He won’t care, or at least he’ll pretend to care, but none of it matters since it won’t change the outcome.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I half tell the truth.
“Someone else is on your mind?”
“Cole, there’s no one else. It’s only been you.”
Unlike many girls in senior year, I’ve only been with one guy. I’ve kissed several boys, but none were worthy of going to the next base until Cole came along.
“Yeah, well, you’re making me feel like shit,” he complains.
I pull back, resting on my elbows. “Just because I don’t feel like fucking you?”
Cole jumps off the bed, pacing with his hands running through his hair. His blue eyes watch me, almost as if I’m doing something wrong by not giving in to him tonight.He doesn’t understand. He’ll never understand.
Suddenly, a piercing scream startles us both. It came from outside, so I run to the window to see what is happening. My eyes widen in shock as a body is dragged from the pool, unconscious.
Without a second thought, I bolt out of the room, leaving Cole behind as adrenaline runs through my veins. The fresh air hits my face when I make it outside, but I rush to the scene.
“Someone call 9-1-1!”
People gather around the boy lying unconscious by the side of the pool. They uselessly stare in bewilderment, but no one does a damn thing. I push people aside, then fall to my knees to better examine him.
I’d watched a YouTube video on how to perform CPR. One of those nights, I fell down a rabbit hole leading me to medical videos. I was fascinated with it all, unsure why but hoping it would stick.
Remembering each step, I attempt to perform CPR. Thankfully, he has a pulse, but how long depends on what I do next.
I hear the voice in my head repeating the steps. As people watch on, I begin with the chest compressions using my body weight and keeping my arms straight, then press straight down. Next, I release the pressure before giving mouth-to-mouth.
“Alexa, what the fuck are you doing?” Cole questions angrily.
“Paramedics will be here any minute.”
Another minute and we might lose him.
Don’t let this happen.
I place one hand on his forehead and the other under his chin to tilt the head back so his airways open. Pinching the soft part of his nose so it closes, I open his mouth with my thumb and fingers.
As I take a breath, Cole continues to yell at me, but I ignore him, placing my lips over the guy’s mouth and blowing steadily. When I pull back, a rough cough escapes his lips before he shuffles to his side and starts expelling water.
“Alexa,” Mikayla cries, pressing on my shoulders. “You saved him!”
Still on my knees, I sit back and watch as the guy opens his eyes, disoriented. The paramedics arrive, running through the crowd with their equipment. The noise fades out, the scene becoming a sudden blur.
“You saved his life,” the paramedic praises as they continue to examine him. “Ever considered a career in medicine?”
Cole deliberately raises his brows while cocking his head. “Dr. Edwards, just like Daddy.”
His callous comment strikes a nerve with me. The memories come flashing back, the times I’d begged my older sisters to play hospital with me after I’d stolen Dad’s stethoscope from his office drawer.
But I’d rather die than fall hostage to my father’s hopes and dreams for me.
“I’m glad he’s alive,” I mutter beneath my breath. “I want to go home.”
Cole crosses his arms in defiance. “Well, I want to stay.”
I turn my back on him and ignore everyone as I make my way outside. Reaching for my purse, I open the Uber app, but it shows no one available. Just fucking great.