Woke

22.)

"Wow, it's been so long since I've seen you. I had come back from rehab only to find out you'd left. I... nobody knew where you went. You literally disappeared. How've you been?"

Taylor Connor... my freshman year crush-- my abuser. My father's murderer. He was standing right in front of me, holding me by my arms. At this realization, I jerked away from his hold. I watched his facial expression change as if he suddenly remembered everything that had occurred between us.

"Before you say anything--"

"Get the fuck away from me." I could barely get out the sentence, because my throat was closing up. The area began to spin, and I knew it wasn't from intoxication. My entire body was burning. It was too hot... the air was too thin...

"Kiki--"

"Don't you dare!" The already dim lighting around the pool started going in and out, as my vision grew darker. I didn't realize I'd yelled at him louder than I meant to, catching the attention of everyone else outside. After this outburst, it was as it my lungs were incapable of working on their own. I wanted to throw up, but I couldn't even remember how to breathe. I felt like I was choking, and tears were welling up in my eyes.

I backed away from Taylor, forgetting my surroundings. "I can't breathe, I can't breathe...."

I vaguely heard other people calling me. My heart was pounding so loudly in my chest, I could hear it vibrating in my ears. The rapid cadence of the beat muffled my hearing, and I was unable to make out the sound of Tiana and Chris calling my name. Taylor reached out for my hand, but I yanked away. I could barely see, due to the salty liquid spilling from my eyes and the dark cloud covering my mind. It was as if the two were working together to revoke my sight. I was losing my grip on reality, for the current one in front of me was too much to handle.

My foot slipped on the edge of the pool and I lost my balance. Everything began to move in slow motion, as I felt myself descend into the pool. My vision was getting darker by the second, and the last thing I saw was Chris pushing Taylor out of the way in an attempt to reach out for me.

Fuck, my hair was my last thought.

Everything went black as the water and darkness tag teamed in the consumption of my body and consciousness.

******************

"She's still breathing right?"

"Yeah, and I see her stirring. She's gonna be okay."

"We should've called 911. I can't believe I let your dumbass convince me not to."

"She has alcohol in her system! They would've charged all of us for underaged drinking."

"I don't give a shit! Stop thinking about yourself. Kiara could've died!"

"Calm down, Chris. I think she's waking up..."

The words filling my head grew clearer, making me realize they weren't my own. I felt my eyelids loosen up, and I opened them.

"Ah, fuck." I squinted my eyes then blinked numerous times, trying to get used to the lighting. 

"Oh, thank God." Chris was suddenly by my side, holding my hand tightly.

"How many fingers am I holding up, Kiki?" Monica asked.

I made a face. "Three, but why does that..."

As the fog cleared from my mind and I grew more competent, I looked around and took in my surroundings.

I was in a study, laying on a couch. Chris, Tiana, Monica, Devon, and Eric circled around me with worry written clear across their faces. All of them looked as if they were extremely sober, making me remember where I was.