Swim Team Captain

You've got to be kidding me..

Chapter 1

          "So," he drawled out. "Poppy Raider doesn't know how to swim." Grayson Samuals mocked. 

          I shifted on my feet. My flip flops flapped against the concrete surrounding the school's pool. "Whatever." I muttered embarassed. It wasn't even my fault! My mother had a phobia of the ocean, so we never went, and I wasn't very popular, so I wasn't ever invited to any pool parties. 

          "If I help you," his eyes traveled up my body. He said my name like I was a pest in his way. "What would I get?" 

          I shrugged. "A sense of accomplishment?" 

          He laughed humorously. "That's cute." 

          "I'll pay you." I suggested. I didn't really mind if he had a reasonable price. I was taking up his time, but money was tight around my house. Plus, I really needed to pass this test. 

          He perked up at my suggestion. "Thirty dollars a lesson." 

          "What! That's outrageous! It's not like you're a professional." I didn't have that kind of money. 

          "Thirty five." he crossed his arms over his chest. 

      "Ten." he scoffed at that. "Fifteen?" he scoffed again. "Oh come on!" I threw my hands up. Grayson just clicked his teeth, and my irritation started to grow. 

          "The most I could do is fifteen." barely.. 

          He sighed again, coming deep from his chest. "I suppose I could make something work." He shrugged. I did a little happy dance in my mind. I chose to ignore how bored he looked in my presence. 

          "Awesome. What days do you want to meet after school?" 

          "I'm pretty busy so.." He started examining his nails, and I felt like pulling my teeth out. 

          "That wasn't the question." His eyebrows rose and I put on a strained smile. What's with this guy? 

          He whistled lowly. "Okay.. How about Monday through Thursday?" I mentally calculated my plans. "I can't on Tuesday because I have band practice." I told him. He tried to cover up a laugh by turning it into a cough, but I saw right through it. I narrowed my eyes. "What?" 

           "That makes sense." was all he said. I continued to glare at him, so he continued talking. "Well practice Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday-" I stopped him again. "I can only do it on certain Saturdays." 

          He rubbed his hand over his face. "Why?" 

          "That's none of your business." My defenses rose up. I was really going to visit my brother in jail, plus we sometimes has band competitions on Saturdays. 

          "We'll meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Got it?" I mentally calculated how much that would costed me, and almost groaned out loud. This is going to cost over half the money I use for groceries.. 

          "Sounds good." I hesitated. "Thanks for helping me, Grayson." Even though you're a pain sometimes. 

              "Call my captain." He said seriously.

               I snorted and turned around. "Good one."