Chapter Six: Nerves

Brialie

Caught off guard, the air leaves his lungs for a short time as he stares at Dom flabbergasted.

"My blessing on what?" he croaks before coughing and taking a drink from the water bottle on his desk. It doesn't help as frogs have lodged themselves in his throat.

"I'd like to get Mikkenndra a promise ring, with your permission of course," Dom replies nervously.

He opens his mouth to say something, only to close it as no words are coming to mind. It's not that he hasn't seen this happening for a while now, but this- Mikkenndra is his little girl. Sure, they've been together for a little over four years, but he isn't quite ready to let her go. He sees Domminikk as another son, yet he still worries about his daughter's wellbeing. No matter how old she is or how much Mik loved a guy or he loved her, no one would be good enough for his daughter in his eyes. However, he also realizes that if anyone could ever measure up to his high standards, Dom is the person who can come close.

He clears his throat, finally getting rid of the nerves, "Tell ya what, come over after practice today and we'll discuss it."

"Yes, sir, but wha-"

"Mik is staying with Colby and Louanne," he says answering the unfinished question, watching as the boy nodded and walked out back into the locker room.

He can only smile and shake his head remembering how nervous he was when he asked his own father-in-law if he could marry Jeané. He already knows what his answer will be, but can't help making the boy sweat it a little.

Deciding to check the late entry's paperwork himself, he picks up the stack in front of him, reads the boy's name at the very top, freezing upon seeing it. Unable to stop himself, he continues reading the forms and skims down to the parent signature, hoping, that his guardian isn't who his gut's telling him it is, but when he reaches the line, it's there in big bold letters. His breath catches in his throat and the sinking feeling plummets through his entire body. The room suddenly feels too hot, and his vision clouded in red, his mind at a loss. There's no denying it, and it's all he can do not to run out of the office and locker room over to the Aquatic Center.

Louanne

Watching as her goddaughter looked at what she had designed; she can't help the theory of the women in her family's sanity and the time frame of when they had all gone insane at creeping into her mind. They had all been normal before becoming mothers… her maternal grandmother is currently in a mental institution and has been for as long as she can remember. And Satan as she often refers to her mother as- while isn't in one has been diagnosed with so many psychological disorders that magnum pi can't even figure out how the woman works if he tried.

She loves Colby with everything inside of her and faced with this made her uneasy. They have never discussed children, and she has always assumed that he was fine if the twins and Mik are as close as they ever get to have their own.

"Aunt Lou," Mik says breaking her thoughts causing her to look up to see that she had on a silk mint and white lace bra with the matching bikini style panties.

"Wow, I thought those two colors would look good on you, but they really pop against your tanned skin from this summer," she replies impressed with how they turned out and the way they look on her. It was times like this when she's glad that Mik didn't get Jeané's inability to tan, but she still has a similar complexion. "Did you see the variety of reds in there as well?" she asks after a moment knowing that Mik will wear those on game nights. Knowing that she didn't design enough nude colored, she chose to add more to the collection this year.

"Ohmigosh! These look amazing. I love how you added red lace to some of the white and black ones as well. They're fantastic; thanks so much, Aunt Lou!" she hears her say ecstatically while she is in the dressing room where the rest of the collection is. Smiling, she knows that she has done her job well. She threw in a ton of fall and winter colors for when the seasons start changing, knowing that while Mik may not wear all of them, she has the option to if she so wants.

However, when she designs for Mik, she also makes sure that should Brialie ever come across them that he will not die of a heart attack. That has always been a condition she, Colby and Brialie had with one another- she will provide classy and appropriate attire for Mik, separate and original than what she sells to the general public.

Jeané

She walks into the Center seeing the team is just finishing up with the warm ups she left while she was gone and they are all gathering at the one of the benches to the right of the doors. The clink of them behind her captures their attention at whoever has entered when they see her and all conversations stop.

"Hi," she starts, "I know I'm late today, and this shouldn't happen again. So if we can just wait for the rest of the team to finish up, I'd like to talk to everyone," she tells the group as they nod.

