Saint

Nobody’s there when I walk into the large, stuffy room, and it’s a relief. I’m sure Laurel and her goons have found some poor freshman to suck the life out of by now, so I’m confident I’ll get some peace for the remainder of class. I strip my t-shirt and mesh shorts off and make sure my swimsuit’s still covering all the important parts before I go and dive into the water.

A couple weeks ago, I decided I wanted to try out for the swim team, so I’ve been increasing my practicing whenever I can because I would need every advantage when it came to even being considered at this school. I’m feeling strong as I cut through the water with ease, and don’t feel the least bit winded when I reach the opposite end. Turning, I push off the wall and swim back. I go lap after lap for the rest of the class, pausing on occasion to catch my breath, but never surrendering the quiet of the pool. When my phone alarm goes off, telling me class is almost over, I let out a disappointed sigh. Making my way to the ladder, I pull myself up and out of the water.

Standing on the edge of the pool, something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. Before I can turn to look, though, something slams into the side of my head. Stars burst in my vision as pain explodes in my skull. I stumble as darkness begins to overwhelm me, and then I’m losing my balance and falling backwards.

I lose consciousness before I hit the water.

There’s a pain in my chest and something pinching my nose painfully. I want to breath, but I can’t. Something’s clogging my lungs. Crushing my body.

I begin to panic, but then there’s something else. Something warm and firm that presses against my mouth until air flows down my esophagus. Whatever is clogging me up is loosened, and suddenly I’m heaving water. I cough and gag as someone rolls me onto my side. Water pours from my mouth like a fountain, but I can breathe normally again.

“Thank fuck,” a strained voice says from above me. “I thought you were dead.”

Slowly, carefully, I turn to look up at my apparent rescuer. Bronze skin. The Angelview Academy gym uniform of white and green t-shirt with black athletic shorts plastered to a muscular body. Blond hair clinging to what I’ve already admitted is the most stu

Saint stares down at me, his expression strained, and my stomach explodes with butterflies.

“Wh-what happened?” I whisper.

“I was go

Mouth-to-mouth. Those warm, firm things pressed against my mouth were his lips. It hadn’t been a kiss, not at all, but still, Saint Angelle’s lips had been on me.

It’s in that moment that I gain enough awareness of myself to realize the side of my head is throbbing. Saint’s non-kiss is quickly forgotten as I gently press my fingers to the sore spot, wincing at the contact. There’s a sizeable bump on my skull, but when I pull my hand away, I’m relieved to see there’s no blood.

“What is it?” Saint asks, his eyes bouncing between my head and my hand.

“I … I think someone knocked me out,” I murmur, still stu

His voice is a dangerous whisper when he repeats, “Knocked you out?”

I try to nod, but it only makes my head hurt more, and I groan.

“Easy,” he orders. “You should see the nurse. Or go to the hospital.”

“I think the nurse will be fine.” I try to push to my feet, but wobble slightly. Saint’s big hands wrap around my arms and steady me, and I shiver from head to toe at his touch. “Thanks…I think I can make it on my own…”

“Fuck that,” he snaps, his voice edged with rage. “Someone fucking attacked you, Ellis. You’re not going anywhere alone.”

I blink at him. “Why do you care?”

“Just shut-up,” he growls, guiding me toward my stuff. He snatches up my towel and chucks it at me. I catch it and dry myself off as much as I can. Saint steps back and gives me space, and I can’t help but give him a once over. His wet t-shirt is clinging to his torso like a second skin. It’s a struggle to keep my jaw from dropping at just how ripped he is.

Guys my age? They’re not supposed to look like this.

Tearing my eyes from him, I quickly throw on my shirt and shorts and let him lead me out of the gym toward the nurse’s office. It’s kind of surreal, having Saint escort me and act so weirdly protective. I’m still confused and overwhelmed, so I just keep my head-down and shuffle my feet down the hallway, Saint’s wide-shoulders blocking the rest of the world from view.