The Fated Match

“Stop spying on us and get ready” I snapped at Bryony when I saw sneaking glances from around the corner.

“Babe its fine, good luck” Josh bent down and gave her a light kiss on her cheek. He followed to step with me. he had spent time getting video footage of them all getting ready for their competition.

We made it up to our seats. Looking around the venue It was full of proud parents and friends waiting for the races to begin.

I wanted to only have me and Tina here to watch them, Ryan and the rest of the staff offered to come and support, but I needed to concentrate.

Theo offered to come and support, but I declined saying he didn’t need to come. Luckily for me, he didn’t really push the subject any further. I think he noticed my hostility this morning, but I didn’t give him the chance to question it as I ran out of there.

Tina told me that they went out for dinner later and I can’t say that it didn’t bother me. turns out Michelle was feeling upset being her dad was ill with cancer and I guess seeing me so happy with my dad was hard to see.

Something about her story doesn’t sit well with me though.

“Scott is up first,” I said to Josh who sat silently beside me and when I mean silent, I mean fucking silent like a mute mouse.

Watched Scott walk out with the other swimmers and get behind his lane. I raised up my thumbs at him when he searched the crowd. Below me was Scott’s father. I met him this morning and I did find him rather intimidating, but I could see he was a strong supporter for Scott here.

I patted his shoulder as Scott got ready on the board.

When the gun went off, they all dived into the water. Scott shot straight into the water leaving a very light splash. My eyes followed his body through the water. He slowly submerged from the water and started to do his butterfly strokes.

We all cheered him and George on as they swam. George was in the lane to the other end and he was going strong.

I had to give him a pep talk earlier since he was really nervous.

The boys were now on their second lap. Scott was in third place but was not far behind from the leader.

I bit my lip as I watched them all. I suddenly jumped up cheering as I watched George come powering down the left.

Scott seemed to find some burst of energy since he was now matching the strokes of second place maybe an arm’s length from the leader.

“holy shit” Josh mumbled. We watched in awe as George overtook third place as he was level with Scott who was looking inhumane out there.

Scott’s dad stood up shouting when they came to finish. It was so close that we didn’t see who won since it was all in how fast they could touch the wall.

I held my hands together watching the screens.

“That’s my boy!” Scott father screamed. I grinned as I saw Scott’s name in 1st place followed by another guy and then George in third.

Maybe I should record my pep talks.

Scott splashed the water when he saw his name up there. Josh grabbed his camera and zoomed in on the boys as they leapt on each other celebrating.

“well done,” I said patting scots father on the back. I wasn’t surprised when he grabbed hold of my hand.

I sat back waiting for the next race to begin. My hopes were high after that success. Maybe just maybe I’ll go easy on Scott.

I picked up my hone when I felt it vibrate.

Billy SOOO?

I laughed seeing the message. I had spoken to him last night telling him that the competition was today. H wanted me to facetime him during it, but I wanted to be focused.

Good so far, Scott won his race and George secured the bronze x

He instantly replied with a celebrating GIF.

“Good luck baby” I heard Josh whisper. I looked down and Bryony was standing in her lane getting ready.

I patted Josh’s shoulder “she will do great don’t worry” he nodded but I knew he would still be nervous for her.

The gun went off and all the girls were in the pool. I watched her body swim underneath the water. When she emerged from the water, she really used her arms to get some speed before going back underneath.

She had a strong start I had just hoped that she is able to keep up.

“It’s not Bryony I’m worried about,” he said his eyes glued to the water. I followed his eyes and felt instantly stupid knowing that not only is his girlfriend racing but also his sister.

Melissa was in Fourth and that was good. She needed to secure fourth or above to be able to qualify for the next competition.

The girls were coming towards the end I could see Bryony gliding through the water like an absolute pro. She was leading the pack creating more and more distance between her and the girl in second place.

Wow, the lungs on this girl.

Before I could blink the race was finished and that was the end. Melissa was still rubbing her eyes from her goggles when Bryony swam over jumping on the poor guy who was still oblivious to everything.

“Go” I whispered to Josh. He didn’t even wait probably thought that I would change my mind. He ran down the steps and heading down to the exit so he could get to the back to hug his two favourite girls.

I spotted Mel’s mom to my left wiping some fallen tears.

Tina switched spaces with me. I pulled out a tissue handing it over to her.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Oh, coach I’m sorry I’m so emotional” I reached out to her hand. “you can cry all you want Maisie as long as its tears of joy,” I said to her. She laughed nervously wiping under her eyes making sure not ruin her makeup.

Maisie had decided to come to this competition after much deliberation, I was also able to also get hold of her eldest son who was in Canada travelling. Tina has mentioned that he was a swimmer as well.

“it is” she smiles “Bryony is such a good daughter I don’t think I give her enough credit its the best feeling in the world to see her so happy swimming” I cast my eyes down to the water as the girls exited.

“she really loves it. I think we can both agree that this is what she is supposed to do” the poor mother could only continue crying. I gently rubbed her back.

