The Same

Chapter 8

{April's POV}

It all came back to me when I heard the water. The screams, the sirens in the distance, the splashing, the sobbing. I had tried to block it out for so long, staying away from water and anything else that would help me remember, but in that moment, I just couldn't hide it anymore.

The sobs came uncontrollably, and I didn't bother to try to hold them back. I felt like I was reliving the start of all the pain of the past ten years, but it was somewhat relieving to be able to just cry. I realized I had never even had a friend at all, let alone one who would care about me and my sad excuse for a life like Sam does.

Finally, when the sobs began to slow, he pulled back and looked me in the eye. His eyes were full of confusion and hurt, and I realized what a fool I had made him feel like for bringing me here.

"I'm sorry. I-I didn't... I mean..." he started, but I cut him off.

"I'm sorry too. I probably should have just told you this to begin with but..." I paused. But what? But I was too afraid? But I didn't want him to think I was a wimp? Beause he would think I was ungrateful?

"April, look. I don't know what's going on, but I know I shouldn't have brought you here, and I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me, but if you don't want to stay here we could probably-"

"I want to stay here," I blurted, realizing how sure I was about that.

"Okay, well, if you want to talk about it..."

I did. I wanted to tell Sam everything. He had a right to know, after letting me cry and probably being the only real friend I had ever had.

"Are you sure?"

He gazed into my eyes. "I care about you, April. A lot. If you want to tell me, I want to listen."

"Okay," I sighed, taking a deep breath.

"I was four," I started. Sam looked up at me, and I stared back at him. He reached for my hand and squeezed it, telling me to continue.

"My family used to go camping every year. We had a cabin near a creek, just like this one," I gestured around. "I was there with my parents and my sister." I paused, willing myself not to cry.

"My parents were busy, and my sister decided to go down to the creek. I knew we probably shouldn't, but I followed her anyway. She wasn't a good swimmer, and neither was I, but we had been swimming all week with life jackets on, and were sure we didn't need them.

"She jumped right in, but I stayed by the shore with my feet in the water. I wasn't usually one to jump right into things, especially cold creeks. I watched her start to swim towards me, but she didn't seem to be moving very fast. Then, I realized she was moving backwards. She screamed at me to go get our parents, so I ran as fast as I could, but by the time we got back, she had just... disappeared."

I hadn't even realized I had started crying again until I couldn't even stop myself long enough to get a word out. Sam just sat there with his arms around me, and I soon realized he was crying too.

"I'm so sorry, April. I had no idea," he whispered.

"Thank you," I managed to squeak out. I could just stay here forever, safe in Sam's arms. It just felt... right. But I knew now that I had started telling him, I had to finish.

The tears slowing once again, I took a deep breath and continued.

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Yay the last update uploaded correctly😃😃 tysm for 150 reads guys! Do you think I can get 300 by my birthday, November 6th?

Thanks again guys! Keep voting, reading, commenting, spreading the word it means a lot!

I also changed the cover what do you think?

-Abby✌️