Stay /// Ethan Dolan /// EDITING

Chapter 21 - I'll save her

"ETHAN!" I yell, slightly crying. Out of all times, Ethan has to come now. It would have been way better if we had talked in a not so wet and dramatic place.

I wasn't joking when I said Ethan is always here when I'm upset, but this time, I really do need him.

I'm basically hanging from my own skin, only holding myself up with my arms and the small edge that my tippy toes could fit on, on a rock.

Waves continue to wash over me, choking me with its salty water. Each wave was like I jumped into a pit of lava, my raw flesh burns, bringing hot tears running down my eyes, not that you can see them anyway.

I call Ethan's name, each time getting quieter and quieter. Sounding like a whistle. I can't speak, my throat burns. But all I can do is cry.

Ethan's pov

Listening to Bela's shrieks is pure torture. Why would she do this to me?

"IM GOING TO GET HELP" I shout, I'm in a state of panic I don't know what to do.

But who could be out at this time of night?

Bela's shrieks become smaller. I check if shes still moving out there, but I can't see that far.

"BELA STAY WITH ME" I yell.

"ETHAN PLEASE!" She cries.

Another wave crashes over her, she screams. If I was there, I wouldn't let anything get to her.

But I can't do it, it's too rough. I could never be able to swim out there without panicking.

But Bela's out there, she'll be with me.

I look out at the rough sea. I'll die out there, but at least she won't, not with me. I'll save her.

I promised her one thing, to always be there.

I pull off my shirt, chucking my shoes off. I find myself swimming for my life, well for Bela's.

Trust me I'm freaking out, but I couldn't let her know that.

I reach the rock she's been stranded on, the state of her leaves me shocked. The rock latches onto her, blood spilling from her cuts.

She breaths heavily.

"Shit Bela" I whisper. "We're gonna get you out of here okay?"

She doesn't answer, just cries.

The only thing I could do at the moment is get her unhooked from the rock. "This will hurt" I say.

I could hear small no's coming for her dry throat but I resume, knowing that she'll pull through. I force her body the opposite direction, ripping the skin.

She shrieks in pain, so loud it could break glass. But this is the only thing I could do.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" I say, squeezing her hand.

I spot a wave coming towards us, so I cover her body with mine. It was cold, ice cold.

Think E. Think.

I look around for something to hold her. A piece of a surf board washes up against the rock.

I instantly grab it and position it in the water, quickly grabbing Bela and placing her stomach down on the board, revealing her batted and cut back. I let her legs hang off the side into the water, but even though this is supposed to be a comfortable position, she's in pain.

I look behind us for waves, if we go now we might just make it out alive.

"Bela listen to me, hold as tight onto the board as possible. Don't let go. You're good" I say calmly.

She nods, closing her eyes tightly.

I jump in the freezing cold water with her, swaying with the ocean, I kick board her towards the shore.

Suddenly a wave washes over us, but I manage to hold a grip on her wrist, while we tumble under water.

I swim to the surface, throwing her over my shoulders. We're metres from hitting shore.

Bela's pov

I cough up water as Ethan pulls me over his shoulders. He swims as fast as he could, using waves to push us to shore.

I could feel the thump of his foot touching the ocean bottom. He swings me around to the front, he holds me in his arms.

I start to see double of things. I look at Ethan's determined expression, as he walks on the damp sand.

He lays me down on the sand.

"I'm going to get help, just stay with me!" He shouts, it echoes inside my head.

My eyes feel droopy.

"Bela, stay with me! Don't you close your eyes!" He shouts, laying me in his knees.

I grip the sand, letting it slide throw my fingers. Knowing I'm on land now makes me feel safe, and Ethan's here.

I look up at him, as droplets of water drop down his nose onto my cheek. His dark brown wet hair hangs over his eyes.

"Focus on me, look at me" he says.

"I did that naturally" I smile.

As he breaths heavily from the swim, he smiles at me, showing his teeth. "You're gonna be okay Bela" he says.

"I know" I laugh.

The sound of the waves crashing on the shore have disappeared and the sound of the wind has gone too. The only sound I could hear is his laugh.

My eyes can't look away from his deep brown eyes, with streaks of gold. I see him in different ages again. From a little kid with mud on his face from my party, the awkward bowl cut hair stage, his loud contagious 15 year old laugh and the cute smile now.

I'm happy I was there for everything.

Soon there's no sound, and no colour. Just black.