Chapter 20

Alex's pov;

The swimming meet. While changing into my swimwear in the locker room with other swimmers, I could hear the crowd cheering outside. As opposed to the competition, I was more focused on the phone awaiting a message. I was looking forward to Hailey's text. 'Did she show up? Did she start? Where is she? Why hasn't she called me yet? Is she already here?'

I quickly finished changing into my swimsuit and headed out to the pool area. The sound of my flip-flops echoed through the empty hallway as I made my way to the entrance. The moment I stepped out onto the pool deck, the noise of the cheering crowd hit me like a tidal wave. Swimmers were warming up in the pool, their sleek bodies slicing through the water with ease.

I spotted my coach, Rick, standing at the edge of the pool, waving me over. "Hey, you ready for this?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I nodded, even though my mind was somewhere else entirely. Where was Hailey? She promised she would come. I pulled ou