Meet The Coach

Lesson 15: Get Close and Personal

Lesson 15: Get Close and Personal

I liked Carter. Not in an 'I am interested in him, I want him to be my boyfriend' kind of way. I admired him as a person. Even though he did sleep around, he was sensitive and he had feelings.

And he wasn't as bad as I first had thought.

I volunteered to help him tidy his house after changing into a much more appropriate outfit. Sandy was missing, my suspicions told me she was at Hudson's.

I opened the door to enter the Cohen's residence once again and shut it behind me. I walked in, careful not to step on the mess and made my way to the kitchen. Carter was taking out black plastic bin bags and started to get rid of some cups.

"So how are we doing this?" I asked him. He turned to me and clearly didn't expect me to come so soon. "Oh c'mon. I at least took half an hour. I don't need hours upon hours to get myself ready."

"You know, you look nicer on a normal day. Last night you drew too much attention," he said randomly. I arched an eyebrow at him and then smiled at the way he phrased his compliment.

"You should say that to your sister," I said. "Thanks though. So what am I doing? How about you clean the outside and I clean the inside?"

"You don't need to do that. I'll call Sandy and she'll come and help me."

"That doesn't matter. Plus I've got nothing to do and you're going to need help anyway. God knows how long she might take."

"It's not like our parents are coming back today or tomorrow," Carter pointed out.

"You could just say thank you?" I suggested.

"Thank you."

"Let's get down to business then?"

"Yeah," Carter agreed. He grabbed a couple of bin bags and made his way out.

I dance with him and he still acts like this? Is he ever satisfied?

I continued to get rid of the empty cups off the counter, remembering to spill the ones that had alcohol in them. I saw that Carter had put cleaning utensils such as wipes, sprays and whatnot on the island. So I picked up a cloth and sprayed it before wiping down the countertops. When they shone as of they were brand new I started to clear the floor and made my way into the hallway.

It was times like this I was glad I was quick at tidying like my mom and wasn't lazy like my Dad. So after an hour, I had disposed of all the used cups, food and occasionally items of clothing. Luckily the place wasn't completely thrashed.

I moved the sofas back to their original spot and wiped the stains off before spraying each room with an air fresher.

I smiled at the scent, it was far better than smelling the reek of alcohol.

I fell onto the sofa after I was done. One leg was hitched onto the cushion and the other dangled down. I knew I should go and tell Carter I was done and possibly help him but it turned out I had my Dad's lazy gene also.

I soon heard footsteps but I wasn't bothered to get up. Carter showed his face in the threshold. He arched at my position. I straightened up. "Yes?"

"I wanted to see if you needed any help but clearly you are done here," he muttered.

"Are you done with outside?" I asked him.

"More or less."

"Look at that we finished it all in an hour. Maybe I should've made you be Cinderella and clean it up all by yourself."

"Well, I do have an evil sister."

"You should watch your mouth. I came home just to help you clean up," Sandy said before she came into view. She stood next to Carter in the threshold.

She glared at her brother and turned her head and saw me. She smiled widely at me. Before she could comment on my presence I gave her a secret smile and pointedly looked at her outfit - or rather Hudson's. It wasn't very hard to guess what she up to. She blushed. But it didn't matter, everyone in the room knew that Hudson and Sandy loved each other irrevocably.

"Sandy you're here!" I blurted out randomly. "We were beginning to miss you."

"You might've been, but Carter on the other hand..." She trailed and turned to glare at her brother some more. He gave her a big 1000 watt smile.

"I'm so glad you came to help us. Even if you're an hour too late," Carter said sarcastically.

Sandy stared at him and smiled. "You know you and Bree are becoming pretty inseparable. Something you might want to tell me?" She asked him. I rolled my eyes at Sandy but was curious about Carter's answer.

Was he starting to develop feelings for me? Was this coaching thing actually working?

"We're barely inseparable and can't friends help their friends?" Sandy gave Carter a look which clearly indicated that this wasn't the response she was expecting.

