keep herself from getting kicked out over the top she wore a sheer purple top with long sleeves that she kept bunches near her elbows.
Brittney always wore the perfect makeup and the best accessories. And every guy in school was jealous that she was mine. Like I said, my life was perfect.
Brittney and I made it to our first class, advanced calculus, and went to our seats in the back by the window. Our teacher, Mr. Dickson, also happened to be the swim coach and knew what my overall grades were, he didn't care that I didn't pay attention in class as long as I kept my grade as an A and continued to swim at my best.
The bell rang just before Coach Dickson walked into the room. However, he wasn't alone. There was a guy following him that I had never seen before. That was strange since I could tell he was definitely not a teacher. I knew every single junior and senior in our school. As a candidate for the upcoming student body president that was something I made sure to memorize. I knew most of the sophomores and was only a little familiar with the newly added freshmen. This guy was definitely new.
This was the advanced calculus class, unless you were a senior or you had special permission you couldn't be in this class. Who the hell transfers school in their senior year?
OK, that's stupid of me to ask. His parents could have moved or something and that's why he moved. It's hard for me to judge there. Oh well, it was no skin off of my back.
Coach Dickson walked with the new guy to the front of the class and began to introduce him.
"Hey guys and gals. We got a newbie this morning." Coach Dickson always had an odd way of talking but he was fun. He was in his late forties with short blond hair and brown eyes. He was still a swimmer himself so he was thin and fit and just a hair shorter than my six feet three inches. "This here is Makai Rivers, he just transferred here all the way from Florida. Why don't you say a few words about yourself Makai?" Coach Dickson handed over the imaginary microphone to the newcomer.
With a smile the new guy walked to where Coach Dickson had been standing. He smiled and looked around the room. It was clear that Makai Rivers was used to having people look at him. He had dark hair as well, but it was more of a dark brown with red highlights. That red was not auburn but true red when the light hit him. His eyes were a bright seagreen. He had the physique of a swimmer as well, someone who was fit and athletic. His complexion was also light like my own.
"Hey everyone." Makai waved at the class and smiled. "As he said, my name is Makai Rivers and I guess I am the new guy here. I was on my school's swim team last year and I hope to join the team here if the roster isn't full."
"I could probably make an exception for you." Coach interrupted him for a second, a grin on his face.
"That'd be nice." Makai smiled again and I heard several of the girls in the class sigh as if he were some sort of celebrity.
"Oh my GOD, he is hot." Brittney's words from right beside me cut me deep. This new guy was already causing me problems.
"I'm just here to finish out the year and hopefully swim my way to nationals." That grin he gave got another sigh from the collective group of girls, including my girlfriend.
I instantly hated this guy. Who did he think he was, coming in here and stealing my limelight? I wasn't about to give my top spot in the school to him that easily. I was going to hold onto my position with everything I had. I worked hard to get to where I am.
While I was thinking these less than kind thoughts, Makai Rivers looked right at me like he had something to say to me. Did he know what I was already thinking about him? Was it written on my face or something?