RACHEL'S POV

Slowly waking up, my eyes opened to reveal Beth sitting on the edge of her bed with a note in one hand and a pint of water in the other. I propped myself up against my pillows, the room spinning, and groaned as a headache began.

'Sore head?' she asked, scooting up her bed.

'Mhmm,' I groaned. 'What's that?'

'A note from some guy called Tony? He left it for you along with two paracetamol,' she said, tossing the envelope on to my bed. I took the pills to ease the headache before reading the note. Gently, I pressed my palm against my head and soon found the plaster form the cut mentioned in the note.

'Who is he?' asked Beth.

'Uh, he's in my Music class.'

'Do you remember last night?'

'I remember a lot of stumbling, I remember Tony taking me home. I remember him not wanting to help me get out of my prison of a dress, I remember him putting me to bed.' I didn't mention the whole thing with Alex - Beth was friends with them and I didn't want to become enemies with my own roommate.

'Is he gay?' she laughed.

'No, he's just nice.'

'Oh,' teased Beth, 'do you like him? did you pretend to get stuck in your dress?'

'No, I was just really drunk.'

'He didn't even leave his phone number,' she scoffed, 'he doesn't sound like much fun, babe.'

'I guess you could say he's a gentleman?' I defended, 'he is a really sweet guy.'

Groaning, Beth rolled off her bed, placed the glass aside and went into the bathroom. Within minutes, I could hear the shower running and the noise of shampoo and conditioner bottles being dropped and knocked over.

I wonder why he didn't leave his number? He must really not like me that much at all. He was so nice though? Maybe he was just.. ugh, who cares.


Taking to my feet, I pulled out some fresh clothes, a towel and grabbed my toiletries bag. Shoving it all in my black and white Vans backpack, I told Beth I was going out before leaving the dorm. I strolled through the halls and carefully made my way down the stairs. Taking a right, I tried to hide my face as I crossed the grassy patch and in the direction of the swimming pool. Fresh air and water were the two things that cured a hang over for me, and I'd already had one.

Going into the changing room, I felt rather out of place as all the extremely tone and sporty students were preparing for their morning swim. They were in to get fit and I was in because I did shots the night before. I slipped into a cubical and stripped out of my pajamas (which looked like a pair of normal shorts and a strap top that, thankfully, matched) and into my little black swimsuit.

Stepping out, I went over to the lockers and slid my bag into one before shutting it and taking the key. I put it around my foot before going through to the showers. I wet my hair and rid my face of all the makeup before heading to the pool.

Walking along the tiled floor, I watched as multiple swimmers shot up and down the length of the pool. I felt as though my swimming was going to be pretty inadequate, but I needed to do it so badly. Going to the steps, I held on to the metal rails and lowered myself into the cool water, relaxing as I felt it surround my body.

I turned and braced myself before pushing off and letting my head full under the water. I came up to breathe before dipping back under and gliding through the liquid, feeling weightless. I picked up my pace, feeling better already, and powered through with my arms. I reached the top of the pool and rolled underneath the water, pushing off and going right back down the way. Feeling awake, I kept going faster as I crossed the centre of the pool and headed back to the shallow end. I slammed my palms against the tiles and came up, gasping for air.

Looking around, I noticed a tanned boy in the other pool standing with his back to the diving board. His body was covered in tattoos and he looked pretty hot. Bouncing, he swung his arms before flying back, somersaulting twice, before hitting the water quietly. A few seconds later, he came up, still facing away from me.

'Tighter legs!' exclaimed a tall woman standing at the side of the pool who I assumed was his coach.

The boy swam to the edge of the pull and put his palms flat on the side before lifting himself up, I couldn't help but bite my lip as his muscles became obvious. He, with his back still to me, wandered around and began to climb the stairs behind the board. When he came out on top, I suddenly realized who it was. Tony.

Shit, I thought, whipping my head to one side and trying to hide my face. I listened as I heard him enter the water, followed by the coach clapping.

'That's it,' she said, 'there you go. Right, a couple of lengths and that's you.'