I chuckled. Oh, Sandy.

*

"I hate you," I spat out to Sandy.

"Your sleep-deprived mind is confused, Bree. You love me really. I mean who doesn't?"

"I'm sure I could name a handful of people," I informed her.

"Shut up." I laughed at her. Maybe I wasn't the only irritable one today.

"I haven't even had breakfast, Sandy. Why did you do this to me?" I whined. If I had to get out of bed, I sure as hell wasn't going to make her shopping trip enjoyable. How did she even enter my house?

"Quit your complaining Bree. This shopping trip is pretty essential."

"Essential my ass. Why do I need so many bikinis?" I complained and gestured to the bags in my hand.

"Because we're going to Hawaii and it's not like we can get our clothes washed."

"I have bikinis at home."

"You need new ones. As I said, we're going to Hawaii." I smiled at Sandy, not at what she initially meant but at the fact she never ceased to say 'we're going Hawaii' whenever she could.

"Aren't I only supposed to impress one guy?" I countered.

"Well, you've already impressed him. Now you need to work on seducing him!"

"Yeah that's not going to happen," I assured.

"Oh c'mon. After the five weeks in this Coach thing, you don't mean to tell me that you have no feelings for him whatsoever?"

"That's about right."

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't feel a thing for him," Sandy challenged.

"Okay." I paused and faced Sandy. I looked her straight in the eyes without any sign of hesitance. I then realised I preferred Carter's eyes even though Sandy had the exact pair. "I don't like your brother in that way."

Sandy frowned. "I think I need to start a Coach thing with Carter so you fall for him. Carter's practically there."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't do that and there's no guarantee it will work. I'm not a player that needs to be tamed."

"You know I think I'll leave that to Carter though. He'll know what to do with your impossible ways," Sandy mumbled.

I smiled and that's the way it should be.

"Hey, guys. I've paid and the boys are waiting outside," Hailey said. I turned to her and gave her a smile. Shortly after Sandy arrived at her house when Carter and I cleaned the house, Sandy received an urgent phone call from a crying Hailey about Jack.

He didn't take the hint.

So we spent the rest of the day at hers eating ice cream and watching chick flicks. But now you could clearly tell she was still upset.

"C'mon let's go," Sandy suggested.

"Can't I go eat?" I begged.

"Fine. But. Lesson 15: get close and personal." I frowned at her. She was going to make Carter go with me and she says we're inseparable. I wonder who's to blame.

"Okay. Whatever," I accepted. Sandy beamed. We left the shop and met the boys outside.

"Well I'm going to the food court," Carter said. How does Sandy just know? Every single time. How could she always know?

Is twin telepathy real?

"That's good. Bree was just about to go too. She keeps on complaining. She's in your hands now Carter. Make sure she's fed," Sandy informed him.

"Alright," Carter said in response. Hailey gave me a smile, she was hoping that my relationship would be smoother than hers with Jack.

Carter and I said bye to everyone and everyone dispersed. I noticed as we did that there was a rather awkward bubble between Jack and Hailey. Not only could they look at each other's eyes, but they also couldn't look each other's way.

"Here, let me help you with those bags," Carter offered as we started to walk past the shops.

"Ah, so Jayden has taught out the art of chivalry. It's about time," I teased and handed Carter 4 of the 7 bags I had. "Though it's only been 3 days since."

Carter chuckles. "Why do you have so many bags?"

"Oh, you know Sandy. I'm sure I've bought some things I'm sure I won't wear twice," I told him honestly.

"Like?"

"Well to start off with: bikinis. I'm sure I have a colour for each colour in the spectrum and more."

"Why?"

"That's what I said!" I said before I bit my lip and continued. "She said to score a summer romance whilst I'm there though I seriously doubt I will."

Carter arched his eyebrow at my lie. Maybe I shouldn't lie.

"So you weren't lying when you said you liked being single to Lucas?" He inquired curiously.

