The Fated Match

Eighteen

Theo Point of View

It’s a real challenge adjusting Dillan to life with me compared to him being at his mother’s. I’ve seen first hand what he is like with her. He gets everything he wants which is great I love that she treats him well but it’s not like she spends time with him.

He spends most of his time on the Tablet and watching Tv whilst his grandmother takes care of him.

With me, I make sure to keep him active and take him out to get those little legs working.

Its been a week since I got back from the states after helping Elle. I was honestly surprised that she had asked but more than happy to be with her. I made sure to spend most of the week at home, I haven’t been to the centre since.

There was a lot of talk about what happened with Bryony and it didn’t help that all the blame was put onto Elle.

If it was a normal teacher it probably wouldn’t have been so publicised but since Elle is well known in the sport industry it attracted a lot more attention. Especially with her connection to the American Olympic team.

” Do they ever get sick of talking about this” I muttered to nobody in particular. I have texted Elle but I haven’t really gotten much of a response but knowing her she has probably decided to focus on the team.

I will respect her space I know how passionate she is and I do have some guilt about being the cause of this. I heard from Scott that Elle wanted to make sure to spend quality time with me and I respected that but she didn’t need to do that.

I decided to grab my shoes and headed over to the academy and check on things. I asked Elle what happened when she got back but she hasn’t really given me anything.

Actually thinking of it, I think she just left me on read.

I had to roll my eyes at the multiple cars sat outside the gates. The camera crew were sat outside begging to get the inside on everything. Ryan even needed to get security to guard the gates. I don’t understand what’s all the fuss.

I deliberately parked further away and walking inside with my hood up hoping to not get noticed since I was in the pictures as well they would be able to recognise me.

I made my way over to Elle’s office. Maybe I would see her rapidly typing on her computer of writing down training sessions like I always do.

Instead of seeing any of that I just saw Tina’s familiar eyes. She gaped at seeing me standing there.

” Don’t look so startled Tina, where’s Elle is she at the pool?” I said already peeking around the corner. Maybe I would see her shouting at the students blowing that damn whistle.

” wait, Theo” Tina called after me but I was already pushing the door open to the pool.

That’s weird, I thought. Elle wasn’t here and neither was the team. Which is weird especially they have a competition coming up. You would think after having a training session with the best team in the world they wouldn’t want to leave the pool.

That’s what is so amazing about Elle and how she has helped these students. She’s made them love swimming even more than they did before.

Tina sighed from next to me ” come with me” she was now dragging my arm as she walked out. We were heading back to the office. She pulled me into a room. I spotted the whole team here scattered around the room with books and laptops.

” she didn’t tell you” my sister Jenny said staring at me with a nervous expression.

Clearly not when I’m the only person who has no idea why Elle isn’t here. God if she could see them sitting here with books she’d probably have a fit.

” what happened?” I asked her. She leant back tilting her head up to really look at me.

” Apparently the board thinks its bad reputation for her to stay and train us. The media hasn’t helped either Ryan said that was the ultimate factor that made them fire her” I was already finding ways to handle this.

Wait what, fire her.

” Theo, you have no say in this” she shouts after me. Too late I was already on my way to Ryan’s office. If he had seen me coming into the building he would just be waiting for me now.

I passed the gym making the mistake of looking inside. Michelle spotted me instantly she ran out.

“Theo hey” her voice was just background noise as I was on a mission. I’m not just doing this because I care for Elle but I’m doing this because she is the best thing that the swimming team has ever had.

This isn’t a bias opinion this is statements, facts.

” 2 minutes 48 seconds, that’s quite impressive,” Ryan said sitting behind his desk looking at his phone.

I heard the door close behind me, Michelle followed me in.

“this isn’t a joke Ryan what the fuck happened here” he immediately straightened up sensing I wasn’t here for small talk and jokes not like I normally am.

” My hands are tied Theo, they made their decision and we have to respect that” he explains.

I groaned irritated.

” Respect it? She didn’t do anything wrong. Bryony wasn’t hurt, she’s fine just because it got some media attention they’re acting like someone died” I rolled my eyes at their stupid excuse.

Ryan sighed

” nothing wrong, she left them alone and a girl was kidnapped” Michelle scoffed from behind me. my fingers immediately closed around my hand.

Ryan cringed hearing it too.

” If I’m not wrong I believe that Tina is more than capable of taking some control over the trip whilst Elle takes a few hours for herself” I’m trying not to take this personally but I’m also finding it bloody difficult especially with Michelle being well… Michelle.

Ryan brought my attention back to him. ” like I said Theo I can’t do anything”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I turned my back to him. ” you haven’t even tried” I swung open the door and exited his office. I was still in full rage I practically knocked over bryony who was trying her best not to look like she was listening in.

I grabbed her arm pulling her to stand.

” we want Elle back,” she said defiantly standing her ground.

I noticed the others standing not too far behind her.

” it won’t be easy, they won’t just listen to us,” I said letting her know this wasn’t an easy fix. They could be using this time to train for their competitions.

” C’ mon Theo where’s your team spirit. How else are we going to get your girlfriend back” Jacob said sliding up next to Jenny who shoved his arm off her realising that I was watching.

I was happy to see the football guys here too.

I only let jenny date this idiot because I assumed he wouldn’t stick around but each day I have wake up knowing that this idiot actually wanted to be with my baby sister and one day I hope he doesn’t fuck up because there’s nothing more exciting for me to teach him a lesson.

Elle point of view

” Dads working on it, he’s meeting with the board tomorrow” Tyla my cousin said walking into the room with a bowl of leftover pasta from last night. Ever since I was kicked out I’ve been spending most of my time at home.

