CHAPTER 8

I walked into the sports' complex. The bleachers were only half full as it was just the heats portion of the competition that morning. As I was looking for a seat, I saw Saskia and Damien. As if sensing my eyes on her, Saskia turned and saw me. She smiled and waved at me. Then she pointed at a seat beside her. Ah man. I so do not want to sit beside her. Suddenly Damien saw me, too and waved. He beckoned at me to come over. I sighed and did.

"Hi Charlie." Saskia greeted me. Smiling and looking like a human being. I looked at her and smiled uncertainly.

"Hey Charlotte. I hope it's okay that we're here. Saskia told me about how good Caleb is. Thought I'd see it for myself." Damien said as he smiled at me.

"Well, actually-" I was about to say that I haven't seen Caleb swim myself when Saskia cried excitedly as she pointed at a spot by the pool

"There's Caleb! They're starting soon!" I looked at the direction Saskia had been pointing at.

Caleb looked like he was looking around for somebody. I looked around the arena. Who's he looking for? Then, he caught my eye and he smiled broadly and waved. He winked at me. The crowd swooned and cheered, each thinking Caleb was smiling, waving and winking at them. I waved back. Then he turned to his spot and stretched. He had been wearing a worn t-shirt that looked vaguely familiar. Wait, is that my old high school band t-shirt?!

Caleb and the other swimmers started to disrobe. My mouth fell open. Caleb was only wearing swim tights that covered his lower abs to his upper knees. I felt myself salivate against my will. His body was crazy. He used to go around topless in front if me before, but I've never seen him look like this. He was lean with some muscles in all the right places and was fit as hell. Very, very sexy. Urgh, damnit, I can't believe I'm drooling over Caleb's body. Eww, eww..Perish the thought!

The announcer started to talk and the swimmers got ready. I saw Caleb put on his goggles and looked straight ahead. There was silence in the arena. Everybody was waiting for the race to start in anticipation. My eyes were positively glued on Caleb. His back muscles contracted as he stretched one last time before the announcer called the swimmers to their mark. A second later, a gun went off and the swimmers dove into the calm, blue water.

The crowd started cheering for the swimmers. I watched, my heart in my throat, my eyes wide. Damn, he's fast. He's leading the race. Everybody was chanting his name and cheering for him. I never knew he was this good. He is a big deal.

At the last lap, everyone was on their feet and cheering like crazy. Myself included. When Caleb reached the end of the race way before everyone else, I cheered and clapped so hard that I felt like my heart was bursting. I was so proud of him. I was glad I remembered to tape the race on my phone. I was gonna send it to Dara.

"Ho wow! That was intense! Your friend won! Yeay!" Saskia said excitedly. I just smiled and

"Wow, he's so fast!" Damien said breathlessly.

I had to agree. Caleb's clearly a fan favourite. And Saskia and Damien knew we're friends, which didn't hurt. At least Saskia didn't look like she wanted to kill me. She probably kinda liked him too, which is totally okay. Then maybe she would pull out her possessive claws off Damien. And Damien knowing that I have a gorgeous guy friend like Caleb doesn't hurt. He might think Caleb likes me. I heard that guys like it if a girl is also pursued by other guys. It's like a sense of competition, the thrill of the chase. It sounds messed up, but there it is.

Caleb swam a few more times and was qualified for the semi finals in quite a number of events. I was so proud of him, my heart almost burst from happiness.

When the competition was over, I walked out of the arena and stood around at the lobby, unsure whether I should just go or wait for Caleb. Just then, my phone vibrated, signaling a text just came in.

Don't leave yet. Wait for me at the lobby.

I lounged around the lobby for a while, waiting for Caleb. Saskia and Damien were with me. Saskia seemed more friendly today. She wasn't even snuggling up to Damien. In fact she was giddily waiting for Caleb beside me while Damien was fiddling on his phone about 10 feet away. She probably really liked Caleb and thought she'd get him through me. Hah, fat chance of that happening. I'm not letting the tiny troll get her grubby hands on my Caleb. Wait, what?!

Just then, a big door opened and a few guys walked out. One of them was Caleb. He was laughing and talking with the other swimmers. He said goodbye to them when he saw me. He walked towards me with a ready smile on his face. Looking at him walking towards me felt weird. Like I was looking at someone else. Where the hell did the old, scrawny Caleb go and who is this man-god whatever!?

"Hey Caleb, congratulations!" Saskia said happily as she came closer to him and kinda wiggled cutely in front of Caleb and put her hands on his arms.. I looked on, amused at her antics. What the heck was that?!

"Um, yeah thanks. Thanks for coming today." Caleb said politely. Saskia smiled as she stood beside him.

"Hey, dude, that was some stellar swimming. And congratulations!" Damien said as he shook Caleb's hand. Caleb just smiled. Saskia was looking up at Caleb and was openly staring at him. Obvious, aren't we?

"Thanks, man. Really appreciate you guys coming today." Caleb said to Damien, kinda ignoring Saskia a little bit. Just then, Damien looked at his watch.

"Hey, we gotta go. So, congrats again, Caleb. Charlotte, I'll see you in the next club meeting. And don't forget to bring the tickets, ok?"." Damian said as he pulled Saskia's hand. Saskia tried to resist.

"Oh, yeah. Sure. Will do!" I said, mentally reminding myself to remember to get the damn tickets printed and sold. Damien smiled and waved a little at us.

