"I feel like I'm a flamingo in a sea of hungry lions."

That was the first thing that left my mouth as I endured my first practice with the men's swimming and diving team, feeling self-conscious in the red swim brief that was the official uniform while taking stock of the athletic young men that looked as if they belonged in the gym and the pool while I was barely packing any muscle. Of course, it was another day of being under watch by all of Sandifer Bay (my parents included with their afternoon visits) and dealing with more helpful suggestions to be a part of the "winning team" and stick with Marcel and his clan. As for the jock and his brood, they were noticeably absent for the day (the principal and vice-principal included), but it didn't do me any good since Mom and Dad were designated to fill in for the Dermott men while Diane and Lita were assigned to keep me company for the day.

"You're just shy, Kyle," Coach commented as most of the guys gave me leering grins and teasing smirks that made me more and more uncomfortable. "But with a proper workout and nutrition regiment, you can not only be a perfect specimen like your teammates but also add some morale in your stride."

"Definitely," Lita commented as she came to my side with two guys- an Asian-American junior with hazel eyes and a Hispanic sophomore with deep-blue eyes that contrasted everything else- following suit. "Meet Eduardo Montoya and Draco Yakamuzi, your trainers for the diving team. They're going to help you out with your tryouts for the diving team and make sure that your form and executions are on point."

The Hispanic fellow named Eduardo grinned widely, rubbing his hands as he stared me down. "I can't wait to fully make your body be at your top form," he said in a Mexican accent that sounded deep and hypnotizing. "A few minutes with me and you're going to be a star athlete."

"And if you try and act rough with us, then it'll be no problem breaking you in and breaking you down," commented Draco, his accent sharp and domineering like Dad's brooking no argument. "We're going to be on you until you fall in line perfectly."

"Just what I wanted to hear."

I bit back a groan as I saw Dad and Mom stride into the natatorium with the former looking pleased as Punch. At the moment, he was the one that deserved a punch to his nose for making me go through with this. I kept a calm facade as my parents approached me. "And I guess that you're here for moral support," I commented.

"And to make sure that you don't try and run out," Mom replied before giving me a glance-over. "You look very adequate with your swimsuit, young man. But you could do with some muscle on your bones."

Of course, she had to comment how insignificant I looked with my slightly-wiry frame. Bitch.

"All right," Coach commented, clapping his hands before Draco and Eduardo led me to the diving area at the other side of the pool. "York, let the boys see you work at the springboards and platforms. Let them see the best of you."

"And no sabotaging yourself," Dad boomed. "I'll know if you're trying to weasel your way out of your tryouts!"

Fucking hell on Earth, I did NOT sign up for this.

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

One hour of performing flips and twists in the air later, and I was on the diving team and agitated on how my male diving trainers were not only making comments on my dives but also touching me in various places that were a bit too...well, personal for my taste. And of course, Dad kept putting his two cents in.

"Add some heat to that pike!"

"Not good enough! Bring some height for the jump!"

"A bit too sloppy on that entry! Go back and do it again!"

"Don't try and slack off!"

"Again, son! And do it right!"

And even after I did everything right, he still gave me that look of disappointment because he thought I wasn't bringing my true self to the table. What the hell did that fool want me to become, an android?! Please.

"We got a lot of progress to work on," Dad said as he approached me after I dried off. "And you need to add in extra practice hours so you can make sure that you stay at the head of the game. And I'm all for the diet and workout regime. All the better to make sure that you become the elite athlete that I imagine while maintaining your grades and social life."

"Don't worry, Mr. York," Eduardo commented, wrapping his arm around my shoulder while coming to my left as Draco was at my right. "Draco and I will be the ones to make sure he stays on point. And maybe some weekend practices and workout sessions can bring some heat and fire to his bod."

"Do whatever needs to be done," replied Mom. "The more my son spends with the right people, the more work he'll need to put in to work on his greatness."

I saw the arrival of Marcel and Diane, the latter grinning at me as if she won the lottery. "Kyle, how do you feel about house parties?" she asked.

"Well, I never been to one despite Dad's plans to ground me indefinitely if I didn't go one of the jock's parties," I replied. "I mean, the prospects of underage drinking, promiscuity, and loud music with too many hormones and emotions running around doesn't suit me well with a good time."

"Well, Link's girlfriend Chianna Rodriques is throwing a house party this coming Friday and she has extended an invite to you," Marcel commented. "I told her that you'd accepted and you'll be there in time with me and the guys before you join us for an all-boys sleepover. You'll also be working at the bakery and cafe that'll test your people skills. If you do well enough, then you'll be allowed some freedom. But if there's even a thought of you being antisocial or not putting enough effort...then I guess you're going to have it even rougher than before."

"And I still haven't heard an apology for what you said and blowing your cool a while back," Dad said. "This weekend or your apology can be your saving grace. I hold the key to your liberties, Kyle. I can keep everything you love locked away unless you start showing initiative and be more of a willing player."

