“I can't wait anymore,” he said his breath heavy .“Just have mercy on me! I've been feeling like this for the last three months. Don't you want me Cas? I love you, you know that,” he said huskily.
I wriggled uncomfortably, trying to avoid his touch. I didn't know how to get out of this situation. It was then that I saw a ball coming in our direction. I screamed and broke free of Julian’s arms, dodging
it. Lucy came running towards me, and winked.
“Sorry Cas, hope I didn't hurt you,” she said in a fake apology.
“Thanks,” I whispered gratefully. I knew that she had thrown the ball at us on purpose, sensing my discomfort. Julian was still standing behind me, and was walking towards me when suddenly Logan held him by the shoulder. “Hey Julian why don't we go for a swim huh?” he asked.
Julian looked at me. He seemed rather pissed off with this interruption.
"Now?” he asked.
“Of Course.” Logan replied. Then he whispered something in his ear. Julian’s expression changed from one of annoyance to one of amusement. He came towards me, his eyes glinting mischievously.
“Hey what is going on?” I asked him alarmed. His look didn't promise anything good. He grabbed me and dragged me to the edge of the rock.
“What are you doing?! No Jul! I don't want to go in the water,” I shouted terrified.
“Oh come on Cas. It's hot ,we need to cool down,” he said smiling maliciously. I began to panic as I struggled to free myself from his grip.
“Please Jul. Let me go. I don't want- I don’t like water! I don’t know how-“
But it was too late. Julian had pushed me down and I felt myself plunge into the water. As soon as I was in the water, I felt myself suffocating. I panicked. I started kicking desperately trying to resurface, but it was all in vain. I could only feel myself going deeper and deeper into the water. I wanted to scream, to cry out for help but as soon as I opened my mouth, I ended up swallowing water. I felt my lungs hurt as they started to crave air. I felt my arms fail as weakness overtook me. This was the end. I was going to die...
Mr. Spencer’s POV
I was talking to one of my English students when suddenly I heard a terrified scream behind me. I whipped my head and spotted Lucy in the distance. She was covering her mouth with her hand and crying. I looked at her in panic. What was wrong?
“Cassidy!” she wailed.
Cassidy? My blood froze inside of me. Where was Cassy? I ran like a mad man in her direction. She was standing next to that guy who was dating Cassy.
“Lucy! What happened?" I shouted.
“Cassidy! Julian pushed her in the water! She's drowning. She can't swim. Mr. Spencer save her please!” She cried, her face stricken.
I looked horrified at the sea and it was then that I saw her figure struggling with the current. She was sinking , her arms floating useless next to her. No!!! I took off my shoes and pulled up my shirt. Then I jumped in the water. I felt the cold water surround me. I swam with all my strength, my arms digging furiously at the water. I prayed God to help me... Help me save her...
“Cassidy! Hold on I'm coming,” I shouted hoping she could hear me.
I fought against the water, desperately swimming towards her. The current was strong, it was pushing me backwards, but still I kept going. This was the only chance I had to save her. I looked in front of me and my heart stopped beating. I couldn’t see her anymore. I dived into the water, my eyes stinging at the salt. There, I saw her sinking, her blonde hair flowing in the water. She looked like a beautiful mermaid there in the sea. I managed to catch her arm, and pulled her out of the water.
“Cassidy! Cassy! I'm here!” I gasped, taking in some air. “Please open your eyes! Cassidy don't leave me please!” My voice was breaking, tears were rolling down my face, but I didn’t care. This was a nightmare, it couldn’t be true. I looked at her pale face, she seemed lifeless.
I pressed a finger on her neck, and after a breath taking moment I felt her pulse. Her heart beat was still there, but it was weak. I had to try and revive her here, in the water. I opened her mouth with one hand while I held her with the other and I put my mouth on hers. Those lips which I had been craving for were finally on mine, but I wished that it had happened in another way, not like this.
I breathed in her mouth for five times. I didn’t know much about these procedures but I had taken a first aid course not so long ago. I didn't stop swimming although I was out of breath and my legs were aching. I kept swimming and give her breaths until finally I managed to reach the shore. I pulled her out of the water and laid her on her back. I pressed her chest and then opened her mouth and breathed in again. Her chest was rising, that was a good sign.
“Cassidy please! Open your eyes. Cassy! Don't give up, come back to me Cassy!” I cried desperately. Her friend had come running towards us as soon as she saw us, and was now sobbing as she looked at Cassy’s limp body.
I compressed her chest and breathed in her mouth again.
