A/N: part 3! Woho!
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Killian Jones hated swimming. Hated it.
But it was all he had left.
His mother had gotten him and Liam involved in swimming at very young ages. Back then, Killian loved it. But then his mother became sick. And by the time Killian was 12, she was gone.
But Killian still had Liam and his father. Liam was 4 years older than Killian, but they were very close. So, when it came time for Killian to select a college, Killian wanted to go where Liam had graduated from.
But Liam never graduated from Roger College. He died in a car accident 2 weeks before his graduation.
Killian and his father were destroyed. Killian's father got a transfer to work for a shipping company in Japan. He told Killian it was because it was better pay and he needed a change. Killian knew it was because he couldn't bear to look at him anymore, to be reminded of the son and wife he had lost every time he looked at Killian's similar features.
So Killian was alone. All he had left was a sport his mother and brother had loved. A sport that Killian had loved once. But not anymore.
"JONES! Why were you not at practice this morning?" Coach Gold demanded.
"Sorry Coach. I overslept."
"Unacceptable. If you miss one more practice this week, I will bench you for the Storybrooke meet."
"What?! I'm your best shot at winning the fly! Why would you bench me?"
"BECAUSE Mr. Jones, I find your attitude arrogant and deplorable. You're a sophomore. I expect this kind of behavior from a freshman. Shape up, Mr. Jones. This is your final warning."
Gold walked away, ending the discussion.
Killian and Coach Gold had a rough relationship. There was little affection between the two. The only reason Gold had even allowed Killian to swim was because of Liam. Killian had proved his worth to the team his freshman year, winning both the 100 and 200 fly at the conference championship. Gold had no choice but to let Killian stay on the team.
"Killian!"
Killian turned around to see Elsa, one of his closest friends. She was a junior and had been good friends Liam. She was one of the few people that had been there for Killian.
"Hey E. What's up?"
"You weren't at practice. I was worried you'd gotten yourself into trouble last night."
"Nope, I'm fine. I only had a couple shots at Smee's last night and slept through my alarm." Killian flashed Elsa his trademark grin but he knew she could see right through it.
"Bullshit, Killian. You and I both know you had more than just a few." Elsa frowned at her friend.
"Elsa…"
"No Killian. You need to get your shit together. Gold will find out and finally have a reason to get rid of you."
Killian scowled at her.
"He'll find one anyway. It matters not what I do."
"Killian…" Elsa sighed.
"Just drop it, Elsa. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Killian spun on his heel and walked away.
