The Fated Match

“I don’t care if it was a joke Scott, you gave me a fucking heart attack” I smacked Scott around the shoulder. I am more than positive that my heart just stopped right there.

“It was funny though” he sighed as he laughed.

I glared at him. “I didn’t know you enjoyed my near-death experience Scott, now go get changed” I pushed him into the direction of the changing rooms in the big sports centre.

Today was the day everyone had been training for. We got here two days ago so that we could all get comfortable before the event. Theo was flying in this morning, but I haven’t seen him yet, but I don’t really have the time to be thinking about him.

Today it was all about the students. Bryony, Scott, and the twins were aiming for gold medals today and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous for them.

The amateur competitions were this afternoon whereas the professionals were tonight which gave us time to get ready and watch later.

“Are you all decent in there” I shout from outside the changing rooms. After a few seconds, the door opens, and Scott stands there in his trunks.

“decent enough” he grins.

Oh, Jesus. After tonight I really need a break from these idiots especially this one standing in front of me.

“Alright guys today’s the day you’ve all been training for. I know that you must be nervous but all I want you to do is have fun out there.” I said.

Looking around at them all they all looked particularly nervous and that was to be expected.

“don’t you want us to win” Ben said confused. Honestly, these kids.

“of course, winning would be amazing but the last thing I want is anyone winning when they didn’t full enjoy it. Remember everything you have been taught and focus” I stared at Scott as I said the last word.

He rolled his eyes at me. “You won’t be rolling your eyes when I’m standing on that podium though will you?” Scott says with a smirk. This time I smiled at him. “you better be there” I said giving his shoulder a squeeze.

I left the changing rooms quickly, something about Scott leading a pep talk that I wasn’t allowed to be there.

Scott POV

“Do you think she’s going to take it?” I asked the group as soon as the door closed behind her.

Bryony scoffed. “of course, she is, if I was her I definitely would”

I don’t why but it made me so angry. I slammed my hand against the locker. “I thought she liked it with us” I said out of anger.

Jenny who was quiet for most of today placed her hand on my arm.” she does but it’s a lot of money and we were lucky to even have her Scott” she said calmly.

I knew we were, but I don’t think I can do this without her, possibly see her at future competitions coaching other people.

“You’re jumping to conclusions guys; we don’t know yet. Today’s important we can’t think about this until after you know that” Melissa said.

She was right. This was coach’s job and if she was going to leave us, I did want to make her proud. I guess not having a mother in my life this was the reason I was mad.

“that’s true, c’mon let’s make Elle proud” I said wrapping my arms around the twins.

We all huddled up.

Elle’s POV

I was sitting in the stands with Theo and Ryan. Tina stayed in the back to make sure they are were in their positions. Josh had camera’s set up here and in the back like I asked him too.

I felt Theo’s hand come down and squeeze my thigh as the first group came out. Yesterday went really well in the heats so today, this is the one that would really cost them.

I was fucking nervous.

First up were the girls. Bryony, Jenny, and Melissa were all racing. I knew that bryony was aiming for gold and so was jenny. Melissa decided that she just wanted to concentrate on beating her personal best.

You don’t have to win to be noticed by scouts, she could easily be recognised for her obvious talent and determination.

As their names were called out, we all leapt to our feet cheering them on.

I intertwined my hand with Theo’s as they got themselves ready with the board. The whole stadium was silent as we waited for that bang.

As soon as the gun went off each girl jumped off the water and dived in. I watched as Bryony and Jenny stayed under the water for as long as they could before coming up and starting to breaststroke.

Theo was concentrating on Jenny, so I looked at Bryony closely. She had so much power in her legs that she was leading the pack. Jenny was in fourth place with a girl from France was closely following her.

I shouted from the top of my lungs as well as everyone else. Behind me you could hear the families of the swimmers. Jenny’s Melissa’s and Bryony’s families were all here cheering them on.

I watched as Melissa overtook 4th place. Her legs kicking strong.

“Shit look at Melissa go” Ryan screamed next to us.

Fucking hell, she was really gaining some serious speed. One the second lap everyone really stepped up their game.

I was worried as the French girl took first place, but bryony was right next to her.

“Jenny push don’t fucking stop” Theo shouted. I moved my eyes over to Jenny and noticed her fighting to take third place. With one more lap to go I was worried.

The screams seem to get louder as all the girls raced for the end. I held my breath as I watched them all.

My eyes focused on Bryony, she seemed to have some energy in the tank as she pushed extra hard and reached for the wall.

“wait wait, who won I couldn’t see” I screamed turning to the board. But it was still empty.

“Elle, Melissa got fourth,” Ryan said sadly. I knew that he was rooting for her.

“but look at her time” I heard a voice come from behind us. I saw Melissa’s uncle pointing at the board as the times finally appeared.

