I woke up early-only my father was awake. He quickly packed my breakfast, and I headed off to training.

We had mandatory swim practice twice a week, both in the morning and evening. The parents had decided on this schedule last year so we wouldn't be overloaded with late-night practices nearly every day.

The school's swimming pool was in the building next to the gym. It had a competition-sized pool with two changing rooms, but only one side had a grandstand. The facility had been renovated along with the school, so its white walls and blue-and-white tiles looked fresh and modern.

I arrived, changed, and stepped onto the pool deck-only to realize Brian hadn't been exaggerating. Paul was already there, preparing to swim a timed lap.

The coach signaled the warm-up, then the swim, and finally, the timed lap. Paul was fast-roughly as fast as me.

"Simmons, you're up," Coach Stein called.

I prepared and dove in. I swam as hard as I could-I had to win if I wanted to be captain.

Everyone completed their laps, but the coach didn't share our times. He simply wrote them down for himself.

"Alright, boys. You know your captain graduated, so this year I'm looking for a new one. My decision won't be based solely on speed-I'll be considering leadership and other qualities as well. So, I suggest you all give your best effort. I won't decide today, but after the first competition."

Everyone started changing, but I still wanted to talk to the coach.

"Coach, a word. Last year, it was said that I'd get the captain's position. What happened?" I tried to keep my tone calm.

"I know, Simmons-I remember. But this Tashiro kid is really good. Today, he was practically faster than you. We'll see who values this position more and who shows stronger leadership. A few weeks, no more, and it'll be clear."

"Alright, I understand. I'll do my best," I conceded.

There was no point in arguing-he had already made up his mind. I'd simply prove that no one was better than me.

While changing, I noticed how quickly Paul had made friends. After just a few days, he had built good relationships with everyone. A conversation caught my ear.

"Are you coming to the movies on Saturday, buddy?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah, thanks for the invite-I'll come," Paul replied.

"Bringing someone or coming alone?" Aaron asked.

"I haven't had much time to date, but if it's okay, I'll bring my sister. Just a heads-up-she's only sixteen and off-limits to everyone."

Loud laughter followed his statement.

"Alright, buddy, we don't fish off the company pier anyway. We leave each other's siblings and girlfriends alone-and make sure others do the same."

"Maybe I'll invite Jane too," Paul said quietly, more to himself. I tried not to pay attention.

"Go ahead," Brian said with a smile.

I wondered why they cared so much about who the new guy was bringing on the weekend. They were still getting to know each other. I finished dressing and left them, even forgetting to style my hair.

As I walked, I let the wind dry my hair. Girls liked it much better when it was styled, but I didn't care today.

I thought I'd sit in the classroom before the lesson and quietly eat my sandwich, but as soon as I entered, I realized I wasn't the first. Jane was already inside, reading.

She hadn't put much effort into her outfit today either-probably just picked one of her nearly identical patterned shirts and paired it with her one pair of jeans.

"Hi, little girl. You got here early," I greeted.

"Hi. Just like you. Ran out of hair gel at home?" she asked, glancing at my hair.

"What are you reading?" I ignored her jab.

"A book." Her slightly sarcastic response made me smile, though she didn't look up.

"What kind of book?" I pressed.

"Not your world-you wouldn't understand. Sci-fi. Time travel." Her eyes remained hidden behind the pages.

"And what's it about?" I wasn't about to let her read in peace.

"The protagonist goes back in time and meets himself to save the world." She put the book down but didn't close it. She thought she could shake me off with that.

"Do you believe in it? I mean, time travel?" I asked.

"I don't know. Theoretically, as far as I know, it's impossible-we'd have to be faster than light. But who knows what the truth is? And you?" She politely returned the question.

"I haven't thought about it," I admitted.

"Figured. With swimming, girls, and hair gel, there's hardly time for that." That was sharp, but I didn't take it personally.

"If you could, where would you go back to?" I asked, ignoring her remarks.

She closed the book.

"I'd tell my dad not to get in the car that day. Or if he did, to do it an hour later," she said, surprisingly calmly.

I wasn't interested in any emotional stories, so I changed the subject.

"Have you thought about our biology video topic?"

"Yes. I have a few ideas-we could discuss them over the weekend." She immediately returned to her smart-aleck tone from yesterday.

