Learning to Breathe (5 page)

I was amazed when this seemed to work and I instantly enlisted Ellie as my new helper. I managed to get them all down to the pool changing rooms and waited while they changed into their suits. While I waited, I wondered how I should act when I saw Danny. I really didn’t want to talk to him at all but I was feeling guilty about how I was constantly rude to him.

I still hadn’t made my mind up when we walked into the pool ten minutes later. The girls all ran up to Danny squealing excitedly while the three boys stood off to one side trying to look cool. I glanced over at Danny but he hadn’t seemed to notice me yet. I tried not to stare at him standing in just his swimming shorts – I would have been lying if I didn’t say that he looked good … really good. However, I managed to put my eyes back into my head when I realised that Ellie was now dragging him over to meet me.

“Danny!” she shrilled excitedly, “T
his is Darcie, she’s our new Youth Group Leader … you’ll like her, she’s got pretty hair!”

I had to laugh when I heard the last comment, I smiled down at Ellie and she beamed back as she wandered back to her friends – her mission
was completed now that Danny was standing in front of me.

“Cute kid,” he commented and I nodded my head. He
gave me a small smile and I found myself tongue-tied.

“First day?” he enquired, looking at me curiously.

I nodded. “Yeah, my mother got me the job. Everyone’s been really nice and the kids seem okay. I just hope it stays that way.”

He nodded but his hazel eyes seemed to study my features intently and I felt slightly uneasy. He seemed to notice my discomfort as he then broke eye contact and glanced over at the kids.

He nodded his head towards them. “I suppose I better get back. It was nice seeing you again.”

I
gave him a small smile and then went to sit on a bench that was located near the entrance of the pool. I watched him teach the kids various strokes and I found myself fascinated by all the movements they were making. I had never learned to swim and – like I had told Danny – I didn’t intend to.

However, after watching a bunch of nine year olds swim confidently up and down the length of the pool, I wondered if it was as easy as it looked.

I glanced at my watch and realised that there was only ten minutes until the kids had to get out of the pool. I noticed Danny looking at the large clock on the wall and then turn back to the pool of boys and girls.

“Okay!
” I heard him shout. “Since you’ve only ten minutes left, I guess I could let you have some fun before you have to get out.”

The kids all screamed in delight and proceeded to splash each other while Danny started to make his way
towards me.

“So,” he bega
n, as he plopped down beside me. “I’m really sorry about being so forward in the café last week.”

I shrugged.
“It’s okay, really.”

He smirked.
“Good … but you should know that I really can’t promise that it won’t happen again.”

I shook my head exasperatedly and laughed
. “Cocky as ever, aren’t you?”

I watched him laugh as he shrugged his shoulders and said, “You betcha! I gotta see if it’ll be third time lucky!”

“Don’t hold your breath.” I told him, raising my eyebrows at him.

Danny threw me that half-smile again.
“Fair enough. But seriously, why won’t you go out with me? I really wanna know.”

His hazel eyes looked puzzled as he
watched me, waiting for a response.

I sighed heavily.
“I just don’t do relationships and that’s all you need to know.”

He held
his hands up in mock surrender. “Okay okay, I take the hint!”

I breathed in relief and watched him look at me curiously – I could tell he was dying to ask me something else.

“What?” I demanded.

“I’m just trying to figure you out – that’s all.” He stared at me intently.

“Well good luck with that.” I told him derisively.

He sniggered.
“Mock me all you want … but I
will
discover what it is you’re hiding.”

“Whatever.
” I told him dismissively.

His lips pulled up into that lopsided grin.
“You don’t believe me? Well I should tell you that I love a challenge.”

I shrugged at him – knowing it would be a long time
before he would ever discover anything about my past – if at all.

I watched him as his nose crin
kled up while he chuckled at me. “Challenge accepted Gilmore … challenged accepted.”

And with that, he walked off to tell the kids to get out of the pool, leaving me feeling worried … very worried indeed.

The rest of the week passed without any further run-ins with Danny. This was mostly due to the fact that I had taken to sitting in the stands, as far away from him as possible. Tho
ugh, I did catch him glancing my way every now and then.

As much as I tried to convince myself that Danny would never discover anything about my past, I really didn’t feel confident. Sure, I could avoid hi
m now but what happened in two weeks time when we were attending the same school?

I was deeply troubled by the thought that he might unearth the secrets
that I was determined to keep hidden. What if he started digging for information about my life in Langley Falls? I figured the only way I could prepare myself for such an occasion was to dig up some dirt on Danny himself.

That very weekend, I tried my best to interrogate Harriet about him but she couldn’t tell me a lot. All I managed to discover was that he
– along with his parents – had arrived in Dover Springs two years ago but nobody really knew a lot about his life before or why he moved here. Harriet just told me that he was a nice guy and a really talented swimmer, which was why he was captain of the school’s swim team.

Honestly, it appeared that Danny wasn’t hiding anything but something kept telling me that there was a reason why he was so cocky and sure of himself all of the time
– and there were his scars to consider too. What exactly it was, I didn’t know but I had an inkling that he was keeping something a secret and I was determined to prove that I was right.

Then again, maybe I was clutching at straws. Perhaps I was so desperate for my past to remain behind me that I was inventing a mystery to solve where there wasn’t one.
Nevertheless, I thought it best to avoid contact with Danny at all costs … I had a feeling that it would be very dangerous otherwise.

