The Forgotten

The Forgotten (6)

Lia introduced me to Hayley as soon as we got to the beach. She was really energetic and convinced a whole lot of people to play a massive game of beach volleyball. “Hey do you guys want to play?” She asked us. “Yeah sure.” We both replied. I saw Marcus coming over to me with a huge grin on his face. “There’s no need to worry; I’m here. We can ditch these guys and go to a quieter part of this beach.” He suggested with a smirk on his face. “I think I’d rather play beach volleyball to be honest.” I replied breezily. “If my team wins against you, you have to go out with me.” He challenged. I thought for a while and then shrugged. “I guess we have a deal. I don’t know why you have to resort to this to ask me out.” I told him. “You wouldn’t accept otherwise.” He replied. “Yeah that’s true.” I admitted grinning.

We all got into our positions. It turned out that everyone wanted to do Boys vs. Girls because it would be more interesting. “Ness, do you like Marcus?” Lia asked me. I looked at her as if she was crazy and then shook my head. “Then why would you agree to this then?” She demanded incredulous. “I am actually really good at volleyball.” I whispered and winked at her. She laughed at me and we got ready to play the game. The ball was thrown into the air and as soon as it came to our side, I leaped in the air and patted it down to their side. The boys all tried to hit it but I used so much force that it hit the sand straight away. Marcus looked shocked and I winked at him before celebrating with my team.

We won by a landslide. It turns out that most of the girls were really good at volleyball and only Marcus and Cory were good on the boys’ team. “No fair. You guys cheated.” Marcus whined. “Aww don’t be a baby Marcus.” I replied. “Shut up Vanessa.” He complained but I kept on teasing him. I started to walk away with Lia when all of a sudden Marcus splashed me with water. I ran and splashed him back. A load of other people joined in because we accidentally wet them as well so the beach was dominated with teenagers having a water fight.

I ran back onto the sand whilst everyone was preoccupied with their massive water fight. I tried to leave and go back to the hotel discreetly but I failed completely. I was walking back one moment and the next I was staring at Marcus’ arse as I was slung over his shoulder. “Marcus please put me down.” I begged him. He probably thought I was worried about getting wet but that wasn’t it. If I was correct, he was going to throw me into the sea and I can’t swim very well. “Sorry babes but this is what you get for cheating.” He yelled in an amused voice. He lifted me up from his shoulders and threw me. I screamed in horror before I hit the water with a big splash.

I swam quickly to the surface and tried to inhale as much oxygen as I could. “Hurry up and swim back or you’ll be taken out further by the tide and it will be harder to swim.” He called grinning. My eyes widened in fear and I completely froze. My body was overcome with so much fear I couldn’t muster the strength to swim back to shore. A wave came in and I was forced under the water again. I struggled back up to the surface again. “Hurry up Vanessa!” Marcus called seriously. Lia spotted me and started to run towards Marcus. I had told her before that I couldn’t swim that well and she had offered to teach me but I was in deep shit at that moment. Marcus face turned stony and that was all I saw before I began to sink. The water crushed me until I couldn’t find the energy to even fight it. My eyes began to close as I saw arms reaching towards me...

I could hear voices all around me. “WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU THROW HER IN?” I heard Lia screaming. “I didn’t know she couldn’t swim.” I heard Marcus growl back at her. His voice was much closer than Lia’s as if he was talking right next to my face. I suddenly began to cough and slowly opened my eyes. “Are you okay Ness?” Hayley asked quietly as I began to cough out the rest of the water that was clogging up my throat. “Just peachy.” I replied smiling sheepishly. Lia threw her arms around me and almost squeezed the life out of me. “For such a thin girl, you can sure squeeze tight.” I told her. My eyes landed on Marcus who was looking very concerned. “Lia give her some air. Vanessa I am so sorry. I didn’t realise that you couldn’t swim. I wouldn’t have done that if I had known; you know that right?” He told me and I nodded.

I was treated like royalty from then and I loved the treatment. Marcus gave me a piggyback ride from the beach to the hotel. I must’ve fallen asleep because when I woke up I was in my hotel bed. Marcus was sitting next to my bed and watching me very carefully. “Oh good you’re awake. You have a call.” He told me before handing me my phone. I picked up to be greeted by a frantic Jessica. “What is this that I’m hearing that you almost drowned? Why the hell would you try and swim in the sea?” She demanded. “Jeez calm down. I didn’t try to swim in the sea – I got thrown in. There is a huge difference.” I replied and Marcus shot me an apologetic glance. “I’ve been worried sick. I heard about that. Is he there? Because I wanna give that arsehole a piece of my mind!” Jessica growled furiously. “You’re not speaking to him Jess. It was a silly mistake. I’m okay now. How’s your day been?” I tried to change the subject. “Well I felt kind of weird at one part of the day and then mum gets a phone call that you almost drowned and I knew why. You’re lucky it’s me calling and not mum you know.” My sister told me. “How did you manage to convince her not to call?” I asked. “I told her that she would stress you more.” She replied. “Well that is the truth. I’m really sorry Jess but I’m kinda tired now. I’ll talk to you soon sis.” I told her. “Alright, take it easy Ness. Be careful from now on sis, I don’t want to be worrying about you this summer!” Jessica warned before hanging up. I sighed and put my phone on the bedside table. I looked at the Marcus who was sitting next to my bed. “Thanks Marcus for looking after me.” I whispered before my eyelids became heavy and I drifted back to sleep.