"Yeah. Though if I was honest there are times when you wish you did have someone. You know, to hug, or to text," I rambled.

When did it get so easy to talk to Carter?

"Yeah. I understand what you mean," Carter agreed. "I really wish I could settle down."

Aww. Isn't that adorable? He wants to settle down. Well, I better make sure Sandy doesn't find that out. Yet.

"You can. If you found the right person," I told him.

"I can't I really can't. I wish I could explain it - "

Carter froze. I looked at his face and saw pain, anger, hurt, betrayal... interlaced with the feeling of love. I furrowed my eyebrows at his fast change in mood and how he must be feeling versatile. "Carter are you okay?" I asked, genuinely feeling concerned. I followed his line of vision and it was fixated on a girl. A beautiful blue-eyed brunette.

Suddenly Carter grabbed my smaller hands with his larger hands. With desperation in his eyes, he spoke. "I have a somewhat stupid and childish request. I promise to explain myself later but for now, could you pretend to be my girlfriend?"

My eyes widened fractionally, I wasn't expecting that. I looked at him confused at his request but something, I don't know what made me breath out, "okay." He gave me a thankful smile and let go of one of my hands. He interlaced our fingers.

I gulped. I could no longer ignore the way our hands simply fit as if they were made for each other. I looked at the girl who was laughing with a similar looking girl and then averted my gaze to Carter.

His eyes were practically bulging out of its sockets and his body was tense. I squeezed his hand and made my way to in front of him. "Carter?" I called out softly.

I bit my lip. I wasn't sure at what I was going to say to him but I had to at least assure him somehow. He dragged his eyes down to my face. I gave him a smile. "So how was your morning?" I randomly asked. Carter looked at me confused. "Oh c'mon. I'm trying to help you stop looking like you've seen an alien from a distant planet."

Carter's lips curved into a smile. "My morning was good."

"What did you... eat for breakfast?" And there's me thinking that I found it easier to talk to Carter.

"I ate - what are you doing?" Out of the blue I let go of Carter's hand and dropped my bags down to the ground. I lifted it and flicked a piece of hair from his forehead back.

"A hair was out of place. It was bugging me," I admitted. Carter continued to smile down at me. He juggled my bags in his hand and pressed my hovering hand to his cheek. Despite the stubble, it was relatively soft. My thumb - with a mind of its own - started to trace along his cheek.

I looked into Carter's entrancing eyes, the blue managed to smother against the pupil and you could just make out almost invisible silver flecks. My already ferociously pounding heart wanted to jump out of my chest.

I bit my lip. Carter's eyes fell down to my lips and he leaned forward so our lips were only centimetres apart. I felt my eyes fluttering, I tried my best to keep them open but it was hard especially because of the raging butterflies in my stomach.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry but I just saw and oh my gosh - Carter is that you?" A girly voice interrupted. My head snapped towards her, this caused Carter's awaiting lips to brush against my cheek. He paused and kissed my cheek anyway.

I felt my face go red and my heart started to do flip-flops in my chest. Carter held my waist.

Bree. You're not affected. So quit acting like you are.

"Mona. It's been a while," Carter said weakly. She gave a smile, I returned it to be polite.

"It has... so how have you been? I can see that you're keeping yourself busy," Mona said and gestured to me. I tried not to blush again. Instead, I concentrated on her flawless face and realised that she looked oddly familiar.

"Yeah. I've been great. And yourself?"

Gosh, Carter are you not even trying to hide the awkwardness in your voice?

"Yeah, I've been good. Just been staying at Maine's for this week. You know my cousin? How about we hang out? You know as friends?"

Am I supposed to say something?

"No can do. We're going on holiday," Carter said uneasily, yet he managed to put emphasis on the 'we' part.

Okay, now there's a little bit of bitterness. Who can this girl be? Suddenly it hit me. Mona is the girl from the picture taped on Carter's wall. The girl from camp Sycamore.

"Oh, that's nice. How long have you two been together?"

