My phone rings as I throw myself backward onto the bed. Seeing that Travis is calling me, I immediately sit up.Travis is the swim team co-captain from my previous school, Cavalier High. He's also my best friend. We haven't talked since I left Canada for Richmond, America.I don't have the guts to speak to him after joining a new swimming team.I watch the phone as it rings for the third time until I've garnered enough courage to answer it. I decide not to tell him I'm on the Effney High team yet."Hey, Travis," I answer."You're a sellout for swimming for our rival," Travis yells over the phone.I'm left speechless at how he found out."I thought you were better than teaming up with our rival Nate. But now I see that you're not.""How did you find out?" I say this as I rise to my feet."Your new school Facebook sport page."Immediately, I go for my laptop and search for the page, and I'm stunned to see a picture of me while training with a long paragraph of coach Brimworth bragging a

As Nate drives off, I'm jumping in the hallway that I had his number. We've exchanged numbers before he left. I stand, staring at his contact number on my phone. I could not wait to go out with him tomorrow.A few minutes later, I receive a notification from Instagram stating that my newly added contact is on Instagram. Immediately, I open the notification, and it takes me to Nate's profile. I walked to my room, admiring his profile picture. Shirtless picture of him, with one hand running through his wavy black hair and the other holding the phone while he faces a mirror in the bathroom. He's so hot that I lay in bed, staring at it for a long while, before searching for more pictures on his profile.I'm surprised to see only pictures of him and none of his girlfriends, leaving me with the realization that Jaylee had lied to me. I feel foolish for ever trusting Jaylee; I should have realized at Amber's party that she was not to be trusted. I should have known it was another of her plan

Pulling up into the driveway, I spot my mom's car.She's here early, I thought.I park the car and go to the front door, opening it. I hear Mom in the kitchen, and I go to see her with some papers while she uses the calculator."Hey honey, swimming practice kept you late at school today?" She turns to ask as she senses me."No, I was out for a while," I say, and my attention is kept on the papers as I approach her.Mom gathers the papers, along with the calculator, before I can see what they are."I bought your favorite chicken pizza for dinner; it's in the oven," she says as she walks out of the kitchen."Mom, what are those papers?" I stop her, and she turns around."Nothing I can't handle, son. Just focus on your school and swimming," she says with a smile, and I spot worries in her eyes.I nod, and she hurriedly walks away.My mom has never had to worry about money because my dad is wealthy. I know it's going to be hard for her to learn how to handle everything on her own. I need

"Jaylee, it's time for us to leave," I hear mom call downstairs.I remained to sit on the bed, not wanting to go."Jaylee, I said I'm ready!"With an ache in my heart, I get up, stamping my feet angrily, and leave the room.Mom looks at the top of the stare, and she's furious.I stop."Can't I go to the school at Dad?" I say."Jaylee, I don't have time for your childish behavior anymore. I'm late for work, and we need to leave now," she says, walking to the front door to open it.I sigh and start running down the stairs.On the road, all I can think about is not seeing Nate at school.When I arrive, I look around for his car. Thankfully, there was no sight of his car. Which means he wasn't here yet. I remove my seatbelt and dash from the car."Goodbye," I heard my mom say as I did."Yeah," I say.After confessing my feelings for Nate, I plan to hide him whenever I see him. I am still humiliated after he turned me down.The first session of school is going great until the second class.

For an hour, I had Sophia in my arms; she'd fallen asleep.My phone vibrates. I retrieved it from my pocket.Training late, Mom texted.No, I'm with a friend; I'll be there soon. I texted back.Okay, come home soon.I put my phone down and watched Sophia sleep. She's beautiful when she sleeps, and I find myself developing feelings for her.I wish I could let her sleep more in my arms, but I must go."Sophia." I gently touch her shoulder."Hmm," she moans, her eyes open."I'm sorry, but my mom needs me," I say."It's okay," she says, sitting up and rubs her eyes."Should I take you home or leave you at the gas station?" I ask.I'd hate to cause any more trouble for her and her mother."At the gas station," she says.I nod.As we arrive at her stop, she says, "Thank you, Nate, for being here for me.""My pleasure, and feel free to call me whenever you need someone to talk to again," I say with a smile.She's about to open the car door to leave."When are you coming back to school?" I as