I hear Andrew shout, and then I’m in the water. I rush up to the surface as fast as I can, desperate to find the aftermath. Rebecca is at the surface too, but I don’t see Andrew.
“What happened?” Alarm fills my voice.
Cupping her elbow, Rebecca replies, “I think I bonked Andrew. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“Then where is he?”
Rebecca instantly pales, and I watch her calm demeanor turninto pure panic. We part from each other and splash around searching for Andrew.
After a moment, I see Rebecca struggling to tug him up, so I rush to help. As I grab onto his arm, I instantly feel the dead weight, making my stomach sink.Please let him be okay! How did this happen? I knew this was a bad idea!But I can’t say any of that. The fear and guilt on Rebecca’s face is clear as day. I need to keep her calm.
We finally get Andrew onto the shore, and I take him in. He’s pale, but it looks like he’s breathing.Thank goodness!
“He’s knocked out cold,” I remark in surprise, careful not to say anything to indicate it was Rebecca’s fault. It truly was an accident.
She turns to me. “What do we do?”
“I… I’m not sure,” I respond, disappointed in myself for not being better in this situation. “Call 9-1-1?” I ask more than tell her.
With tears welling in her eyes, Rebecca looks at me with fear, an emotion I’ve never seen on her brave face. “This was a terrible idea! What was I thinking?”
CHAPTER 22
Summer 19
Rushing to step out of the shower, I nearly slip. I can’t be bothered with the time it takes to towel off as I drip down the hallway. I grab my phone from my nightstand. Still wrapped in a towel, water droplets slithering down my arms and back, I type out my message.
Me
Andrew! Andrew! Andrew!
While I wait, I slip on my daily summer wardrobe, which, in a nutshell, is shorts and a tank top.
Andrew
What? What? What?
I have an idea
And what is that?
It’s a surprise. Come over in 15 mins. I’m driving
Ooooh asurprise for me? Do I get any hints?
Just that I’m holding us both to living our lives to the fullest
Dani knocks on my door as I pull out my makeup bag to begin applying my usual coat of mascara.
“Come in!” I cheer.
“Someone is in a good mood,” she remarks. “Oh, and is that a new tank top I see? Who are you trying to impress?”
I glower at her. “Yeah, it’s new. What’s up?”
“I was just wondering what you were up to. I swore I just saw you run down the hallway in your towel.”
I snort. “That’s because I did. I’m taking Andrew to the water tower.”
