𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 ᵗᵐʳ ᵃᵘ

Chapter 15: Crank

"HEY Anika," Sonya said. I looked up from my book and she stood in the door frame... with dyed hair. It was Red (Well, technically orange) but, you know. She looked pretty. Harriet's hair was changed from dreads to curly hair that stood out.

"You guys look great," I said.

"Thanks. The others are going to the pool if you wanna come. You don't have to swim, you can sit on the side with Harriet and I if you want," Sonya said.

"Yeah, I guess I'll come," I said, placing my book down. I'm just gonna sit on the sidelines. I don't have the energy to swim right now. We walked down to the pool and surprisingly no one other than Thomas, Minho, Newt and Aris, were in the pool. It wasn't hot today but it wasn't cold either.

I found you.

What does that even mean?

I sit down on one of the many sunbeds that sit beside the pool and I watch and Minho grabs Hana, throws her over his shoulder and then jumps into the water with her. I see Thomas attempting to push Newt's head underwater, Brenda, Teresa and Aris are sitting in the hot tub and Sonya and Harriet are talking about something. I kinda zoned out... Oops.

I zoned back in when someone splashed water on my face. I jumped slightly and saw Newt at the edge of the pool, with his eyebrow raised.

"Yes, Newt?" I asked.

"You alright?" He asked, climbing out of the pool and sitting next to me. "I think you need a hug." He opened his arms.

"Newt, I'd hug any time but you're currently wet," I said. He still hugged me. He got my clothes wet. I just hugged him back.

"You should come swim with us," He suggested.

"I'm not wearing my swimsuit," I said.

"It's fine. You're wearing leggings and a black long-sleeve," He said.

"I'm not really too sure about that," I mumbled.

"Come onnnnnn, Anika, pleassseeee," He pleaded, standing up and gently taking my arm, pulling me towards the pool.

"Oh, alright," I said, standing up.

"Yay." Newt jumps in the water and I walk up to the edge and stare down. Clear, blue water. Around 2 or 3 meters deep. "Anika, you coming?" He asked again.

"Uh... yeah, yeah," I mumbled before going to the shallow end and stepping in the water. Cold. Cold. Cold. "It's cold," I hissed.

"It's pool water, of course, it will be cold," He said, laughing slightly before grabbing my hand and pulling me in, submerging me in the water. When I make my way back to the surface of the water, I gasp for oxygen, coughing as well.

It's dark. Cold. No one's here. Where'd they go?

This whole place is a lot more gloomy than it was 5 seconds ago. The water. It doesn't feel real. There are no lights, just the natural lights from the windows. Moss or mould is growing on the walls. What the hell?

I turn around and I almost have a heart attack. Someone is standing there. Their back is faced to me. The person turns around and I want to leave. Now.

Grayson.

Only, he looks like shit. He had bags under his eyes and he looked like he hadn't eaten for weeks. Months even. The veins in his face are black and his saliva is black. His eyes. They're like Voids. Nothing. Just black.

What the fuck is going on.

"Anika?" A muffled voice asked. Gray didn't say it. I look around. no one else is here. Gray starts moving toward me. I try and swim away...

I'm stuck. I can't move. Gray's only getting closer and closer and I can't move.

"Anika?!" The muffled voice asked again, only this time it was more urgent. I get pushed under water and when I get back to the surface it's all back to normal. Newt's standing in front of me, worry coating his features.

"Oh my god, Anika. You okay?" He asked. I nodded. "I lost you there for a second. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," I peeped. "Just a little tired." He hugged me again, but this time really hugged me instead of trying to make my clothes wet. I hugged him back.

"You know, I'm always here if you need to talk. All of us are. Even Minho. He may seem like he doesn't like you but he'll help if you need it," He whispered.

"I know," I whispered back as we separated from the hug. "I just never wanna bother anyone with my worthless problems."

"Oh, Anika. Your problems aren't worthless and neither are you," He started, "You deserve to be listened to just as much as everyone else," He said. I try to hold back my tears. I can't cry in front of them. I won't cry in front of them.