"Five weeks," Carter asked smoothly. Five weeks eh? It's been exactly five weeks since my first day at school.

"Five weeks and you're already going on holiday together. You two must be serious."

"Yeah, we are." Sandy wishes.

"Oh sorry let me introduce myself. I'm Mona Edwards. I'm Carter's..."

"Ex-girlfriend," Carter finished off. Oh. Well, this can get interesting. I remembered what Hailey said, Carter's first relationship didn't go well. I'm guessing Mona was Carter's first love.

"I'm Bree Opal. Carter's... girlfriend." Wow, it felt so weird to say that.

Mona's eyes widened as if she recognised me. "Oh, you're Bree! Wow, this is a small world."

"I'm sorry I don't remember -" I started.

"I went to camp Sycamore. You won me in the final fencing tournament. But I'm sure you had blonde hair," she told me. I cast my back and I froze and I remembered. I remembered lifting my trophy in the air in triumph after my parents came onto the platform to congratulate me.

Something within me snapped. I couldn't breathe. I felt the air suffocating me and I could swear the walls around me were closing in.

"Oh yeah..." I breathed out.

"Bree are you okay?" Carter asked as my face waned. Mona bit her lip with an apology in her eyes.

I coughed out and tried to breathe. Flashes started to pierce my brain, all I could see is water.

"Yeah. I need to go to the restroom. I'll be back," I whispered. I moved my body away from Carter's, I tried to smile up at him to show I was okay but all I could see was water. I turned around and trudged away.

My lungs started to wheeze. I felt like screaming, my heart was racing and my brain was aching. I wanted so desperately fall to the ground but I forced my legs to drag me away.

"Bree!" A distant voice called out. It wasn't Carter, it was Mona. "Bree. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I did. It was so stupid - I was angry that you had won me but you deserved the trophy. I swear I didn't mean a word I said. And I don't want what I had done to affect your relationship with Carter. I saw the way he looks at you. Don't do want I did and break his heart. I know he won't break yours. I'm so sorry for everything."

I wasn't sure if I had imagined Mona's words but they sounded so sincere for them to be fake. I nodded at her, my vision slowly coming. I gave a smile but I felt my eyes water.

I covered my face with my hands. I didn't understand what was happening to me.

A hand perched on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry Bree. I'll call Carter. And for the record, if I knew Carter and I did. Don't be a girl that's hard to get, be a girl that's hard to forget."

I nodded at her and didn't move my hands away from my face. I tried to breathe normally and calm myself down but I couldn't escape from the flashes. Or the water. I felt like I was screaming but no one could hear. I became unconscious, I thought I was going to die.

Is my hair still blonde? Did I forget to dye it?

I felt hysterical cries burst out of my chest and I fell to the ground. I sobbed.

"Bree! What's wrong, why are you crying? Why are you shaking?!" Carter's urgent voice wasn't enough to shake me out of it. Instead, a falling sensation hit me. A faint scream left my lips.

Carter engulfed me into his arms. My face rested on his chest. I thought the tingling sensation that entered my body would calm me to down but I was still falling.

"Bree calm down. I'm here. I'm here. Do you want to call Sandy?"

Another scream left my lips, I tried to break away from Carter. I needed oxygen. I took a deep breath but nothing seemed to enter my body.

I became lightheaded. There were black spots everywhere, my eyes were closing. Carter moved my hands from my face. I wanted to see his face, where is his face? "Okay. Don't close your eyes. I'm taking you the hospital. You're having a panic attack."

"No. No please no!" I managed to mumble. "Not the hospital." Carter paused. He didn't know what to do with me.

"I'll take you home. Our parents should be back by now. Your mom should know what to do."

I managed to nod. Carter hoisted me onto my feet and he wrapped his arm around me. He guided me through the mall and kept on assuring me. But never did he once asked me why I was panicking.

We arrived at the car quicker than I thought. Carter sat me down shotgun, I tried to grab the belt so I could put it on but my hands started to shake violently. Courteously, Carter leaned in and put it on. He then closed the door quietly. A moment passed and I heard his door open.

