The Swordfish Club (Kellic)

Chapter 15

Sometimes you think you will always find comfort in the things you love to do. I thought so too. I mean, how could you come to apprehend the things you've always liked to do? It's crazy. Yet, I couldn't wait to finish this damn extra lesson. I had no pleasure swimming back and forth in this damn pool. There was only one thing in my mind right now, in a few minutes, I'll be on weekend and I won't see Vic's face anymore until Monday, that's all that matters.

As I did my last length, he didn't comment it, not a shout to inform me something was wrong. I didn't notice this first, but after the incident, he started to rectify my movements less and less. As I hated it at first when he shouted at me, now I missed it really bad. At least, he was reacting before, he cared about my swimming. Now, he was barely making any comments, we were back to being total strangers and it was hurting me more deeply than I could ever explain.

I finally reached the end of the length and was more than eager to escape this place. I swam toward the ladder, climbed it and removed my swim cap and goggles only to be meet with Vic's impassible face. My stomach did a flip and I mentally cursed myself for it. I've taken a decision this week, to forget about him because it was clear he didn't feel the same way. Yet, here I was, feeling all flustered just looking at his gorgeous face.

"You won't need extra lessons anymore after the competition," he blurted out and I felt like all the air has left my lungs.

"What?"

"You've improved a lot over these two weeks, in all areas, breath, velocity, techniques. You did a great job," he praised me but it didn't feel like a praise to me, it felt like total rejection.

For a moment, I was too shocked to react and just stared at him as a rush of sadness coursed through my veins. I've never thought about this eventuality and now, without a warning, he was throwing this at me in the most emotionless way. A flash of what it implied began to play in my head an I couldn't stop overthinking. After the competition, I won't spend any extra time with him. We were already drifting apart even if we had never start anything, and there won't be a chance to have something again. My throat tightened at this horrible thought, it was the end of a story that never started and that's when I realized how strong my crush on him had grown up.

"It helps me a lot, I need them," I begged.

I was aware I sounded completely desperate but I didn't care at all, I had nothing to lose honestly.

"You won't need them Kellin, it would be counterproductive," Vic sighed, already looking annoyed at my reaction and something suddenly clicked to me. It was just an excuse to get rid of me.

My sadness vanished and the anger boiled up quickly inside me at the fact he was finding lame excuses to see me less.

"I'm not a child, if you can't even stand my presence, just spill it," I spat.

He frowned, staring at me as if I went insane, then a look of realization crossed his face and he dropped his head, gazing at the floor, scratching his left arm.

"It has nothing to do with the awkward situation we are in, you've really progressed a lot, that's all," he muttered and I could have sworn that his cheeks turned a light pink.

I was kind of astonished that he just admitted we were in an awkward situation. I really thought I was the only one to be so self-conscious around him and to be reminded of this night every time we accidentally made eye contact. Still, he was speaking about some magical progress when it wasn't even true. I mean, I swam like a robot and didn't enjoy my extra lessons since the event and he was saying I had progressed like crazy? Yes, it wasn't making any sense to me.