Eleanor's POV.
Just because I could swim didn't mean being thrown in a pool without consent or warning was going to be easy to come back from.
The water filled my lungs and stung my eyes within seconds and soon I was gasping as I threw my head out of the water. Before I could even manage to take a deep breath, huge arms wrapped around me pulling me to the edges.
"Are you ok?" I heard a voice say as they ran their hand across my face, tucking my hair behind my ears.
I coughed as I blinked rapidly, wiping the water off my face. When I opened my eyes, Henry was holding me close to his chest, his blue eyes were filled with worry and relief as I blinked at him.
"Eleanor? Are you ok?" He asked quickly, running his eyes through my face and body before fixing his eyes on me once more.
"Yeah," I mumbled, as my vision
Eleanor's POV.A gasp of shock escaped my lips as I stared in confusion at the two boys, I hadn't expected Henry to say that but now that he had I couldn't find it in me to correct him.I wanted Charles to know that I had already moved on too, since he was moving on with Annie, I didn't want to appear pathetic like I was still hung up on the relationship.I blinked rapidly as Charles turned to me. "What is he saying El?" He asked and I frowned at him."I've told you not to call me that. And he's right. Henry and I are dating," I said, feeling confidence run up my spine as Henry nodded, smirking when Charles turned to him."Are you sure, Eleanor? You know who Henry is don't you?" Annie finally spoke for the first time and anger surged through me.Who the hell was she to tell me about other people when she was as much as a betrayer than anybody else."Don't give me that crap," I said to her as
Eleanor's POV.Henry was funny in a stupid annoying way, we still sat in the clearing till it was past eight and we had completely lost track of time as he told me about the time he had gone canoeing with his friends and they had stolen the paddles, trapping him in the middle of the lake.He had swam back to shore and they laughed at him till dawn.Listening to him talk so casually about his friends and the time he spent with them made me realize how lonely and friendless I really was.I didn't even have any memory of hanging out with Tina. She was mostly taking care of her cats, or her Grandma's cat or her neighbor's cat. In summary, Tina valued cats more than our friendship and I didn't really mind either.The times we spent in school were enough for me because when I got home I usually talked with Annie. We gossiped about college boys and I remember being impatient about going to college too.Bu
Henry's POV.I pulled my bike to a stop in front of Eleanor's house and she got down from behind me. It was late and I knew I had to go home and get enough rest for practice tomorrow.I didn't realize how easy it was talking to Eleanor until I had told her about the time I went canoeing with my friends. There were some things I couldn't tell George or Leopard because I had an image to live up to when it came to them.And Jane was just a fuck buddy, she never really let me speak when we hung out except to ask my opinion on what color of lipstick to wear.But Eleanor was really good at listening, I didn't know if it was because she had very little going on that she didn't have much to talk about because she just wanted to listen to me.Either way, this had been one of the most peaceful evenings I have had in a while and that's why I had suggested taking her to my secret hideout some other time. I haven't ta
Eleanor's POV.Weekend was for sleeping in but I couldn't sleep all night. I laid awake with the panda Henry had gotten me in my arms as I listened to Billie Eilish's Lonely.My thoughts were all over the place concerning the fake dating and while it seemed interesting and exciting I couldn't help the thought that something bad could eventually come out of it.I squeezed the panda in my hand and turned around as I was facing the window, the sun shone through the curtains, resting against my face in a warm sensation.It was past ten and I still hadn't gotten up from bed. I had planned to look for a part time job today because I didn't want to spend my free time at home where Annie and Charles could be eating each other's faces.There was a small restaurant a few miles away from school that was looking for a waitress. I sighed, pu
Henry's POV.Saturdays were for practice and gym. Coach wasn't giving us any breathing space to have fun this year as every free time was occupied with training for the opening game next weekend.I dropped the dumbbell and took a deep breath as I heard laughter from behind me. I and the team were currently in the school gym doing exercise and warming up before practice."Yo, that Emy girl was hot." One of the players, Jason said while running on the treadmill."She's hot but evil, trust me. She made practice hell for me last time," Colson said, he was the youngest of us all and most times people didn't take him as a serious player because he wore big glasses and looked like a nerd for most times.But unknown to them he was one of our best players. Coach didn't care much for how you looked but if you could play. That was what mattered to him the most.Honestly, every single player was special in their own way and con