“Please...Cassy!” I said again.
I knew I was sounding desperate, but I couldn’t care less about the people watching me. If she died, I would never forgive myself. I kept doing compressions until finally she coughed and water came out of her mouth. I gave her another two breaths and it was then that the miracle happened. She opened her beautiful blue eyes and looked at me confused. I was so relieved that I grabbed her and hugged her so tightly. A tear rolled down my cheek. I couldn't keep suppressing my feelings anymore.
“Mr Spencer what happened?” she asked weakly.
“Oh Cassy! You're safe, my God," I couldn't speak. I just wanted to hold her tight in my arms, embrace her and feel her against my bare chest. My hands were aching and my legs were weak but I was happy. I kept her in my arms until I looked up and saw everyone looking at me strangely. I let her go reluctantly. In that moment Lucy collapsed on the ground next to her, still crying and hugged her.
It was then that I saw him, looking at us from a distance. He was standing there, looking at us stupidly. Him, the one that had nearly killed her. In that moment something happened inside me. It was as if suddenly I had someone to direct all of my anger to. I had someone to blame for what had happened. I felt my blood boiling in rage. I was furious. I stood up forgetting all of my tiredness and walked straight at him. I grabbed him from the shirt and lowered my face close to his. He was looking at me fearfully, stammering.
“Sir... I-”
“Shut up! What the hell is wrong with you eh? You bastard! You could have killed her! She was drowning and you did nothing to help her!” I barked out. His boyish face was even more terrorized now.
“I'm sorry! I really am. I froze. I panicked. I don't know what happened to me... I-”
“I don't give a damn about what happened to you! She can't swim, didn't you know that?!” I shouted again.
“I, No! I didn’t do it on purpose! It was just a joke! I love her,” he cried.
He loved her? That angered me even more. I pushed him and he fell on the ground in front of me. I fought the urge to kick him.
“Listen to me carefully, don't you dare go near her again. Leave her alone!” I ordered .
“She's my girlfriend!” he retorted staring incredulously up at me.
“I said leave her alone!” I shouted again. I wasn't thinking anymore. I clenched my fists trying not to lose complete control.
“Tyler what the hell are you doing?” A female voice shouted from behind me. I turned around to see Lisa running towards us. I really wasn't in the mood to deal with her right now.
“Don't interfere! It's none of your business!” I snapped. She put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
“Of course it is! You grabbed a student from the shirt and pushed him to the floor. Are you mad?” she asked in disbelief
“He's a student!” she said again.
I was starting to get really tired of this constant reminder. Teacher, student, teacher, student.
“Just shut
up will you!” I told her irritated. How did she dare defend him after what he had just done?
“Tyler, you need to calm down,” she told me sternly “You-”
“Stop telling me what to do,” I yelled. Then I turned to him.“You're in punishment. Just go to your room and stay there till tomorrow. I don't want to see your face again today,” I snapped.
“But... But tonight there is the ball!” he said desperately. “And here we're not at school. You can't just punish me.”
I stared at him for a moment."Are you serious? You could have killed her and all you think about is the fucking ball?!” I yelled incredulous. I had reached my limit now.“You do as I say. You are all under our responsibility and your stupid joke could have cost the life of your girlfriend.”
“Enough!” Lisa had walked in front of me and had put a hand against my chest.
“Tyler just go away. I'll take care of him, you're too angry to reason.” I ignored her words and kept eye contact with the boy.“Just don't go near her! Not today,” I warned.
“OK Sir, I'll go to my room but I swear I did not want to harm her.”
“Just go will you!” I ordered.
Julian nodded and stood up, dusting his trousers. I was going to leave as well when Lisa’s hand moved to my arm, holding me in place.
“Where do you think you're going? Do you realize that you were going to attack a student? If he or some other student reports you, you'll be in trouble,” she said.
“I don't care!” I said shaking her hand away. “I was right to be angry. I have never felt this terrified in my whole life. I thought she was dead when I pulled her out!” I shouted at her. Why didn’t anybody realize that a stupid prank could have turned into a fatal accident?
“But she's OK now! Thanks to you. So just calm down,” she said her voice quiet.
“I'm going. I need to be alone,” I told her walking away.
“I'll come with you," she called out running after me.
“No. I just want to be alone and rest. Please take care of the students for me. Lisa just do me this favor,” I said exasperated.
“Fine,” she said, her expression hurt.
I left. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to go in my room because I was going to break down. All the tension. All the fear that had built up in me was now coming out. I needed to let off the steam. I needed to cry.
