The Summer We Found Us | BoyxBoy Romance (18+)

Chapter 21 | Tobias

I turned up the volume even harder on my phone and pushed it back into my pocket. I needed to turn off the thoughts in my head. I had to tune it all out.

Running up and down this trail or taking swims after dinner the past few days has been helping me. Sort of. It's nice not to be in the house when I know both of them hate me so damn much.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to concentrate on my breathing.

Opening up my eyes again, I rounded a corner.

I can't believe the two people I never wanted to lose the most in this lifetime both have so much anger towards me.

I mean, why wouldn't they? I fucked up. I'm a mistake. I'm nothing.

"You became...nothing." He leaned down over me, squishing and rubbing his spit all over my face with the palm of his hand. "You...are...nothing..."

"Shut up! Shut Up! Shut Up!" I yelled, crouching down. His voice is so loud in my head. It's only getting louder. I need it to stop.

I breathed deep heavy breaths and stood back up. Beginning to run again, I wiped my forehead with my arm. I've been running for so long on an empty stomach today.

I've thrown up twice on this run but who the fuck cares? I shouldn't even be here.

Elijah was right. Now that Jude has woken up to how awful of a person I am, they can both move on with their lives.

My stomach suddenly cramped, urging me to stop once again.

"You're a dumb piece of shit that couldn't even do the one thing you were supposed to do"

I shook my head to try and shake out the returning thoughts of him. It's not working. Nothing is working. I crawled over to a nearby tree and sat down to lean my back on the trunk.

I needed to catch my breath.

Why am I even here?

Next thing you know I'm walking over to the doc behind the lakehouse. I'm a little way over so you couldn't see me if you tried. And no one is trying so I'm fine.

Not bothering to take off my gym shorts or my shoes, I walked straight into the water and started swimming. It was evening time at this point and I've been out all day. I bet they just think I've gone home. I bet they think I've finally done what I'm supposed to do and just...disappear.

I closed my eyes and breathed out. The surface growing more distant as I sank deeper.

Finally, peace.

There was no more air left in my lungs and I finally felt better. The burn welcomed me which made me smile.

I opened my eyes to see a beautiful woman, swimming towards me. She was dressed in a long white dress with her blonde beautiful hair cascading around her. She reached out to me and I reached back.

Suddenly, my whole body was torn away. I felt a huge body dragging me up and out of the water.

My lungs hurt so badly. I coughed and coughed as a hand patted and rubbed my back. I spat as much water out as possible but I still felt sick.

It took a few minutes of heavy breathing but I soon felt better. As soon as I came to, I realized I was lying on the dock. I turned around to see a very wet Elijah, coughing and spitting out water. He sat there, his clothes now sticking to his body. He was soaked. His hair matted to his face, dripping like a wet rag.

I couldn't help but smile. He looked cute like that. "What are you doing?" My voice sounded scratchy.

"Me? Saving your life, you dummy." He nudged my shoulder. I was too weak to sit up anymore. I laid back down on the dock, and he lay down beside me.