Focus on what is important. Don’t let her get to you.
When Biology let out, Mr. Collins again requested that I come to his desk for a talk. He looked a little nervous, talking to me alone in the room, and he twiddled his pencil like he was trying to gain confidence.
“Rooney Calloway,” he started.
“Yes,” I returned. God, I felt awkward.
“I’ve read about your academic history,” Mr. Collins said. “And I have to say. It’s pretty lackluster.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. Instead, I tried out a half-smile and said, “I’ve been fully committed to gymnastics. I guess you could understand that, right?”
“And you were raised in the foster system.” he continued.
Every time someone said that, it felt more and more like an insult. I swallowed and said, “Yes. I was.”
“Well. That’s quite interesting, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever had a student like you. I’ve thought a lot about what I should do to make sure you’re up to snuff here at the lab, and I’ve decided to set aside some private tutoring for you,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
My mind raced. “I don’t know if I’ll have time for that. We’re practicing for at least six hours a day and on top of my other classes, I just don’t know.”
“The private tutor is Clinton. He’s the best scientist and best swimmer in all of Denver Athletics. I’ve already cleared the idea with him, and he’s open for it, as long as it doesn’t interrupt his own class schedule and homework. I think he’ll be a really good influence on you, Rooney. This must be a completely different world.”
You have no idea.
“I’m just worried I won’t have time, like I said,” I continued.
“You have to find the time,” Mr. Collins stated. “If you’re going to continue on at Denver Athletics, you have to keep up with your Biology. If you don’t pass this semester, you won’t be welcomed back.”
I wanted to argue a million things. I wanted to tell him that I hadn’t even been given a test, or answered a question incorrectly, or proven myself anything but worthy. But in his eyes, I was nothing but a kid that was in the system and granted a scholarship to attend this school. So I had to just shut up and do what they had all expected from me.
“Okay,” I sighed.
“Speak with Clinton and arrange a session. By the end of next week, I want to hear a report from him about how you’re doing. I expect he’ll update you on everything you need to know to really get through this year and shine.”
My head felt heavy again as I walked out of the classroom. I just couldn’t win if I tried. Chloe waited for me and rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. I was surprised she still clung to me so much since it was obvious I was a kind of an outcast.
“Oh my god. I didn’t know what to do,” Chloe said. She slipped her arm through mine and led me down the hallway toward our second period—English. We were lucky to have three classes together, the first two and the final one, French. She had the same mindset I did about it—eyes on the Olympics.
“It’s okay,” I muttered. “I just want to get through the day.”
“She’s such a bitch, Rooney,” Chloe muttered with disdain.
“Understatement of the century, apparently,” I said. “I just hope she tones down because I won’t put up with up. I can take a lot of shit but cutting my hair. I don’t so.”
I turned my head and pointed at where Poppy had chopped. Chloe shook her head and said, “There’s just a little bit here, near your ear. But I can’t really tell otherwise. She spared you.”
“Lucky me,” I groaned and cradled my books closer to my chest as we walked to our next class.
Chapter Ten
Friday was the first party—a colossal event held by Theo and Clinton on the top floor of the boys’ dorm, a party meant to set the tone for the entire rest of the year. I dreaded it and also couldn’t wait for it, and also brainstormed constantly about how I could use that party to kind of redeem myself at Denver Athletics. So far, the first week had been nothing like what I had imagined. And I found this difficult to explain to the only two people who texted me about it, Jeanine and Marcia.
Marcia: I’m so proud of you, honey. Tell me how it is! Are there any cute boys?
Me: Haha. No time for boys. I miss the diner, but I am enjoying it so far. Love you!
Then, there was Jeanine.
Jeanine: How is training? Is Coach Jonathon anywhere as good as me? :)
Me: NO, WAY! Love you forever. XOXO.
She didn’t need to know anything else.
Finally, our last practice cleared out at 7:30 that night; you could feel the palpable need to cut-loose and unwind. We had absolutely killed ourselves during the first week. The gymnasts and I headed to the locker room and started our familiar strip-down and hit the showers. After being in sports for my entire life, we were used to this part.
Normally, Poppy kept her distance from me after practice. I think standing up to her sent the message for her to take a step back. But something about tonight brought her to the shower next to mine. I focused my eyes toward the far corner and scrubbed my hair.
When she spoke, I wanted to tell her never to talk to me again.
“Are you going to Theo’s party?” she asked. Her voice was bright and friendly.
I blinked. “Why do you care?”
She looked at me, her hands up in front of her like I was pointing a gun at her. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. I just worry about you,” she said, trying to give me an innocent look.
I shot her a glare trying to see any sincerity in her voice. The least I could do was give the benefit of the doubt. “Yes, I’m going.”
She gave a tender smile. You could tell she had always gotten away with everything she had ever done wrong. “Oh, it’s just those boys. You really can’t trust them. And you could say since you’re the new kid, you have a target on your back, you know? I just don’t want them to mess with you or break your heart.”
“I think I can take care of myself,” I returned. My cheeks grew hot and I turned back around to continue to scrub. My muscles ached and seemed to grow even tighter with every second. I hadn’t felt this pain before with Jeanine. I hoped it meant I was getting stronger.