Henry's POV.I dropped the dumbbell and it fell on my floor narrowly missing my feet as I stared up at George like he had grown a second head."Why her? You don't even like brunettes, you prefer blondes so why are you going after her?" I asked him and he shrugged before stepping closer to me."I want to try something new," He said but I knew that was all bullshit.I didn't like Tina like I did Eleanor but I didn't want Eleanor getting angry with me for not trying to protect her friend from something as silly as what George was suggesting."There are also brown haired girls. Leave her alone.""Wooo woo! Hugging all the girls to yourself, aren't you Henry?" Ray cut in laughing. "You want to fuck Eleanor and her best friend too?""The king is back!" Fitch cheered, coming to slap my back as he took my hand and raised it in the air."Guys, the Henry we know is back!" He cheered and the others followed
Chapter 41.Eleanor's POV.I laid in bed unmoving as I stared at the fan rolling above me unable to sleep. It was just dawn and I had retired to my room unable to stay in the sitting room as Annie. I didn't want to be around her. After excusing myself I stayed in my room.It annoyed me that I really didn't have any other hobbies apart from reading and I suddenly didn't want to read right now. I increased the music playing in my ears and I turned, clinging the panda closer to my body.My mind wandered to the night at the park when Ryder had placed the jacket on my body and the way he looked at me and then back at Henry.There was obviously bad blood between them and it was only a matter before I got caught in it and as much as I needed Henry to accomplish what it was I wanted, I still didn't want to be in the center of their fight.Another part of me wondered what could have transpired between them, it wasn't like they attended the same
Eleanor's POV."What about your parents?" I asked Henry as I came to sit on the bed beside him. He stiffened for a moment before he closed his eyes for a second. I watched him quietly, his hair covered half of his forehead enhancing his blue eyes in the soft glow of the room.Henry was silent for a few seconds like he was contemplating telling me about his parents and I waited patiently for him to feel comfortable around me."My father's busy. He goes on business trips and doesn't really have time to come home only during major holidays," He said as he opened those blue eyes and for a second, I felt time stop.This was one of the first times I could read his emotions. Usually, he blocked every emotion from his face leaving only his playful smirk or mischief.I didn't know whether to feel happy that he was showing his true emotions around me or if I should
Four weeks LaterEleanor P.O.VIt had been four weeks of my encounter with Henry and to say I have moved on was an understatement, I made sure I had nothing to do with him. Everytime he tried to approach me in school, I avoided him at all cost.When I told Tina about the entire situation, she felt remorseful for me. I regret not listening to Tina when I had the opportunity to.The final of the competition was tomorrow and apparently, my school had made it to the final to square of against the West High school. The final had been the major topic for discussion and I was glad about it. When the rumour of Henry and I not being together reached the ears of every student in the school, most girls were happy about it. Apparently, Jane had taken her time to make sure to give out a fabricated story about how Henry and I stopped talking and she made it looked like I was the gold digger. Despite the fact that I wasn't surprised about Jane's lies
Eleanor P.O.VThe following day in school, it was lunch time and I decided to invest my time into reading some new fantasy novels when I felt someone's presence."Nice book you got there, the only problem is, it isn't as interesting as you would ever be" Yes, you guessed right, the flower girl leader Jane was seated on the same table with me and this time, she was not with her minions."I am trying to read here please" I replied politely hoping she would leave me alone."So I don't need to ask about the rumours going round that Henry and you are dating. Apparently, from how i see it, the rumours are true. Especially seeing how he reacted to your presence in the last games" I began to wonder what and where she was driving at with this conversation."Do you really think Henry loves you?" She asked. I dropped my book and looked at her for a minute."Look, talk all you want, but the truth remains that you are only jealous about thi
Henry P.O.V"The strange man took me up to my rooms and closed the door behind me. I was confused and scared for a moment. What was he trying to do? I thought to myself and then i watched as he turned around and gave me one of the most sinister and sadistic smiles I have ever seen in my life.He brought out his belt and flogged the hell out of me. That day would forever be in my memory, I was only nine and I was physically abused by a stranger.The worst part of the entire scenario was the fact that my mom was standing at the door watching the entire time, unfazed by what happened"Flash back endedI was all emotional at this point but I didn't need to allow Eleanor see those emotions. I don't want to be considered weak because I am never weak and will never be.Eleanor P.O.VThough he would deny it, I could see the pain in Henry's eyes as he spoke. This guy had so many untold emotions at the moment just by staring at his eyes and it
