Chapter 31

The moment the new coach walked into the gymnasium, I could feel the atmosphere shift. His strong physique and intricate tattoos immediately caught the eye of everyone in the room, especially the girls. The whispers began as he sauntered to the front of the class, exuding a confidence that seemed to demand attention.
"Alright, everyone, my name is Coach, Bradford," he announced, his voice deep and resounding. "I'll be your new fitness instructor for this semester."
A few girls near me giggled, exchanging excited glances. It was clear that the novelty of having such an attractive coach had already taken hold of their imaginations.
As the class progressed, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Coach Bradford demonstrated each exercise, his muscles rippling beneath his tattoos with every movement. Every now and then, our eyes met, and I felt an odd sense of connection, as if he was seeing something in me that no one else could.
"Come on, push yourselves!" he shouted, clapping his hands together. "You're stronger than you think!"
Feeling motivated by his words, I gave it my all, focusing on the sound of my own heartbeat and the sweat forming on my brow. I couldn't help but steal glances at him when I thought he wasn't looking, captivated by his presence and the way he carried himself.
After class, as we filed into the locker room, I tried to shake off the thoughts of Coach Bradford from my mind. It wasn't like me to be so intrigued by someone I barely knew, but there was something about him that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"Did you see the way he looked at me during class?" one girl gushed to her friend nearby. "I bet he's totally into me."
"Please, he was obviously checking me out," another retorted, smirking as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.
As I listened to their banter, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. It seemed as though Coach Bradford had unintentionally become the focus of everyone's attention, and I doubted that would change anytime soon. Little did I know just how much his presence would impact my life in the coming days.
Locker doors slammed shut around me, the metallic clatter echoing through the room. I watched in disbelief as a group of girls approached Coach Thompson, who stood by his office door, reviewing some papers.
"Hey, Coach," one girl said, twirling her hair with a flirtatious smile. "I was wondering if you could help me with my form during practice?"
"Me too," another chimed in, leaning against the wall, trying to look casual yet alluring. "I could really use some extra lessons."
Coach Bradford glanced up from his papers and surveyed the girls with a stern expression. "If you need help, ask during class or schedule a proper appointment," he said, his voice cold and decisive.
The girls exchanged glances, taken aback by his rejection.
"Fine," one of them huffed, before they all retreated to their lockers, muttering under their breath.
I couldn't help but feel relieved that Coach Bradford hadn't given them any special attention. There was something about him that drew me in, but I didn't want to be just another girl vying for his attention.
As I closed my locker and slung my bag over my shoulder, I caught sight of Coach Bradford approaching me. My heart raced as I mentally prepared myself for whatever he might say.
"Hey," he said, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "I noticed your effort today during class. Keep up the good work."
"Uh, thank you," I replied, surprised by his kindness towards me when he had been so cold to the others. What made me different?
"Remember, don't push yourself too hard," he added, a hint of concern in his eyes. "But also, never underestimate your abilities."
As he walked away, I tried to make sense of his sudden warmth. It was unexpected and left me feeling both thrilled and confused. But one thing was certain: Coach Bradford was nothing like I had initially assumed, and my curiosity about him only grew stronger.
My fingers grazed the frayed edges of my favorite book, The Dragon-Horned Man, as I sat alone in the cafeteria. The memory of Coach Thompson's unexpected gentleness echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine. It was uncanny how his demeanor reminded me of the mysterious man in my dreams, who had also begged for such tender touch.
"Hey, did you see how he talked to her?" I overheard one of the girls from the locker room whispering to her friend. "I can't believe he was actually nice to her, of all people."
"Ugh, I know," her friend replied, rolling her eyes. "We're so much better than she is."
Their jealousy was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had somehow caught the attention of someone like Coach Thompson. But I also couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this connection – something deeper and inexplicable.
"Hey," a voice said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Coach Bradford standing beside my table, tray in hand. "Mind if I join you?"
"Uh, sure," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest. He sat down across from me, his intense gaze never leaving mine.
"Thank you," he said softly, his tone still gentle. "I didn't have a chance to properly introduce myself earlier. I'm John."
"Nice to meet you," I replied, trying to sound calm despite my racing thoughts. "I'm... I'm Alicia."
"Alicia," he repeated, as if testing the name on his lips. "A beautiful name."
"Thanks," I murmured, blushing at his compliment. I couldn't help but wonder what his intentions were – why he chose to sit with me when there were so many other girls vying for his attention.
"Listen," he began, leaning in closer. "I wanted to talk to you because I think you have a lot of potential. You just need someone to help guide you."
"Really?" I asked, surprised by his observation. "What makes you say that?"
"I can see it in your eyes," he replied, his voice low and soothing. "You have a fire inside you, waiting to be unleashed."
As he spoke, my thoughts drifted back to the dragon-horned man in my dreams, who had also recognized something within me. Was it possible that Coach Bradford could be somehow connected to him? The idea seemed absurd, but the coincidences were too numerous to ignore.
"Alicia," he said, bringing me back to reality. "I want to help you unlock your true potential. Will you let me?"
"Of course," I replied without hesitation, curious about where this journey would lead us. I couldn't shake the feeling that our fates were intertwined, and that the answer to the mystery lay somewhere within the depths of my dreams.
The laughter of the girls filled the crowded hallway, their mocking voices echoing off the walls. I tried to ignore them, focusing on my footsteps and the feeling of my backpack digging into my shoulders. But their cruel words were like a swarm of bees, stinging me with each syllable.
"Aw, poor Alicia," one girl sneered. "Does she really think that just because the coach is being nice to her, she's special?"
"Maybe she thinks she's his favorite," another chimed in, giggling maliciously. "Too bad he's just using her."
I clenched my fists, keeping my eyes straight ahead as I navigated the sea of students. Why did they have to be so cruel? It wasn't like Coach Bradford was my boyfriend or anything; he was just helping me unlock my potential, whatever that meant.
"Hey, Alicia!" called a third voice, louder than the others. The hallway seemed to fall silent around us as everyone turned to watch the scene unfold. "Why don't you show us some of those 'special' skills Coach Bradford has been teaching you?"
"Leave me alone," I muttered under my breath, trying to push past the group of girls who had encircled me like a pack of wolves. But they refused to let me pass, forcing me to stand my ground.
"Come on, Alicia," one girl taunted, shoving me roughly. "Show us what you've got."
"Enough!" The commanding voice echoed through the hallway, silencing the chatter and causing the girls to scatter like frightened birds. Coach Bradford strode towards us, his piercing gaze enough to make the bullies turn tail and flee.
"Are you alright, Alicia?" he asked, concern apparent in his eyes as he examined me for any signs of injury.
"I'm fine," I replied, trying to sound brave despite the lingering sting of humiliation. "Thank you for stepping in."
"Of course," he said, his tone gentle yet firm. "I won't stand for bullying, especially when it's directed at someone with as much potential as you have."
As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice the other students staring at us, whispering and gossiping amongst themselves. It was clear that word of our connection – however innocent – had spread like wildfire through the school.
"Remember," Coach Bradford continued, his voice low so only I could hear. "You are strong, Alicia. Don't let their words bring you down."
Nodding, I took a deep breath, trying to find the courage within myself that he seemed to see so clearly. And as we walked away from the scene together, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination, fueled by both Coach Thompson's faith in me and my own desire to prove my bullies wrong.