I closed my eyes and suddenly, the water grew so hot, piping hot, the kind of hot that could scald you. I lurched out of the shower stream and let out a little screech. Every single girl turned to look at me, a bumbling naked idiot. I turned to glare at Poppy, who had obviously been the one to reach over and adjust the shower setting. She still had that beautiful smile plastered across her face.
“Be careful, Rooney. This is what happens when you wind up some place you don’t belong. Weird things start to happen. It’s like when there’s a pathogen in a cell, you know? The entire cell fights to get that pathogen out. I’m just doing my part,” she hissed. “Oh, but you don’t really know much about biology, do you? I heard that Clinton is your new tutor. How sweet is that? But again. Be careful. You don’t want to know what he did to the last girl he tutored.” She flashed me an evil grin before she turned and left.
“You bitch! Fuck off, Poppy,” I muttered. Most of the suds were out of my hair and I hopped to my locker and grabbed my towel.
Behind me, Mallory spoke softly to Ellison, like she didn’t want me to hear. “What is she planning next?” She asked like she was asking what was on television next.
Ellison returned, “I never know. She told me not to ask. She’s becoming bolder, though and it’s getting out of hand.”
“Yeah,” Mallory whispered. The two of them just stared at me as I grabbed my sweat pants. Then, I tugged my sweatshirt over my shoulders and rushed for the door. My heart was beating in my chest so hard I thought it would burst through. I just couldn’t get myself in any trouble. If I fought back in any way, I had a feeling Poppy would find a way to get me kicked out of the school. I couldn’t afford to take that chance, but I also couldn’t let h
er get away with how she was treating me.
This is your only shot. Your only chance to get to the big leagues. Don’t mess it up.
When I arrived back to the dorm room, Chloe was already there. She had a mask on her hair, which made it slick down her back and dribble a bit on the shoddy grey carpet. She grinned at me when I walked in.
“God, practice almost killed me today,” she said.
All I wanted to do was pretend everything was all right. “I know. I’m so exhausted.”
Chloe reached for something under her mattress and tugged out a water bottle. I noticed something in her teeth, so I made a motion and she grimaced and said, “Omg! I’ve had this in there since dinner? Nobody told me. I bet I looked fucking fantastic with my swim cap on. Jesus! Thank you.”
She tossed me the water bottle and I shrugged and said, “Actually, I had loads after practice. I’m good.”
“It’s not water,” she said. She cut her nail between her teeth and wagged her eyebrows.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“Just open it. I got it from that kid on the track team like I did with the Snickers bars,” she said and flashed me a mischievous smile.
I cracked it open and took a quick swig. It tasted awful. “What is it?”
“Your latest energy drink. It’ll give you a boost.”
“What did you trade for it?” I asked.
“I had some sweets that my mom packed for me,” she said. “I was going to save them for a rainy day, but to be honest, I really don’t want sugar in my life right now. So we all have practice on Sunday. But tomorrow is our first day off and I plan to have a few drinks at least. We can spend all day in bed watching Gilmore Girls!”
“What is that again?” I said, trying not to sound like I was from another planet.
“God, you’re really not up on any pop culture, are you?” she said, shooting me a half-smile.
This had been a continuous problem since I had started at Denver Athletics. Since I hadn’t gone to school or interacted much with many people my own age, or really done anything except work, eat, sleep and train non-stop, I didn’t know much about what you were “supposed” to be into. Chloe had even given me a few sessions about doing my makeup the right way, even though I couldn’t get my mind around why I had to look “pretty” for biology class.
Earlier, Chloe had given me a water bottle that was actually vodka. I had taken a tiny sip and then passed Chloe the bottle and she took her own shot and grimaced.
“It’s awful.” I grinned as I watched her face distort as she swallowed the liquid.
“Ugh. Whatever. What are you wearing tonight?”
“Um. A tank top? Shorts?”
“Like what you always wear?” she asked.
“I only have that, winter clothes, or gym clothes.”
Chloe sighed and walked to her wardrobe. She lurched open the top drawer and started digging through little summer dresses. She grabbed a dark yellow one and tossed it toward me. I caught it and spread it out over my body. It was a tiny bit big since Chloe was taller and broader than I was, but it was a gorgeous color and texture. I had never worn anything so girly before.
“Thank you,” I said, inspecting it closer.
“Don’t thank me. I have the worst clothing collection of almost anyone else here,” Chloe said. “It’s our basement poor-girls clothing collection. Fall line.”
Chloe scrubbed out the mask from her hair. I busied myself attempting to make Chloe’s curling iron work for me, but my black hair was pin-straight and I ended up just straightening it out again. Chloe wore a turquoise dress and put on lipstick and looked genuinely beautiful, especially now that her hair didn’t look like it had been destroyed by chlorine. “Being a blonde swimmer is basically like cursing yourself to be ugly,” she sighed.
“Don’t be stupid. You look stunning,” I told her.
