I just want to say thank you to everyone who's reviewed. I know that I can't always be bothered to review so thank you so much for taking the time to R&R. You are all amazingly brilliant people! Thank you for being so nice! It makes me feel all fluffy inside lol.
I realised that I haven't added any of the disclaimer stuff so here goes:
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the covenant boys or sarah or kate, I do however own my own characters like Christina, Olivia and James. Done
Here's another chapter for anyone still reading, I hope you like and can find a couple of seconds to review it. Please don't be afraid to be brutal and criticise. I love all the amazing positive reviews but the negative ones help you grow. Anyway, ENJOY!
By the time Tyler returned to the dorms, his cell phone back in his possession, it was almost 10 o'clock, otherwise known as lights out when the main doors of the dormitory buildings were locked – no exceptions. This was presented as a way to protect the students from murderous rapists and bloodthirsty thieves but it also acted as a barrier to keep the rowdy irresponsible delinquents - like Reid Garwin - out.
True to form Reid had yet to return, his empty bed lying unmade as Tyler strode in to the shared room. The differences in their personality brought a stark divide to the space.
Reid's side was what he liked to call a perfect example of organized chaos. His school books sat, untouched and dust covered, in a tiny corner of the desk, the rest of the dark wood hidden under a clutter of colorful paraphernalia including a Luke Skywalker action figure and a signed topless picture of Pamela Anderson. Clothes lay un-ironed across the floor and a slightly green slice of pizza peaked out from under the bed along with a few empty beer bottles.
Tyler's half was, in contrast, simplistic and tidy. His blazer was carefully hung on the closet door hook next to his towel and wash bag. His books and binders were lined up neatly on his shelf, the desk below it bare save for his laptop, a lamp and a pen pot.
He let out a small sigh as he shrugged off his jacket. Reid was probably still at Nicky's and would be there until Nicky chucked him out at closing time, forcing him to walk the 5 kilometers over to the Garwin mansion. He'd probably stroll into first period late and blame his tardiness on some family crisis or another.
Tyler had given up trying to lecture his brother in all but blood about time keeping and responsibility but it was just a waste of breath and besides he enjoyed the privacy Reid's behavior gave him. For one, it let him carry out all night study sessions with no interruption.
Tonight was Algebra, oh what fun. This was the one downside of his intense training regime: no time for studying for important midterm tests like the one Mr. Lindberg had sprung this week. Maybe he should have started studying earlier but he'd been so tired after practice he'd slept until dinner, waking only when a concerned Pogue had practically battered down the door.
"Dude, I've been calling you for the past ten minutes, why didn't you pick up?" he'd demanded once a very confused Tyler had opened the door.
Tyler shrugged, rubbing a fist against his eyes in an attempt to wake up, "must have left my cell at the pool"
"Well, you better get moving, they're going to stop serving in like…5 minutes" Pogue replied, glancing at his watch.
He chuckled as the younger boy's stomach growled angrily in response. Tyler would have blushed but he was in the middle of pulling on an old sweatshirt and rushing to get out the door and down to the dining hall.
It was a pretty conventional set up: join the queue, grab a tray and pile it high with whatever seems most appetizing or least likely to be classed as a biohazard. Tyler chose something resembling lasagna but could also have been enchiladas. He pulled up a seat at his usual table, sitting next to Sarah, Caleb's girlfriend, and began bolting down the food as if it were his last meal.
"Woah" Sarah exclaimed, watching the brunette practically inhale his food, "someone's hungry".
Tyler slowed, slightly embarrassed but not enough to stop completely.
"Missed lunch" he explained between chews, "went to see Coach Robbins about some extra coaching sessions".
As he said this, Pogue slumped into the chair opposite with a bowlful of chocolate pudding perched carefully in his hands.
"You need to start slowing down Ty, it's not healthy to try keeping this up so long" Pogue warned, slurping down the pudding almost straight from bowl.
Sarah rolled her eyes at Pogue table manners but turned to Tyler, "I agree with Pogue, you need to take a night off".
Tyler stayed quiet because he knew they were right but swim practice was the only time he could see Christina. It might not be healthy but it improved his times and gave him his daily Albright fix, helping him make it through the day. Seeing her smile or watching her laugh was like a drug to him and he needed that high. It was kind of creepy but he didn't care - she was his addiction and being hooked on a girl was better than getting himself hooked on alcohol or cigarettes right?
Sarah lightly took his hands, forcing his attention away from his food, "Come with us to Nicky's tomorrow night. Play some pool, have a few laughs. It won't kill you alright?"
Looking into her intense stormy grey eyes it felt impossible to say no. The expression on her face was bright and warm but something in her eyes gave him the impression she would drag him out with a rope around his neck if he refused. No way did he want that so he nodded, unable to voice the defeat. He could go one day without seeing her right? It wasn't like he needed to see her in order to survive, his addiction wasn't that strong. Not yet at least.
But that night after bumping into her, literally, he rethought his earlier judgment. Watching her as she rushed to pick up her things was somehow mesmerizing. Feeling her silver gaze on his arms and hands as he handed back her flip-flops and hairbrush was like basking in sunshine and when she'd actually looked at him, it was like everything else melted away into insignificance. It was frightening how much of a hold she had on him considering the fact they'd never even spoken. It was as if some unknown force was dragging them together and in the words of the Borgs "resistance is futile". Trying to imagine a life without any kind of contact was like trying to imagine a life without breathing: completely impossible.
Tyler realized he'd been daydreaming as he looked back over the last line of his notes. He was no Algebra whiz but he could be pretty certain that 2ac over x did not equal Star Trek.
Maybe Sarah was right and he did need to take a night off but not from swimming, from Christina. This addiction was definitely not healthy and he needed to go cold turkey.