"Hi, guys," Paul stepped over and dropped his bag between us.

I only then realized that time had flown by-I barely had five minutes left for my sandwich. I quickly went out and devoured it.

"Good thing you're back," my swimming buddy greeted me. "Would Saturday at 2 PM work for you to sit down and discuss the video?"

"Sure, I'm free in the afternoon. Where should we meet?" I asked.

"We can't do it at my place-my dad's throwing a big party in the evening, so it's better if I'm gone in the afternoon," Paul said.

"Jane?"

"Could we meet somewhere neutral, like a burger place?" she suggested.

"Not good-I'd have to run around all day because I already have plans for the evening. Come to my place. We can discuss everything calmly there," I said.

"Alright." They agreed, so I scribbled my address on two slips of paper and handed them over.

Just then, Mr. Thomas walked in and dove straight into the lesson material.

-

The rest of my day passed uneventfully-until lunch, when Shannon sat down with us.

I didn't like it when girls wanted to eat with me-it was better if they didn't get too comfortable in the spot. But I didn't want to shoo Shannon away, at least not before the weekend.

"Hi there, Pretty Boy. I was thinking you could take me somewhere on Friday since we won't be alone on Saturday."

"What would make you happy, kitten?" I asked sweetly.

"I don't know, maybe a romantic dinner?" Shannon snuggled up to me like a kitten, her hand resting on my thigh.

"Alright, I'll pick you up at eight on Friday night," I said, flashing one of my signature charming smiles.

"Awesome." She kissed my neck and then sauntered off.

"My goodness, that girl sure knows what she wants," Brian said from across the table.

"Yeah," I remarked dryly.

"Would you be happier if you had to work harder for it?" Brian asked. "Look around-every guy is busting his chops to impress someone, and here you are complaining because the best girls are hanging around you."

"You're right. I'll enjoy what I get," I grinned mischievously.

I glanced around, curious if every girl had guys hovering around them. My gaze landed on the new girl. She was reading, though she wasn't alone. Paul sat across from her at the desk, surrounded by a group of girls.

It seemed half-slit eyes and wealth were attractive.

Jane wasn't eating cake, but for some reason, Paul pushed his own toward her, which she accepted with a smile.

--

After lunch, before geography class, Jane was already inside, quietly reading as usual.

"Same book, little girl?" I asked, settling into my chair and turning toward her.

"Well, it's hard to make progress when I'm interrupted at every page," she smiled when she looked up.

She didn't seem offended.

"I'd meet Theodore again," I told her.

"Excuse me?" She sighed softly, gave up, and put the book away.

"If I could go back in time," I continued, "I'd meet my dog again."

"He'd surely be happy to see you," she said with another smile. She was quite charming when she smiled.

"Do you have a dog?" I asked, though I already knew the answer from yesterday's class.

"Oh, no," she said. "With all the traveling, it didn't fit in."

"Traveling?" I asked, but before she could answer, a voice interrupted.

"Hey, Pretty Boy, there you are," Shannon purred as she sat down at the desk next to me. "I hope you haven't forgotten," she whined while sizing up Jane.

Clearly, the two girls weren't in the same league-but that wasn't a compliment to Shannon.

"You can't be forgotten," I winked and turned back.

"I think I'll move somewhere else before I have to throw up," Jane muttered behind me and moved to the furthest empty desk.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend," Shannon whispered in my ear, which my arriving buddies greeted with grins.

I didn't turn around for the rest of class, though I was curious about what Jane was doing.

--

At dinner, Amber was already impatiently pestering me.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday, bro. I don't want to wash dishes next week."

"We'll see," I said.

"Did you have class with the new students today?" Dad asked, interested.

"I did," I said briefly. "The guy swims like me, and there's nothing wrong with him. Everyone liked him."

"And the girl?" Amber asked.

"She just makes snide remarks to everyone," I said.

My parents exchanged glances, but I didn't understand why.

"Is she pretty?" Amber asked curiously.

"No," I said shortly.

"Too bad," Amber said. I ignored the mild sarcasm.

The next day, although there was no training, I couldn't sleep and arrived earlier than the others. Even so, I wasn't the first-Jane was already there. As usual, she didn't pay any attention to me, buried in her book and just as stylishly indifferent as before.

"So, what kind of traveling, little girl?" I asked, grinning, waiting for her to put down her book.