I huffed a breath, looking down at my feet.

"Head up," Dad demanded. "You're being a petulant brat and you're only showing me that you're not going to fall in line."

I raised my head up just in time to see a young woman dressed causally in a form-fitting blouse and jeans in dark colors while her black hair was cut short and styled in a bob. But the one thing that stood out the most about her were her steel-toed high-heeled boots that clacked against the pavement. "We got company," I said. "And how may I help you?"

The young girl grinned at me. "Mavis Telfair," she said in an Austrailian accent. "I'm the new girl in town and I was just looking for Mr. York. And you must be his son."

I nodded, introducing myself to her while everyone else gave her a sour look while I shook her hand. "You know something, miss? I think you might be the one friend that I need, one that can...well, help me out in so many ways."

Mavis chuckled. "I bet I can and I will," she replied. To my parents, "I just came to say thanks for the tour and I'll be seeing you all tomorrow for my grand debut. I can't wait to make my presence known."

With that, she gracefully took her leave.

"Another nobody that has gained Kyle's attention," Lita sniffed in disdain. To Kyle, "What is with you that attracts the rubbish?"

"It doesn't matter because Miss. Telfair will not be near him if I can help it," Dad vowed. "I'll be informing Marcel's dads about her. And Kyle, you're to steer clear of her."

"That's too bad," I shot back, crossing my arms, "because if any of you expect me to attend the party and the sleepover tomorrow, then I expect for you to allow me the one freedom to have one 'Outcast' as a friend."

"No way in hell," Marcel exploded, eyes narrowed in silts as he approached me until we were inches in each other's faces. "She's a distraction and a threat to your journey to your greatness."

"And y'all are nothing but self-righteous bastards, but I keep that to myself since y'all keep nagging me to be a part of your popular-Borg collective. If she's not allowed to be my friend, then I'm not attending Miss Rodriques' party, threats be damned."

"You can't be serious," Dad hissed.

I turned to him, giving him a look of my own. "I'm dead serious," I told him.

"Are you going to apologize for being a brat?"

"Hell to the no. I meant what I said."

"Then Miss Telfair's not hanging around you AND you're still under lockdown," Dad spat as he got into my face.

I smiled widely. "Then if that's the case, I'll be staying in my room." I turned from him and made my way to the locker room. "Marcel, give Chianna my regrets and tell her that I am unable to attend. Don't miss me too much."

"Wait," I heard the jock breathe tiredly.

I turned around just in time to see everyone huddle around my father. "Yes?"

I saw my dad glaring at me as if he ate a barrel full of rotten apples and sour lemons before turning to the gang and they were quietly arguing with each other.

"You can't expect me to sink to his level..."

"He's still not going to fall in line until we give him at least one freedom..."

"Stubborn little shit...everyone's nerves..."

"Not willing to back down...play a killer game of chicken..."

"Determined...I'll give him that..."

After a couple of minutes, everyone turned to face me. "We're still standing on our word," Dad said formally. "No apology, no Miss Telfair."

I nodded. "Then no party for me," I commented. "See you."

I ducked inside the locker room and sighed. "Damn this school and my family to hell," I muttered as I stripped out of my swimsuit and headed for the showers. "They aren't willing to be lenient with me while everyone else gets a free pass? That's some fucking bullshit! No matter, all I gotta do is get through this senior year and put up with this bullshit until I graduate. After that, I am so done with everything and will be free from my father's iron-clad control."

Ten minutes later, I was dressed and ready to go as I left the locker room and passed my parents and the swim team. "See you at home," I said to Mom and Dad. "Coach, I'll see you tomorrow at practice."

"Kyle," Marcel said.

I turned to the jock, a nonchalant look on my face. "You guys made your decision about me not being allowed to make friends with Miss Telfair," I replied. "And I made my decision on not going to this party."

"We can't allow you to be with the nobodies," Marcel explained. "Think about what your parents want for you."

"No, Think about what I want for my life," I rebutted. "I told you guys, the more that I did for you, the more that Dad will expect of me. I could give him the whole universe, and it would still not be enough until I became his spitting image like my sisters became Mom's clones. And that's not going to fly by me."

"Kyle," Dad said.

I shook my head no. "I'm putting up with your bullshit for now, but after senior year, I am done with this. You know what? I'll go to this party and do what you want, but don't expect me to apologize for what I said because it's the cold-hard truth!"

With that, I left the indoor pool and headed for home. The battle lines are drawn, ladies and germs. And I don't intend to lose.

It's a showdown at the OK Corral, bitches! And Kyle's ready to show them that he's not going to crack easily!

And we have a new face in the story! Mavis Telfair can be of a big help to Kyle in the days to come. And we'll hear from her as well as Marcel and Christina in the next chapter! Stay tuned!

Dedication: AlcantaraRaymond.

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