Because We Fell

18. Cleansing

A/N: Hey! New chapter.

Just a quick note. I'm going to be updating a little more slowly now; my schedule is too busy and I have time for my shorter works, like Crimson and Toxic, etc. This story is really great to write, but sometimes it's just hard to find the energy and time to keep updating it. Sorry guys =/

Also, a little excerpt of one of my tumblr posts is included in this chapter. If you like this chapter, check me out at suncurve.tumblr.com :) And this week I'm dedicating the chapter to angelica20000 for the beautiful cover.

Anyways, don't forget to comment, vote, and enjoy :)

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Tessa's POV:

"For the last time," I said, gritting my teeth, frustrated. "I am not taking off all my clothes."

Jake pouted, his green eyes shimmering with naughtiness. "I'll convince you, Pookie, just you wait."

I rolled my eyes at him and quickly pulled my shirt over my head, revealing my swimsuit. The others were already starting to jump into the water, but Jake and I had been bantering for so long that we still hadn't stripped down to our bathing suits. As I quickly put my clothes aside on a nearby rock with the others, I watched from the corner of my eye as Jake took off his shirt, revealing his tan, muscled skin. My breath became caught in my lungs as I stared at him, feeling a sudden urge to go up and hug him.

I wanted to slap myself once I realized I had actually swooned while gaping at him. Shaking my head hoping it would shake away the feelings, I headed back to the water, standing next to Jake who was staring at the rushing waterfall that was beautifully cascading down a mountain of jagged black rocks.

"Ladies first," Jake grinned at me as he gestured to the water. I raised an eyebrow at him, smiling too.

"If you insist," I said mischievously. Jake detected the strange tone in my voice and stared a little confusedly at me, but before he could say or do anything, I grabbed his hand and used all my strength to pull him with me as I jumped into the water.

"What in the --" Jake yelped before we plunged into the water.

The cool water hit our bodies and drowned us in a split second; Jake and I both went underwater, hands still clenched together, and the water was colder than I had expected it to be, so it took me a moment before I could react. Quickly, though, Jake and I released our hands and swam back up to the surface, and as his bewildered face popped up next to mine, I burst out laughing.

"You said ladies first," I said to him, grinning.

Jake laughed and splashed water at my face. "Okay, fine, you got me," he admitted. "That was a good one, Pookie. But you know this means just one thing..." He trailed off, and already guessing his actions, I widened my eyes and quickly started to swim away from him, and made my way closer to the waterfall.

I swam quickly, kicking my legs rapidly in the water, trying to splash as much water as I could in Jake's face as I tried to get away from him. I made my way towards the waterfall, and grabbed onto the mountain as Jake struggled to catch up with me. I turned around to face him, but he was nowhere to be found, and I quickly scanned the water to see where he was.

Simon and Chloe were splashing water together in the far corner of the lake, right next to grass. Clary and Sam were trying to dunk each other's heads into the water, and Zach and Luke were swimming in circles around Megan who was floating on the water, staring at the cloudy sky with the same expression she'd had for the past hour. She looked so broken and I had kept asking her what was wrong, but she said she wasn't ready to talk about it. A worrying feeling knotted up in my chest, and I looked away from her, hoping I could talk to her later today.