Did you forget me {Jonathan Toews}

Chapter 15

When I finally come up for air, they're all still standing on the edge of the platform. I don't think David realizes that his mouth is hanging open, and my brother certainly doesn't realize that he's crushing a hole in the pool noodle he's holding. Blondie is the only one that has a semi-normal expression on her face.

I have to force myself to look at Jon, and when I do I automatically sink lower into the water. He's the only one looking directly at me, and the expression on his face is like a punch in the stomach. He looks as if someone kicked his mother and then cut his arm off. His hands are clenched and his eyes search my face. I break eye contact because his stare is so intense I'm afraid he'll see through my skin to all the secrets I've kept hidden.

I call out, breaking them from their trance, "What are you losers still doing up there? I'm not the only one that should be freezing their ass off!"

Chase drops the broken pool noodle and tells me in German so the others won't understand. "Vi.... we can't ignore it forever" Then lets out a whoop and cannonballs into the water next to me.

As ungrateful as I am for the unnecessary splash aimed in my direction, I am immensely grateful for his transition into normalcy, as it opens the door for everyone else to move on from the previous emotionally charged moment.

David follows closely after Chase, and practically lands on top of him when he jumps in. Even Blondie gets in, although it takes her a good five minutes to slowly lower herself into the water, while trying her hardest not to get her hair wet.

And then there is only Jon, frozen still from the moment I first jumped in, though now he's staring at the water with a far away look in his eyes. In an effort to break him from his trance, I call out to him. "You know, if you don't get in soon you're going to break the pact, and you know the consequences for breaking the pact"

He forces a smile at this, then jumps in, and I'm thrown back to the day we all made the ridiculous agreement to freeze our asses off every year.

***

[PSA this is not all in a different language, it's a flashback]

The wind whipped my hair away from my face as the boat sped away from the shore. I looked to my right and grinned at Jon, and my heart fluttered when he smiled back at me. He just came back from his first year away at the University of  North Dakota where he's been playing hockey, and I missed him. More than I should have.

Chase was driving the boat and David was acting as co-captain. We were headed out towards the island when the boat suddenly veered off course and out towards the middle of the lake. After Chase cut the engine, David motioned Jon and I over towards them.
I gave them both a curious look and asked "What are we doing?"

Chase gets a mischievous look on his face and replies "We're going to have a little competition."

At this Jon and I both tense up. As older siblings we have learned to expect the worst from the younger two.
David laughs at our expressions and begins explaining. "Let's call it deep sea diving. Whoever lasts the longest in the water gets to control the music for the summer and if anyone refuses to jump in then they have to sit on the ice in their swimsuit the next winter."

I immediately protest, "Dude both of those situations will probably end in hypothermia how is this even relevant to controlling the music?"

Chase scoffs at this "Okay mom. You're just scared you're going to lose control of the music."

I roll my eyes and peel off my cover up. "As if. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm in, let's go."

Chase and David let out a whoop and race to line up on the edge of the boat. Jon and I make our way over and stand next to them. And when he looks at me and asks "Together?" I nod my head, take his hand, and jump.

***

I lose on purpose this time. I wait exactly two minutes after Blondie gives up to bail, then climb out and wrap myself in a towel.

This pact that we all formed that day also acted as the catalyst of Jon and I's relationship, and it kills me that now it is what highlights the end.

***
Hey guys

SO its been a very very very long time since I last updated and I'm very sorry about that. Also sorry that this is such a short chapter but I've had major writers block and a lot of things happening in my life for the past few months so I just haven't had the time or motivation to try to overcome the writers block and I'm sorry for that. I'm going to try to start writing again but I can't guarantee any updates as of now. I do want to finish this story though, it just may take a while. // Char