The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)

I read amusement in her green eyes as she turned and called back, “I’m giving them a head-start.” She jumped in before he could send a retort back. She had perfect form, and I was surprised to find myself a bit envious.

“Matthews, you joining this team or not?!” Apparently, I wasn’t immune to the coach’s irritation.

When I came back, swimsuit on, the team had finished their laps

and were sitting at some of the patio tables, listening to Coach Greenly. Motioning to me, he remarked, “Get a few laps in and pull up a chair.”

Diving in the water felt different today. It didn’t give me XX like it usually does. However, after a few laps, I started to feel a little at peace for the first time since I Brian’s funeral. After a few laps, I got out and settled in a chair next to Brady.

The team turned out to be a bunch of girls I’d never met. I recognized a few from Tray’s parties and the trips to Rickets’ House. But there were quite a few who I never would’ve known if it hadn’t been for the team.

Tristan seemed welcomed like a long lost prodigal son. Even the coach doted on her, which was just annoying. Fortunately, only a few girls seemed to idolize her. For the most part, Tristan was more tolerated than anything else. Most of the girls seemed like serious swimmers, not social climbers.

Which was just a breath of fresh air.

Brady caught up with me at the end of practice as we walked out of the locker room. Dressed in street clothes, I was surprised to see that she didn’t wear the trendy almost whorish clothes that most girls wore. She was dressed in a loose-fitting t-shirt and worn jeans, flared at the ends.

“So what’d you think of the first day?”

I shrugged. “It felt good to be swimming.”

“You’re good. Like really good. I’m jealous. I can see why the coach snapped you up so quickly.” She sent an easy grin my way, her swim bag over her shoulder.

“You’re fast.”

“I used to be the fastest swimmer on the team,” she remarked, shrugging.

“Who’s faster now?”

Brady laughed. “You are.”

“What?” Startled, I stopped in the hallway.

“I heard about your dives from the cliff and some of the girls have seen you when you were with your mom. Plus, those laps just now, you weren’t even trying and you beat my time. You’re the fastest, Taryn.”

I was startled, unsure what to say.

“You don’t have to say anything.” Brady laughed. “I’m just happy you’re on the team. You’ve got a talent that would’ve been a wasted. Plus, nationals are a sure thing now, thanks to you.”

“Thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say. “Hey, I was wondering, are a lot of the girls seniors this year? I’ve never seen them around before.”

“I’m not the only one who doesn’t run in Jasmine and Mandy’s circle,” Brady answered. “Not all of us are popular sharks like them. We just want to swim and get good grades.”

Coming to my locker, I opened it and grabbed my bag and purse. I groaned, seeing three missed calls on my phone.

“Not good?” Brady asked, waiting beside me.

“I was very childish.” I sighed, seeing Tray’s name on my missed calls list. “I didn’t warn someone about something because I was mad.”

“Ah.” Brady nodded knowingly. “Boyfriend problems?”

“Yeah,” I sighed, “he’s going to be pissed at me.”

“Tray Evans doesn’t exactly strike me as an easygoing guy,” Brady mused.

At my look of surprise, she explained, “Like I said, everyone knows who you get along with and who you don’t. And everyone especially knows that you’re dating Tray Evans.”

“If you’re not a fan of Tristan, I’m pretty sure you’re not a fan of Tray’s either,” I commented, walking out into the parking lot.