Alex's POV

The clock strikes 5am and with one big yawn I step out of my car. It's cold, it's dark and I'm not fully awake yet but I am definitely excited. I remember waking up this early for practice, and I'm grateful that I'm back at it again. Soon enough this will become routine for me again. The coldness in the air is getting to me, not going to lie but I know the gymnasium is warm.

I walk down the hallway and as I walk by I see there are a few people already busy with their training. The gymnastics hall is already full, the basketball court is busy and surprisingly the volley ball court as well. I didn't know they train this hard.

I walk up the doors of the swimming hall and I see a few people gathered outside. I assume the doors are still locked because there is no lights on inside.

As I walk closer, all their eyes glance my way. I'm obviously the new person so the whispers doesn't come as a shock.

I put on my best smile and give them all a slight nod. A few of them smile back and then a few of them just look away.

This is a strange feeling for me. There was a time when I knew everyone here. We were all great friends but now I don't know anyone of them.

My eyes glance their way and I see the girl who cornered me the first time I came here. She doesn't really seem happy to see me and I assume she's talking shit about me to her friends. They keep looking at me but I can't let them get to me again. I'm not here to impress anyone. I just want to get back to training and dive again.

That's all I want.

Luckily the awkward moment was cut short when someone came down the hallway and opened up the door. I assume he is one of the coaches because they all know him.

I wait till they all go inside and then I walk in behind them. I feel the heat coming from the pool and my whole body relaxes from the warmth in the air. I put my bags down on the stands and sit down to take off my shoes. Casey isn't here yet but I can start doing my stretches while I wait for her.

"Hi"

I look up, seeing a blonde girl standing in front of me. "I'm Mika" she smiles and holds out her hand.

"Hi" I smile and take her hand. "I'm Alex"

"Yeah, I've heard a lot about you" she chuckles.

"Yeah the whispers aren't very subtle" I sigh and start taking off my thick coat.

"I'm sorry, they are a bunch of assholes." She sighs and sits on the bench. "They don't have anything nice to say about anyone so don't think it's just you."

"I don't really care" I shrug. "They can say whatever they want."

"So is this your first semester at NYU?" She asks.

"Oh no, I'm not a student here. Casey is my diving coach." I smile.

"If you're not a student, you can't train here"

I turn my head at the bitchy tone behind me. The same girl that made comments the other day, stands with her hands crossed over her chest.

"Samantha, just leave her alone"

"This facility is for the university team and Casey can't coach you today, she is our coach." She frowns.

"Oh she just told me to be here today, so here I am" I shrug and open up my stretching mat.

"Sam can you just leave her alone, we should get ready to warm up anyway." Mika says and starts walking to her bag.

Soon the others follow behind but Sam keeps a death glare on me for a few more seconds before she also leaves.

A few minutes later I'm up in my handstand, stretching out my body as much as I can.

"Why aren't you guys ready yet!" I hear Casey almost scream and I stand up on my feet.

I look up and see her walking my way and the others scrambling around to get ready.

"Alex, I'm sorry I'm late." She apologizes with a smile.

"It's fine Case, I was just finishing my stretches." I say and roll up my mat.

"I'll be with you now" she says and walks past me.

I watch her go into her office and I take off my jacket to get used to the temperature in the room. I can feel everyone's eyes on me and I know why. It's not very common for a diver to have this many tattoos. I actually don't have a lot on my body but the sleeve is probably unexpected for them.

But also, it's not the first time I've left a few people in shock so this is a normal reaction.

"Ok listen up you guys." Casey comes out with her clipboard and walks over to the team. "Cole is going to take your morning practices from now on, I will be at your afternoon sessions. I will still be here, keeping an eye on you, so don't try to manipulate him."

"Yes coach" they all say in union except for Sam. She has her glare set on me and with good reason. I am the reason Casey won't coach them in the morning.

"Ok, let's start with a few laps" she calls out and they all make their way to the pool.

Casey walks over to me and her whole demeanor changes. "Ok, are you ready?"

"Wait Case, are you sure about this? I don't want to interfere with their training."

"Alex" she says and puts her hands on my shoulders. "From now on you are my priority, they have enough coaches."

"Yeah but-"

"I was your coach long before they asked me to help with the team, so I don't fucking care what anyone says." She laughs.

"Okay" I say taking a deep breath.

"Okay let's go"

.....

After a intense training session, I stumble into my apartment with a groan and fall down on the couch. My whole body feels numb and tired but it's a good kind of tired. I can feel my muscles did some work today and it makes me smile.