I hid my face into my hands again. Eventually, I was able to relax my breathing, I was no longer falling or suffocating. But I couldn't stop the tears. My eyes kept on welling up and it was impossible for the tears not to fall.

I heard the radio turn up. "I said can you give it back to me, she said never in your wildest dreams. And we danced all night to the best song ever, we knew every line but now can't remember, how it goes but I know I won't forget her because we danced all night to the best song ever. I think it went oh oh oh. I think it went yeah, yeah, yeah. I think it went ohhhhh."

I lowered my hands and looked at Carter. I had never heard him sing before and I particularly didn't expect him to be singing this. "You sing One Direction?" I mumbled weakly.

He turned to me and smiled. "Not really but the song comes on all the time. It'll be impossible for me to not know the lyrics by now." I tried to smile but it came out like a grimace. "Oh c'mon I'm trying to stop you from crying. Don't give me that look."

This time I did manage to smile but the tears continued to fall and my chest tightened. Unclasping the wheel with one hand, Carter brought it towards my face. He wiped my right cheek with his thumb. "Please don't cry Bree," he urged.

I hadn't noticed that he had already parked and we were already at home. "You'd think I'm the one having a panic attack after seeing Mona. Not you," he mused.

I didn't say anything. I appreciated his point but I really didn't want him to see me like this anymore. I was being pathetic.

I unclipped the belt and opened the door. Without a backwards glance, I started to walk to my house. It was rather difficult as the floor couldn't seem to stay still. I was about to step onto the porch but my foot ended up slipping on the edge.

I shouldn't have been surprised when Carter saved me from falling. "Careful there Bree."

I started to search my pockets and fumbled for the key. When I found it, I passed it to Carter and he opened the door. He passed me back the key and I stumbled inside. I went straight for the stairs but I saw my mom.

"Oh, Bree honey. I just came home, I was just going to give you a call - Bree dear what happened?" My mom stepped towards me and I wrapped my arms around her.

"We were at the mall and we bumped into a girl called Mona Edwards. She just started to panic. I offered to take her to the hospital but she wanted to come home," Carter explained. His voice sounded miles away but I knew he was in the threshold.

"Okay well don't worry about her. She'll be fine. I'll get her to give you a call later to say that she's fine. And thank you, Carter."

The door closed. Sobs began to rake through my body once more but I did feel better now that I was with my mom.

"Bree. Is this the Mona that...?" My Mom trailed. She hugged me back equally as tight.

I nodded. "I remember Mom."

"The doctors did say that you're likely to panic when you remembered. It's been repressed for long. Now, I want you to stop crying and I want you to tell me what happened."

I don't know how she did it but I quieted down. I guess Moms are magical. I pulled away and wiped away my tears.

"From what I could remember... " I started softly.

"C'mon let's sit down. You look shattered."

*

It was twilight time. I looked up at the sky and saw the stars slowly emerging. I felt a lot calmer but my body was still unsettled and I still hadn't eaten anything.

"You left your bags in my car."

"You mean you left them. You could've brought them in."

"Okay, little miss Smartass. I suppose you want my explanation now."

"Not really."

I didn't look at Carter. I was afraid I might start crying again.

I heard him hoist himself to my balcony. I sighed. I really didn't want to talk to him right now. I turned around and opened the glass door. "C'mon Bree. Please don't be like this."

"Leave me alone Carter."

"No can do. I know you're still upset but I refuse to leave you like this."

"Well, you're going to have to." I walked into my room and closed the door on his face.

He knocked on the door. "Please let me in."

I didn't say anything and I hoped he got the hint. "C'mon Bree. I'm not here for an explanation. I'm here because... you're my friend and friends are there for each other."

I paused. I knew he was telling the truth and I knew that he wasn't the player I met him to be. I groaned and raised my hand to the door handle.

When I opened the door I spoke. "If my Dad finds you in here, don't expect to see daylight ever again."