"You nervous?"

I snapped out of my thoughts as I gazed into the excited eyes of Logan as I continued to stretch my legs before swim tryouts. "A little bit," I admitted, getting off of the floor and heading for my desk. "I mean, with all that's going on right about now, I can tell that the tryouts for the swim team are very intense."

"Well, at least you know that we got you covered with protection after Braeden had decided to make amends with us," Braeden agreed. "And knowing him, you might need to sit this one out."

"I can assure you that I can handle myself," I promised him just as the time for morning group chat drew near. "Anyway, we got a lot in store for the both of us this weekend, and while I want to enjoy myself and let loose, I can already tell that it's still too soon to loosen some restraints."

"True," Logan replied, grabbing his sport jacket before the two of us left our dorm room. "And I'm still making sure that you don't break your promise. You're a good kid, but there's still the possibility of you slipping back into bad habits."

"I can't argue with you there," I commented. "Come on, then. Let's talk things out with Valenzia and get a quick workout in before tryouts. I need to shake off some of this nervousness into some exercise."

And in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if the red-headed devil in disguise was actually planning to kill me. But it was too late to go back on tryouts now. I was determined to go through tryouts and hope that today was going to be fun.

As for my status as a patient in general? Well, while I'm ahead in my classes and making good on keeping my grades up to par, I was still on the watchlist and I needed to make sure that I didn't sabotage my mental and emotional health progress. And besides, I still had a lot to say and a lot of issues to get off of my chest.

**************

"I feel like an idiot, if not like a stripper," I moaned as I stepped out of the men's locker room of the indoor pool. My body was all exposed and I felt very self-conscious of Logan and his uncle while wearing the full-coverage triangular swimsuit that hugged me like a glove. And to make matters worse, I felt like I was stepping into a room full of cover models with the other guys built like said models with the bodies of gods and the auras of athletes. "And it doesn't help that my boyfriend and his uncle are making me more self-conscious with their hot bodies."

Logan (looking like a million bucks in his red speedo) and his uncle (Who could give Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte for their money as he was a knockout in his blue speedo) laughed heartily as the former just pulled me in closer. "There's nothing for you to worry about," Logan teased. "And besides, you're still my boyfriend and I'm lucky to have you."

"I hope so," I breathed. To Dr. St. Pierre, "Sir, are you sure that Braeden wouldn't be stupid to try anything?"

The older man nodded. "I told him that he was ineligible for tryouts and that he was not to be in the same room with you without supervision," he replied. "Now, let's head over to the other kids and see the other competition.

It's amazing how he can remain so professional while looking like he stepped out of an underwear catalog. Ronaldo and Beckham, eat your hearts out.

Okay, I am getting off track. Where was I?

Oh, right.

Anyway, the pre-tryout talks went by with everyone assuring the female coach (Who was also the teacher for Computers) that we all knew CPR and all of the water safety protocols. Once we were assigned a buddy (of course, Logan and I were paired up), the real competition began. And everyone was feeling the hype and the energy of challenging, supporting, and a bit of light trash-talking (no profanity was allowed, trust me) as we saw some guys making the cut while others decided to wait until the next semester to go for it again.

The Guerro twins were one of the top ten finalists to make the cut as were Logan and myself and a few other kids in our grade. The last several guys consisted of two sophomores and a soon-to-be graduate (a former bulimic) who wanted to show off his new body after his enhanced diet regiment. But he mainly wanted to prove to his family that he was a survivor of their endless child abuse and torture.

He was a hero if you asked me.

"Wow, what a day," Logan muttered as he and I left the unisex showers. "I'm glad that you and I are on the team together, man."

I kissed him lightly. "Well, we do make a pretty good pair at the diving trials," I replied cheekily. "Every one of the guys was cheering us with "Team Dellan all the way!" I think that they just needed a good ship couple."

"Well, we are boyfriends now," Logan agreed. "Look, I need to get something and then talk to my uncle. Are you okay by yourself?"

I nodded. "Pablo said that he and his brother were going to come after they decided to swim some laps. I'll be fine," I assured him.

Logan nodded as he spotted his uncle talking to some of the students, trotting away and letting me get a peek of that peach-shaped booty of his.

I hid a smile from him as he gave me a teasing wink. We were shameless.

Sighing heavily, I decided that a nice good minute to stretch out my bones would do me some good. I never felt this more energetic in my life- other than the nights of lovemaking and from a good session at therapy. Just as I was finishing doing some egg-beaters, I spotted something besides the edge of the pool. It looked like someone dropped a ring or some other piece of jewelry. Against my better judgment, I decided to check it out and see what it was.

It was a few steps away, so getting there was no problem. I picked up the object- it was a lone gold ring with a single ruby stone in the middle. "Who does this belong to?" I asked myself, looking to see if there were any engraving marks, but resigned when there were none. "I need to-"

That was the last thing I remembered before feeling a sharp pain on the side of my head and being pushed into the water. "Die, you little shit!" I heard a voice snarl before succumbing to the darkness as I sank into the pool.

**************

Braeden's POV

"Oh, shit! Harding's been hit," I heard a beefy junior say as he and a few other guys race to the side of the pool as my competition was sinking to his demise. "Somebody get Michaels and the dean quick! And someone get Wendell out of there!"

I smirked to myself as I watched the spectacle from the hallways. "A job well done," I snickered as I continued my pace. "And thanks to my best friends, I didn't have to get my hands dirty. Wendell is soon out of here and Logan will be mine."

"Oh, is that right?" sassed an angry woman's voice.

I slowly turned around to face the glare of the dark-skinned therapist of that loser. "Dr. Sellers," I said calmly, giving her an Oscar-worthy performance. "What are you-"

"Save it," she snapped, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to her. "You planned this, did you?"

I grinned widely. "Why else did I want him gone?" I drawled teasingly. "I'm doing what needs to be done for the sake of his ex-father and the sake of everyone here. And soon, Logan will be mine. M-I-N-E."

SLAP!

I reeled away from her sharp backhand. "You little shit," she seethed as two of the orderlies joined her. "Guards, take Mr. Satillo to isolation right now! And get Wendell to the infirmary at once."

Damn it to hell! That bitch was going to rat me out! And if I know better, that Hardass Harding kid will be a bigger problem. Guess it's time for plan B. And it's a good thing that the week after next is "Home-Economics Day." Because I was going to make Wendell some brownies that are to die for.

Isolation will be worth the wait. Logan, you'll see that all of this was for you. And once I get rid of that freak, we'll be the perfect couple!

Cliffhanger!

Braden Satillo needs to be hung and shot for what he did! If you agree with me, let me know what you think!

Coming up, Wendell's in the infirmary. Will he be okay?

Dedication: Glory_feeling2.

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!