Alone With You (Remma)

The Unimaginable

TW: SIDE CHARACTER DEATH 😏

It was Monday and the last class of the day had just ended. Byron and Emma were supposed to meet at the front gate and then walk to the pool together. Emma's heart was beating fast, her hands shaking, but she had to face Byron at some point, the time was now. She hoped he wouldn't say anything about her running into the ocean at their last practice, but who wouldn't?

She had a big, extensive explanation prepared, with the help of Cleo and Rikki. Emma had apologized to Rikki at lunch for overreacting about the DNA sample but she still felt bitterness radiating from the other girl. She said she forgave Emma but Emma sensed dishonesty. Nevertheless, Emma told her about what happened with Byron and Rikki seemed mildly concerned. The three girls used their 40 minute lunch period to make a rough draft of what Emma would tell Byron when he asked where she went that night and why.

She would say that she thought she felt a crab pinch her butt so she ran into the ocean because she is terrified of crabs. And then she would say that she was too embarrassed to come back so she swam to the other side of the beach and ran home from there. They knew the explanation was completely flawed and absurd but it was the best they could come up with.

When Emma caught sight of Byron waiting for her by the school gate, she debated running the other direction, but then he saw her and it was too late. He waved. And smiled?

"Hey," he said, normally.

"Hi," replied Emma, confused. Was he really not going to ask any questions?

They got all the way to the pool and all the way through practice without a word about Emma's early departure a few days ago. It was as if Byron had forgotten.

"You can do five cool-down laps and then we'll be done for the day," Emma told the boy in the pool.

He simply nodded and got to work. Back and forth, Back and forth, Back and forth. Emma watched as the boy touched the wall for the final time today. She looked around the pool, only one or two other people were swimming. Practice must have gone later than usual and all the other swimmer's practices had already ended.

Byron climbed out of the pool dripping wet and he walked toward the girl. She carefully handed him his water bottle, making sure his sopping wet hand didn't touch her dry one.

"Thanks," he said, taking a big gulp of water. "How did I do today?"

Emma smiled. "Amazingly, I'd say. You've shaved seconds off of your hundred meters, Zane doesn't stand a chance."

"I really hope you're right." He cleared his throat and asked, "Um, are you going to be there this Friday?" referring to the school's swimming sports competition which had finally arrived after three weeks of preparation.

"I'm not sure yet," she said. "It may be a few too many people in one place for me, in that small room and all."

"But you used to be a swimmer. You know what it's like."

"But it's different now, I just don't want to–"

"Get wet?"

Emma closed her mouth as she was about to make an excuse and just looked at the boy. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing–nevermind," he said.

"No, you said something–"

"I just said that you don't want to get wet. That's what it seems like from my viewpoint. Like you're suddenly afraid of water or something. Why are you so afraid?"

She was silent. And terrified. Was this simply questioning, or was it something more? Was it an accusation? Emma felt her lunch swirling around in her stomach, circling and circling. Waiting, perhaps, to come back in the form of nervous vomit.