I knew Casey has always been the best coach for me. She knows everything about me, she knows my limits but she also knows when I can go a little longer.

Today wasn't even a full practice session, she wanted to run a few tests to see where I am at the moment. We did some fitness, flexibility and strength tests. The fitness and strength wasn't my best but I'm excited to work on that. I want my body to get stronger.

Just before I fall asleep on the couch I quickly jump up to go take a showe. I can't sleep right now because then my whole day will be disoriented.

I walk up to my room and read through a few of mt messages. Naya should be up already because she has to be on set today but I'll wait for her to message me first. She's usually running late so I'll only get my good morning message when she's at work.

But I see a message from Brian and I open it up.

Hi Lex

I have a shoot in Vegas coming up in about a week and I think you would be perfect for it. Just think about it and come see me when you have a chance.

Love you xx

I take a nervous breath and sit down on my bed. He won't give me the details yet because he knows I'll turn it down so he asks me to come in. He wants to convince me with his manipulative ways.

I send him back a text that I'll come by tomorrow morning and go into the bathroom to take a much needed shower.

I took a shower after practice but I can still feel the chlorine on my skin. I guess I'm not used to it anymore.

But now I want my own shower.

After my shower I decided to quickly go do some shopping before I get lazy. I don't really have any other plans for today. Naya is busy on set and the last few weeks before the Christmas holidays, I would go to the gym around noon.

But seeing I had a my workout this morning and I don't have any energy in my body, I am probably just going to lay low for the rest of the day. Just get some things done around my apartment.

.....

Around six o'clock I hear the lock on the door and then it opens up. I slowly sit up and look back at Naya as she closes it behind her.  The smile on my face from seeing her, turns into a small frown when I see something in her hands.

She has a little black kitten, wrapped inside a little blanket. She also has a little bed for it in her other hand.

"Hi" she says with a big smile on her face.

"Hey baby?" I say a bit hesitant and stand up from the couch. "Who's cat is that?"

"It's mine" she smiles and holds it up against her face. "Well ours" she chuckles. "How cute it he?"

I walk a little closer to her and list the questions I have for her, in my head. "Uhmm" I laugh a little in confusion as I meet them at the kitchen counter. "What?"

"Baby I found him on set this morning" she pouts and hugs him tight against her chest. "He was freezing and hungry. I couldn't just leave him out there."

"That's very sweet of you babe" I smile at her caring heart and wrap my one arm around her waist to pull her closer to me. "But do you really want a cat?"

"Look how cute" she pouts and lifts up the cat to me.

He has bright blue eyes and he is fucking adorable but I'm still a little confused or rather shocked. I really didn't expect this.

"He is very cute" I smile and take him from her. "Are you sure it's not someone else's cat?" I ask as hold him against me.

"No he was hiding behind the dumpster" she sighs and wraps her arms around my waist. "I couldn't just leave him there."

"I know baby, it's okay. I'm just worried that someone might be looking for him."

"If someone comes looking then I'll just give him back" she smiles and leaves a soft kiss on my cheek. "But I took him to the vet, they gave him a few injections and a nice little bath, he is clean and healthy, so can we keep him?" She asks with a cheap smile.

"Yes we can" I whisper and give her smiling lips a soft kiss. "Hello my love" I whisper and kiss her again.

"Hi" she smiles against my lips. "I missed you" she whispers and kisses me again.

"I missed you too" I smile as her hands sneak into my shirt and I brace myself for the cold touch. "Motherfu-" I groan and she just laughs.

"Oh baby you are so warm" she smiles.

"Well yeah, I've been under the blanket the whole afternoon." I laugh but I don't pull away from her because I know it's cold outside and I love her too fucking much.

"Oh that sounds good" she smiles and her lips come into contact with my neck for a few soft kisses.

"But, I didn't know you were coming over. I-"

"What?" She moves back. "Are you expecting someone else?" She frowns.

"What?" I laugh in disbelief. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Because you seem surprised that I would show up unannounced?" She says crossing her arms.

"Okay woah" I chuckle and put the cat down on the floor. "I love it that you are here" I smile and wrap my arms around her waist. "Can I please just finish my sentence?"

"Okay" she whispers but her arms stay crossed over her chest.

"I didn't know you were coming over otherwise I would've made us some dinner." I say in a gentle voice and my hands softly rub over her ass.

She looks at me and a small smile forms on her lips. "I'm sorry" she whispers with a guilty look on her face.

"It's okay, I've made my peace that you always jump to ridiculous conclusions of me cheating on you." I say in a sarcastic tone and she hides her face in my neck with a slight groan.

