It'll Be Okay

Ghost of You

*2 Months Earlier*

I was standing next to Melissa at the ping pong table sipping soda out of a red cup. The music was loud, the sun was set, and people were mingling. I spotted Coby and Zach from across the yard laughing with some girls I didn't recognize. Melissa was very engaged in the game of beer pong behind me, so trying to get her attention would be impossible. Wondering where Bryce had wandered off to, I walked inside to get a refill. There was a group of people blocking the 2 liters on the counter. Of course, I thought. Like usual, my friends told me to stay sober so I could be the designated driver. It was fine though, I couldn't go home smelling like alcohol anyways, I'd be grounded for life. I threw my cup away and walked outside again to find Mel. There were less people in the yard now, somebody had started a game of poker in the dining room. Careful not to slip, I moseyed around the edge of the pool, looking for a familiar face. People were laughing and talking happily. I saw the two girls from earlier standing with Bryce across the pool. They were looking at me with wide eyes and open mouths. Wait, no, they were looking behind me. I turned around only to see Coby running towards me. His arms wrapped tightly around me and I didn't even have time to gasp before he threw both of us into the pool.
Coby let go of me as we hit the water. I swam towards the night sky and coughed up water as I hit the fresh air. People's heads only turned to look for a little bit before resuming their conversations. I looked around the top of the pool for Coby's mop of hair, but couldn't see him. Nobody had turned the lights on inside the pool so the water was dark from above. I dove back under and spun in circles. Suddenly, something grabbed my waist and I was turned towards Coby. He had a goofy smile on his face and I could tell he had been drinking. A lot. I gave him the evil eye and he bubbled some words.
"Having," *glub* "fun?" *glub*
I laughed and nodded my head. I couldn't stay mad at him, but he was going to have to buy me new wedges if these were ruined. He stared at me for a moment and moved closer. I never noticed how beautiful his eyes were until the moonlight shone on them. He was studying my face and I was studying his. Coby and I had been friends since we were 8 years old, we had the same 3rd grade teacher, shared some fruit snacks on the first day of school, and the rest is history. Although I had known him for so long, I never realized how attractive he was until he was standing in front of me at the bottom of the pool. He put his hand on my face and leaned towards me. He was trying to kiss me! I was running out of breath, and Coby was drunk. I put my hands on his chest and pushed away, forcing myself to swim to the top. Coby swam up soon after, but to the other side of the pool. I don't remember pulling myself out of the pool, driving my friends home, getting home, or going to bed. The only thing on my mind for the next while were the way Coby's eyes looked underwater.

*Present Day*

My face was pressed against the gravel and somebody was yelling in the distance. The sun's rays burned warm into my back and hair, making me start to sweat. My leg ached but I couldn't move to see what was wrong. The crust around my eyes and lips was making it difficult to see or talk.
"Brynn?" yelled the Yeller. Answering back was impossible. I tried to cough or move my arms in response, but nothing happened. "Brynn, oh my God," it was a feminine voice, so it was probably Melissa. I could hear the crunching of gravel near my head, and then suddenly somebody was rubbing my shoulder.
"Brynn?" Her voice broke, she was sobbing, "Brynn please wake up." I forced my eyes halfway open. Melissa was kneeling next to me, a big gash ran across her cheek. One of my arms was pinned under my chest, but my right arm was free. Knives stabbed through my skin as I tried to lift it, not happening. I could wiggle my fingers, however. Melissa was crying into her knees now. I swallowed hard and opened my mouth enough to breathe better. My throat was way too dry to talk, but I pushed a cough out from the bottom of my stomach, which sent pain throughout my whole body. Melissa looked up and saw my eyes open. She gasped loudly and began crying more, but moved towards me.
"Can you talk?" She asked, and then realizing that I couldn't, spoke again. "Okay," she hesitated, "Blink once for yes, twice for no." I blinked. "Are you hurt?" I blinked again, hard. "Okay, I'm going to try to help you up and over into the grass." I stared up at her, but, surprise, blinked again. She rolled me onto my back and I screamed and started to cry. The pain in my leg was unbearable. Suddenly, Bryce was standing next to Melissa with huge eyes.
"Wait! Stop! Don't move her anymore!" He pulled Melissa away from me. "Give me your belt." He motioned to Melissa with his hand held out. "We need to make a tourniquet for her leg." Mel undid her belt and gave it to Bryce with shaking hands. She then sat down next to me, squeezed my hand, and kissed it gently.
"Okay, Bry, this is going to hurt, but I'll do it on the count of three." Bryce pursed his lips and kneeled beside Melissa. He pulled the belt under my leg and went to fasten and tighten it. "1..." He took a deep breathe and I braced myself.
"2..." Apparently he forgot how to count, because he tightened the belt and I screamed and Melissa squeezed my hand again. I tasted blood on my lip.
"Sorry Bry, but that should help." Bryce leaned towards me and moved the hair out of my face. I nodded in response and tried to speak.
"W-where are Coby and Zach?" My voice was very croaky. Bryce looked at Mel and I could see tears in her eyes.
"Zach is looking for Coby. We can't find him."