Panicking, I positioned myself and quickly pushed off the wall. I swam desperately towards the top as I pictured him walking towards the bottom of this pool. Faster, legs. Faster! I need bigger lungs. Come on arms, move! Reaching the top of the pool, I spun and pushed off - sending my body back in the direction I came. My limbs were moving furiously and my heart was racing, not from the exercise but the prospect of meeting someone I made a fool of myself on front of.

Getting to the bottom of the pool, I squeezed my eyes such and came above the water, inhaling. I opened my eyes and exhaled in relief as I couldn't see him. Deciding that four lengths and a stomach full of butterflies was enough for one day, I got out of the pool.

I went to my locker and got my shampoo and conditioner before going to the communal showers to wash my hair. Walking in the tiled room, I swore under my breathe as I seen Tony standing under a shower head with his back - his toned, tanned, tattooed back - facing me. I hurried over to a vacant shower and put down the conditioner. I put a little shampoo in my hair and began to rub it in as I tried to keep my eyes from wandering on to him.

I watched out the corner of my eye as the bubbles ran down his body and his hands massaged his hair. I want those hands to massage me, I thought. Suddenly, an odd giggle slipped out as I laughed at my own dirty thoughts. A few people gave me an odd look, I shook it off and tried to focus on washing my hair.

Once I'd rinsed out the conditioner, I picked up my bottles and exited the shower room. I collected my belongings from my locker before going into a cubical. I dried myself off before putting on fresh clothes. I partially dried my hair before putting all of my things (except my makeup) in my bag. Before going to the mirrors to apply some makeup to my now fresh face, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth (luckily it was empty).

Putting the hairdryer back on the holder, I moved my fringe into place and stared at him appearance, unsatisfied. Scrunching my nose up, moved it about a little until I was happy with it. I opened my bag and slid my hairbrush in before zipping it closed and leaving the changing rooms.

'Hey, Rachel!' shouted a voice from behind me, I turned to see Tony. 'You left this,' he said, holding up my eyeliner.

'Oh,' I said, blushing as I approached him. 'Thanks.'

'It's okay,' he murmured, looking toward his feet. He was still in his black swim shorts.

'Um, thank you for last night as well. I was a wreck, and you were lovely. Who knows where I would've ended up if you hadn't taken me home...'

'It's no bother, honestly.'

'I feel really bad-'

'Dizzy, sick? Describe it,' he interrupted, worried.

'No, no. I mean I feel bad for making an idiot of myself and wasting your time. Can I make it up to you somehow?'

'I really didn't mind, my friends did thought,' he laughed, 'it was like coming home to nosy parents.'

'Let me meet them? I've barely met any cool people yet, and I remember Vic from our Music class, he's a nice guy.'

'Seriously?'

'Yeah.'

'Um, okay. Well, why don't you come for dinner tonight?'

'Time? Room?' I asked, watching as his eyes darted about.

'Yeah, right. Time, 6. Room, 123.'

I looked down at his chest, admiring all his tattoos, and nodded. 'Cool, I'll see you then,' I said, forcing my eyes back up to his face. I stepped back and smiled at him, waving sightly, before turning and walking off - my eyeliner shoved into my jeans pocket.

---

'I'm going out for dinner,' I told Beth as I arranged my photographs for a project. 'I'm going to a friends,' I expanded.

'Who?'

'Tony,' I admitted, 'we met and the pool and he invited me over.'

'This boy likes you,' she stated, eyes stuck to her phone as she texted who I could only imagine was Jack.

'He's just polite,' I said. 'When did you get home last night?'

'I was at the party until about 12 and then I, uh, I went back to Jack's.'

'Beth!' I shouted, slamming my hands on the bed as my jaw dropped. 'That's why you were still in the shower when I got back from the pool.'

'I hate one night stands,' she shrugged, 'but they're so good at the same time.'

'This is friends with benefits,' I pointed out. She smiled, looking up at me through her straight blonde hair.

'He's really hot though,' she whispered.

Laughing at her relentless groans and giggles, I took out my laptop and began to write an essay for History until it was time to go for dinner.

TONY'S POV

'Guys, I've invited someone over for dinner, so could we make something proper?'

'Who?'

'Rachel, I met her at the pool this morning.'

'How about fajitas?' suggested Mike.

'Cool,' I said.

'Do you like this girl?' asked Jaime.

