Night School

Again the cold water closed over her head, and again she tried to make her way up. But this time two strong hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to the surface. Gratitude rushed through her, but then she saw who was helping her and she struggled to free herself while trying to cover her breasts with her hands.

‘You’re OK, Allie. Look at me,’ Carter’s voice was calm and commanding, and his eyes were locked on hers. ‘Breathe slowly through your nose. Don’t look away. Breathe slowly.’

She tried to explain to him that she was dying but no words would come out.

‘Breathe in,’ he said, demonstrating, his eyes willing her to try. ‘And now out.’ He blew air out forcefully.

When she tried to do what he asked she only wheezed ineffectually, and she felt a wave of fear. She wasn’t going to make it.

But that’s OK, really. If I can just rest for a second …

Her eyes fluttered shut and darkness seemed to blanket her.

When Carter slapped her face it startled her so much that she took a sharp reflexive breath, that burst of oxygen revived her hope.

‘You can do this, Allie. Breathe with me.’ She could sense that he was trying to keep his voice steady, and it struck her that she really could die.

He took a deep breath, and she tried to do the same. This time a little air entered her lungs.

‘Good!’ he said. ‘Again.’

A deeper breath, and she could feel the tightness in her chest begin to loosen. He urged her on but she was trembling violently now and on the fourth successful breath she burst into tears.

‘You’re OK, Allie,’ Carter said, putting his arms gently around her shoulder. ‘Just keep breathing.’

Shielding her body with his, he led her out of the water to shore. She could hear people laughing and splashing around them, but she didn’t know or care if they were laughing at her.

His voice was gentle. ‘Where are your clothes, Allie?’

‘I don’t know,’ she whispered hoarsely.

He half-smiled. ‘Why am I not surprised to hear that?’ He helped her off the path into relative privacy behind a large tree. ‘Stay here. I’ll find something for you to wear.’

As he walked into the shadows, she watched the muscles move in his hips and back, and forced herself to keep breathing.

He’s beautiful, she thought.

When he reappeared a few minutes later he’d put on a pair of shorts. In his hands he carried a guy’s shirt and a pair of girls’ shorts.

‘This is the best I can do,’ he said apologetically.

Since he was shirtless, she had a feeling the guy’s shirt he’d brought was his own.

She turned away as she pulled on the shorts, then turned back towards him and held out her hand for the shirt. He handed it to her wordlessly. She couldn’t see his face in the darkness, but as she shrugged on the over-sized shirt she felt her heart pound in her chest so loudly that she thought he must surely be able to hear it.

‘Ready?’ She noticed his voice shook.

‘Yes.’

Reaching for her hand, he helped her out of her hiding place and onto the path. The warmth of his hand was comforting – his fingers were strong, and she clung to them.

‘I couldn’t find any shoes for you,’ he said anxiously. ‘This might be hard on your feet – do you want to wear mine? Or I could carry you?’

Though the sharp pebbles cut into her feet, she shook her head. ‘I’m OK,’ she said.

As they walked away from the lake the noise and laughter faded behind them. After a few minutes, the only sound they could hear was their own breathing. Carter still held her hand.

When she was certain they were alone, Allie stopped and looked up at him. ‘Carter … Thank you.’

Dropping her hand, he looked down at the ground. ‘It was nothing.’

‘No, Carter.’ She grabbed his hand back. When he looked at her, his eyes were so vulnerable she couldn’t tear hers away. ‘It was something.’

They stared at each other for a long moment but just as he started to speak …

‘Allie! Carter!’ Jo’s voice broke the spell as she raced up the path towards them with Gabe and Lisa right behind her.

Grabbing Allie by the shoulders Jo gave her a worried shake. ‘Where have you been? Are you OK? I looked for you everywhere.’

Even as she nodded, Allie felt the unwanted tears begin again.

‘I couldn’t find you. Carter helped me …’ She turned to look at him, but he was gone.

‘… out,’ she whispered.

Breakfast the next morning was a muted affair – the students who’d spent much of the night in the woods were easily identifiable by their bed-hair and the circles under their eyes. Jo and Allie sat in near silence with Lisa yawning beside them. None of them was hungry. Allie clutched a steaming cup of tea as if it were the only thing keeping her alive, while Jo shredded a piece of toast into minute particles.

Allie had spent the night on the floor in Jo’s room after they’d crept back into the school unnoticed using the same door through which they’d departed an hour earlier.

They’d talked until four in the morning, after which she told Jo she felt better, but she didn’t really.