Shit, that was better than anything she’s ever swam before.

My eyes moved up the board as I looked for the others. My eyes widened as I saw both their names adjacent to each other.

Bryony took first with Jenny taking third. I leapt up jumping as I realised all my girls did fucking amazing.

“Did my sister just get bronze?” Theo asked in disbelief, his jaw hung.

I giggled as I grabbed his jaw pushing it up. “she did indeed, I knew she had it in her. Fuck her for only waiting until today to show it”

He turned around and glanced at his father. “she did it” he screamed only to have screams thrown back at him.

I watched as Bryony held onto the side. She ripped off her cap and stared up at the board. It took me a few seconds, but I noticed a tear fall from my eye.

She looked over at us. Her eyes widening like she couldn’t actually believe it. Yes, we were aiming for that and I expected it but now that it’s actually happened it’s really hard to believe.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

All of the girls slowly got out of the pool. Each of them was happy and hugged each and every swimmer.

I turned to Josh when they left the pool and headed back. “what the fuck are you still doing here, go” I pushed him out of his seat. He glanced at me. “But” Theo gave him a push. “we’ve got this, go”

Josh didn’t waste another second as he leapt out of his seat. Not only was his girlfriend back there but also his sister.

“I still can’t believe my sister” Theo muttered as they prepared for the boys to swim.

“me either, I’ll smack her for surprising us like that” obviously I wouldn’t actually smack her.

She did really good, they all did.

“you do know that the whole team think you’re leaving them right” Ryan said to us.

I stared at him. “what?” I asked him.

“yeah they heard about the new job and automatically thought you were leaving them”

Theo shook his head. “I’ll just pray for all of them” he says bringing his hands together in a praying position.

Those idiots.

It was true I did get asked to leave this centre and coach for a university team in America. But I didn’t even think about it. I enjoy my place here; it is far more rewarding, and I love it. I don’t need the money, I’m well off.

“so that’s why they have been acting weird” I said to which Ryan nodded. I declined the opportunity instantly.

The minute I saw the boys step out I pushed my annoyance to the back of my mind.

I watched as Scott glanced my way, weirdly enough instead of his usual grinning face he looked nervous and scared.

“Why does Scott look nervous?” Theo voiced my thoughts. “I think Scott took the news a little harder than the others” Ryan commented.

I closed my eyes. What an idiot, did he not have faith in me.

“here, write something on it” a man to my side handed over his banner. I noticed that it was scot’s older brother.

“oh, thank you, your brothers an idiot by the way” I said taking the banner from him. He grinned back. “oh, I know” he replied.

Snapping off the lid to the marker I wrote down a note to him.

OI IDIOT, I’M NOT LEAVING YOU FOOLS

Theo coughed on his water as he read the sign. “Real classy” he muttered as he looked away.

I turned the banner around and shoved it in the air. Ben who was next to Scott tapped him on the shoulder. He squinted his eyes as he read the sign.

“Really!” he screamed.

I nodded with an annoyed look directed at him.

I watched his shake with laughter as he put ben into a headlock.

I had to smile at that though.

Scott and Ben were the only ones racing since the other boys were not ready. We had more girl swimmers anyway.

“On your marks”

I held my breath as the gun finally went off. They both dived into the pool. It was freestyle this one.

Scott pushed himself out of the water and took the lead instantly. With Scott, I would be more surprised if he didn’t win.

“Bens doing well,” Theo said. I looked at Ben and he was level with third place, but he had more to give I am sure.

“Ben’s god one hell of a finish” I said. I am pretty sure he hasn’t even given half the effort yet.

As the second lap came around both boys pushed hard but they were competing against some real big guys who went hard from the first second.

“oh god I can’t watch” a girl to the right of us squealed as she covered her eyes.

Theo looked at me. “his girl – friend” I deliberately put a space between the two words since that’s what they told me. Just friends.

She was a cute one I’ll give him that.

“well sweetie I’d open your eyes because your boy just won gold” I watched her snap her eyes open as we looked to the board and Scott’s name flashed for first place with Ben in third.

God this was easy for them.

We all cheered along with everyone else. Scott and ben jumped on each other making me laugh.

Jesus, Scott really did it. I felt like a proud mother right now.

I watched as the girl ran down the steps, her ponytail swaying with every step. How she manages to deal with Scott on a daily basis is beyond me.

“am I late!” I turned to my left and saw Ruby standing on the steps in her hoodie and shorts. Her hair was in a messy ponytail as she looked around.

The minute I saw her I screamed. “Riley!!!” I stood up and grabbed her, letting her sit in Josh’s place.

She hugged me back. “are they next please tell me I didn’t miss it”

I shook my head “they are next you are just in time” I said to her. She sighed with relief finally sitting down.

