Not What I Expected

Chapter One

Andrea's P.O.V

I heard the crowd cheering as I dove into the water. It was me against Tori Johns, the reigning swimming champion. Energy surged through me as I was more than determined to do this. This is what I had trained so hard for and may I say The Struggle was Flipping Real.

As I came out of the water, there was more cheering. Looking around at the stands I saw that it was filled with kids from Jefferson High. Screaming their lungs out, jumping,some even taking selfies. Dripping wet, I took off my swimming cap and goggles and breathed in deeply. I've never swam so hard in my life..well maybe not but it totally felt like I did. I took a peek at the scoreboard, 1st Place: Andrea Evans. With a huge sigh of relief I smiled inwardly. I felt a little overwhelmed. I looked behind me only to see Kylie- my best friend standing there with her mega watt smile.

"Rea! You Did It! OMEGOOSE! You Did It!" she shrieked and gave me a hug.

"Yeah, I guess all that hard work paid off. Now pay up Biotch."

She smirked "For a second there I thought you forgot." She handed me a towel and I dried myself off. I whipped my hair in her face and got a smack on my arm in return.

"I never forget" I told her and we both laughed.It's true though, I had the memory of an elephant. You know the saying-An elephant never forgets, right? Well yeah, thats what I mean.

I saw my mum, dad and brother Caleb a.k.a Donnie coming toward me.

"You did it honey! Didn't i tell you that you could do it?" Mom said as she squeezed my face and gave me what felt like a hundred little kisses.

"I..need..space." I managed to say. Don't get me wrong, I love my mum but when it comes to kisses from her I'd rather receive them without getting a smushed face.

"Ohh, I'm sorry sweetheart. Just a proud mom." she smiled warmly and she hugged me again.

"I know mom." I smiled and hugged her back. I looked up and saw Donnie-who's 5 years old, sitting on my dads shoulders smiling toothily at me.

"Pickles...Pickles...catch me!" he shouted as he launched himself at me and then gave me a kiss on my cheek with dad still holding on to his legs.

"Whoa..Okay.Careful there Caleb." dad said as he tried to put Donnie down carefully. Donnie is a hyper kid and by hyper I mean HYPER.

"Congratulations sweetheart." dad said as he gave me a peck on my forehead. "I knew you could it." Dad was the champion swimmer of his high school back in the day.Besides Coach , he mentored me and gave me advice which I was truly thankful for.

"Thanks Dad."

Donnie managed to get out of Dad's hold and he ran a little too close to the edge of the pool.

"Caleb! Caleb! Get back here right now!" mom yelled as she ran toward him. I heard him giggle and squeal, his attention off the water and now on not being caught by mum.

"You should go get changed and we'll go get something to eat." I nod at my dad's suggestion. Food sounds so good right now.

I turned to see Kylie who was now standing with Chris, her boyfriend a little way off from where I was standing.I saw Chris whispering something in her ear, causing her to blush. I sometimes wonder how they're able to make things work. Kylie is outgoing, loud and the exact opposite of Chris but I guess the saying that opposites attract really is true. My train of thought was disrupted when I felt someone come up behind me, only to give me a bear hug. What the-

"Nice legs Rea." I smiled as I recognized the owner of that voice and turned around. The familiar; lean, towering figure stood in front of me, a smile plastered on his face.

" I could say the same for you but....uh" I look at his legs and cringe.

"Ouch Rea" he said touching his heart." That hurt". He looked like an injured puppy with the face he was making.

I laughed and turned to run but he caught and tickled me causing me to laugh even harder.

"Stop" I laughed while punching his arms trying to get out of his grasp when dad cleared his throat from behind us.

"Oh, hey Mr Evans! Didn't see you there" Bernard said as he turned around to face dad, running his fingers through his dishevelled honey blonde hair. He had allowed his hair to grow thick enough to develop natural waves. Dad just raised an eyebrow at us.

"Right...I gotta go change. " I said wrapping the towel around the back of my neck. I walked toward the changing room which was where Kylie and Chris were standing.Bernard followed me.

"So Rea, pizza? On me of course..to you know, celebrate?" Bernard asked. His wide-set; striking blue eyes gleaming.

"Darn Bernard! Your offer sounds real good but I made plans with the family for tonight. I will hold you up on that offer for later though, yeah?" I replied.He shrugged and nodded.

"Fist bump?" I held up my fist and he just looked at it. C'mon Bernard, i know you want too.

"Don't leave me hanging!" he laughed and finally gave me a fist bump.We walked up to Kylie and Chris.

"Hey man!" Bernard and Chris did their signature hand shake as they greeted each other. As Kylie and I left for the changing rooms, the guys joked about the junior swimmers.

"Rea, you and Bernard make a really cute couple. " Kylie said as she winked at me. I stopped and shook my head.She knows I hate it when Bernard and I are shipped.He's my best friend well you know besides Kylie, actually he's more like a brother to me.

"No! No! No! We're not an item!" she looked at me unconvinced. "I'm serious" but she just laughed at me and shook her head.

"I know..I know.. Its just that if you guys keep acting like that, people will start thinking you are." She sat on the bench fiddling with her cellphone while I changed.

I put on my FC Barcelona jersey and wore my hoodie over it.

" Hey" I shrugged. "I'd rather hang with him than be the third wheel with you guys. And you know full well that he's like a brother to me, Kyl."

"Touché" she said as we exited the changing rooms.Donnie ran toward me squealing and smiling. He may be annoying at times but he's still my adorable little brother.

"Pickles Pickles! We go eat now! I'm hungry." Donnie pouted as he hugged my legs. He has these puppy dog eyes that he uses against me. I couldn't resist most of the time.

"Okay Donnie, go tell mom and dad that i'm coming." I still felt a bit overwhelmed at the fact that I won.I looked at the now empty stands and at the pool and felt adrenalin rush through me again.

Kylie and I walked up to the guys who were now having a debate on which football team would win the big Championship Game which was coming up. They both played for our school team-The Jefferson Eagles.Bernard is apparently the captain of our football team and he's pretty dedicated about the sport.One of the things I admire about him.

"Sorry guys, I gotta leave early. Donnie's hungry."

"All good." Chris said while wrapping his arms around Kylie.

I waved at them and then made my way towards Donnie and my parents.

_________

I was stuffed. We were in the car riding back home.Donnie was screaming his ABC's and we were all laughing at him because every time he made a mistake, he would start all over again. Mom turned the radio on and the news being announced was about one of the McCully brothers ..again..urghh and trust me every time is wasn't good. I had never seen them but I'm thinking they're spoiled brats who take everything for granted. Apparently, their family funds the McCully Private Academy.

"McCully...drunk driving....fined..." I couldn't really make out the rest of it because of Donnie screaming at the top of his lungs. We arrived home and I was filled with exhaustion, I went up to my room, dove onto my bed and fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.