~

"Now we have PE." Fawn answers my question, and I groan inwardly. I didn't have any problems with PE, but if I had to do it with boys, I could already hear the sexist comments from them.

Apart from Newt and Chuck. I'd like to think I know them well enough from 3 days, and I don't see them making any remarks.

Olivia smiles at me sympathetically. "It'll be alright."

"If Minho's not there to make any snarky comments." I snort.

"Who cares what he thinks?" Olivia shrugs. "If he has a problem, he can deal with it."

"You're so real for that." I smile at her, and she smiles back.

We continue walking, chatting about random things, until we reach the PE Hall. The hall is massive, with a painted basketball court on the floors, and the hoops on either side.

I recognise Vince standing at the front, and a bunch of other children seated on the floor in front of him.

Vince turns around as Fawn closes the door. "Take a seat, kids." He says. I don't say anything, but Olivia smiles in response, and walks over to sit down. I notice Thomas, Newt and Minho sat together with the other boys, and the girls sat next to them. Olivia leads us towards the girls.

"What's up, chicas." Brenda greets us, a smirk to her face. "I know what we're doing today."

"Is it good, or bad?" Sonya asks, fiddling with the bottom of her braid.

"You'll just have to find out." Her smirk deepens, and I raise my eyebrows. I have a feeling I'm not going to like whatever we're doing.

"Alright." Vince begins, and the hall goes quiet. "In this first half-term, I will be putting you in pairs, and with your pair, you get to decide what you want to do. We have the gymnasium, the running track, the fields, basketball court, anything."

I guess that was alright. As long as I had a good partner. Now that I think about it, Glade Boarding School really loved partner work. The thought nearly makes me snort out loud, but I manage to stop myself.

"We even have a swimming pool."

That gets my attention. I lift my head up curiously. If there was one thing I really loved, it was swimming. My old school had this program where they taught swimming at the age of 5, and I'd learnt everything that had to be learnt. I could do lifeguarding, swim long distances, and loads more.

However, I hadn't been swimming in over a year. My parents had stopped me going a year ago, as they thought it was 'unnecessary'.

Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink quickly to stop them from flowing. I wasn't going to cry. I would look even more ridiculous with the mascara dripping down my face.

"I will be reading out your initials, along with the partner you are with." Vince breathes in, pulling out a piece of paper from his shorts. "BE and GG."

Brenda sighs happily at that. When Harriet gives her a look, she slaps her.

"Shut up." She whispers furiously. "Gally's alright."

My eyes widen at that. Not because of Brenda's statement, but because I realise that the pairs were a boy and girl.

My body stiffens. I try to think of the people I wouldn't mind being with.

Newt, but Fawn would prefer it more.

Thomas, but I don't really talk to him that much.

Definitely not Minho.

Chuck. Yes, hopefully I got him.

And then there were the other boys I didn't speak to, but I'm sure they would be alright.

Just anyone, but Minho.

Vince continues reading out names. Fawn and Newt get put together. I think Fawn's luck is insane. Even she can't believe it, as her cheeks turned pink immediately, and I also gave her a look of shock.

Olivia then gets placed with some guy called 'Ashton'. I've never heard of him before, but knowing Olivia, she'll probably befriend him anyway.

Then I hear my initials. I start focusing on Vince again.

"LM and ML."

"Who's initials are ML?" I ask no one in particular.

"Minho's." Rachel replies, and my mind freezes.

No. I couldn't believe this. No no no no. I already knew he was going to make as many jabs at me as he could. 

Oh my gosh.

I cover my face with my hands, groaning into it. My previous excitement to swim completely disappears and is now left with growing fear and anxiety.

I shouldn't be afraid of Minho of all people. And he wasn't even scary. I was more scared of what he'd think of me or what he assumes about my fitness.

Because he certainly asks like I'm some stuck-up, spoiled brat who only cares about her make-up and hair.

Just because I liked dressing myself up doesn't mean I made that my whole personality. It was just something I loved.