"Coach…" the girl in a red and white swimsuit, says before trailing off. Her blonde hair is in a tight bun on top of her head, and her green eyes stand out against her summer-toned face, which she notices is dashed in freckles.

She raises her eyebrows in response, but she doesn't say anything more and she realizes that she doesn't know her name, "Torrément," she finishes for the girl who gives her a thankful smile.

"Coach Torrément, I know it's a bit early, but at the end of last year's season we had been discussing the possibility of new uniforms. I am wondering if that is still a possibility?" she asks hesitantly hopeful.

She doesn't reply right away, considering the budget she was given on the first day of practice for the year. Not wanting to enter the mess of fundraising- it was more of a hassle for her and parents than the students- she replies, "I'll see what I can do, miss…"

"Gage, Valerie Gage, I'm one of the seniors this year and also the manager for Boy's season this fall, if you'll have me," the girl says confidence ever present in her tone.

She pauses as she pulls the red and white three ring binder from the bag that's on her shoulder thinking about her previous statement to the new uniforms. She remembers helping out her own coach during the guys season and all the things she wanted to do to help them, and knows how much of an accomplishment the girl will feel if she can successfully do something for the team.

"Sounds great, Valerie. Allow me to go through todays first practice of drills and then I will talk to you after we're done this afternoon," she tells her.

She waits a few more minutes on the boys to finish up before she blows her whistle, signaling for them to get out of the pool and meet her near the edge of the lap pool.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Coach Torrément, but you may call me Coach T, if it's easier for y'all to say or remember," which receives an un- synced chorus of 'Hey Coach T's. "Alright, now I want you to separate yourselves into groups based of grade level, please. My seniors to the left, freshmen to the left center of them, sophomores to the right of them and my juniors to the right of me. If you are a manager, please stand as a group in the middle of them," she requests and soon enough the jumble mess of boys separate into organized categories, and she's even surprised to see a couple more girls find their way to the middle of them.

She pulls out a stress ball, pen and chart from the binder saying, "Now, when I toss this to you," indicating to the ball, "state your first, last name and something you did this summer."

Starting with the ladies in the middle, it lands in a long dark haired with ombre ends, petite girl's hands who says in a soft soprano, "Alonna Hastings, I'm a freshmen and I spent a lot of my time at my friend's house."

She nods and scribbles down the information on the page, as she sees Alonna pass to the ginger girl next to her, "Simone Nix, I'm a junior and I spent most of my summer working." Her voice is a smooth alto, full of harmony.

She then throws to the one of the seniors in the back who catches it with ease. His hair is dark and it's obvious by his stance that he's clearly the leader of this team. So this is who the A.D. had been telling her about. "Cameron Phillip; I participated in several meets this summer," he eloquently tells them, before tossing it across him to a sandy blonde haired junior with a charming grin to him.

"Hi, Jerrett Todd, and I did a modeling job with a local designer this summer who decided to branch out her horizons," he replies causing her to look up.

Curiosity piqued, she asks, "What designer?"

"Louanne Daniels," he answers causing her to arch an eyebrow impressed and before she asks another question, he throws the ball to another swimmer. She had no clue that Lou is now designing for men; granted she hasn't actually had a conversation with her best friend in years, and Colby was the one replying to the letters she sent. She doesn't even know what's going on between them or if Lou even read the letters.

After several more introductions, she shuts the binder, with all 29 names written, and says, "When I number you off I want you to go stand in the lane I say. Leave lane zero empty," and begins counting them off in groups of five.

Without even having to ask, they all get in the water, looking to her for instructions, and with a simple phrase, she sees their faces fall, "Five laps of the seahorse drill when one gets to the other end, stay until all of your team mates get there before returning."

She hears a few groans, of protest, but they all nod and they're off. How she feels their pain on some level but it is necessary to endure the pain, especially when it creates stronger swimmers.

Brialie

In the ninety-degree humid weather the team is finishing up gassers, all of them soaked in a combination of sweat and pouring their water on themselves. He doesn't blame them, not one bit as he had done this many times himself when he was in their place. Colby stands next to him yelling at them to pick up the pace.