"Excuse me?" She looked at me over the pages.

"The traveling that kept you from having a dog," I reminded her.

"Yeah, right. Until a few years ago, we traveled a lot, so we didn't get a dog." A brief answer, but it wasn't enough for me.

"Why did you travel?" I was genuinely interested.

"My dad's job required it. He was an international architect." Strangely, I didn't see any emotion on her face.

"Any other questions?" she smiled. "Or can I continue reading?"

Her smile was definitely beautiful.

"Have you been to many countries?" I asked quickly, signaling I still had questions.

"A few."

Behind me, Brian arrived and quietly sat down, fiddling with his phone.

"You know, if your sentences were longer, I wouldn't ask so many questions," I teased, making her smile.

"Do you speak multiple languages?"

"I can make myself understood in a few countries, yes," she said.

I had a feeling this was a modest answer.

"Didn't sleep well?" she suddenly asked, her beautiful eyes smiling mischievously.

"Why?" Her personal question surprised me-it wasn't like her.

"Your hair didn't turn out right, so I thought you were sleepy," she laughed, and Brian quietly smiled.

I went to the bathroom to check my hair, but it was perfectly fine. By the time I returned, more people were in the room, and Jane had just put away her book, waiting with a cheerful smile.

"You see, Pretty Boy, if I were you, I'd let me read," she said softly, winking.

Brian grinned, and I chuckled quietly at her teasing. Clever move.

I wanted to respond, but Shannon appeared and sat in front of me. Jane silently moved to the furthest empty desk.

Apart from biology and history, she never sat near me. That day, I only saw her at lunch-she was eating with Paul.

--

At dinner, Mom brought up an interesting detail.

"Son," she said, "I met Mrs. Tashiro today. She's an interior designer."

"I didn't know. Though I don't talk much with Paul-that's more the new girl's habit," I noted.

"How come?" Amber asked curiously.

"Paul doesn't sit at our table; he always eats with Jane," I said.

"Have you invited him to sit with you?" Dad asked.

"If he wants to, he will," I said. "Though then the smarty-pants would probably want to join too."

"Interesting name her parents gave her," Dad noted with a smile, but I didn't react.

"I'm curious about who this girl is," Amber said seriously.

"There's no need-you wouldn't like her," I said. "She doesn't even have friends. Paul only sits with her at lunch because he did on the first day, and now it would be rude to move. That girl never talks to anyone."

"I guess not even with you," my sister teased.

"She'd be happy if I brought some color to her boring days, but she's not that lucky," I said arrogantly.

"I see," my sister said, coughing lightly, while my parents suppressed a smile.

-

Just like every other day that week, Jane was already in the classroom reading when I arrived the next morning. I'd gotten up early on purpose, hoping to beat her there.

Of course, I still took the time to fix my hair-I wanted to look good. Jane looked just as well-dressed today as ever: a jeans and her usual sci-fi tee.

"Hey, little girl," I said, sitting down across from her and turning my chair around- even though today, we wouldn't be sitting close. "How many languages do you speak?"

"Hey," she sighed loudly from behind her book. "Is the library open at this time?" she asked, ignoring my question and starting to pack her book away.

"It opens as soon as the school opens," I answered matter-of-factly.

"See you later, then." She picked up her backpack and left the room.

I had no idea what that little nerd thought of herself-just walking off in the middle of a conversation. One thing was certain: I didn't like her.

I slid back into my usual seat just as Brian arrived. "What's wrong?" he asked, noticing my sulking.

"I don't like the new girl," I muttered. "She just left in the middle of a conversation."

"How rude," Brian said, suppressing a smile.

Her behavior stuck with me the rest of the day, even though I didn't speak to her again and only saw her at lunch- eating with Paul, as usual.

--

That evening at dinner, Amber was talking about some upcoming contest, but I barely listened-the new girl's rudeness kept swirling in my thoughts.

"How was your day, son?" Dad asked.

"The new girl is the rudest person I've ever met," I blurted out.

"What did she do?" Mom asked.

"She just walked out in the middle of a conversation," I said.

"Maybe something urgent came up," Amber offered with a smile.

"Going to the library doesn't sound urgent," I muttered. "I don't like her," I added.

"Oh, that's painfully obvious, son," Dad chuckled, exchanging glances with the women.