Someone taps my shoulder, taking me out of my thoughts. I take my head out of my hands and see Olivia standing in front of me.

"It's time." She says sympathetically.

Wow. I must've zoned out for a long time.

I make at face at her as she helps me get up. I notice Thomas and Minho arguing furiously behind, and Newt and Fawn just talking normally.

For some reason, that makes me smile. It was nice to see them happy.

I smile at Olivia gratefully, and we walk over to Thomas and Minho. Thomas turns around quickly and looks at Olivia straight away.

"Olivia, I'm being very serious right now." Thomas says quickly, as a sandy-haired guy is walking towards us behind him.

Olivia's eyes widen in confusion, probably at the fact that Thomas isn't joking around at once. Or maybe it was the absence of a nickname that shocked her.

"What do you mean?" She asks slowly, narrowing her eyes.

"I swear, if that guy does anything dodgy, you tell me immediately." Thomas says quickly, and then steps back as the other guy reaches us.

"Nice to meet you again, Livvy." The guy I assume is Ashton glances around at us, but then leaves his gaze on Olivia.

She glances at Thomas quickly, and then looks back at Ashton.

"Yeah." Is all she says. I've never seen her so uncomfortable.

I look at Thomas.

And, oh my gosh.

His face is absolutely stormy. His eyes are filled with fury and rage, and I can see him clenching his fist. His mouth is pinched together and his jaw is clenched.

Remind me to never get on Thomas' bad side.

"Thomas, c'mon." Minho mutters, pulling his arm. Thomas gives Ashton a last dirty look and then walks away, muttering under his breath as he walks over to whoever his partner is.

Olivia and Ashton also walk off, and I notice Ashton walking a little bit too close to Olivia for my liking.

I narrow my eyes at them, scrunching up my nose. I think I felt just as angry as Thomas, although I don't really know what exactly made him that angry.

I hear someone walking towards me, and I turn around.

Minho. Of course. I mean, who else did I expect it to be?

He reaches me, and then just looks at me in disgust, like I came straight from a dump yard.

"Yes?" I ask, my annoyance increasing. If I had to deal with this for the next 5 weeks, I would die.

Minho just sighs dramatically. "Of course I get you." He grumbles under his breath, but I still hear it. I raise my eyebrows at him, and he gives me a dirty look. "What do you do? Or, is there anything you can do."

I knew it. I knew there'd be some remark made about me.

"There's plenty I can do." I hiss, crossing my arms. I hated this. We were standing in the middle of the PE hall arguing.

Minho raises his eyebrows in shock. "You know, braiding hair and painting nails isn't a sport."

The urge to slap Minho across the face right now was so high-

Oh my gosh.

He was absolutely insufferable.

I roll my eyes, pinching my arm at an attempt to calm myself down. "I can swim."

"What, with a floatie and armbands?" Minho smirks.

Oh, if he was going to be like that, then I'd crush his little ego.

"You'll just have to find out." I smirk back.

"I bet you won't even last 1 lap." Minho starts again, as he leads us towards the swimming pool.

I don't say anything, just shake my head in disbelief. I'm sick of this guy already. Why did I have to get paired with him?

"Oh." I suddenly realise something. "I don't have a swimming costume."

Minho turns around, and gives me a look. "If this is your way of saying you want to swim in your bra and pants because you 'look good', no thank you."

I open my mouth in shock. Was this guy doing it on purpose?

"I don't even swim in a bikini. I wear a normal swimsuit, and I still look good." I state sarcastically. Now it's Minho's turn to shake his head, as he continues walking.

Gladly, we walk in silence, and I enjoy every bit of it. I feel like I could finally think in peace, without someone yapping in my ear all the time.

Eventually, we reach a little office. There's a blonde woman sat there, typing on her computer, her hair falling forwards.

I look at Minho. He sighs. "You can get a swimsuit here." Is all he says, and I make a noise against my throat.

I open the door, and walk up to the front desk. The woman lifts her head up as she hears my footsteps approaching the desk, tucking a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear.

