Chapter 2

"In my soul and in my heart, I'm convinced I'm wrong!" — Catherine Earnshaw.

"How the fuck did you replace Jeremy in the team?" The words were thrown at my face in a very rash manner, and I felt anger boil in my brain. What does he even mean by 'how the fuck did you replace Jeremy?' Surely, some divine intervention hadn't helped me get the spot.

"By my impeccable skills, of course." Came the swift biting reply, as I gestured to Niall by the corner of my eye when he nodded and stepped behind me. If this was going to lead to a fight, I will have to protect my best friend. What kind of a mate would I be if I let him get roughened up because of something I had done?

"That's enough, Alexander. Hold your horses. I wasn't willing to play in the team this year anyways." I didn't even notice it when a guy among his several followers had come up infront of his face, blocking the pathway of him to reach me by any means. By the words, I realize that this guy was none other than the Jeremy who I had replaced.

"Do you not realize that this year was our very last? And this sleazeball", I could feel his hard eyes finding their way back to my own, as he stared down at me, quietly pushing Jeremy aside, "just took this chance away from you, Jer." Oh, they are seniors, then. 'Jer', he had said. I didn't peg him for the nickname kind of guy, but I could say that they were pretty good friends.

I let out a not-so-subtle chuckle, at this very serious situation, which made him twist his face in disgust even further. Surely he is an attractive guy. But just because my hormones were going crazy by sparing a mere look at this guy, didn't mean that I would cower beneath his dominance and submit myself to him. I was way more badass than that.

"Poor dear, how can I compensate for this loss? Perhaps you'd be up for a drink? That's on me, I assure you." My condescending tone made it very clear that I was basically sitting on the top throne on my ego level. And, why wouldn't I be? The guy who was allegedly Jeremy, shot his eyebrows up in surprise at my suggestion, but I could see him fighting back a laugh.

"You little… " That sinister hiss was there again, and I found myself walking towards him with ease. The gushed whispers within the other boys did nothing to level out the tension between me and Alexander the jerk, as Jeremy moved further to the side, so that I could have a full view of him.

"Looks like you aren't keen about my idea. Well, I tried. So, how about you suck up the fact that I'm in the team and not your friend Jeremy," Sparing a glance at the boy I replaced, I fixed my taunting gaze back on the asshole, "And try to learn a couple of things from him? Like, you know, what do they call it? Acceptance." Heat rushed up to his pale complexion, while I witness it turn red out of utter rage and disgust.

I was proud of myself for standing up to a guy older than me, who was, according to what I observed, used to having his own way. I had outdone myself again, at the sport I once loved and left behind a long time ago in high school. Congratulations, Tobias Harris, you have proved yourself worthy again.

"Get out, everyone!" He barked in low tone, yet the one which clearly gave away the dominance he had over all the boys here, and before I even realize the action happening so quickly, Niall bolted out of the door, leaving the two of us in utter silence.

"My, my, my. Foolish one, aren't you? Standing up to me? The captain of the team?" Wait, what? He was the captain of the swimming team? The tables had flipped on me, and by assessing the flabbergasted look on my face, he realized that I was absolutely unaware of this fact.

A big smirk took over his features, as my head began to cloud with the only two options I had. One, to quit the team after which my spot would go directly back to Jeremy, and the other being me staying in the team with he as the captain as I'd quietly watch him make my life a living hell hole. The latter was better than the first because I couldn't give him the satisfaction of chickening out.

"Let's make a deal then, Rookie. I'd host a challenge between you and Jer, which I'm sure enough you'd lose because of how you're all bark and no bite. And if you win, which you won't, I'll leave you and your friend Niall alone."