"So my follow up question was going to be; do you want me to make something or do you want to order something?" I ask as I hold her in the same position. "And" I say but pull away to look at her. "Are you going to stay the night? And no-I'm-not-expecting-anyone-else." I quickly add before she could say something.

"Yes, I am staying the night" she smiles and her arms wrap around my neck. "And I think we should order in because I want to cuddle with you on the couch."

"Okay" I whisper and give her a gentle kiss.

"Did you shower already?" She asks and runs her fingers through my hair.

"Yes" I smile and kiss her again. "But me and Felix are going to keep you company" I bop my eyebrows and look down at the ground for the cat who has only walked a few feet away from us.

"We are not naming him Felix" she laughs as I pick him up again.

"Why not?" I laugh and follow behind her as we walk up the stairs. "He looks like a Felix"

"Alex" she turns around and I see the seriousness in her eyes. "I had a boyfriend in school whose name was Felix."

"Okay, Felix is out"

"Thank you" she smiles and we walk further up the stairs. "So you said your practice was good this morning?"

"Yeah, but I have to do some stretching tonight otherwise I won't be able to walk tomorrow." I chuckle and take a seat on the bed, letting the cat explore a little on my bedroom floor.

"Luckily you have a fantastic bed" she smirks and starts taking off her jewelry.

"Yes I do, but I also have a girlfriend who gives the best massages."

"Yes you do" she smiles and puts her two fingers in the air, bending them up and down.

"There's nothing wrong with my vagina" I laugh.

"I have to make sure." She shrugs and starts taking off her clothes. "You are in a swimming pool with a bunch of people who will definitely try their luck." She laughs.

"Maybe three or four" I shrug and in all her naked glory she stares at me with wide eyes.

"Excuse me?"

I don't say anything and just stare at every inch of her body.

"Alex!" She calls on me and she walks closer to me. "Who are these 'three or four people' ?"

I reach out to the back of her thighs and smile in victory. The plan was to get her closer to me. I wanted to touch her because she's always so fucking sexy when she's jealous.

"Alex?" She slightly chuckles and grabs my chin to look up at her. 

"Yes?" I smile and my hands cup both her ass cheeks. I push her closer to me and we fall back on the bed.

She laughs as I wrap my legs and arms around her. Her body is so warm and I wish I was also naked right now, just to feel her against me.

"I was just joking baby" I whisper and softly kiss her head as she lays down on my chest.

"You're an asshole" she laughs and pokes my sides, making me squirm a bit.

I let her go and she walks back to the bathroom but my eyes never leave her body. I could stare at her the whole night and it'll be the best night of my life.

"What else did you do today? Were you here the whole day?" 

"Yeah but I have some other news as well" I say as she turns the water on in the shower.

"Yeah?"

"I got a message from Brian today"

"What did he say?" She asks.

I can see her from where I'm sitting but she won't hear me, so I stand up and walk over to the doorway.

"He has a new shoot coming up in a week but I don't know all the details yet."

"Okay, that's great!" she says with an exciting smile and wipes the shower door to look at me but my face isn't what she expects. "Why do you not seem interested?"

"I don't know" I shrug. "I don't know what type of shoot it is and it's in Las Vegas"

"If it's in Vegas then I am going with you" she says in a casual tone. "No fucking way I'm letting you go there by yourself."

"Why?" I laugh.

"Because it's Vegas, I don't trust Vegas."

"But you trust me right?" I ask in a curious tone.

Once again she wipes the shower door to look at me. "Of course I trust you baby" she says in a gentle manner. "But if we go together, we can have a lot of fun." She smiles.

"It'll probably only be for one day, we won't have time for anything else." I sigh.

"Okay, but get all the details and then we can talk about it. Hopefully it'll be on a Friday, then we can stay the whole weekend." She smiles and does a little dance under the water.

"I didn't even say yes yet?" I laugh.

"Okay but even if you say no, I think we should take a trip to Vegas sometime."

"Okay baby" I smile and enjoy the excitement in her voice.

I would love nothing more than a weekend away with her. Las Vegas isn't really my scene because I don't drink or gamble but there are so many other things to do. I actually don't care what we do, as long as I can do it with Naya, then I'll be happy.

.....

A/N

I'm sorry for the short chapter. I just wanted to give you an update.

Hopefully the next few chapters will be a little better. I've been struggling to write the last few weeks so.... fingers crossed

Anyway ,thank you for everyone who is still reading this book.

Much Love 💜