There’s a commotion behind me. Footsteps. Shouts.
“Ryan!” It’s Jasmine.
Water slaps at my waist. I push forward, half-wading, half-swimming toward the floating figure.
I reach it just as a hand grabs my shoulder, yanking me backward. It’s Everett, his eyes wild with concern.
“What are you doing!” he yells at me.
“There’s a body! Look, it’s right—”
It’s a log.
All the air rushes out of my lungs.
The “body” is nothing but a large, twisted piece of driftwoodtangled with pale weeds. The light brown and yellow strands stretch toward me, floating in the water like long strands of hair.
“I thought…” I trail off. The adrenaline fades, replaced by the sting of embarrassment.
Everett guides me back to the shore. Voices ring out as we stumble onto the sand, both of us soaking wet. My cousin lunges at me.
“Oh my God! Are you okay?” she exclaims.
“I’m fine,” I mumble. “I’m sorry. I thought I saw a body in the water.”
Hoots of laughter echo all around us. Kabir ambles toward me, slinging an arm around my shoulder.
“Jesus, Ryan, how much have you had to drink?”
“I…” I can’t seem to catch my breath or rid myself of the panic still hissing through my veins.
I grab for the pendant at my neck, an instinctive gesture, a comfort clutch. But my necklace isn’t there. It hasn’t been there for months. All I find is the wet collar of my shirt.
With a defeated breath, I shove wet hair off my forehead and turn to Everett. “I’m so sorry. You’re all wet now.”
“It’s fine.” He studies me. “You sure you’re okay?”
No.
“Yes. I just feel foolish for freaking out like that.”
“And you say I’m the melodramatic one,” Jasmine huffs, grinning at me.
I try to grin back, but my facial muscles refuse to cooperate.
“I’ve got my gym clothes in my car,” Gillian’s older sister,Kristy, tells me. “You can go change into them if you want. They’re clean.”
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Car’s unlocked,” she adds. “Gym bag’s in the trunk.”
“I’ll come with you,” Jasmine offers.
I shake my head at her. “No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t mind some privacy so nobody can see me dying of embarrassment.”
Kab snickers, but Connor reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “Honest mistake, cuz. That log really did look menacing.”
A few more titters ring out.