"Alright, alright, bring it in boys," he calls signaling the end of practice, "huddle up!" and is shortly surrounded by the big group of reeking, sticky, exhausted guys.

"So the first day is tomorrow and I'm not gonna tell you to sit at the front of the class, because we all I know I'd be preaching to the choir if I did. However, what I am going to say is that first impressions do make a lasting impact on how a teacher sees you. Treat them with respect, and if I hear anything about you being pain in the asses or knuckle heads, you'll answer to me at 2:45. Now me, I already know you, so if you have a weight class in your schedule, no need to worry except for I expect you all to do your absolute best. Also, like I've been saying over and over, if you need to get taped or stemmed, go see the trainer as soon as possible. I need to see all of you on the field pronto," they all stare at him, waiting to see if he has anything else to add, but when he doesn't say another word, they begin to quietly disperse, going to change, their rides, or cars in the parking lot.

He watches them leave, keeping his eyes on one particular player with sandy blonde hair Coulston is talking to as Colby comes up to him and says, "Who's the new freshman your son is talking to?"

Furrowing his eyebrows together in thought and resting his chin between his thumb and index finger, he thinks about how to answer, not even sure of the possibility himself settling for, "His name's Blake; I'm thinking about putting him on JV, why?"

Colby slowly shakes his head, astonishment clear in his features, especially since he has never been one to put a new player to the district higher than the C team, "The kid's talented; I'll give you that much. It's almost like he's been playing as long as he could hold a ball the right way and understand the basics of the game."

He grunts in agreement and begins making his way to his office, knowing that Colby is sure to be on his heels. Once there, he motions for him to shut the door and lock it. At the sound of the click, he feels the tension between them start to build ― the unaired question written on Colby as he begins looking for the paperwork from earlier and finding it on top of the others where he laid it.

He tosses it to him who looks confused as ever, "Brialie, what the hell is up?"

He motions his head to the papers in his best friend's lap and says, "Take a look at this everything on it, but most importantly his parent/guardian's name," he spits out.

"Okay," Colby cautiously replies and he watches him scanning the papers before seeing his eye widen and bulge blinking as if he's trying to see if the words that he saw earlier that day will disappear. "What the fuck!?" he exclaims giving them back to him.

"Exactly what I was thinking, Colby;" he states confused himself. Something isn't adding up in his head. "How is this even possible?" he questions more rhetorically than anything completely perplexed.

Jeané

November 7, 2013

The bell has rung, but the door to her most loathed class hasn't opened yet. The people around her are talking but she doesn't care. She has her ear buds in listening to The Civil Wars' song Falling, while trying her best to just disappear. Finally after what feels like an eternity, the door opens and all of the teachers begin filing out, returning to their respective fifth hours. She watches as they all walk around her and she notices Brialie and Colby are looking at her gesturing her to go in before them. Without so much as a glare towards them, she walks in and sits where she was before lunch. The seats around her are still vacant before the door opens again and Louanne, Christy, and a couple of others sit around her. For once, she doesn't even roll her eyes at their typical tardiness.

Instead, she turns her attention to the back window to Luke, finding him laughing at something Shaunna has said to him. She feels her chest clenching at the scene and the heaviness in her throat. She swallows, but this only makes the feelings worse. She's playing a dangerous role, especially since he's still dating Elaine, but she can't help it; she loves him, and wants him back. Her eyes are stinging as she looks away and down at her desk. She tries to hold them back, but is disgusted with herself as a few leak when she blinks. She briefly looks up scanning the room to make sure no one has seen her weakness before catching Colby's eyes. She hopes he's just staring into space. Casting her head down she walks the short distance to grab a Kleenex and dabs at her eyes while trying her best at keeping her back turned to everyone. A couple more tears streak into the Kleenex and she closes her eyes willing them to stop. She tosses it into the trash, and looks around to see most are still talking as she returns to the desk.

She glances at Luke again to see him still talking to Shaunna. She notices Brialie getting out his phone and putting his earbuds in, as his fingers tap at the screen- probably playing some stupid game. When she gets to Colby his eyes are still locked on hers, and his head is somewhat tilting in silent question. She glances at Luke, before back to him, hoping he will get what she's trying to convey. She shakes her head and puts a finger vertically over her lips.

