Chapter Text
Michaela couldn’t believe her luck.
When she agreed to come to John’s swimming meet, she figured she was in for a boring day at the pool, sitting around for hours just to see John swim for about five minutes (and unfortunately, probably finish towards the bottom). She even brought her biology textbook to study while waiting for John’s races.
She had no idea that the tall, hot, athlete from her organic chemistry class was also a swimmer who was competing at the same meet.
Jesus. Michaela had already thought she was the hottest girl on campus, all lean muscles and sharp cheekbones and luscious auburn hair. But no — she was even hotter in a swim cap and goggles and tight swimsuit, clinging to every one of her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Oh yeah. This day just got a whole lot better.
Michaela leaned forward on the bench, watching with rapt attention as the girl raced. Fuck, Michaela wished she knew her name. All she knew was that she chewed on her pen while taking notes and often had the cutest, most confused look on her face during lectures.
And unlike John, the girl actually was really good. Like, came in first place in all her races, good.
That was how she ended up learning her name. The crowd was abuzz every time she came out the victor — it was like they were all there waiting to cheer her on. Francesca.
Gorgeous name for a gorgeous girl.
Michaela ended up not touching her biology textbook. Between races, she plotted how she could approach Francesca. One day after organic chemistry class? Right now, after the meet? Should she ask John if he knew her?
And what if she wasn’t interested in her —
A pit formed in Michaela’s stomach. No. For her own sanity, she wasn’t going to entertain that possibility. At least not yet.
When the meet came to an end, John found Michaela in the stands.
“Good race,” Michaela said, then belatedly winced. Luckily, John was in a good mood anyway.
“Thanks,” he said, leaning in for a hug. “And thank you for coming. I know it was a long day.”
“Any time,” Michaela said, and found herself meaning it. Certainly if Francesca was going to be around.
“So introduce me to some of your friends,” Michaela said, part earnest and part plotting, hoping that one of his friends might be Francesca.
“Alright,” John laughed, leading her down the stands into the crowd of swimmers and friends.
John took her around and introduced her to his teammates, all of whom Michaela had heard about in various stories.
And then, she felt someone approach behind them.
“Good swim, John,” she heard a voice say.
They both turned around and —
Oh good God. It was Francesca.
She was even hotter up close. Michaela could make out her freckles, and the specks of gold in her eyes. She was wrapped up in a long jacket, her hair wet and crunchy, just having been taken out of her swim cap.
Michaela wanted to eat her alive.
“Thanks!” John said behind her, leaning over for an awkward hug.
Michaela almost winced at the sight. Francesca looked positively awkward accepting John’s hug, her gaze moving over to settle on Michaela as John pulled back.
Michaela felt herself swallow as Francesca’s eyes bored into her. Oh.
She looked — hungry? Was that possible?
“You’re in my organic chemistry class,” Francesca said, her voice low but clear.
“I am,” Michaela nodded. “I’m —”
“Michaela Stirling,” Francesca interrupted.
Michaela blinked in surprise.
“Micki, this is Francesca,” John cut in. “You probably saw her in action, but she’s by far the best at Mayfair University. Probably in all of England right now.”
Francesca looked like she didn’t hear a word John had said, her attention focused solely on Michaela.
“I did see. You were incredible out there,” Michaela said honestly.
Francesca blushed. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Are you coming to the after party tonight? Everyone will want to celebrate your big day today,” John said jovially.
Francesca's gaze bored into Michaela. “Will you be there?” she asked.
“Oh,” Michaela said. She hadn’t been invited. She looked to John, and he nodded his head encouragingly, so Michaela turned back to Francesca. “Sure,” she said.
“Then I’ll be there,” Francesca said, before turning and walking back into the crowd.
“Awesome,” John smiled to Michaela. “Francesca never comes to our parties. This is gonna be a fun night.”
Michaela licked her bottom lip, watching as Francesca got stopped by countless other teammates and classmates who wanted to congratulate her.
Yes, a fun night it would be.
Michaela and John arrived separately to the party that night, which was held at some of the swimmers’ house on campus.
Michaela had spent several hours getting ready, needing to impress Francesca but not knowing how. It took up hours she should’ve spent studying, especially considering she didn’t study at all during the day at the meet. But there was always tomorrow. And something within her felt like this party was going to be worth it.
Michaela wandered through the house, trying to find John or someone else she knew — or at least get a drink.
She found John in the kitchen, talking to — oh. Francesca. Amazing.
She went over to join their conversation, but stopped short when she heard what John was saying.
“So, if you wanted to go out some time…” John was saying.
“Go out?” Francesca asked, sounding confused.
“Yeah, like on a date,” John laughed awkwardly.
“A date?” Francesca echoed.
“Right,” John nodded.
Francesca was silent. Michaela's heart stopped beating.
“Oh,” she said after a beat.
“Oh?” John sounded hopeful.
“Oh, no,” Francesca finally said.
“Oh,” John said again, this time sounding dejected.
“I’m sorry,” Francesca rushed. “It’s just —”
“Oh, you don’t owe me an explanation,” John was quick to say.
“I like being your friend,” Francesca said softly, so softly Michaela almost didn’t hear her.
“Me too,” John smiled, though Michaela could see the hurt in his eyes.
Then John cleared his throat. “I’m going to go find Mondrich,” he said, before fleeing from the kitchen, all without seeing Michaela in the room.
Francesca watched him leave, unmoving.
A sick satisfaction spread over Michaela. Francesca had turned down John. Francesca wasn’t interested in John. Francesca had wanted her at the party. Francesca knew her name.
Michaela didn’t want to be overconfident, but it was certainly all adding up in her favor.
Michaela approached behind her slowly, leaning on the kitchen counter.
“That was brutal,” she said.
Francesca spun around and looked at her with wide eyes.
“Did you hear all that?” she asked, sounding alarmed.
“I did,” Michaela nodded. “Poor guy.”
She thought Francesca might laugh, or agree with her, but instead, she just stared at her, her eyes growing wet.
“Hey —” Michaela said, reaching out a hand.
“I feel awful,” Francesca said, breaking eye contact to look down at her feet.
“Oh, don’t,” Michaela shook her head. “He’s got plenty of fish in the sea,” she said lightly.
Francesca looked up at that and eyed her suspiciously. “Shouldn’t you be mad at me?” she asked.
“Why would I be mad at you?”
“Because I just turned down your cousin,” Francesca said matter-of-factly.
Michaela could not hold back her laugh.
“No, I’m actually quite happy you did,” Michaela admitted.
“Happy?” Francesca asked.
“Yeah,” Michaela nodded, licking her bottom lip as she looked Francesca up and down. She finally took in what she was wearing — tight jeans and a loose button down, her hair in curls falling around her shoulders.
“Why?” Francesca continued, confused.
Michaela felt her head tilt to the side. “You’re smart, aren’t you? You’ll figure it out.”
Francesca just blinked at her, her mouth agape.
“So,” Michaela clapped her hands together. “Can I get you a drink?”