Thank you to anybody who has given this a read :) x

I really didn't want to face Emily at school but I figured that was better than telling my dad I was off the team. I got up at the normal time I would every day to hit the pool. Usually I found getting out of bed a simple task but this morning was an exception.

For speed when I got to school I put my swim suite on under my shark's sweats and headed downstairs. Much to my surprise my mother was sat downstairs in the kitchen reading the newspaper "good morning honey your smoothie and lunch are in the fridge. My superstar needs to stay big and strong". She said with a smile on her face "thanks mom, I see you are in a good mood" she was always happy the morning after her date night I hoped to have the same in twenty years with the girl I was with, I had always imagined it with Emily but now I'm not so sure.

"Did you do anything special last night" my mother asked whilst deep in thought. "I was going on a date but that didn't quite work out" I said with a hint of sadness in my voice. My mother immediately put the paper down and pulled me into her arms "I'm sure if it's meant to happen it will work out in the end" she said whilst comforting me.

With that piece of wisdom from my mother I grabbed the stuff I needed for school and I headed out of the front door. My mom had really come a long way, when I told her I was gay I could see the look of fear in her eyes, I had to explain to her that I was still the same person and grandkids were still an option. She took the news better than my dad. We didn't speak for a week but now I am very proud to call them my parents.

I grabbed my trusty bike; I blame the rider for the accident I had in the rain coming home from Emily's house months ago. I then peddled to school taking the short cuts to get into the pool as quickly as I could hopefully before Emily turned up.

I wasn't so lucky as soon as I walked into the locker room Emily came over "how are you feeling?" she said with concern in her voice. "A little bit better" I added rather glumly. "What was wrong?" she really was giving me an interrogation I mean surely she should have asked last night? "I felt sick to my stomach, it came on really suddenly" I said unable to look her in the eyes, my acting skills really are poor that is definitely something to work on.

"Maya's cousin came by" Emily said this time she was avoiding all eye contact. "Nate" I was surprised I could even say his name.

"Yeah, he was really upset. More like a total mess actually, kind of like how I was the other night" she sighed. I really thought she was going to mention the kiss they shared.

"What did you do?" I asked trying to keep my cool. "Talked mostly" Emily said whilst I was trying to prevent the anger I felt rising up inside of me "mostly" I questioned.

Before we could say anything else coached called for the team to get into the pool. I slammed my locker door causing Emily to give me a confused look. I then rushed out so I wouldn't have to swim practise laps near her.

Coach was just as tough on me even though I was in ineligible to be picked for next week's swim meet. I felt the burn in my muscles that I loved so much as I pulled myself out of the pool. I looked around and saw that Emily was still swimming laps so I took this opportunity to quickly take a shower and get changed so I could get to class without having another awkward conversation.