Submerge

W A V E S

The morning sun was already blazing hot, casting a golden glow through the windows of Nathan's apartment. I was sprawled out on the couch, feeling the oppressive heat even through the thin layer of my shirt. Nathan and Liam were in the kitchen, debating over what to do to escape the heat.

"It's way too hot to stay cooped up in here," Liam said, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge. "We should hit the beach. Cool off in the water."

Nathan's face lit up. "That sounds perfect. We could use a day of relaxation. What do you think, Mason?"

The idea of going to the beach made my heart race, and not in a good way. Water was no longer the haven it used to be; it was a constant reminder of my worst memory. I forced a smile, trying to hide my anxiety. "Yeah, sure. Sounds good."

Liam clapped his hands together. "Great! I'll pack some snacks and drinks. We can make a day of it."

I nodded, swallowing hard. The thought of going to the beach made my stomach churn, but I didn't want to ruin their plans. Maybe I could just stay on the sand and avoid the water.

An hour later, we were on our way. The drive was filled with chatter and laughter, the upbeat atmosphere contrasting sharply with the knot of fear tightening in my chest. When we finally arrived, the sight of the vast ocean stretching out before us sent a chill down my spine despite the heat.

We found a spot to set up our blankets and umbrellas. Nathan and Liam immediately headed towards the water, eager to cool off. I stayed behind, pretending to busy myself with arranging our things.

"Come on, Mason!" Liam called, already waist-deep in the water. "It's perfect!"

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of stepping into the water sent a wave of panic crashing over me. But I didn't want to disappoint them. I took a deep breath and forced myself to stand up.

"Go ahead, I'll be right there," Isaid, trying to sound casual.

Nathan and Liam headed toward the water, laughing and splashing each other as they waded in.

They didn't seem to notice my reluctance and continued towards the ocean. I sat down on the edge of our beach blanket, my eyes fixed on the waves. Memories of that day at the lake flooded my mind, the panic, the helplessness, Emma's face...

My breathing became shallow, and I could feel my heart racing. The waves seemed to grow larger, louder, crashing with a force that echoed the turmoil inside me. I tried to steady myself, taking deep breaths, but the anxiety was overwhelming. I looked towards the water and saw Nathan and Liam diving into the waves, laughing and splashing each other.

Minutes passed, and I tried to distract myself by focusing on the people around us. Kids building sandcastles, families enjoying picnics, surfers riding the waves. But my eyes kept drifting back to Nathan and Liam, who were now swimming further out.

I stood up, wanting to join them, to be normal, but my legs felt like lead. The fear gripped me, tightening its hold with every passing second. I watched as Nathan disappeared under a wave, and my heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through me, irrational and uncontrollable.

"Nathan!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the noise of the beach. "Nathan!"

He re-emerged, laughing and shaking the water from his hair, but the relief was fleeting. My mind was trapped in a loop, convinced that something terrible was about to happen. I took a step forward, but my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the sand, tears streaming down my face.

I couldn't move. My chest felt like it was being crushed, the weight of my fear pressing down, making it hard to breathe. The world around me started to blur, the sounds of laughter and waves fading into a distant hum. I was back at the lake, back in that moment of sheer terror, watching helplessly as Emma slipped away.

"Mason, are you okay?" Liam's voice broke through my haze of panic. He was kneeling beside me, his face etched with concern.

"I can't... I can't do this," I stammered, the words choking in my throat.

Liam put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's alright. Nathan's fine. Look, he's right there."

I looked up and saw Nathan running towards us, his face a mix of confusion and worry. "Mason, what's wrong?"

The tears came harder, and I couldn't stop them. "I thought... I thought you drowned," I sobbed, unable to control the torrent of emotions.

Nathan knelt down beside me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I'm right here, Mason. I'm not going anywhere. It's okay."

Nathan's hold tightened as he processed my words, his expression shifting from confusion to realization and then to a deep sorrow. He understood the root of my panic, the unbearable fear of losing another loved one to the water. His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he held me, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise you, Mason. I'm not leaving you. Ever."

Liam sat down next to us, his presence calm and steady. "Let's just sit here for a bit, okay? We don't have to go in the water. We'll just enjoy the sun and the sand."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. The panic attack was subsiding, but the fear still lingered. Nathan kept his arm around me, his presence a comforting anchor. I clung to him, feeling the solidity of his body, the warmth of his skin. It grounded me, pulling me back from the edge of my terror.

We sat there for a long time, the three of us watching the waves from a safe distance. Nathan and Liam didn't pressure me to move or talk; they just stayed with me.

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AN:

First of all Thanks guys for the 5k reads!! it really means a lot to me and gives me motive to continue this story.