The rest of the summer seemed to pass in a blur. It wa
s hard to believe that today would be my first day at Dover High. For the past two weeks, I had managed to steer clear of Danny but today I wouldn’t be able to. I wasn’t exactly sure why I felt that it was necessary to avoid him because he hadn’t exactly done anything wrong but it was just easier than dealing with his questions about my past.

I quickly showered and then pondered about what to wear. I ransacked my wardrobe and managed to decide on navy jeans, a grey v-neck t-shirt and grey Converse – I thought it was quite apt
as the colours seemed to suit my mood. 

I grabbed my shoulder bag and then headed downstairs to make some coffee. I met my mother coming out of the kitchen in quite a hurry.

“Morning honey, sorry I can’t drop you off for your first day but I’m late for work. Have fun though!” She then rushed out the door, leaving me alone wondering if today was going to be as horrible as I was imagining it would be.

After consuming some much-needed caffeine, I locked up the house and had just started heading towards the bus stop when I heard a horn honking. I turned and saw that it was Harriet. Over the last two weeks, I had seen her very seldom and last week, I hadn’t seen her at all since she had been away on holiday to Spain.

I approached the ca
r and she wound down the window. “Hey Darcie, want a lift?”

I nodde
d. “Sure, thanks.” I hopped into the passenger seat and felt relieved that I wouldn’t have to get the bus after all.

“So, you have a nice holiday?” I ventured at Harriet who was looking very brown.

She turned to glance at me and smiled. “Yeah, it was great. How was the rest of yours?”

I shrugged.
“Very uneventful.”

I
watched her smirk for a minute. “Really? Well what’s this I hear about you and Danny not speaking to each other?”

I rolled my e
yes. “Why does it matter? Who told you anyway?”

She chuckled.
“My little sister – Faye, she’s best friends with Ellie. Ellie updated her on all of the gossip when we came home from holiday. Apparently they both think that you and Danny would make a cute couple.”

“Please!” I scoffed.
“They’re eight years old – they still think Barbie and Ken make a cute couple!”

Harriet giggled loudly and then suddenly turned serious
. “So you’re not interested in Danny at all?”

I shook my head.
“No, I’m not.” I told her vehemently – determined to let her know that it was the truth.

“Fair enough. What happ
ened between you guys though?” She frowned at me, eagerly awaiting my answer.

“It was actually about him asking me out. I don’t date but he couldn’t seem to accept that the first time so I had to tell him again.”
I shrugged and watched as Harriet looked confused.

“Why don’t you date?” She asked with a puzzled look.

“I just don’t. Never have.” I told her firmly so that she knew to change the subject.

She merely nodded, pulled into the school car park and said, “Welcome to Dover High – the place that will suck the life o
ut of you for the next year – enjoy.”

I chuckled.
“It can’t be that bad. Can it?”

Harriet fa
ced me with a sombre expression. “I guess you’ll find out, won’t you?” She then winked and got out of the car.

Dover High was a rather large building and I idly found myself wondering how I would ever remember my way around. I was just thankful that today was only a half day and I wouldn’t have to worry about it properly until Monday. However, my mind was put at ease a little when Harriet offered to be my guide for the following week. We made our way to our tutor class where I met several more of Harriet’s friends – not that I managed to recall any of their names – and waited for our teacher to arrive.

Ten minutes later and Mr
Fennell walked into the room and began to hand out timetables. I watched as they were then passed out to everyone except me. Mr Fennell approached my desk and then informed that my timetable had been delayed. I vaguely wondered what I was meant to do until 12.30. Before I could voice this concern, Mr Fennell beat me to it and answered my unasked question.

“There’s nothing to worry about Darcie, classes
don’t start until Monday. I’m sure they’ll have it all sorted out by then. Today is just a chance for everyone to gather up the various textbooks and supplies they’ll need for this year. Okay?”

I nodded and watched as Mr Fennell
addressed the rest of the class.

“Okay everyone, I hope you all had a nice s
ummer but I also hope that you’re all ready for a year of hard work …” He trailed off at the collective groan that rippled around the classroom.

Mr Fennell shushed everyone
and continued on with his lecture.

“Hey,
there’s no need for that. You all know how important this year is. You must all be focused and …” He suddenly trailed off at hearing a knock on the door. We all watched as he stepped outside to talk to the principal, Ms Greenly.

Everybody’s attention was focused on the door but pretty soon the noise level began to creep up again when most people realised that they couldn’t hear anything. I
was just about to start a conversation with Harriet when the door opened again.

Mr Fennell addressed the clas
s once more. “Hey! Quiet down or I just might not tell you the good news…” he paused and waited for complete silence before he continued.

“I talked to Ms Greenly and
she’s just informed me that some of the supplies have been delayed which means…” He trailed off and looked around, waiting for someone to realise what he meant and fill in the blanks.

A guy at the front suddenly perked up
in his seat. “Dude, do we like get to go home?”

Mr Fennell nodded.
“Yes Frankie, good to see you haven’t let the old brain matter turn to mush over the summer. Yes, after I hand out whatever textbooks we do have, you can all get a jump-start on the weekend.”

And with that
he proceeded to dole out various heavy books.

An hour later and we were free.

“This is so cool,” Har
riet gushed. “I tried to tell Mum that it was stupid going back on a Friday! I guess I’ll have more time to get ready for tonight – there’s a party later, do you wanna come?”