The party started just after eleven. By then, Chloe and I had had one too many sips of the vodka and burst into gut-busting giggles every three minutes about nothing in particular. Occasionally, I thought to myself... Is this what it’s like to have a best friend? And the thought was so genuine that it almost destroyed me. I had spent my life protecting myself from emotions like this. I was always worried it would go away.
Chloe and I walked out of the girls' dorm and into the chill of the Rocky Mountain night. We held hands as we leaped toward the boys’ dorm. Already, you could hear the hip hop music booming from the top rooms.
“How can they get away with that?” I asked Chloe, genuinely incredulous. It seemed like the coaches wouldn’t want it.
“Didn’t I tell you? Theo can get away with whatever he wants because his dad gives so much money to the school. Seriously, he’s the school’s prince or something,” Chloe shrugged. “People stay out of his way. And they also know that if the students want to stay here, they have to be mindful of how they treat their bodies. Everyone knows their limit. At least most people.”
It was my first high school party—my first-night drinking alcohol. My brain buzzed with fear and I gripped Chloe’s hand harder. From upstairs, a wild screech came out of the window, followed by a crash of glass, and then another song pumped from the speakers.
“You ready?” Chloe asked.
I nodded and swallowed. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Eleven
The boys’ dorm was built much like the girls’ dorm. But unlike our normal route down into the basement, we shot up the circular staircase toward the very top. At the landing, we found a hallway of chaos; beautiful magazine-ready teenage athletes in gorgeous and hip clothes. Everyone was dancing and grinding against each other while drinking beer and talking over the music. I froze at the landing because I felt like I was in some kind of different universe. This was all so new to me and it felt like I was peeking into someone else’s life. Chloe tugged at my hand and I followed her three doors down to Theo’s bedroom.
Theo’s bedroom was more like an apartment. It had its own little kitchen area and a dining room table. The room stretched out much farther than ours did, where his king-sized bed was situated a few feet away from the double balcony doors. A huge speaker system boomed in the opposite corner.
The room was filled with juniors and seniors. Theo hovered near the balcony and leaned back a bit. He looked bored but so damn hot, with this black V-neck t-shirt that fit him like a second skin and black jeans. His biceps were threaded with muscle and I ached to walk over and put my hand on one. His dark blonde hair still hung just above his shoulders, tousled and messy looking. He looked like a California surfer, void the surfboard. Too bad he was such an asshole.
He talked with Ellison and Zed, as Clinton changed the music. Between Chloe and I and the far wall were probably about thirty people, packed in there like sardines. Poppy was in the middle, grinding up against one of her girlfriends and some guy I didn’t really know. I think he was someone from the track team. Her eyes flashed toward me, but her expression was a bit hazy like she wasn’t sure where she was. She took a long swig from a bottle of beer and then cackled something into the track guy’s ear. I figured it was probably about me.
“Let’s grab a beer,” I said to Chloe. The truth was, I was anxious and just wanted something to do with my hands.
“That’s my girl!” she said.
The kitchen was well-stocked with beer, wine and an array of whiskeys, anything you could want to get messed up with. I was basically an idiot when it came to booze, considering I had never drank before, so I hovered over the selection with my hand on the refrigerator door.
“My dad owns Bear Brewery.”
The voice boomed over my left shoulder and I immediately froze.
“What I mean is you should try their IPA. It’s great.”
I turned slowly to see Theo standing just a few inches from me. I drew my hair to the side, so it didn’t block my face. “What’s an IPA?”
“Idiot,” he said, but not unkindly. He shot forward and grabbed two IPAs, t
hen popped their tops and passed one to me. “Here. Just try it.”
Just like I had with the vodka, I took a big glug and immediately regretted it. I scrunched my nose and coughed once and Theo let out a laugh. Again, his laugh didn’t seem unkind, and I drew my eyes toward his and felt this huge wave of lust wash over me. Was I flirting? Was this what flirting was?
“You know, I wasn’t sure you would come to my party,” Theo said as he closed the fridge door and led me to the side.
“Everyone said you couldn’t miss it,” I said. I took another small sip and decided to pretend to like it. “Wow, yeah. This is really good.”
“Right? My dad got the hops just right on this one. He explained the process to me last summer and I keep thinking after this whole gymnastics life ends, then maybe that’s the life for me.”
“Beer?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Or something. I don’t know. I know my dad had a weird gap in his life between the Olympics and whatever he would do next. He said he was a little lost. Went to California and dabbled with drugs. Although I think I could like that as much as the next person, I don’t want to fumble around, you know?”
Was Theo actually making sense to me? The general “prince” of Denver Athletics?
Should I tell him that I’ve watched his dad’s Olympic tape over and over again? That it was one of my inspirations as a kid? No, that was too weird.
“Sure. It’s really weird to think about, though. Being so focused on the...erm,” I tried and looked down at my hands.
“Nationals? The trials? The Olympics themselves?” Theo said. His voice was teasing, but I could tell he was also half-serious.
“I mean...”
“I’ve watched you at practice. And Coach Jonathon won’t shut up about you, you know,” he said and smiled at me. “I train with him privately sometimes, and he said he’s never seen such singular focus in a young gymnast. His words, not mine.”
Out for Blood Page 9
