finding you

twelve

I'm gagging. I heave out a mouthful of water as soon as I get some air, sputtering and splashing everywhere. I immediately begin looking around my surroundings, desperate to know where I am and where the boat is. Where is Rhys?

"Rhys!" I try and call out, but I cough up water instead. I am still gasping for air and for a moment, I'm not even sure I can keep myself afloat much longer. I can't even locate the boat right now.

"Theo!"

Rhys's voice fills the air and I'm instantly relieved from the sound of it. I turn my body around to see a very worried-looking boy, desperately trying to get to me. When he gets close enough, I smile, trying to hold in a laughter I have no idea what from. Nervous laughter, totally.

Holy crap, though, that was so insane!

He looks at me for a moment before going to say something-- but he stops suddenly. He looks... scared? Wait, what's wrong with him? What happened?

"What's wrong?" I ask, quickly checking his face to see if he has any injuries. I'm weirdly feeling concerned for him right now. He looks very worried. "Are you hurt or something? Are you okay?"

His mouth opens but he suddenly closes it again, as if trying to register my words. Oh no, maybe he got some kind of concussion?

"Theo... Fuck—y-your head."

What? I raise my eyebrows, giving him my most confused face. He looks absolutely terrified right now. Honestly, it's kind of making me want to laugh harder. "What are you talking about?" There's nothing wrong with my head...

It takes me a moment to realize that he's not exactly looking at me. More like on me—on my head. My head? Slowly, I raise my hand up to my head, giving it a slight touch before bringing it back down. Blood pools in my hand, dripping into the water.

Holy shit.

I'm bleeding. My head is bleeding.

I should probably be panicking right now, but for some reason, I'm not scared. I'm not in pain. I feel fine. More than fine.

I actually feel great!

I look directly into his eyes for a moment and just stare at him with my mouth open. I can't hold it in any longer and I immediately burst into a fit laughter. His expression changes from scared to confusion to absolute worry. I'm completely freaking him out.

Holy crap, he must think I'm going mad.

"Oh my God, Rhys! Oh my God," I laugh even harder. His face softens a little, staring at me with a look of amusement. A look that seems to only belong to Rhys Collins. I can't help but notice he's trying to not to laugh, too.

"Please, please, just tell me you're okay, Theo," he surprises me by asking. He is still smiling when he asks but somehow, I know he's being very serious.

"Honestly, I don't know. But I'm feeling pretty good," I giggle.

He just smiles and shakes his head. I don't even notice him inching closer to me. Only when his arm snakes around my waist and I'm being brought against him, do I stop laughing.

Oh. A quick mix of fear and something else floods through me and I immediately scramble to get away.

"Don't," he breathes, holding me tighter. His body is hard and strong, holding me in place. His skin is warm against mine and I seem to not notice the freezing water as much.

"I-I..." I don't know what to say. Please get your hands off me, please? Please, I feel very uncomfortable with this kind of thing even though I'm twenty years old.