Figment of Dreams
Back to Reality

It was Saturday morning after the break and I was back on campus. I had spent the last two weeks mostly with Sebastian oddly enough. He and Dexar had taken me on their usual Yule break trip to their cabin in the mountains. I had told Jax that Kai and Melixes would also be there, so he wouldn’t find it strange, but off course, they weren’t. Since I had broken up with him and all. We had spent the two weeks hiking up mountains, wild water rafting and late night talking by the cozy fire in the cabin. Nothing happened and they were the perfect gentleman. It was as if the bullying of the last months never happened. Since he got rid of Melixes, Sebastian had completely changed. I also felt like they were feeling really guilty about the Otto thing. They had felt they had riled him up about me and indirectly contributed to his assault. I must admit after these two weeks, I was fairly distracted and considerably healed. Mentally and physically.

I was wearing sunglasses because one of the bruises around my eye had not gone down yet. I had smeared a shit ton of make-up on but I could still see the purple bruise. I had not set two feet on campus yet but Ash was already in front of my face. He really had a sixth sense. ‘Sweet cheeks.’ He greeted me and looked me over. I was nearly positive that Chris had blabbed to him. Because he was acting really suspicious. I crossed my arms defensively. ‘Hey.’ I uttered and glanced at my feet. ‘Okay.’ He sighed dramatically. Grabbed my chin and made me look up. ‘What’s gotten into you and why… are you wearing those sunglasses?’ He wanted to pluck them off my nose but I stepped back. ‘Hangover.’ I lied. ‘From what?’ he snorted. ‘Hanging out with Sebastian?’ I don’t know why that would be a weird thing because that boy was literally more drunk than not drunk, but anyway. His brows creased and he stared at my mouth again. ‘Don’t lie to me sweetheart.’ I sighed and tried pushing passed him but he halted me. He was about the only male around I could still stand touching me. Him and Sebastian for some reason. I knew that he was about to figure everything out and my brain was melting from the horror of it. He would literally go out there and kill Otto. I was sure of it. Who was still missing by the way.

‘Are you alright?’ he asked softly. I opened my mouth to form another lie when I smelled him before I saw him. ‘Little bird, there you are!’ he enthusiastically came from my right side and handed me a bag. ‘I thought we were meeting this morning again, but you never showed.’ His voice happily laced with glee. He let a giant hand roam through his unruly hair and stared down at me. I was again not sure what he was up to. ‘Don’t play coy. Tell Ash what we’ve been up to all week.’ He added. I knew I couldn’t trust him. This fucker is going to ruin everything. I looked at the package again, still lost for words. ‘Sweetheart, what is he talking about?’ Ash side-hugged me, eying Sebastian suspiciously. He was there for most of my bullying by him so he was rightfully on edge. ‘Well, don’t be shy love. Open it already.’ He smirked at me and waved toward the red bag. I silently opened it and pulled out a uniform. It was a tiny red bikini with the logo of the school on it. I started connecting the dots. Sebastian was captain of the swim team and he was responsible for all new admissions and making his team ready for the state championship. Which consisted of men and women. He was acting like I joined up. I glanced at Ash and showed him the thing. ‘I joined.’ I said meekly. ‘She’s one of the naturals this one. She has been practicing all week and the board has agreed to let her on the team.’ The board being him and Dexar. Great. Seb didn’t know I hated the water. So that was going to be awkward.

‘That’s great sweet cheeks.’ Ash sounded genuinely happy for me but still gave Sebastian a cold stare. ‘You are not by any means tricking her, deceiving her or you will regret the day you were born, Barrington.’ Sebastian made an appalled motion and let his hand slap on his heart. ‘Auch, don’t you know Asher. Her and I are cool now. I would never hurt her.’ He winked at me and I stood there still rooted to the spot. Ash could feel my tension and started rubbing slow circles on my lower back. ‘However, little bird. We still need to sign you up.’ He added and motioned towards the gymnasium where the Olympic pools were. Ash kissed the top of my head. ‘Call me okay, if you need anything.’ I could tell he was not fully convinced but Sebastian had made his earlier train of thought go away. I nodded against his chest, hugged him and joined Seb. We walked in silence for a while. My thoughts still whirling. ‘You alright love?’ he glanced at me from behind his fringe. I had my arms crossed over my chest. ‘I’m not really joining am I?’

He winked. ‘Of course, you are joining. It will be a good thing Lulu.’

‘Seb… just wait…’ I stopped in my tracks. ‘I… you don’t know…. But I’m actually really afraid of the water.’

He stared at me as if I was crazy. ‘Maddox said you needed this. I don’t know why he would have suggested it otherwise.’

That was weird to me, since Maddox had been there the day I drowned. He was the one who had saved my life.

‘I don’t know why he would have said that.’ I was feeling really small all of a sudden. I just wanted to go to my room and never come out.

‘It will buy you some time though… it’s practice weeks for the next month. So you will skip a bunch of the other classes… and questions.’

When he put it like that… I could face my fears I guess. As long as I didn’t need to undergo Ash and Oak’s scrutiny. Tonight was their big bar brawl, which I need to show up for. I was still figuring out all the ways I could get out of it, but I just couldn’t.

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