On Friday, I finally started to understand what the coach had been talking about. Paul was proving to be a solid training partner-competing with him constantly pushed me to improve my time, and he always encouraged me. He was acting like a true teammate.

In the locker room, I didn't talk much to Paul, but the others did. I learned that his family had moved here at the beginning of summer, had lived in Japan for a few years before that, and had been in another city before that. No one asked about the girls or his sister, so he didn't mention them.

"So, you're coming with your sister tomorrow?" Brian asked.

"Partly," Paul said. "I also invited Jane, if that's okay with everyone." He glanced at me, but I didn't react.

"No problem," Brian answered for me. "She can come."

"Thanks," Paul smiled, and I quietly left the locker room.

Thanks to training, I arrived early again that day, but Jane was already in the classroom.

"You read really slowly," I remarked as I entered and saw her reading as usual.

"Because someone always keeps talking to me," she sighed with a smile and closed the book. "I see your hair gel shipment arrived," she noted, referring to my styled hair.

"Some spend on gel, some on nerdy books," I retorted, though I realized I had set myself up for an easy comeback.

"Yes, some are superficial, and some are smart," she laughed, which made her look particularly beautiful. I laughed too-her wit was sharp.

Paul and the others trickled in, and biology class began.

At lunchtime, my gaze wandered to the new students. The girls were pestering Paul, but he mostly talked with Jane. They seemed to get along well. After a while, Paul's attention was drawn by the familiar flirty girls from last year, so Jane took out her book and started reading. Occasionally, they exchanged words over the book, and Jane blushed.

"What are you looking at?" Brian asked.

"Just the new students," I said, averting my gaze. "Paul seems pretty cool."

"Competition?" Aaron asked.

"For me?" I asked arrogantly. "Hardly." I grinned. "He just looks like he swims."

My eyes wandered back to them. Jane was reading; Paul was juggling conversations with the girls and still passed his cake to Jane, as usual.

"Do you think they're dating?" Aaron's girlfriend whispered.

"Who?" Daryl asked as he set his tray down.

"The new girl and the Japanese guy," Brian said, glancing at me.

"They already had dinner at her parents' place one evening," Daryl added. "I heard them talking about it in the hallway today."

Brian cautiously looked at me.

"They can do whatever they want as long as they don't mess up my grades," I said dryly, burying myself in my food. But for some reason, I didn't like the thought.

"Uh-huh, I see," Brian said quietly.

--

Friday evening came, and I picked up Shannon in front of her house. She didn't live far-it was a fifteen-minute walk-but by car, we had to cross the bridge, which was a big detour.

"You look great, kitten."

She didn't leave much to the imagination. She wore a low-cut, short red dress, heavy makeup, and a strong perfume that hit my nose immediately.

"Where are you taking me, Pretty Boy?"

"To Tony Burgers."

"Oh no! I thought of something much better. It wasn't worth dressing up like this for that." She started whining.

"Sorry, my allowance only covers this," I replied curtly.

"You probably spend the rest on your other girls."

Strangely enough, I was starting to get fed up-but I didn't show it.

"I don't have other girls. I'm a monogamous type," I said and smirked. I'm monogamous- not that the girls need to know it's a short-term arrangement.

"So I'm your girl?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"We'll see," I smiled mischievously.

I liked the place. The building was bright white with big windows, a counter facing the entrance, and red booths running along both sides. The kitchen opened behind the counter, where Tony usually worked. He was medium height, dark-haired, dark-eyed, about Amber's age. After taking over from his father, he'd made the spot his own, always in his apron and cap. We knew each other-his sister often stopped by to see my dad. I never asked why; it wasn't my business. Still, his family was grateful, and I always got a discount.

"Hey Jay, your booth's free. You've got a gorgeous companion today," he greeted Shannon with a cheerful smile, shaking my hand.

She squealed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Thanks, you're so sweet!"

"Sit down, I'll bring the menu."

We sat down, Shannon next to me, so I put my arm around her shoulder. Since last summer, it hadn't been much of a challenge.

Tony placed the menu card down.

The food wasn't complicated-hot dogs and a hundred kinds of burgers. It was a casual spot for real teens. I'd been here with other girls before-here, I could afford to pay the bill.

"What are you eating?" I asked Shannon, browsing the menu.