Eleanor P.O.VIt wasn't till I checked the clock that I got conscious of the fact that I had been watching all of the Jimmy Fallon's show till late at night. The show itself was just captivating to watch, with the series of interviews from various celebrity. My favorite had to be the interview with Kevin Hart. Getting up from the couch, I stretched myself and decided to go sleep. Maybe Henry wouldn't be coming over like he said he would. Even though I would not admit to him, Henry's presence always made me feel warm.Passing through the rooms, I heard loud moaning and I don't know why I had to stop to check the room it was coming from. Mother wasn't around and my dad happened to have been away for close to three months.Apparently, the moaning was coming from Annie's room. Typical Annie and having sex without regard for sensitive people like me.I was about going till I heard a rather familiar voice and I decided to eavesdrop on the co
Eleanor P.O.VThe second half came by and Ryder was still where he was; seated beside me and though we haven't spoken since the exchange of intense glance between Ryder and Henry, one thing was evident in hia new facial reaction, he was definitely in deep thought."Okay, I think I need to address something real quick, are you really that much of a stalker" His words took me by surprise, I wasn't expecting him to speak while his gaze fixated somewhere else. He may possibly have a sharp Peripheral vision then, I concluded to myself."Secondly I don't remember you being dumb, so why aren't you talking" He asked, this time his eyes turned to look at me and I cowered in fear."Uhmm....... nothing" I said, simply scratching the back of my hair. He was about saying something when the entire crowd cheered upon seeing the faces of the team and i was forced to check for Henry.Something strange about Henry's new countenance; he seemed really fo
Henry's P.O.VThe opening game was here and I couldn't be more ready than I could be at the moment. Fixing up my boots at the locker room, Coach head in and from his face, I could tell he was fully ready himself. Everyone were gathering up their spots kit and surprisingly George had arrived late, causing Coach to tell at him."Alright everyone, listen up real quick" I fixed the lace of my boots and looked up at the coach, same as the rest of the squad."The day we have all been waiting for has arrived. Now I know many of you are nervous for the first game and indeed I gotta admit, it's only natural for every player. I need y'all to know that what ia necessary to win isn't about the strategies you are seeing here nor my ability to quickly make in good tactics. Those are just mere words and though it is part of the substance for the games, it doesn't necessarily encapsulate your ability to win the game. Last year finals was a disaster and though I ca
Eleanor's POV.The end of the week came quicker than I expected with everything that's been going on with Henry, I had a new feeling that was brewing inside of me.Things with Tina weren't all that great either, she still hadn't spoken to me since the day at the boys locker room and while I wanted to be the first to say hello when we met at the lockers, I was constantly reminded of what she had said and I still felt hurt."Hey, are you coming for my game tonight?" Henry asked me as we walked into school together and I shook my head.In all honesty, I wanted to be there for Henry at his game but I didn't want him to know I was excited about it and thinking of going to support him so I decided to act all though and uninterested when I was actually excited inside."Why? Orange High is a good competitor, not as great as us but they are able to give us a good time. A
Henry's POV.When I got home, a feeling of dread came over me and I pulled my bike to a stop parking just outside my home.It was dark inside and lonely. A part of me wanted to run away and back to Eleanor's house but I knew it would make me seem like a little bitch so I took off my helmet and walked towards the porch.I pulled open the door and I was met with darkness, the sweet scent of air freshener filled my nose and I knew the cleaning lady had arrived just this evening after I left.I didn't bother putting on the lights as I was used to coming home to the darkness so I just navigated through the stairs and into my room, slamming the door shut behind me.Throwing my bag on the floor, I took of my jacket and fell on my bed, closing my eyes as I reimagined Eleanor's face in my head.I've never felt
Henry's POV.I listened to the explanation Eleanor was giving me concerning the simultaneous equation I was having troubles with and while I already fully understood it and was even solving questions on my own, it was still nice having her explain it to me.After she had offered to tutor me in my weak subjects and confessed the real reason she had done the homework for me.Something about the way I saw her changed. It was like she was a whole new person and I found myself drawn to her.Originally, I had wanted to kiss her earlier because she was looking so beautiful underneath me but right now, I wanted to kiss her because of the person she was.She was beautiful no doubt, but at the same time I could see how beautiful she was inside too. She was caring, thoughtful and very smart too.It's been a while since any one had done anything for me, even while I was a child and my mother would leave me alo