A.N. HI GUYS. WE'RE SYDNEY AND LAUREN AND WE HAD THE "BRILLIANT" IDEA FOR THIS BOOK AT THE LAKE. ANYWAYS, THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WE'VE EVER WRITTEN, SO JUST BARE WITH US. YOU'RE ALL AWESOME.
*3 years later*
Graduation day, either one of your best days or one of your worst. I still haven't figured out which one today will be, and I'm a nervous wreck because of it. Mom tells me we have to leave in half an hour, but it feels like only seconds have passed before I slip on my gown and cap, ready to leave but not quite prepared for what comes next.
I walked out of the front door and heard the ocean roaring from the porch of our oceanfront house. I shivered as I remember what happened 3 years ago. Mom had run out into the ocean in her cargo pants, soaking her whole body in the sea water. Screaming my name, she searched for me in the abyss of the ocean. She found my body face down in the water, a deadweight just coasting over the waves. She struggled to pull my body out of the ocean and drag me onto the beach. I'd passed out from the impact of the board to my head.
By the time we were on dry land, she collapsed with exhaustion from fighting the waves. A shaggy-haired man was on the beach, Nicholas, and he told my mom he'd called 911. An ambulance was on its way. Nicholas tried to calm Mom down on the drive to the hospital. She was hysterically crying; she thought I was dead.
I woke up 14 hours later in a hospital bed with Mom standing next to my stark white bed. "Oh, thank goodness!" She said as she leaned down and kissed my forehead over and over. "I love you honey. So much. I love you I love you I love you."
"I love you too, mom." My voice squeaked out the 5 words. That's all I remember to this day.
~
My sister, Claire, waves her hand in front of my face, saying "Allllliiiisssoooonnnn? You coming, grad?"
"Yeah, I'm coming. Sorry, I kind of zoned out there." Our large family of 8 piled into the back of my mom's light blue Prius, all crammed together in the backseat with my parents in the front. The car dips a little and is only a couple inches off the ground, but you know, it gets us around. Dad started the engine and we sped away. School's only 10 minutes away, but when your stomach is flipping over and over on itself, it makes the car ride feel like forever.
Together, all of us walked into the auditorium. I felt the hundreds of eyes stare in my direction as I walked through the open doorway. Since the accident my friends have treated me like some vulnerable child, always needing a babysitter to look after me. The entire class of '14 pitied me. Not tonight though, tonight I'll prove that I'm just as mature and capable as every one else. Mom doesn't know it yet, but I was invited to the biggest college party on the West Coast. College students get together and throw this huge party on the pier every year for the freshman.
The ceremony proceeded as normal ones do: students being called up, shaking hands, then walking back off stage. Fortunately, I managed not to trip on my gown and that's always a good sign. "Hey girlie!" I turned around to see my best friend Kelly standing there with open arms.
"HEY!! You look amazing!" I squealed.
"Thanks! So do you! Sooooo, what are YOU planning on doing this summer? I'm going to be at the beach tanning and swimming and I realllllyyy want my best friend to be with me."
"Um for me? Probably none of that. Me and water don't really mix." I said.
"But Allison! You have to let go. It's been three years! You need to live your life again." She persuaded.
"Oh, so you're saying I don't have a life? That I can only have fun if I'm doing things at the beach?? With you! You know what, I'm done." I snapped.
"Allison! That's not what I meant! I just wanted you to be with me, so we can hang out! Allison!" Kelly yelled after me.
But by then, I was already gone.
