Moving Forward

Chapter Seventeen

I turned my head to the right and slowly cracked open my eyes. Rion stood next to me with a tank and a beach shorts on.

I closed my eyes and pretended he wasn't there. Then cold hands made contact with my arm and I flinched.

I opened my eyes quickly. "Don't touch me!"

"I was just asking if..."

"Go away!"

My legs were still frozen in the sand.

He touched me again.

"What part of don't touch you don't understand!" I shouted.

I turned around and hustled to my beach chair. He followed like a an annoying fly.

"Go away! Don't you have better things to do than harass me!?" I gathered my stuff quickly, stuffing it into my bag and walked away.

"Where are you going?"

"Mind your business!" I stomped up the stairs furious.

I passed the small shops and stopped when I met by the wash off area. What are you doing Mals? It was just after two on my watch. I made an about turn to head back to the sand.

I went to the beach for relaxation and a clear my mind to sleep better. I wasn't going to let Rion chase me away. I held my head high and stepped down the stairs.

"WAIT!!" I hurried over to my beach chair that was being dismounted by the owner.

"Yuh still using it, lady?" He turned towards me with the umbrella in his hands.

"Yes, yes!"

"Oh, well ah say you left d' place. Me nuh see yuh bags or nothing dey."

"I went to the bathroom." I lied.

He shrugged his shoulders and replaced everything in its rightful place. "Enjoy." He walked off.

I breathed a sigh of relief and laid my butt on the chair.

Rion was nowhere in sight. Thank God! He must have left. The water had more people than earlier but it was still a smaller amount compared to a holiday or weekend.

The breeze was cool and refreshing. I pulled out a book from my bag and started to read. I was engrossed in the novel's drama for quite some time that I didn't realize the 2:00p.m. reef boats had returned.

"You came back?"

I looked up and there he was again. Ugh! "What is your problem!!? Why are you bent on harassing me?" I refocused my attention to my book.

"Why are you such a kill joy?"

I continued reading and wiggled my toes. He stood there like he was waiting for a response.

"You are blocking the sun and my breeze. Go away!" I finally said.

"I can't get you." He squinted his eyes.

"Well don't. Now, are you finished?"

He walked off in a mood. I couldn't get why he always bothered me. I had no interest in him and certainly would never. He's a perv and an asshole. I placed my book next to me and got up. I needed to attempt my goal again.

I made my steps and froze in the same spot. Darn it Mals! I closed my eyes and attempted lift my feet again. Then someone snatched my hands tugging me.

My eyes flew open to see Rion pulling me playfully towards the water.

"What are you doing!!? NO!!" I shouted.

My feet collapsed and I dug into the sand to avoid myself from getting closer to the water. I heard him asking what the matter was, but my chest heaved. I tried to claw my way towards the chair because I had no feelings in my legs. A wave of darkness casted over me, Then everything grew dim in my eyes. No!

~~~~~

Rion's POV

Shit!! I held my head in awe as she blanked out right in front of me. Shit! Shit! My moves were frantic as I looked around for help.

I was trained and certified as a lifeguard but I had my doubts about her. She wasn't drowning nor did she need CPR. What have I done!?

"Is she alright!!?" A guy shouted from the water.

"I'm not sure." I checked her pulse and got a fast heartbeat.

I lifted her limp body into my arms and carried her over to her chair. I laid her softly on it. The guy who was in the water was now by my side.

He had a gruff look and seemed to be in his late forties.

"I'm a doctor. What happened?"

"I... I don't know." I scratched my head. "I attempted to playfully pull her into the water because she had a hard time going in. Then she dropped to the sand and passed out."

"Probably shock, and a panic attack. Do you know her?"

The guy was asking too many questions. "Yeah." I partially lied. I knew it wasn't going to end well when she woke.

"Well, she's going to be alright." He checked her pulse and her temperature. "Her skin is burning up. Get her into a cooler place and give her some time."

"Thank you."

I threw her bag and items around me and took her up into my arms. She was light as a feather. How much did she weigh? 120? I carried her up the steps and scowled as everyone watched. It was a bit annoying to have eyes staring as I carried her.

I laid her on a bench nearby in the cool. I hoped that the guy was right and she really didn't need to go to the hospital.

Thirty minutes had passed, and still no response. My mind was going nuts. She didn't even move and it was getting late. I reached over to get her phone from her bag and she moved.

Yes! She turned to her side and mumbled something under her breath. Was she sleeping? I shook her a little but she didn't respond. I held one of her hands in mine and gave it a small slap.

She jumped up from the seat and stared at me in shock.

...

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