Red Roses

Chapter Four

(Song- Boss of me by Juice Wrld)

VICTORIA PACKED HER SWIMSUIT, flip-flops, gloves and bathing cap. Her swimming lessons have resumed. They had taken a break for some time. Another  swimming season is about to start and she can't wait to feel the water again. Ready to go, she gave herself one last look on the mirror. Her brown hair neatly tied up to a bun, her face had little makeup.

It was still eight a.m. and breakfast has not been served yet so she decided grab some snacks from the refrigerator. Not trying to waste time, she drove to Saint De Lauter. That's the name of the swimming school. The school is still as same as it has being. She parked her car in her usual space. The cool breeze patted her face. She could smell the waters as she walked. Ohhhhhhhhh, it feels so good to be back again.

"Hey Tori!" One of the swimmers whose name was Audrey came to her.

"Audreyyyyy! I have missed you!" Victoria hugged her tightly.

More cars and people entered the school. A lot of heys and hellos filled the atmosphere. The environment wasn't quite cool anymore. It took a few hours for everyone to settle down. For Victoria's class, the swim tutor called them for an assembly. His name was Mr Jonas.

"Ohhhhhhhhh, it's time for Mr Jonas to talk." Audrey could not calm her nerves.

"Audrey? Don't tell me you still have a crush on Mr Jonas even after the weeks we have spent without him?" Elizabeth said. She was dark skinned with thin lips and sharp eyes. She was one of the very fine swimmers in the school with some medals and badges.

Audrey replied by sticking out her tongue at Elizabeth. Mr Jonas caught a sight of that and called her out, "Miss Black, is it not too early for jokes?"

Audrey turned pink with embarrassment as  most swimmers made laughing sounds. "I'm sorry, Mr Jonas."

He continued with his speech. "So as I was saying, we have to work very hard this term, there are lots of tournament games to be won. I want you all to concentrate and give it your best."

"Thank you, Mr Jonas." Everybody said.

"And yes, before I forget, there's a new swimmer joining us this term. His name is Carl Walker." Looking around, "Mr Walker, can you please come up."

A tall fair skinned man came out of them. His hair was jet black and curled. He had deep blue eyes. His nose wasn't very pointed and his lips not very full . His face was neatly sculpted with a little stubble around his jaw. He did not shave this morning.

"Hey handsome." A female swimmer whispered as he came out. He smiled at her. She turned red.

"So he would be joining us. You can greet him later. For now, let's get to work. Go and change. Lesson starts in the next thirty minutes.

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Belle was still at her house. Keeping to her word, she helped her mother with the groceries. Dressed in black jeans and deep green turtle neck, she had her hair in a ponytail, bareface and lipgloss. Her siblings were not back from school yet. Her mom was in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mom." She gave her mom a peck.

"Good morning, Belle. How was your night?"

"It was very fine. What about yours, Mom?"

"It was good too. Now let's have some bread and egg."

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.  *. *.

It was afternoon already. Mr Jonas had given the swimmers a break.

Carl caught sight of Victoria. She was on black bikini. Wow, who is she? He continued to stare at her. She is....

"Hey there, Walker, stop staring and help me with these boards." A dark male swimmer whose name was Tobias said to him.

Carl walked to where he was. "What's her name?"

"Who?" Tobias gave him six boards out of the twelve he was with.

"The one on black, close to the other one on
brown."

"Ohhh, that's Victoria, the one on brown is Eli..."

"Victoria, such a fine name. Where am I to keep these? I need to have a word with her."

Keeping the boards at the edge of the pool, Tobias said to him, "She caught your eye already?"

"Yes. She pretty."

Victoria was with Elizabeth and Audrey. They were having snacks before Carl walked in on them.

"Tori, you've got to see the way Audrey was staring at Mr Jonas." Elizabeth teased.

"That's not true! I know I have a great crush on him but I can't stare at him the way Lizzie is saying it."

"Excuse me." Carl said. "Uhmmmmm, hello. Can I have a word with Victoria, please?"

Elizabeth and Audrey stared at each other surprisingly and at Victoria and back. Victoria was surprised too.

"Sure, no problem. Take your time." Elizabeth grabbed Audrey. "Let's go."

Carl scratched the back of his hair with slight nervousness. "Hey Victoria, I'm C..."

"Carl Walker." Victoria cut in sharply. "I know, how did you know my name."

"I asked..."

Standing up to go, Victoria cleaned her face with her towel. " Okay so, what do you want?"

"Hey, just chill. I really want us to be friends."

"Okay, I've heard you. I have to go now." She was about walking out when Carl held her hand. "Victoria."

She turned to him, "Yes?"

"I'm being serious here."

She heaved a sigh. "Look, Carl, I do not know what you want but..."

"After classes today, let's hang out a bit, maybe go somewhere... that's if you want."
He was still holding her.

"No problem, Carl. After classes then."

"Thank you." He finally let go of her hand. So beautiful and soft. He mused. I can't wait for her to be mine.

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.

It was five already. Simmie came back an hour earlier than closing time. His mom was picking fruits as usual. Her love for gardening is out of this world. She called out to Simmie.

"Mom, how are you doing?" He came closer to her and took an apple.

"I'm doing great. My apples are ripe." Picking more apples, "It's good you came back a bit early. I arranged a date with Mayor Cuomo's daughter."

His face turned sour immediately. "Not again, Mom. I've told you that I will find someone."

"But you haven't and you'll be 30 soon. I want to see my grandchildren."