I glanced at her and saw she was flipping through the card. Just don't say it, I thought. And then, she spoke.

"I'll have a salad."

I wanted to fall on my sword.

"And you, Pretty Boy?"

"I'll have a Tony's Special burger and a cola."

"Alright," said the waiter, and he left.

"Aren't you afraid of gaining weight? That's pretty unhealthy." Shannon said.

"Sorry, I'll pay more attention next time. But I've had exhausting training sessions."

"Yes, I saw you swimming-you looked good." With that, she leaned in and kissed me.

I had to admit-she didn't waste time.

"Kitten, let me ask you something." I was genuinely curious about her answer.

"Sure, Pretty Boy, anything."

"If you could travel back in time, what would you change?"

"Have they invented time travel? I didn't see it in the news," she said, surprised. I tried to hide my brain's shock and rephrased the question.

"Not yet, but if you could, what would you change?"

"Oh, I know." She thought for a moment. "Last summer, there was a great sale at a store. They had this divine dress-you would have loved it. I hesitated too much, and by the time I decided, it wasn't available in my size. Well, that's what I'd change-I'd buy the dress."

"I see. What kind of dress was it?"

From that point on, I couldn't focus on what she was saying. The difference between her response and Jane's was shocking. I hadn't noticed it before, but since talking to the new girl, this realization hit hard. I nodded, throwing in combinations of "it must have been nice" and "that's good," while waiting for the food to arrive.

It did. The hamburger was divine-meat, bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and two kinds of sauce. I loved it. Shannon, meanwhile, was picking at her salad.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, bored.

"Oh, no, it's just that mayonnaise is very fattening, and I don't want to eat all of it."

"I see."

From that point on, I just wanted to get through the evening. We already had another date planned for tomorrow—hopefully, that one would be better.

After dinner, I drove her home. As soon as I parked, she wasted no time, expertly unbuttoning my pants. In this area, at least, she was good. I leaned my head back against the headrest, staring at the dark roof of the car while she worked.

"If you start this, you have to finish," I warned as she freed my cock.

"I know, I remember from last summer," Shannon smiled, then she swallowed my cock.

I spread my leg to let her reach me better, my mind already drifting. A stray thought pulled toward how a new girl’s mouth would feel, a curiosity that held more interest than the familiar heat below. Shannon started to bubble her head, sucking me slowly, her efforts barely anchoring me to the moment.

"Oh, God, Kitty, don't stop."

The sigil of my desire felt etched into every nerve ending as I reached down, threading my fingers through her hair to hold her head in place. "If you go on, there is no way back," I warned again. Shannon just licked my cock, refusing to release her lips. I looked down at her, gripping her hair to guide her lips on my cock faster, the friction finally demanding my full attention. Shannon tightened her lips until I exploded violently, filling her mouth, my roar filling the car. I held her head on my cock until my pulsing stopped and she swallowed all.

"Tomorrow, my parents won't be here," she said after sitting back. "They're going away for the weekend to look at houses. Maybe you could stay over after the movie." She didn't beat around the bush.

"We'll see. Now go, so you don't get in trouble," I said with a smile.

She kissed me, got out, and walked inside while I headed home. My parents were in the living room watching a movie. Amber came down from her room.

"So, how was it? Is the same girl coming tomorrow?"

"I'll do the dishes if I don't have to bring her home tomorrow," I said, feeling drained.

"Now I'm curious," my sister laughed.

"Hey, Mom," I asked, "at what age do you stop eating salad?"

Mom looked up from the TV, and Dad turned down the volume.

"My son, whoever eats salad now will continue to do so later. Find someone who chooses differently," Dad said meaningfully. It was clear he understood the true essence of my question.

"I don't think such a person exists. I have a good eye-I would notice something like that."

"Change your perspective," he said, patting my shoulder before heading upstairs.

"Good night, kids," Mom said, stepping over to give me and Amber a kiss.

"I'm already looking forward to tomorrow," Amber winked before heading up the stairs.

I was left alone, quickly got ready, and collapsed into bed. My thoughts drifted to the new girl. She was a strange one-whatever topic I brought up, she always had a more intelligent response than any of my previous girlfriends, though sometimes she thought she was too smart.

Anyway, she was just a nerd.

I had a feeling tomorrow would be a long day.