Just A Ghost

6

I woke up on my own around ten. I climbed out of the bunk and onto the floor of the empty bus. I stretched and made my way to the door. Outside in chairs were Manny and Kevin. "Look whose up" Kevin laughed as he come over and hugged me.

Manny looked up from his phone and shot me a smile. "Need to borrow a shirt?" He asked.

"Would be nice" I yawned as I looked down at the same shirt I'd been wearing for a few days now.

"Come on" he went to the bus and began digging through a bag. He handed me a folded up plain black shirt. I took off Kevin's sweatshirt and my t-shirt and slid this one on. It was baggy but I didn't mind.

"Thanks" I hugged him.

"No problem" he smirked and put his hat on my head. I blushed suddenly.

"Lookin' good" Kevin laughed. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink or anything?"

"Toast maybe?" I asked politely.

"Of course baby" he winked. He just called me baby. I hid my even redder face in my hands. I had never felt this way before and I wasn't quite sure if I liked it or not. "That's adorable" he laughed and gently pulled my hands from my face. "Maria" he looked deep into my eyes. "You're beautiful"

My face got even redder and my hands shot up to cover it again. The ever growing smile didn't fade from my face even as Bryan walked in. "Nice morning run" he laughed. Alix came in behind him mumbling a song under his breath. I couldn't help but laugh at him, he wore black basketball shorts and a pink t-shirt.

"I'll change don't worry" he assured us. I looked over at Kevin who also held in his laughter.

Kevin handed me a paper plate with two pieces of toast on it. "Here you go" he smiled.

"Thanks" I noticed my stomach began to growl. It had been a while since I ate. I was hesitant to eat it but I did. "Not bad"

"I like food, I know how to make good food" he sat beside me. "Thinking maybe we can go do some fun stuff today?"

"Like what?" Evan asked as he climbed sleepily from his bottom bunk.

"Hey I wasn't the last one up"

"Nope" he groaned.

"I was thinking" Kevin continued "about going swimming or something fun like that"

"I don't have a swim suit" I sighed.

"And neither do we" Manny laughed and brought my plate to the trash. "It could still be fun though."

"It's cold" Evan complained.

"Suck it up!" Kevin laughed smugly. "It's not snowing, we are good"

"This is Denver not California" Evan mumbled again as he put on his shoes.

"So?"

"I'm up for it" I laughed a little. "Just not for too long"

"Sounds great!" Kevin grabbed my hand and held it for a moment. "Maria?" He murmured softly.

"Yes?" I blushed, covering my mouth with my free hand.

"You are so beautiful, and sweet, and kind in every way, will you be my girlfriend" his eyes locked with mine.

I felt my face turn even redder, I stood motionless for a moment them smiled. "Of course!"

He hugged me tight and lifted me up. "Thank you" he held me close. "Thank you so much"

I looked over his shoulder at Bryan. His face was stone cold and hard but as soon as he caught me looking at him he smiled. "You two are cute" he patted Kevin on the back.

"Thanks man" Kevin looked at Bryan with a confused look. "Anyway let's go swimming!" He grabbed my hand and led me out of the bus.

Outside the wind was chilly but the sun was quite warm, unusual weather for October. We all followed Evan as he led us down a dirt path and to a rocky beach. Slowly we made our way down the rocks. I sat down and took off my socks and shoes, my pants however had to suffer the horrible fate of becoming wet, skinny jeans don't roll up easily. I took off Kevin's sweatshirt and get in on top of my shoes. I looked over at the boys. Bryan had his shirt on still and his jeans rolled practically to his knees. Evan and Alix both wore tank tops and jeans rolled up to their calfs. Manny had his shirt off and his pants weren't altered. Kevin sat right by me, his shirt off and his pants rolled barely above his ankles.

I hugged him and felt that both of our body's were covered in goose bumps. "Whose going in first?" He asked.

"I'm not a wuss" Bryan smiled and stepped one foot in. "Holy balls it's cold!" The rest of us laughed.

Manny walked into the creak slowly, the water rising up to his chest. "It's cold!" He shouted but continued to go deeper. Alix and Evan sprinted in and hit a drop off causing both of them to become submerged in the water for a moment. They came up laughing.

"Our turn baby" Kevin grabbed my hand as we slowly walked into the water. It pierced my skin as I touched it and suctioned my pants and shirt to my body. I held onto Kevin as feet no longer could touch the dirt and plant life at the bottom. He leaned on his back and helped me swim to the middle where the rest were. I held onto Kevin as my legs struggled to keep me afloat. I had never really learned to swim but I kept that secret from them.

"Hey Hun come here" Manny took my hands and brought me deeper into the water.

I turned around just in time to see Bryan tackle Kevin and pull him under the water. Kevin arose from the water with his hair matter to his face. His eyes blazed with anger as he lunged at Bryan and brought him down into the water. Manny laughed as he graciously helped me stay afloat.

Once their wresting was over both of the soaked boys swam over to us. Kevin pulled me away from Manny and began to float, he pulled me on top of him. Both of us on our backs bobbed gently in the water, his arms wrapped loosely around my waist. I held onto his arms as the air went silent. Bryan shot up from under the water causing Kevin to jump. While doing so I was thrown off of him.

Water surrounded me, it was all I could see, hear, and feel. I opened my mouth to scream for help but water quickly ran into my lungs. I reached above me as I shut my eyes tight. As I gave up my struggle I felt a tight grip on both of my wrists.