Tina helped her down the steps and led her to where she could see Bryony. I needed to stay for the others.

Next was the freestyle event. The guys were ready. I didn’t even have to worry about this one. Ben was an absolute force of nature out there. He had the audacity to wink over her when he jumped out. I could just about see George shove ben.

“oh boy” I whispered.

My nerves were up to the roof by now as I saw both of the twins standing on that diving board ready to go.

I actually crossed my fingers for this one. Earlier on they were leading the group with there two dives. Now it was down to this last one and they would secure their gold medal and go straight into the next league.

To say that this was stressful was an understatement. I felt like I was about to burst it was that intense.

The boys bounced on the board before jumping off. They tucked in tight before shooting down into the water.

From what I could see they were completely synchronised, but I was too far to make any guesses. The judges were taking their leisurely time giving them a score.

Oh, come on.

Suddenly the twins were hugging each other. They looked genuinely happy and when I looked to the board, I had noticed that they were unlucky.

Dang, it.

I gave them a questioning look when they came over to me.

“what!” They grinned up at me. Am I missing something here?

“coach, we didn’t win but we’ve never done that height with those points,” Andrew said panting from excitement.

Thomas nodded eagerly.

“you’re right boys. Well done” I hugged them leaning over the bannister. I sat back enjoying bathing in this success.

My team, well they did good today and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

I headed towards the exit when I received the text from Bryony’s older brother.

I spotted a tall guy standing by the entrance. He had a duffel bag over his shoulder.

“Greyson?” I asked walking over to him. He spun on his heel turning to face me.

He reached up and removed the glasses from his eyes. “that’s me, you must be coach” I nodded giving him my hand which he gladly shook.

“call me Elle”

We walked towards the back, there was a restaurant there where I agreed to meet them all. As I pushed open the door, I could hear the obnoxious loud voices of my team. Instead of shouting at them I let them have there moment.

“Did you see us, coach, we kicked ass today?” Scott said wrapping his arm around me pulling me further into the room.

I smiled letting him do exactly that.

“ow, coach!” Ben exclaimed holding onto his ear. I had flicked his ear even though he tried his best to hide his face from me.

“Be humble next time, idiot” I said going to hit him again only for Scott to grab my arm and pulling me away before I could do any more damage to him.

He sulked in his seat.

“Bryony” I called over to her, she was sat with both her mother and Josh admiring her medal. She finally looked up at me.

“yes coach” she sat up giving me her full attention. I felt Greyson move behind me. he removed his hood and stepped into the light.

I watched Bryony move her eyes to the guy standing next to me. her hands instantly flew up to her mouth.

“what you just standing there for, idiot” Greyson said grinning like a mad man. Greyson had no choice but to go to her.

He bent down and pulled her chin up “Congrats sis” he said gently. The rest of the team were completely silent as they processed this information.

“Greyson!” she screamed wrapping her arms around his neck. Greyson lifted her up hugging her tightly.

I felt like I was going to cry. Something about family reunions they just really get to me.

I stood back with the rest of the team, our eyes fixated on the three as they laughed, hugged and enjoyed their time together.

“Hey coach you don’t mind if I ride back with my family do you,” Bryony said coming over to us. I looked behind her as Greyson and Maisie waited for my answer.

“of course, I don’t mind, see you later alright” she beamed with excitement and skipped over to her family.

I headed outside for the coach so that we could all travel back home, god knows everyone is tired no doubt the team want to get back for a rest before they really celebrate

“shhh Scott, she might be asleep, but she can probably hear you” I put all my effort into not cracking a smile.

I had closed my eyes hoping to catch some sleep as we all travelled home. Turns out they were all planning a big ass party.

“Nah, coach is out cold” Scott declared quite confidently might I add.

I waited a few seconds. I felt an overwhelming feeling of someone hovering over me.

I snapped my eyes open to see Scott curse stumbling back.

“fuck, I guess I was wrong,” he says getting back in his seat. Scott sank in his seat when everyone glared at him.

I cracked a smile “you all deserve to have some fun; I’ll just pretend I never heard anything” I shrugged finally leaning back.

“Thanks, coach” Scott whispered.

No worries, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes hoping that some sleep would welcome me.

All I know Is that when I get home, I would have to face the inevitable.

I was about a second away from sleep welcoming me when my phone violently vibrates against my leg. Still, with my eyes closed, I grabbed my phone unlocking it with my fingerprint.

I squinted at the message popping up.

Greyson Compton sent you a message

Hey, would you like to grab a drink with me tonight?

Hold on a minute.

I looked around seeing if anyone was looking. It’s not like it’s one of my students asking me for a drink so surely it wouldn’t be a terrible idea.

Just my luck. Tina was leaning over my shoulder grinning like a weirdo.

“Oh, you’re going,” Tina says nodding her head eagerly at me. I stared at her like she must have lost her mind.

This was not a good idea. But then again maybe he just wants to talk maybe discuss things about Bryony since he has experience in swimming. Think about bryony Elle.