Ten & Levan

2. Two

TEN

I sneeze thrice in a row as I walk to my locker.

Shit, I shouldn't have scheduled the cliff dive that early. I believe mom kindly pointed the same out before I left home early yesterday morning. Yes, the water was so cold that I felt each molecule of it penetrate my skin like a million needles. Yes, I felt it run like electricity through my whole body; I felt it wake me up. Yes, it's might get harder to breathe if I catch a cold. And yes, it wasn't all that wise. But the thrill was worth it, it's worth it every time.

For a moment, the collision with the water freezes you; it might just make you believe you're dead. Three seconds into the collision and you're still be sinking into the blue, but it's just important not to panic and kick your survival instincts will kick in. In a blink, you're swimming your way up to the light, and it happens in the slowest motion possible, you're rising; light as air. Eight seconds post-collision; you emerge out of the water and take your first breath since you took the leap, and you thank the universe for that breath, for that moment, for what is and not what could be or what was; just the now.

I can think about cliff diving all day, just the thought of it fills me up with excitement; it courses through my body like a current and then it overflows out of my mouth, nose and ears like smoke. Wow, stop it Ten, I think and take a moment to stabilize myself before looking back at Thea, who is giving me a look of disappointment. She knows what I've been up to so I offer her a smile, trying to convince her that in no way am I suicidal.

"Cliff-diving again?" she questions, arching a single wicked brow.

"Yeah," I tell her, turning to open my locker and trying to avoid her green gaze. By no surprise, she's still staring holes into me when I turn around to face her. I groan and roll my eyes; she's trying to make me feel guilty. "I'm fine, chill a little, live; it's your cliché first day of high school." I try to divert her thoughts but she shows me her palm and I shut up.

"Whatever," she closes her eyes and sighs, "I don't even try with you anymore. And it's not like I've never been to school, so stop saying that it's my first day," she mutters to herself, before turning around and whipping her fiery red ponytail into my face. She starts to walk toward her first class, and even though I don't want her to switch the drama mode on, I try to catch up with her. She's quick and cold as ice when she's playing mom for me. But she's always playing mom.

"But it is your first day, Athena," I say, laughing inside my mouth. Her stride slows down a notch, that's how I'm sure heard me. "And where are you going? Do you even know where your first class is...Athena?" There, I said it again. Between Thea and I, full name equals scorch, burn, straight up ashes.

"Whatever, Tenerife," she strikes back, holding a palm up in my face yet again, I slam mine into hers. She looks at me wide-eyed, clearly pissed. I try hard to suppress my laughter. "Kiss my ass, you loser." She rolls her eyes away from me and starts to walk even faster.

"You're a goddess, Athena, it'll be my pleasure." I put my hands together in a prayer and bow down to her.

"Ugh, stop embarrassing me," she winces as we approach her class.

"You know I can't do that." I wink at her. She closes her eyes and takes deep breaths, I'm pretty sure she's thinking of places to bury me later this evening. She tramples inside without giving me a second glace. Once she's in her seat, she flips me the bird. Laughing, I turn around but bump into a hard chest.

"Ow!" I squeak, impulsively rubbing my head.

"Watch it, Ten." Todd is gripping me by the shoulders for balance. When I open my eyes, he's smiling at me. I fake a smile too, tilting my head to the side.