"Bye Caleb! See you around!" Saskia cried as she grudgingly let Damien pull her to the exit.

Caleb grinned widely when they left. He then turned to me and came closer.

"Thanks a lot for coming Charlie. So, what do you think?" Caleb asked me as he stood in front of me and held my arm.

"Who are you? Like, what the hell was that?! You were amazing!" I gushed and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. He hugged me right back tightly. God, he smelt wonderful. I got a little carried away by the feel of his body against mine and his fresh, heady scent. It was foreign and like I was holding a very attractive stranger. I suddenly remembered this was Caleb and snapped out of it. I jumped out from his arms and pretended to look casual. I smiled as I took him arm.

"Come on, I'm buying you lunch!" I said as I pulled him with me. He cheered and slung his arm around my shoulder as we walked to his bike.

I couldn't take my eyes off his profile and the back of his neck. It was like I was holding somebody else,not Caleb. I was totally wigging and I better snap out of this weird tension within myself. I can't be weird and entertain any gross feelings and thoughts about Caleb. That would be incest..Okay, maybe not incest but still weird. I held onto his waist but pulled away a little from his back. Nope, no leaning close to him. His closeness and smell is making my body confused and I do not want that.

***********************************************************************************************

Caleb's POV

Charlie brought us to a pizza place. We ordered a large Meatlovers and some juice.

I was so happy and relieved when I saw Charlie at the audience just now. And seeing her made me want to show off to her so badly. I actually broke a record today and she saw it. I'm very happy with myself.

It was nice to see her gushing about how surprised she was when she saw me swim. I never told her why I started swimming. It was so that I didn't have to see her anymore. Seeing her was a little too much for me to handle. Ever since I realized that I liked her more than as a sister, I knew it would be in vain. I was only 15 then, but I knew it would be so complicated. I thought the years of being away from her would calm down my feelings and my crush would disappear. But it became stronger and stronger to the point of being unbearable. If I saw her, I would be all weird and uncomfortable around her. But when I was away from school, I would miss her like crazy. In the end, I decided to just let it be. Like, fuck it, I don't care anymore. Now that I'm almost 19, I'm sure everything will work out. And I will win her over. If only I could make her stop thinking of me as a 'lil brother, I knew I could be with her.

"Hey Caleb. How come you have my band t-shirt?" Charlie asked me as she stirred her juice.

Shit, what should I tell her? I couldn't tell her I took it out of her room when I slept over a few years ago coz I missed her too much! I actually went to her place while she was in college and stayed over to help clean up after her dad had a game night.

"Oh, err, I wore it when I had to sleep over after helping out your dad." I lied successfully. She shrugged. She seemed to buy it. I let out a breath of relief. That was close.

"So, you wanna hang out together? Watch a movie?" I asked Charlie as I polished off the last of the pizza. I didn't wanto go back to my dorm. I would just fall asleep. I usually do after a whole morning of swimming. But I would sacrifice sleep to spend more time with Charlie. I knew once the semis start, I won't be able to see her as much.

"Sure, I don't have anything to do anyway." She agreed.

***********************************************************************************************

Charlie's POV

The theater was almost deserted. Owing to the fact that it was 3 pm in the afternoon. We were watching some obscure German movie which was actually very funny. Since the theater was virtually empty, it was bone-crunchingly cold. I shivered as I hugged myself.

"You okay? It's too cold, huh..Come here." Caleb said as he pushed the armrest out of the way and pulled me into his arms. Dumbly, I followed what he said and snuggled into the crook of his arm. It felt warm and nice. And Caleb's scent was swirling all around me. He held my shoulder and smoothed my goose-pimply arm. It was nice. I used to do the same to him when he used to cry after he was bullied almost 10 years ago. I used to comfort him like this when he hid at my house after school because he didn't want Dara and their grandma to go nuts when they see how much he was hurt by the bullies. I remember sneaking in mum's makeup to cover up the busted lip, scratches and bruises on Caleb's face and arms.

It was hard work slathering the concealer and foundation to cover the bruises and bumps. And then fluffing the loose powder on top to 'set' it. Caleb would end up looking like a ghost on crack since the powder would be caked on his upper lip.

"Charlie, are you sure grandma won't notice?" Caleb would ask as he scruitnized his overly made up face.

"Nope, she won't," I used to say confidently, only for Caleb's grandma to see his powdered up face and know that something had happened. She would then go to our school and raised hell. The bully would get the punishment he deserved. And come Monday, the convicted bully would be waiting for Caleb to administer a whole new set of bruises. Which I would then try and cover up. Only to be found out again. And the cycle continued.

I stifled a laugh as I remembered it. Looking at Caleb now, I couldn't believe this hunky guy beside me was that sniveling, scrawny little kid. We sure have come a long way.

After the movie, it was almost 5 pm. Caleb sent me to my dorm and I made him leave. He looked worn out.

As I was falling asleep that night, I had a feeling that things are about to change. I felt that I could finally try to get Damien to like me. Especially since Saskia has clearly sets her sight on Caleb, which is not something I approve of, but whatever. At least she is not hanging off Damien's arm anymore. I thought it's time I just go ahead and grab what I want. And since Damien is what I want, I will make him want him. And since Caleb's around, Damien seems to notice me more. Maybe Caleb being around me is not so bad. I used to exist in college just going with the flow. Now, with Caleb around, I didn't want to be lonely anymore. Operation Grabbing Damien is officially on!