After a few minutes, the boys walked out. They had been diving throughout the afternoon and finally it was time for their last dive.

Diving was a unique skill and not easy to master. One itch out of place and you can say goodbye to that medal.

“how are you feeling for the worlds?” I asked her. The worlds in a few weeks was a huge deal for her, something she has trained for since she was little. I envied her obvious talent and her motivation inspired me.

She shrugged. “you know how I’m like before these things. I wont officially be able to answer that question until my name is called out” she was right she had always been like this.

“you have to let me know when you’re competing, I really want to be there” she turned to me.

“really?” was it so hard to believe that I wanted to be there a support her on the biggest day of her life.

I nodded “of course”

I felt Theo chuckle as she quickly wrapped me in a hug leaving no room for me to breath.

“guys the twins are up” Theo whispered. Whilst hugging we turned to see the boy walking up to the diving board. This would be the first time competing in such a big event, so they were aiming for at least a personal best or possible third place.

I held onto Riley’s hand as we watched them. “c’mon boys” she whispered.

They bounced one twice, three times before catapulting up. From our position it wasn’t clear how synchronised they were, so I just held my breath.

“one, two three” riley whispered as they tucked in and somersaulted. We watched as they gradually extended their arms before diving deep into the pool.

“that looked perfect” I mumbled as they made almost now splash in the pool. I looked over to the judges but just like always they showed no emotion.

Riley was bouncing in her seat. “that’s got to be high, c’mon that was just perfect” she yelled standing up.

The boys quickly got out and walked over to the side. It took much longer to get their scores but as the leader board flashed. I think Riley stopped breathing.

My hand went to smack her arm and she did the same thing back.

“FIRST, FORST FUCKING PLACE” we screamed simultaneously.

You just watched the boys look over at us. Couldn’t quite believe it.

As Riley raced off down the steps I heard Ryan mutter beside me.

“I’m going to have to give you a raise, aren’t I?”

Theo laughed openly. “yeah you are”

10 minutes later after I finished taking an interview, I walked towards the private room looking for my team. They disappeared off somewhere.

“Hey sexy” I turned around and found Theo leaning against the wall in the hallway.

I rolled my eyes. “where have you been, and where is everyone” I said walking over to him. I was happy to see him.

His arms went around me. “we were escorted to this area in the stadium they are serving refreshments”

I could do with a glass of something right now.

“you know that I’ve got us a nice suite at the hotel tonight. Can’t wait to have you all to myself” he whispered.

I licked my lips; his eyes were staring intently at mine.

“oh really, and what do you plan on doing” I asked him innocently. Theo grabbed my waist slamming into his chest.

His fingers skimmed my sports jacket. “rewarding you for all your hard work. I am extremely turned on by your success” he mouths against my neck.

I moaned. “oh, you’ll be doing more of that tonight Elle” he whispered.

I groaned as I leaned into him. “we need to get back to them before I lose my self-control Theo”

I felt his grin against my head. “I know baby, there in the next room but why don’t we have some fun. They think you’ll be livid at them for thinking you were leaving.”

I smiled evilly at him. “now you’re speaking my language”

Theo grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the room.

The minute the door opened all of the conversation died as they saw me.

It looked like there deciding if they should scream with excitement or just stay quiet.

When I saw Scott, I glared at him and stormed over.

“oh fuck, I’m sorry coach I really am I just thought that you would leave and…” Scott didn’t have time to finish as I brought him into a headlock.

“ow ow coach ”

Theo was the first one to laugh as I finally let him go and smiled at him.

“wait I’m so confused right now” he mumbled.

I stood back and looked at them all.

“I’m so fucking proud of all of you right now” I said calmly. Riley wrapped hers arms around the Twins as Theo wrapped his around Jenny.

They all looked relieved.

“think you’re real funny don’t you” Scott said breathing heavily.

I shrugged my shoulders. “yeah”

“you all did yourselves proud out there and represented our small team amazingly. I am getting a promotion but I’m not leaving you guys” I said as I brought Scott in for a hug followed by bryony and Melissa.

“I never doubted you for a second” Ben spoke breaking the moment.

“the fuck you didn’t” Scott shouted shoving him back.

Riley came up behind me her arms wrapping around me. “I’m proud of you grey, I really am” she said as we both looked at them.

“I am too” I whispered holding her arms against me. Theo looked at me with a silent grin, his dimples showing.

“tonight, we will watch the pro’s and then celebrate. I think everyone deserves to have some fun and I won’t stop you this time” the minute I said that they all jumped with excitement.

Theo smirked. “Oh, baby you wait” he mouthed.

Riley nudged me. “Damn miss prude, what happened to you”

I pushed her away. I’m not prude I just know what I want and that’s Theo tonight.