"Hello?" She asks, looking at my face with no expression. It's hard to read her.

I lean against the desk, folding my arms at the top of it. "Hey, um, can I borrow a swimsuit please?" I cringe at how I sound, and close my eyes for a brief moment.

"Oh, it's not borrowing. Everyone here automatically gets a swimsuit they can keep." The woman clarifies, looking back at her computer. "What's your name?"

"Lyra May."

I hear a noise behind me, and I turn around and look at Minho. He glances at me and then looks away, looking at the floor. I don't think anything of it and look back at the woman, who's going inside her office. I tap my fingers against the desk, until the woman comes back, holding a folded swimsuit.

"Here you go. And, don't worry, it will be your size." She says quickly as I open my mouth. I'm a bit confused at how they know my size, but I don't question it.

"Thank you." I say, without smiling, and then walk back to Minho, exiting the office.

"Are you not getting yours?" I ask, as we walk over to two doors. I'm assuming it's the changing rooms.

For some reason that causes Minho to smirk. "I have my own."

I just roll my eyes, until we reach the changing rooms. Minho explains where I have to go, and then he abruptly leaves. I raise my eyebrows at nobody and enter the changing rooms, and-

Wow! It's absolutely massive!

Although, what else did I expect from Glade Boarding School?

At least 10 showers are lined on the left wall, with the little separate changing rooms everywhere else. I pick one closest to the shower, and undress. I fold my clothes and put them on the little bench, and then slip on the swimming suit. Surprisingly, it fits perfectly. I exit the little room, lock it, and head to a mirror which I missed before. I look at myself, watching the way the material slides over my curves.

The swimming suit itself is black, with grey cutouts at the sides. The letters 'GBS' is printed in small at the front of the suit, and in large at the back. My name is also next to the small letters at the front.

Well, I could say that I approve of the outfit.

Lastly, I bring my hair to the front, running my hand through the dark red strands. I then begin to braid, and when that's done, I tie the braid into a bun, securing it with a hair tie I have with me.

There. All ready.

Wasting no time whatsoever, I find the exit to the swimming pool, and walk through it.

And oh my gosh.

My mouth opens wide.

The pool is absolutely stunning. It's massive, and the water itself has a turquoise look to it.

It's my dream.

Apart from making clothes for a living. That's my other dream.

I look around. The pool is completely empty, not even Minho in sight. 

I waste no time waiting for him, and walk over to the deep-end of the pool. I then sit down, making sure my feet are in the water. I make a noise when I feel how cold it is, but I know I will get warm when I start moving again.

I sigh happily. For once, I'm actually glad of my parents' actions. I didn't know they'd even think of sending me to place like this.

Anyways, I push the depressing thoughts away, excitement building up inside me. Slowly, I slide my way into the water, it's icy temperature wrapping a cold blanket around me.

Now, I'm fully submerged, only my head bobbing up at the top as I grip the handrail in the water. Without thinking, I breathe in and engulf my head. I come up quickly, wiping my eyes. When I'm ready, I repeat the process again, this time my head staying in longer.

Another thing I was glad of was that my old school taught us how to swim without goggles, so now my eyes were immune to chlorine.

I shake my head, smiling of happiness. I missed this. I really did.

I twist my body around, so I'm head first, facing the pool. I push my feet off the wall, and then I'm doing front-stroke towards the other side, the water gliding past me as I propel myself further with my legs. In no time, I reach the end, and I lift myself up, standing upright. As it is the shallow-end, the water comes up to my knee, but I ignore that as I take a breath. I'm not tired, however, and I brace myself again, pushing myself off the wall and doing front-crawl again, back to the deep-end.

I reach the end again, definitely in less than 30 seconds. I'm proud of myself. I really am.

"Wow."

I turn around faster than I was swimming, and see Minho standing in front of me, looking at me floating in water.

I raise my eyebrows, and then paddle over to where he is, lifting my arms up on where he's standing.

"Yeah?" I say, when he still doesn't say anything. I tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear, and then-

Oh my gosh.

