Aedan Collins's Story

Aedan

Aedan grinned as he shook the water from his hair. Practice had gone well, just like normal, and now the chilly September air was clinging to his wet scalp like ice. Pulling his clothes close, he grinned.

Walking through the doors of the school, Aedan waved hello to those who would call for his attention, even those he didn’t really know.

“Fans can be friends if treated right.” His coach always told him, and he lived by it.

“Jeeze, need to let Ma know to get down the winter jackets. Gettin’ cold!” He laughed, smiling as a team-mate walked past and gave him a pat on the shoulder. Aedan had never really been one to cause hate and discontent in the school, so he was well-liked by all by his senior year. But, it was when he was passing a group of young freshman did he see the bit of drama between Drake and some young girl. He wasn’t going to interfere, but he did grin as he walked past and clapped Drake on the shoulder.

“Eh, Drake-y! You’re still comin’ to my dad’s party, aye? We’re getting a great shipment this year!” He teased, trying to deter his attention from the girl, and he knew the offer of booze would do it. Aedan knew everyone, well… almost everyone. But Drake wasn’t that hard to know about, not that they ever got close; but he always offered him an invitation when his father’s famous “Back-to-school” parties rolled around. Formal invitations were often handed out, but that didn’t stop half the town from showing up anyway.

Drake turned his attention to Aedan as he clapped his shoulder “Eh, Drake-y! You’re still comin’ to my dad’s party, aye? We’re getting a great shipment this year!” he teased.
Drake grabbed Aedan's collar and pulled him close.
"You should learn to keep your distance" He whispered as he pushed him back into the lockers behind. Drake walked back down the hallway and towards his English lesson. As he walked he noticed the girl he bumped into earlier, he quickly pressed forward and lightly gripped her wrist.
"Hey about before, I'm sorry" He apologized as honestly as he could as he let her go and began walking forward towards his lesson.

Jacob Muse
Jacob looked behind him, taking his head out of his little fantasy world of his book, to see what the harsh words was all about. Jacob say another character added to the Rene and Drake crowd. Jacob was starting to feel uncomfortable with the tension building in the hall because of the hostility between the kids. Jacob watched as Aedan walked away after having said something about a party... eww... Jacob hopped he wasn't invited since he was too nice to say no if he was. He turned around and stuck his nose into his book again before walking off slowly and quietly. Jacob wasn't paying attention to where he was walking and walked right into an open door. He had dropped his book and hurt his nose. He rubbed his nose sadly and sighed. He was such a klutz.

Aedan

Aedan winced slightly as he was thrown into the lockers. Raising his hands in defense, he gave a light, forgiving grin.

"I'll take that as a maybe, then." He laughed, making no more moved toward Drake or the girl. Stretching once the man was gone, Aedan hurried off to his locker. Spinning in the combination, he pulled out his books and headed off to class.

"Mr. Collins!" The Biology teacher greeted, giving a smile. "Good luck on the meet tomorrow."

"Thanks, Mrs. Tomes." He grinned back, moving to sit in his favorite seat by the window, contemplating just how he was going to get the rest of the invitations out.

Aedan smiled as he looked out the window, watching as the leaves of the trees created odd little shapes here and there.

"Mr. Collins," The teacher called, snapping him from his trance.

"The coach needs to see you."

Aedan nodded lightly and collected his things before he left the room, grabbing his homework on the way. He decided to walk slowly, a soft grin on his face. No. He didn't want to see the coach... Not him.

Gulping softly, Aedan increasingly slowed his steps, his eyes glued in front of him.

The hallway seemed to get shorter with every step. Finally, he reached a large, windowless door on the far side of the P.E. hall.

Gulping, Aedan knocked on the door politely before entering.

"Ya wished ta see me, sir?" He asked, peering inside. There, sitting at his desk, was the gym teacher Mr. Daniel. He was alright looking, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. He was slim, as most P.E. teachers were, with slight muscles on his arms and legs.

"Ah, yes," Mr. Daniel grinned. "Aedan, come on inside."

Keeping his eyes glued to Mr. Daniel, Aedan slowly slipped into the room. It was made of white brick, with black carpet on the floor. Sports memorabilia graced the walls and shelves. Closing the door, Adean took a weary seat, shivering at the look the teacher was giving him.

"You did very well at practice this morning Aedan."

I don't like that look...

"I was just wondering if you could let me in on some secrets that could help the team?"

You better sit back down...

"How do you keep so skinny all the time, eh Aedan? You're not starving yourself are you?"

Aedan flinched as a warm calloused hand trailed up his exposed arms and to his cheek.

"N-No, sir... I-I eat just fine." He choked out, trying to hide his shaking, praying for someone to come through that door.

Aedan

Everything else went by in a blur. All he could tell was a phone was ringing somewhere in the distance, and the hands ceased their groping. When the room came back into focus, Mr. Daniel was at his phone, shooing Aedan from his room.

Aedan picked up his shirt and quickly pulled it back on before grabbing his stuff and taking off down the hall. Tears were springing to his eyes, but that smile still clung to his lips. Heading for the Locker rooms he changed into his swim trunks and walked out of the school towards their pool. Pulling his student card from his pocket, he scanned it quickly and went inside. There were no other classes at the moment, and he didn’t care if anyone saw him, he just needed the water.

Taking his spot on one of the diving boards, he closed his eyes and imagined the calls of the cheering crowds. Taking in a deep breath, he gave one jump and shuddered as the cool wetness engulfed him. That was all he needed, the cool, dark, weightlessness that was the water.

Aedan smiled kindly, giving a light tilt of the head.

"My pop is throwing his annual bash, 'nd I wanted to know if you'd be coming?" He asked, gently reaching out to touch her cheek, a soft light in his green eyes. He had heard the whispers and tales of this young woman, and it made him upset. He never approved of such asinine behavior. Claudia was a pretty girl in his opinion, a little plain - yes, but pretty none the less.

"I promise you'll have a good time."