When Emmett started pulling her towards the ocean Zadie slowed. “You are going to drown me. You may be convinced that you can breathe underwater but I know I can’t.”
“Zadie, trust me.” His smile tugged at her heart, dredging up memories of all the times he had looked at her that way. And how many of those times had ended up in an epic adventure.
With a sigh, she gave a short nod. “Emmett, if you kill me, I am going to haunt you forever.”
His laughter echoed along the shore and into her heart. She had missed him. Not only the adventures they always seemed to accidentally find themselves in, but him, everything about him. She still hadn’t fully accepted that he was there, standing in front of her. In seconds, they were up to their shoulders in water and he took hold of both her hands.
“I won’t let go but I am going to go underwater. Just keep treading water and I’ll be up in a bit. How long do I need to stay under to convince you?”
“Ten minutes.” Zadie threw out the number without thinking. “Are you expecting me to tread water here for ten minutes, holding your hands while you sit underwater?”
“If that is what it takes, then yes. I’ve missed you and I don’t want to lose you again.”
“Ok.” Zadie shrugged.
And he promptly sank.
Those ten minutes lasted forever but not once did he struggle or pull, seemingly content to hold her hands.
The entire time he was under the water, Zadie was torn between scanning the shore for late night beach walkers who might mistakenly think that she was skinny dipping or suicidal, and peering out at the water as if she could see down into the dark water. There were no signs of anyone else under the water around them but she almost yanked on his hands to pull him up to ask and make sure. She didn’t want to feel some creepy hand grabbing her ankle and pulling her under.
After what felt like eternity his head rose above the water with a huge grin on his face.
He intently studied her face for a minute then a grin broke out. “I thought you’d panic.” He laughed. “You’re amazing.”
“Frozen solid is more like it.” She shivered.
Emmett continued to laugh as he swooped her up into his arms and easily plowed through the water and back up the beach. With no ceremony or even any consideration, he all but dropped her onto the sand. He plopped down next to her, shaking his wet hair.
With a groan, Zadie smacked him.
“What was that for?” He pushed back at her shoulder in retribution. “I proved that I can breathe underwater and you slug me?”
“I didn’t bring a towel, genius.” She tried to laugh but it came out as more of an audible shiver. “I wasn’t planning on getting in the water in the middle of the night.”
He scoffed. “Huh. Why not? Perfect night for a swim.”
She couldn’t get the words to come out as memories of the day he disappeared swirled through her thoughts.
Emmett noticed almost immediately. “What happened? Was it something I said?”
She had no words.
“Zadie?” He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.
Finally she was able to tear her gaze away from the crashing waves and looked up into her best friend’s eyes. Tears began to fall. Her mouth opened several times as she tried to explain, to admit how truly battered she had been since he had vanished. Nothing came out.
His arm came to rest around her shoulder, giving off warmth and causing her to shiver again. She took a deep breath.
“Emmett, I haven’t been swimming since you disappeared.”
“What? Why?” He shook his head, squeezing her for a second. “You love the water. Most days I couldn’t get you out of the water unless I caught you and dragged you to shore.”
Shaking her head she glowered at him. “How could I get in the water? I watched you drown. You were fine one second, and the next you weren’t there. I didn’t even see you struggle. Nothing. I still can’t get it out of my head.”
“But you just went in there with me. You didn’t even hesitate.”
“I wasn’t entirely sure this was real. A part of me still believed I was dreaming. Still do. You can’t be real.”
Instantly she was enveloped in a back-cracking hug, pulled into his bare chest. He held her for a minute, not saying anything, just holding her.
Her voice was still shaky as she spoke. “Are you going to see your mom?”
He grimaced. “I was planning on it. Has this all been hard on her?”
“Once she found the note she was fine. She’s missed you. Some days I see her staring off into nowhere.” She shrugged. “I always felt like she was just waiting for you to show up again for a visit.”
“Really?”
Again she shrugged, leaning on him. “Everyone just thought you’d be back soon enough. My parents constantly tell me that you’ll be visiting soon and I just need to be patient. I guess they were right.”
“Zadie.”
She cut him off. “Are you going to tell her?”
“No.” She felt his shoulders slump. “I can’t.”
“You told me.” Sitting up she moved so that she could look closer at his face.
He avoided looking at her.
Another pause and she sighed as the realization crushed her lungs. “You wouldn’t have told me either.”
“Zadie, I couldn’t. I’d get in so much trouble.”
Shaking her head she stood, swiping off the sand clinging to her. “You would have let me believe that I was crazy. That I had imagined seeing you disappear under the water. You would have confirmed what everyone has said about me for the past two years.” She took a step away. “I’ve mourned alone for two years, no one believing me. My only comfort was that I knew what I saw. And now, you come back ready to take that from me too.”
A sob tore out of her throat and she spun, racing up the beach. She heard him call out to her but she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.
When she heard him following, she glanced back. “Go visit your mother. She’s expecting you.”
“Zadie, no.”
“Leave me alone.” Zadie screamed, her tears nearly blinding her. She kept running.
Her mind registered that she could no longer hear him behind her but she didn’t slow. She ran all the way home, slowing only when she was at the door and easing it open. Not bothering to turn on the lights she changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and cried softly so her parents wouldn’t hear.
