The Survivor

Chapter 5

I was torn from my thoughts when there was a knock at my door. I shook my head and tried to focus, but my thoughts were burned into my brain. I moved to the door and opened it to be welcomed by Liam. It was early morning and everyone was still asleep.

"Hey," he said quietly.

"Hi."

"Can I-Can I come in?" he asked, nodding toward my room.

I examimed his face for a second before briefly nodding and opening the door a bit wider so he could get in. His eyes trailed along my walls, marveling at the hundreds of newspaper clippings about me and/or the crash. Then, there were a few pictures of my parents and I, Blake and I, and my dog-a huge, solid white Tibetan Mastiff named Lykós. He stopped in front of the pictures Uncle Si took before prom. I was wearing a strapless, floor length, full-skirted indigo gown and Blake wore a tuxedo with an indigo tie.

I was smiling.

It was the smile you only saw when I was around Blake.

It was a real smile.

"Is this your prom?" he asked.

"Yeah," I nodded, smiling at the memory of that night.

FLASHBACK

It was the night of the senior prom and I hadn't been asked by anyone, so I just sat in the living room, cuddling with Lykós. The doorbell rang and I thought nothing of it, so I went to answer it.

There stood Blake, in a tuxedo, with my favorite yellow roses in corsage form.

"Blake?" I asked, surprised.

"Hey Ath...Will you go to prom with me?" he asked, smiling at me.

My eyes lit up and I smiled back, truly happy.

"Yes, Blake," I grinned, nodding.

"YAY! Now go get ready!!" he said excitedly, coming inside and steering me to my room. I, of course, was laughing the entire way.

I only laughed around Blake.

I shut the door to my room and ran to my closet, pulling out the gown I wore to the Jingle Ball. It was a strapless, floor-length, full-skirted indigo gown with intricate silver beading toward the top and waist of it. I laid it on my bed before taking a quick shower and blow drying my hair. I curled it perfectly, letting my thick, dark brown hair flow down my back. I applied a purple smoky eye, coral lip gloss, and feathery mascara before changing into my dress. I slipped on a pair of matching pumps and clasped on the locket Blake gave me.

When I walked into the living room, Blake's jaw dropped.

"Ath, you look...wow. You look stunning," he said, his eyes never leaving mine. He carefully slid the corsage onto my wrist and Uncle Si, being the awesome uncle he was, took pictures in front of the huge mansion.

FLASHBACK OVER

"It was the best night of my life. He completely surprised me," I said softly.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked after a second.

"Depends," I said warily.

"You only smile around Blake. Why?"

I was silent for a few minutes before answering in a hard voice.

"He understands," was all I said before I swiftly left and knocked on Blake's door.

He answered immediately and I wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, holding me close to him.

"Blake, you're the only one I trust. You're the only one that understands. You've saved me. Please. Help me find out what Mom meant," I begged, my eyes desperate.

"Shhh," he whispered, hugging me tightly. "I'll always be by your side, I'll never let you fall."

LIAM'S POV

It broke my heart when Athena said she only trusted Blake. She doesn't trust us? She doesn't trust ME? I sort of understand, though. Blake gave up everything he had to be with Athena after the crash and he has always been her best friend. He's the reason she didn't kill herself.

He understands her better than anybody. I realize she has walls that she built up and I caught a glimpse past them. She's broken. She only smiles and laughs around Blake. She's only herself around Blake.

Her icy blue eyes have seen things I could never imagine, her memory is scarred with unthinkable images, but yet, her eyes never show fear or weakness around us. She's always guarded. She only lets her guard down around Blake. She only feels safe in his arms.

And that's what hurts the most.

I crept away from my hiding spot and trudged downstairs, feeling defeated. It's obvious he loves her and it's becoming clear that she loves him.

ATHENA'S POV

I'm falling in love...with Liam. Slowly, I'm letting him tear down the walls even Blake hasn't seen through. Liam's bringing out the old me...or at least, what's left of her. It's terrifying. The pain that the fear is bringing me is getting to be unbearable. But more than anything, the pain of the past that haunts me is killing me inside. The memories attack me and never let me move on.

I stood in front of the bathroom sink, holding a razor in my left hand. I stared down at it, wondering if this really would help me feel better. My hand started shaking and I dropped the blade before running out to the pool as fast as my feet could carry me. Fully clothed, I jumped into the warm water and huddled in a ball in the corner of the bottom of the pool. I accidently let my breath out and just before I swam to the surface...I realized I could breathe. I COULD FREAKIN' BREATHE UNDERWATER!!!!!!!

*~*~*~*

Sorry guys, I didn't have much inspiration for this chapter.

But

WHY THE HECK CAN SHE BREATHE UNDERWATER?!?!?!?!

Only I know!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!