Tyla has managed to get some money teaching kids how to swim at the local leisure centre. Luckily for me, they didn’t care about what they heard online all they really wanted was for me to teach some 5-year-olds how to float.

Easiest money ever. Working with my closest cousin was a real dream too.

” Tell him to not bother, I think I like teaching swimming to…” I was barely able to finish my sentence as she whacked me with a pillow.

I grabbed it putting it to the side. Who am I kidding its not what I retired professional swimming for. Gramps is turning in his grave hearing me right now.

My finger immediately went to my tattoo.

” that blonde girl came here last night whilst you were sleeping again” she said. I knew she was instantly talking about Bryony.

I said nothing even though I could tell Tyla was waiting for me to say something.

When I was called into Ryan’s office on the second day back I already had a feeling that this would be the response from the board.

The students took it badly. Bryony could barely look me in the eye and I had a feeling she felt guilty for me being fired.

I have huge anxiety over the fact that I am unable to train them when they have a competition next week.

I’m losing sleep over it.

The loud and annoying sound of my doorbell stopped her from pressuring me anymore.

” do you think thats her again?” I asked Tyla. Either that or my amazon delivery is finally here.

She stood up from the sofa heading towards the door.

I climbed onto the edge of my sofa peeking through the window to see if I could get a glimpse.

“AAAAH SHIT” I screamed seeing the charming smile of Jacob, Jenny’s boyfriend looking inside my window.

He frantically waved at me through the window. Now that I really look I think the whole team was here.

” uh, Elle you might want to come to the door” I heard Tyla say.

I climbed down and smoothed down my jumper. I didn’t look good but if it was just the team I guess I could get away with me looking, homeless.

I walked towards the door hoping to see Bryony, jenny maybe Scott. It’s not that they weren’t there, they were but in front of them was someone I didn’t really plan to see here.

I stood next to Tyla. ” close the door in 3.. 2.. 1″ I whisper-shouted. She immediately caught on reaching for the door only for Theo to push his way inside.

The pathetic attempts my cousin was doing to get him out was doing nothing to stop Theo and his extreme strength.

” Oh hello there, I’m Scott nice to meet you” I found Scott introducing himself to a blushing idiot known as my Cousin .

I peeked around Theo’s big body ” Scott, that’s my sister stand down soldier” I pointed at Scott, giving him my harshest glare.

“oh, shit Scott that hurt,” I said when Scott randomly ran over to me squeezing me tightly.

“Coach I’ve missed you, hearing you lecturing me is like being home again” he said rocking me side to side as he continued to invade my personal space. I pushed him away from me. Slightly alarmed.

What an idiot.

Theo tapped Scott on the shoulder “oh sorry man, she’s all yours now I got it” Scott said slowly moving back.

My eyes shifted over to Theo who looked slightly pissed.

“why didn’t you tell me,” he said quiet enough for only me to hear. I didn’t want to have this conversation with him but I knew I would have to face it sometime.

“Because I knew you’d do this Theo. It’s out of our hands I can’t really do much” I said leading him into the kitchen. I guess I should make some drinks for everyone.

“why do people keep saying that” he mumbled quietly as he followed behind me.

Maybe he’s heard that a few times today.

“because it’s true. I tried to defend myself but once they come to an agreement it’s game over. I hate being told no but this time I just had to accept it” as much as it pains me to be beaten there honestly isn’t much I can do.

I opened the fridge and started to fill glasses with Orange juice and water.

“can you just stop and look at me,” he asked me as he grabbed my arm pulling me against him.

I instantly felt his warm breaths against my exposed neck.

Every day I have stared at my phone patiently trying to find the courage to call him and tell him but every time I stop myself.

“Since when did you give up so easily. You know you did nothing wrong and you’re good for the team. I don’t want to hear anything about me wanting you back. I can come see you any day it’s them in there that need you back” he tilted my head up forcing me to look at the door to the room where everyone was.

Theo grabbed my shoulders turning me around to face him again.

“was this your idea to rally up the troupes,” I said angling my head. A warm feeling came over me seeing him smiling down at me.

“I won’t take full responsibility, your team really want you back especially bryony. Seeing them reading books and revising routines instead of being in the pool was weird. I don’t think they’ve touched the pool since coming back” he explained to me his fingers stroking my sides.

Excuse me.

Theo must have sensed my change in expression because he tightened his hold on me.

“Elle, listen to me first ” he warned me but I pushed away from Theo barging back into the living room. They were all chatting casually. Scott was the first one to read my expression.

“it could be my imagination since coach practically lives in my nightmares, but does Elle look beyond pissed right now” Scott’s words made them all turn to me.

I glared at Jacob when I saw a ghost of a smile cross his face. I grew very irritated.

“Books won’t help you win. Tell me something Jacob if you watch gym videos all your life does that mean you become fitter, grow muscles or increase your endurance” he looked around even went so far as looking to Theo mouthing

” what do I say” but Theo’s lack of words forced him to speak for himself.

“no,” he said hesitantly. “exactly” I confirmed for him.

“so reading books and watching videos on swimming will not get you your medals “a group reaction of embarrassment crossed their features.

“is this how you train them, by lecturing them,” Tyla said breaking the intense staring contest we were having.

Bryony was the first one to stand up “anyone have the sudden urge to do some laps” I pressed my lips together.

Don’t let her see you smile.

A chorus of “yeah’s” was all I heard before they were heading for the door.

Theo placed his arm around my shoulder. “Thank you” I whispered to him as I leant up placing a kiss on his cheek.

Theo left with the others leaving me to deal with a gaping idiot which is my sister.

“what, how when… damn he’s hot” she mumbled as she looked between me and the door that Theo just exited out of.