She pulls out her book and begins to re-read it, but can't help to turn her music down so she could hear when the teacher decides to resume class. Her eyes wonder though, and the focus on Colby's desk, so she has a clear view when he nudges Brialie in the side with his knuckles.

She watches as Brialie takes out his earbuds, but still continues to mess with his phone. She doesn't think anything of this, figuring he needs to ask about the upcoming game.

"Hey, what's wrong with Jeané?" she hears Colby ask quietly. At this she's immediately surprised. How is she even able to hear his voice over all the others talking?

Brialie gives him a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"

"She was crying. I've never seen her cry before in my entire life of knowing her," he replies.

She sees Brialie look up at her briefly before turning back to Colby, "I don't know or care anymore. She did this a lot last year in my fourth hour. Don't be shocked if she does it in this hour too."

"Yes you do," she hears Colby say back.

"No I don't anymore," Brialie says, "I used, to, but I don't care about her anymore."

"Admit it, Brialie, you care," Colby repeats.

"Let it go," Brialie says going back to his phone.

"You still car-"

"Shut up, Colby," Brialie cuts him off

"You still ca-," Colby says

"Shut up," Brialie interrupts him again.

"It's true, you still care," Colby presses.

"Shut u-,"

"You still c-"

"Colby, drop it!" Brialie says through clenched teeth with finality as she watches him turn to face Colby with a glare daring him to say something. She sees Colby close his mouth when Brialie's eyes gesture to her, quickly pretending to be reading.

"She's got her music on, Brialie and she's reading, I doubt she heard any of this. Also, until you told me to drop it, we've been whispering," he replies in the same tone as before.

"I hope you're right, Colby," Brialie replies, and they both go back to their previous entertainment.

She's puzzled completely and utterly confused by their conversation. It's like Colby is prying and Brialie is hiding something. Why would he be hiding something from Colby; aren't they like family? So many questions she wants to ask, but knows that she can't. She looks to Louanne, thinking about getting her attention, but decides not to. Nothing good can come of telling Louanne about what she's heard right now. Plus she hasn't even bothered to talk to her all hour. Why should she try to talk to Louanne when she doesn't seem to want to talk to her anyway? If Lou wants to talk to her, she'll have to her attention this time. Besides, it's completely obvious that what had transpired between both of them wasn't' supposed to be heard by anyone, especially her. It was private and between the two of them.

Present Day

Feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, she is pulled out of her thoughts and checks to see a text from Blake:

Hanging out with a teammate,

text you details later.

Details now please, at least

a first name grade & parent

name. How are you getting

home at the very least plz?

A few minutes later, she feels the bzz of her phone and sees his reply.

Coulston, he's a senior and

he said he'd bring me home.

He's the head coach's son.

Her breath hitches in the back of her throat, wondering how this was going to play out. The thought of her sons getting to know each other is nice, but it makes her wonder if this isn't going to blow up in her face before even knowing how to explain everything. She is such a panicked mess but all she can reply back to him is:

Okay.

She sits on the ledge facing the ledge facing the exit of the aquatic center when the doors open revealing Brialie with a hardened poker face. The only thing she can tell is that he doesn't appear happy- at all.

Quirking an eye at him she asks, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He says nothing as he continues to advance on her. "Brialie," she says again, but she's only rewarded with silence. Being honest with herself, she's a bit worried by his actions and unreadable face. She'd be lying if she doesn't admit that she isn't the least bit scared. He was trained to be lethal when he went through basic, and it isn't something that she takes lightly.

"You and I need to have words," he bites out in an eerie calm voice. His tone is bone chilling and she feels her cheeks drain of color. Warning bells to get the hell out of dodge begin sounding in her mind, but his eyes hold her paralyzed in the same spot.

"What about?" she responds evenly.

"More like, who about," he snidely corrects.

"Okay," she replies, "who?"

AN: And what'd you all think? Please Review! I love hearing what you all think!