Chapter 5

Dear Alyssa 

This is the first note from me to you.

Under the glistening stars and moonlight I sit deep in thought searching for the right words to pen down.

I wish we could meet sooner, but patience is indeed the most valuable virtue. If you wish to know more find my next letter in between the two oak trees in Ryan's backyard. 

Be there a quarter before midnight.

Yours sincerely 

~Anonymous 

I look around me as I put away the note into a bag, hooked to the back of my locker. To no avail there's no one insight.

Who would think to write me a note? But most importantly, why would they leave me another one at that hour and in Ryan's backyard?

The mystery of this person is intriguing, yes indeed. Then again it can be Madison trying to get back at me. 

A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I take my bathing suit out of the locker to go and change in the bathroom.

The door to the bathroom is ajar as I approach it, two female voices chatting away as I near the room.

As I push the brown oak door open wider to enter, the two girls, Leah and Aurora, come into view. Leah is busy braiding her long raven coloured hair, whereas Aurora just twists her light brown hair into a low bun. 

Two of the most popular girls that attend Castleburry High, after Miss Madi that is. Although they might be hating Madison as much as I do, it unfortunately doesn't lessen their disgust for me. Being the sister of their arcgnemis and probably the least popular person at school didn't exactly sit well with them nor for the rest of the school population for that matter. 

They would never be caught dead talking to me. Tormenting me? Now that's more their specialty.

Sometimes I just wish they could have joined the cheerleaders instead of the swim team, but then again they aren't the most cheerful nor remotely joyous enough to be around. Their rise in the popularity chart deems to be the biggest mystery of all time, in my opinion that is. Other's wouldn't even dare to look past their beautiful exteriors in order to take a glimpse of their nasty personalities.

But nothing in the entire universe could have prepared me for the wonder that is about to happen in this minimal time difference of a single second I step into their view. I honestly don't know if I should question my sanity and if people here in Castleburry are simply just the superficial pretentious people that I know them to be.

"Hi Alyssa." The two say in unison. The shock of their civilised greeting sent chills down my back.

"H-hi." I stutter back. The uneasiness portrayed in my facial features. 

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. My plan is to just make my way into a cubicle to get dressed, but obviously that wasn't on the minds of the company I had at hand. 

"So, James Witherdale, huh?" Aurora says questioningly, while putting on her swimming cap as she looked me square in the eye.

"What about him?" I asked. The awkwardness increases with each passing moment. The way her green eyes bore into my stark blue ones makes me question even the manner I breath in oxygen. 

The power we give to others truly amazes me. Such an incompetent habit to take on. How I wish to gain enough confidence to not get trampled upon any longer. I changed my exterior, but it will take a whole lot to change my wiring.

"No need to look so shocked," Leah cut in with a cheery voice. This world never seems to stop surprising me. "We've seen you guys talking at school, in the hallway, and at Nando's." 

My eyebrows furrow at the intake of the new gained knowledge. "We didn't talk at school and–" 

"No need to try and cover up your tracks Alyssa. You've got game and we want the tea spilled about you guys." Leah says while cutting my rant short. 

"I've literally never seen James talk to anyone besides Ryan in his own time, therefore there is definitely something going on between the two of you." Aurora says.

"He even embarrassed Madison infront of most of the school this morning and we’re grateful for that." Leah states and I can't help but catch the glimpse of satisfaction glowing in her eyes and the faint smirk tugging at the corner on the left side of her lips.

"Well I have to be honest and come clean," I start off with and I can already see the excitement for a bit of intel glowing in their eyes. "It wasn't my intention to get Madison embarrassed. James was just nice in acknowledging the change in my appearance and we bumped into each other by pure accident at Nando's. Not that it is any of your guy's business." I say getting a feeling of pure power running through my veins as I see them trying to fight back upcoming frowns. 

"We were only trying to be nice to you. No need to be a bitch about it." Leah says, evidently losing the battle and letting her anger engulf her.

"You two have never in your life had a decent word to throw my way, so why now?" I question them. My timidness out the window as time ticks by impatiently.

"We heard Ryan invited you to his back to school bash." Aurora says, evidently trying to change the topic at hand and cool the tension that has risen between the three of us.

"Yeah, he invited me just moments ago." I replied. 

"Madison isn't going to be happy about that. She has had her eye on Ryan since this summer. James made it clear this morning that he's not interested, so that ship has sailed." Aurora enlightens me.

"I didn't know that she liked Ryan, James yes, but definitely not about Ryan." I confess in all honesty. 

"Well she does." Leah confirms.

"But wait, what does Madison's love interest have to do with me?" The question slips from my lips and they look at me as if I couldn't have asked any more stupider question.

"Ryan likes you, stupid." Leah says, insulting my intelligence doing so. "Why would he invite you if he didn't?" 

"Well," I say, but I don't know what to say back, because I really don't know why Ryan would want to invite me to one of his most famous parties. He never invited me to any of his previous ones. "I don't see why not." 

"And here I thought you were smart. Can't you see? Madison is going to flip over this. It's probably going to be the biggest disaster of our senior year thus far." Aurora says. 

"Even if she does, why do either of you two care? I thought you hated my sister with a passion, so why do you guys know so much about her?" I question out of pure curiosity. 

Yes, two girls stand there silent for a moment before Aurora decides to speak up. 

"Don't enemies know everything there is to know about their rival? If you ask me, it is quite normal and smart. We always have an Ace up our sleeve." Aurora answers smoothly. I got to give it to her, she truly does have her ways with words.

"Enough of this senseless chatter. We'll see you at Ryan's." Leah says before taking Aurora by the arm and leaving me speechless with a lot of chaotic thoughts racing through my brain. Not to even mention the letter I just received also.

I snapped myself out of my daze and went into the cubicle where I changed into my black one piece bathing suite. My cobalt swimming cap in hand as I walk out of the cubicle to see myself in the mirror as I placed all my hair into the cap and secured it on my head. The swimming goggles I have are a gift from my dad. It is clear with my name engraved into the strap with the use of gold lettering. 

As I make it to my lane at the pool I see Aurora and Leah already hard at work practising their swimming techniques, while the rest are taking laps in the water. 

I place my towel that I brought along next to my diving board as I stretch out my muscles. I've had my fair share of muscle cramps and if I'm totally honest with you, it is the worst pain while swimming. 

I get onto my platform and launch into the water. As the cool touch came crashing onto my face it felt like I could breathe again. The splash around me fades away as I push my body through the water in a slithering motion. My arms automatically start to push my way through the water and as the cool droplets splash against my body and start to feel at peace. 

I feel home as the water swallows me. 

"Alyssa!" A piercing scream makes its way through the density of water and as I look up from my swim I'm met with two blazingly anger filled eyes.