Beautiful Minds (NG)

Chapter Fifteen

**NASHS POV**

Her small hand tightly gripped my arm as we moved across the water. We had just got to the beach, and decided to go paddle boarding. I was sitting, propelling the boat with the paddle, and El was sitting behind me, scared out of her mind.

"Nash please."

"It's ok El, nothing's gonna hurt you."

"Nash I'm terrified of deep water." She says, scooting up on the board and wrapping her arms around me.

"Scoot back otherwise we'll fall." I tried to say in the soothingest way possible.

She scooted back, and I turned around to look at her. She was on the edge of tears. I didn't realize she was this scared.

I frowned and started going back to shore. We had just started moving when a motor boat came roaring past us.

Of course it had to be Cam and Shawn.

They stuck the flag out, purposely hitting me and knocking our board over.

I went tumbling into the water, the sound of splashing drowning out the sound of everything else. When I resurfaced, I found that our board was gone.

Where did it go? I looked up to see Shawn waving the board around as they drove off.

I flipped them off and turned around.

That's when I remembered Els 'issue' with the ocean.

"Shit." I said under my breath.

I looked around franticly before stopping at a hand in the air. I swam towards her, screaming out her name.

Please be ok. Why did I make her do this. El please.

I dunked myself under the water, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her above my head. She slid down and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"HELP" I screamed out towards shore.

"PLEASE HELP US! SHAWN! CAM! GRACE!"

Cam turned his head and instantly turned the boat around towards us.

I focused my attention on swimming, holding another person doesn't exactly help ones buoyancy.

"Nash.." she whispered into my ear, almost inaudible.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"What is that?" She replied, the sound of terror evident on her voice.

What was what? What is she talking about?

I looked down into the water, and saw nothing.

"El there's no-" I was cut off by a stick being thrusted in my direction. I looked over to see the boat, and I grabbed the stick with my free hand.

Cam pulled El into the boat, and I climbed in behind her. I gave Shawn a dirty look and sat down by El, who was shaking uncontrollably.

I pulled her into my lap, and she buried her head in my neck.

I pulled back, and gripped her chin with my hands, her tears mixing with the salty water of the ocean. Seeing her like this is enough to make me break down.

"I'm so sorry baby. I didn't realize you were that scared. I won't ever do that again I promise." I said, frowning and wiping her tears.

She nodded and rested her head on my shoulder.

'Your such an idiot Nash' I thought to myself.

I kissed her head and closed my eyes, gently rubbing her back.