Minho is stood in front of me with his swimming trunks on, but that's not what catches my attention. His abs stick out, perfectly defined, his toned arms folded in front.

No, Lyra. You should not be noticing these things.

I remind myself that I hate him, and that helps keeps my eyes on his face. I realise looking me up and down, but not in an unkind way.

"You really can swim." He finally says, looking at me nervously.

That makes a smirk come on my face. "Were you watching me?"

Minho scowls. "I assure you, you'll be watching even harder."

He didn't deny it. I realise that, and I clench my jaw. Why were things with Minho so confusing?

"Bet." Is all I say, and I lift myself up onto the edge, sitting down with my feet dangling into the water. I no longer feel cold, and the water is now pleasant as it bobs around my feet.

Minho raises his eyebrows in shock, and then walks next to me. Before I can even blink, he's dived into the water.

And it was a good dive, because he doesn't make any splashes when he does it.

He's then swimming as fast as he can towards the end, doing front-crawl like I did, and when he reaches it, he doesn't stop, turning around and kicking off again, swimming back towards me.

Now I have a better angle of him. His toned arms move quickly through the water, his muscular legs kicking quite fast, however he creates no splashes.

In my next blink, he's already reached me again. He stops, and then-

Shakes his hair, causing water to splash onto me.

I look down at the splashes on my legs and torso, and then I open my mouth, looking back at Minho-

His hair is stuck to his forehead, wet strands sticking everyone, but it looks good. Water drips down his body, across his abs-

Lyra May! You can not be thinking this!

"Keep staring, Crimson." Minho smirks, turning his attention back to me, and that snaps me out of the daze I'm extremely ashamed of.

"Excuse you, Smugface." I snarl, and his eyes widen.

"At least I'm not a red-head."

"At least my ego isn't up my ass." 

"Scarlet."

"Asshole."

"Ruby."

"Ruby's are beautiful." I snort. If only my hair wasn't tied up. This would be the perfect time to do a dramatic hair flip.

Minho just scowls at me, and I smile happily, achieving my silent goal of besting him.

"What's the time?" I say to myself, looking around the massive area to see if there was a clock somewhere.

"Maybe if you got a watch, you would know." Minho snaps.

I ignore his comment, although he was really making me angry now. My eyes catch onto a clock, and I notice we have 15 minutes left until Break.

"We should go now." I lift my legs out of the pool, and then stand up. I undo the bun in my hair, pull the hair tie onto my wrist, and then unbraid my hair. I then shake my hair, so it's not all clumped together.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Minho pull himself out of the pool with ease, and run a hand through his hair.

When I'm done with my hair, I look at Minho.

He's already looking at me.

"Wait for me." I say, to clear the silence as we walk back to the changing rooms. Minho raises his eyebrows at me. I sigh. "Please." I say dramatically.

Minho just laughs a little, without saying anything, walking into the boys' changing room.

This guy! I throw my hands up in annoyance, and storm off to the girls' changing room.

"Unbelievable." I mutter to myself, as I get myself ready.

~

Surprisingly, Minho is waiting for me outside the changing room after I've finished dressing myself up.

My eyes widen in shock. I wasn't expecting that.

"You actually waited." I say, as we begin to walk back to the PE Hall. 

Minho just sighs. "You must have really bad expectations in me if you think I'm going to leave a girl changing by herself who doesn't even know their way around the school yet." 

I swear my heart stops a bit. No way did he actually mean that. Otherwise, why else would he act like an absolute idiot every time he was around me?

"Oh." I say awkwardly, to clear up the tension. "Well, thank you."

"Never thought you could be nice, Crimson." Minho snorts, as we round the corner to the PE Hall.

There it was. I knew it.

"And here I thought you actually said something respectful, Smugface." I hiss at him, and then I storm away from him.

Oh, how much that guy pissed me off.

~

A/N

Longest chapter yet!! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!!

Here's the promised enemies-to-lovers, and I can assure you, more is definitely coming!!

Thank you all for taking the time to read my back, I love you all 🤎

~Nad~