Swimming Lessons | AI

Chapter 17

I didn't know what else to do, so I smiled and took a step closer to him. I slid my hand behind his head, feeling his short, soft, dark curls intertwined in my fingers as I pulled him down to my lips. I had no verbal words to respond because I wasn't sure what to say. I was unsure of how I felt when it came to Blake because as messed up as it sounds I've been using him to suppress my feelings towards another person. Has it worked? Yes. Mostly anyways.

He smiled as I released him from grasp. I backed out of his room leaving him standing there holding his bed sheet around himself.

I walked to the nearest bus stop, which wasn't too far away. I checked the time after waiting only to realize the bus to take me back in the direction of the school had already come. I groaned as I stood there feeling stupid, weighing the options I had. Regardless of what I chose I would be late to class, whether it be walking back to Blake's and have him take me, waiting for the next bus to come that goes that way, or even getting an Uber. Either way, making it to class just wasn't happening today.

I stood there thinking on what to do next and that's when it hit me. I opened the map on my phone and looked for the particular location I had been thinking about a lot here recently. It didn't take long for me to find it on the map and that's when I made the decision I was going to return to the beach. Not just any beach, though. The beach I nearly died at. The beach where Ashton rescued me. I couldn't began to tell as to why I wanted to go or why just here recently it's been heavy on my mind go back but since I wasn't too far from it now, today seemed to be a good day to.

Once Uber picked me up, I was being dropped of ten minutes later on the edge of the road just feet away from the short trail, leading to the sandy beach and crystal like water. The weather was wonderful, not too warm but also not cold. It was almost the definition of perfect November weather.

I observed my surroundings as I made my way down the rough trail. It just as I remember it because I nearly fell going down it the first as I followed Hailey but luckily I made it down with ease until I became face to face with the water. The same water that rolled me beneath its waves multiple times. Other than a few sunbathers, the beach was empty. I wished I was alone.

All I could do was stand there and watch the waves crash out in the distance. It brought back all the memories of the first time I came here. The feeling I had was strange because I felt so many different thing. The feeling I could recognize from the mixture I had within me was anger. I was angry at the water for choosing me to suck into its depths, swallowing me, and its unsuccessful attempts to suffocate me. I wish I could punch it, to hurt it like it did me.

Tears started forming and falling to my cheeks as I wished to scream out at the watery world in from of me and let it know how much I hated it but I didn't want to scare the others in my company and be looked at weird. So I just stood there in silence. If I hadn't went into the water that day, everything would have ended so different. I wish I could say I regretted it because it would make everything much easier, but I was raise to accept what happens in life and make the best of it. The good and the bad.

My attention was torn away from the battle in my head to my buzzing phone in my back pocket. I pulled it out and stared at the name displaying on my screen.

Ashton Irwin

Out of all the hours of the day and days he could have once again called me, he picked right now at this very moment as I stood where he came into my life. So, naturally given the moment and how I was feeling, I answered his call.

"Hello?" I answered followed by a moment of silence.

"You answered." The familiar voice finally responded with shock. "I didn't think you would."

"Right now seemed like a really good moment too considering the circumstance.  I'm standing where you saved me." I said softly. It was honestly good to hear his voice again because although I wouldn't admit it, I missed him.

"You're at the beach? Why?" I figured he would immediately jump into the topic as to why I left that night but he didn't.

"I honestly have no idea." I said with a small laugh. "I've just been thinking about this place a lot lately."

"Are you doing okay?" He asked, his tone was soft and I could tell he was being careful with his words. "I've been worried. I really just called to see if you were alright."

"I'm okay." I said halfheartedly, wishing I could be more convincing. Maybe he'll buy it anyways.

"We're touring in Europe right, just landed in Paris to be precise. It's really good to hear your voice again and knowing you're okay." I could hear his smile in his more peppy tone now. "The show is here in a bit."

"That sounds exciting. I should be receiving an email letting me know if I got into Med school any minute now, seeing it's now passed noon. Wish me luck on that and I wish you luck on your show?"

"You got in. I know you did. Oh and Raegan? I'll beat myself up if I don't say anything while I have the chance, but I miss you."

Before I got the chance to respond, the line went dead. Ashton had hung up.

A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed reading this chapter. Spent most of the day slowly working on this. If ya like, please show your support by tapping the vote button.