Survive

Four

Luke was leaning over the railing at the back of the boat, his gaze focused on the blue waters below. He felt sick to his stomach, but not because of the sea sickness, that seemed far from important to him now, it was the thought of having to swim.

"Ashton.. It looks so deep and cold. What about sharks? Can we even swim that far?" Luke started to ramble, something he does when he was nervous.

Ashton stepped up behind him and patted his back gently. "It's okay buddy. We will be fine. Just try not to flail much in the water. Keep your breathing steady and swim, if you get tired tell us.." He turned around to face Calum and Michael.

Michael was kneeling down stuffing a blanket into his large duffle bag. He wasn't going to admit that he too was nervous to be swimming in cold waters with each of them holding large heavy duffle bags, but they needed the bags since they were full of things for survival.

Calum was staring at Luke, he was just as scared. Maybe more since he could barely swim, he took a deep breath and grabbed the bag. How the hell was he going to swim while holding onto something? Couldn't it pull him under?

"Okay guys it isn't that far.. We can do it. Who's ready to go first?" Ashton tried to sound pleasant , even if his mood was no were near it.

No one offered to go first, typical. Ashton sighed looking down at his shoes then back up into the staring scared faces of his best friends.

"Okay. I'll go in first. Calum, you'll go last. You'd need to hand us our bags. I'll take the heaviest since I used to swim for school. I'll also take yours before you get in.." He turned and walked over to the silver ladder that led down into the waters.

He sighed again, trying to calm his nerves. His hands started to shake as he slowly descended. Once he felt the cold waters touch his ankles he let go, and felt himself drop into the water.

Ashton broke the surface with a loud gasp, the water was a lot colder then he expected. He looked up at the three boys looking down at him worriedly. He smiled and raised his hand giving them a thumbs up as he floated there.

The faces disappeared for a moment till a loud splash was heard next to Ashton. Michaels head popped up with a look of surprise across it. "Fuck! It's co-cold!! Hurry up you two!!"

Calum Leaned back over holding Ashtons bag, "ready for it?"

"Yup"

The bag dropped right infront of Ashton, splashing the salty water into his eyes and mouth. Before the bag could sink he grabbed it and swung it's strap across his shoulders and chest, already feeling it's heaviness dragging against him.

Calum repeated his process with michaels bag, in which Michael copied Ashton and wrapped the strap across his shoulder and chest as well.

Luke pulled the strap of his duffle bag across his shoulder and chest as he approached the edge of the boat. The way michael entered seemed like the best and easiest way in. He took a deep breath and jumped over the edge hugging his knees close.

The icy impact took Lukes breath from his body, causing him to take a mouth full of salty water. He started to flail under the water trying to swim as fast as he could to the surface but his bag was weighing him down.

Before panic could set in, Luke felt a sharp tug on the strap. The pull jerked him up to the surface where he gasped for air and coughed out the nasty water. With burning eyes from the salt, Luke looked over at Ashton who was smiling and holding onto the strap.

"You're okay now. Try to stay afloat." He released Luke and turned to look up at Calum who was dangling his bag over the side.

"Alright! Catch!" He tossed it toward Ashton who waited for it to hit near him. Once calum heard the splash he backed up then ran, jumping over the side of the boat, cannonballing into the cold waters.

He broke the surface with a laugh and splashed the sad looking Michael. "Stop! I hate salt water! I hate swimming. I hate this!!" Michael whined as he started to swim toward shore.

Calum laughed and followed, in doggy paddling style with Luke mimicking his actions behind him.

Ashton chose to swim behind everyone incase someone grew tired so he could offer help if needed. It was also the best way to keep an eye on the others.