CHAPTER 12
Cassidy's POV
I was still seated down where Mr. Spencer had left me.
“How are you feeling Cas now?” asked me Lucy. She was looking worriedly at me, her face streaked with tears.
“Better, much better,” I replied dazed.
“Can you tell me what happened?" I asked her confused.
“Don’t you remember anything?” she asked stunned.
“Just that Julian pushed me and I fell in the water,” I replied holding back my tears. I was shivering, and I was feeling nauseous. I couldn’t understand what had happened. Lucy threw her arms around me.
“Oh Cas! It was horrible! I thought you were going to die! God bless Mr. Spencer. Oh Cas you had to see him, he jumped in the water and he dived in to save you. He was under shock! When he brought you back he was crying.”
I stared at Lucy open mouthed, my heart beating fast.
“Was he?” I asked.
“Cas,” she began. “Remember what I had told you before? About him treating you as a game? Well I was wrong,” she paused, sighing, “I think he really does love you. Now I can confirm that. He was so desperate! He kept trying to revive you. He kept talking to you.”
I felt tears well up in my eyes.
“He risked his life for me and I didn't even thank him. You know Luce, when I was there in the water thinking it's the end, all I could think about was my mother and him. I saw his face and I regretted that l had never had the chance to tell him how I felt. I've made a decision.”
Lucy looked me straight in the eye.
“What decision?”she asked me softly.
“I want to tell him.” I saw a change in her expression. She was looking worried now.
“Tell him what Cas?” she asked.
“That I love him. I don't care if he rejects me or if he doesn't want to be my teacher anymore. I have to tell him,” I said determined.
“No Cas! You're just confused! You're saying that now but you'll regret it later , it's too risky!” she said taking my arm in her hand.
“I don't care. I love him, and that is all that matters. I need to find him,” I said trying to stand up. Lucy tightened her grip on my arm.
“Cas please. Now it's not a good moment. He was in a terrible state. I don't know what happened but as soon as he saw Julian he went for him.” She lowered her voice and whispered “I don't know what happened after as I couldn't see with all the people that were around us but I know he was angry. I heard him shouting from here.”
“Oh my God, I hope he didn’t get into trouble because of me,” I said. I didn’t know what he had said to Julian, but I was sure it was no friendly conversation that took place between them. Lucy stood up.
“I don't know. Look, I'll go and talk to Julian to find out what happened. In the meantime, you should go to the hotel,” she said pulling me up to my feet.
“Yes,” I said looking down at myself. “I need some time on my own. I need to take a shower. I'm so salty and my hair is a mess.”
Lucy smiled at me. “I’m so glad you’re OK. Just promise me one thing though.”
I waited for her to continue.
“Don’t try and talk to him about your feelings. It’s too early. You barely know him,” she said. Lucy was a real worrier. I gave her a reassuring smile and replied..
“I won't don’t worry. But I still have to go and talk to him. I need to thank him. He saved my life, he's my hero.”
Lucy gave me a sad smile and said “He surely is.” Then she hugged me again.
“Sure you'll be all right alone in your room?” She asked again.
“Yes and If I need you I can always call you,” I replied, walking slowly away.
It was getting very hot now and I could feel the sand burning under my bare feet. I made my way slowly towards the hotel, thinking about all that had happened that morning. Suddenly I heard some voices in front of me. I looked up and saw that a few meters in front of me there were Ms. Leighton talking with Mr. Daniels. I stopped and hid behind a tree, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“I never saw him like this before!” she was saying “You had to see him! He looked as if he had come out of some movie. He did her a CPR and saved her life.” She stopped and took a deep breath, then went on, “Still, I can’t help thinking that there was something strange about it all.”
Mr. Daniels rose an eyebrow and crossed his arms on his chest. “Strange?” he asked.
“I don't know,” she continued “But he seemed to be too affectionate with that girl. Almost as if she was more than a simple student to him.”
My heart nearly stopped. I held my breath waiting to see Mr. Daniel's reaction. He remained impassable, as if she had said nothing, then he rose his head to face her and said “Nonsense! You're becoming paranoid Lisa. Stop going after him. It’s doing you no good. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go to talk to that student.” With that he walked away. I was relieved to hear his answer. Still, something in his tone made me think that he didn’t mean what he had just told her. I waited for them to leave, resting my back against the tree and then headed towards the Hotel's entrance. As soon as I entered I bumped into someone. It was Mr. Daniels.
“Sorry Mr. Daniels! I didn't see you” I apologized.
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