TWELVE: A LOUD SPLASH!

Ember blows her whistle after giving instruction and we begin the exercises. 

I groaned as I stretched to the other side and Cillian gives me a cheeky smile. I turn to the other side turning away from him and notice Raphael staring at me.

I give him a confused look but he doesn't bother to break eye contact, his partner waves at me blowing a kiss. Jenna.

Ember blows her whistle and taps Lucian on the back, he groaned and begrudgingly began to demonstrate the next routine.

This goes on for a while and I pause to catch my breath, the monsters don't feel as tired as I do. I force myself to continue not wanting to raise suspicion. 

Suddenly I feel arms wrapped around my waist and I tense and squeal, turning to find Cillian behind me, I barely maintain eye contact with the handsome vampire before looking away.

Ember and Lucian are demonstrating the next exercise, Ember grabs his waist and pulls backwards as hard as she can while Lucian pulls forward rather lazily.

I turn to look at Cillian shouldn't we be the other way round? I thought but wondered how I would possibly pull him.

Cillian gently places his second hand on my hips, being careful of his nails and the action is enough to tug at my heart.

Ember blows her whistle and Cilian begins to pull, but not too hard, I try to move forward mimicking a running motion. I hear a sudden crack in my back and tense up but all I feel is relief. After a few seconds Ember blows her whistle again.

We're close to rounding up and I turn to Cillian to find him staring at me, but not my eyes, my body. I suddenly feel self conscious and remember how small my sportswear was. 

Ember blows her whistle twice signifying the end of the routines and people cheer in relief. It was over, I wiped the dusting of sweat on my forehead and tried to find my roommates as Cillian disappeared in the crowd. 

I find Daphne and Phoebe standing by the pool side. Phoebe is fanning her face with her hands and Daphne stands beside her looking pissed as always. 

“What do you think about sports?” Phoebe asked with a small smile.

“Straining but refreshing” I replied, still panting a little.

“I can't wait till we start real sport activities” Daphne declared and I saw something like a smile but it vanished just as soon as it came.

“Who did you piss off now?” Phoebe asked, looking behind me and I turned and noticed Raphael walking in my direction.

I rolled my eyes, turning away from the arrogant guy, he was probably heading elsewhere.

His footsteps get closer and I notice it even if I don't want to.

I turn around and find him in front of me but he still maintains his distance—three feet. “What are you wearing?” Raphael asked and I paused, the question shocking me.

“Sportswear, obviously” I snapped confused as to why he was suddenly speaking to me. He takes a step closer and I take one back. He takes another step, then two, moving faster and faster and I move back with the same speed.

I'm about to take one more step back but I don't feel the ground, I gasp but I'm too late, I crash into the pool with a loud splash.

“Avery!” I heard someone shout and I pulled my head up, gasped loudly and wiped my face with my hands before forcing my eyes open despite the water. I slowly move to the edge and grab it, forcing myself up.

Raphael gives me a once over and with a scoff he walks away. I glare at him angry and try to follow him but I slide and manage to stop myself before falling.

I clenched my jaw and took a shaky breath, the weather was cold enough already and now I was drenched. 

I notice the stares and look down, my sportswear clings like a second skin and I groan annoyed and self conscious. 

Tears well up in my eyes and I take the first step forward feeling the cold breeze biting my skin.

I turn in the direction of my roommates, I feel a shadow behind me, the same shadow I felt that constantly watched me and a warm towel meets my head.

I pause in shock and grab the towel and turn to see a random guy. I mutter a small thank you even though he can't hear and hurry out of the gym.

“Avery” Phoebe's voice called but I didn't turn and only hastened my footsteps.