'She's out of my league.'

'We're not in high school, fuck that. Do you like her?' he continued.

'Yeah, I guess so.'

Minutes later, there was a knock at the door. I jumped to my feet and ran to get it, opening to see Rachel standing awkwardly in the hallway. 'Hi,' she smiled.

I froze, do I hug her? I she expecting a hug? No, just leave it, Tony. 'Come in.' She followed behind me as I entered the living room where Vic and Jaime were. 'This is Vic, and this is Jaime. Mike is making the fajitas,' I explained. 'Guys, meet Rachel.'

'Nice to meet you guys,' she said, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. 'So, how do you guys know each other?'

'Mike and I and brothers,' began Vic. 'We met Tony in high school and he and Jaime were really good friends, so we became friends with him too.'

'Awesome,' she nodded.

'I see you have good music taste,' she smiled, pointing towards Jaime's top.

'You like this band? That's awesome.'

'Have you heard of We Came As Romans?' asked Vic.

'Yeah,' she replied, 'they're good too.'

Everyone nodded and we began to talk about music for a good 15 minutes before it all came to an end, silence falling as we all looked around the room awkwardly.

'Single?' asked Jaime calmly, looking at me cheekily.

'Yeah. Any of you guys in a relationship?'

'No, we're all single. Tony's single; we're all single.'

Talk about making it obvious, Jaime. 'That smells good,' I said, trying to break the awkwardness.

'Good, cause it's ready!'

We all got up and went through to the kitchen where Mike was making two fajitas per person and handing them out. Thanking him, I collected mine before going back through to the living room. I sat down next to Jaime and Vic sat next to Rachel - Mike had a seat of his own.

We all sat in silence as we devoured the delicious meal. Finishing his last one, Vic stood up. 'Mike, do you want to go grab a beer at the bar? We've got none left.'

'Oh, can I come?' chimed in Jaime. 'I could really go one right now.' He shoved in the last of his food and then got up too. 'Nice to meet you, Rachel.'

'Yeah, see you around!' exclaimed Mike.

Within what seemed like seconds, the boys had left and it was just me and Rachel. I took her plate and put it in the kitchen before coming back through as sitting on the couch, facing her. 'Want to watch something?'

'Sure, you got Star Wars?'

'You're a fan?'

'Yeah!'

'Of course I have it,' I said, going over to the DVD rack and pulling it out. Pressing 'eject', I waited for the player to open before popping the disc in and returning to the couch.

'The light hits it funny from over here,' said Rachel.

'Come over here then,' I said quietly, kind of hoping she wouldn't hear me.

She slid off the couch and came over to the one I was sitting on, taking a seat next to me. I pressed play on the remote and we both grinned as the theme tune played, filling the otherwise silent room.

---

The movie finished and, somehow, Rachel had ended up with her head on my lap. She was fast asleep and I'd been playing with her hair. 'Rachel,' I said softly, trying to wake her.

'Mmm,' she groaned, rolling over and burying her head in my stomach. 'I hate my name.'

'You need to get up, it's like 10 o'clock. C'mon, Rae,' I said quietly. I paused, Rae? What? Did I just give her a nickname?

'I like that, 'Rae'. It's cute,' she mumbled going on to her back and opening her eyes. 'You're so nice,' I said, 'why? You didn't have to take me home, or let me come over, or allow me to lie on your lap.'

'Why wouldn't I be nice to you?'

'Because I hang out with assholes,' she scoffed, sitting up. 'I really don't like any of them.'

'Then hang out with us,' I replied.

'You are the nicest person I think I've ever met, y'know. What's your number then?'

Pulling out my phone, she took it and punched in her number and then texted herself. Taking it back, I looked at what she sent herself.

To: Rae
Save this number as 'tonyturle' because this guy likes turtles and is called Tony.

Moving my eyes off the screen, I looked up and realized that Rachel was standing and stretching. 'Ahh,' she sighed, 'thank you for the lovely night.' She pulled me in for a hug and we squeezed each other a little. Pulling away, I smiled at her. 'It's no bother, come over anytime.'

'Night, Tone,' she grinned, pecking my cheek before rushing out the door.

Notes

thoughts?
thanks for readingg!
<3