Never Again

I lived my life pretty simple. I had a routine, I woke up to a tidy room, fixed me coffee, ate me some breakfast, brushed my teeth got changed and left for school. I lived by myself in a small apartment on the top floor where I could watch the sunset over the ocean, I had the best view. My neighbors who I became friends with we’re not loud or disruptive. I lived in the perfect spot, went to the perfect school, I got the perfect and right amount of friends so where I’m not to crowded but I can invite them all over to my house. It was perfect. Now your probably wondering who am I? Or why aren’t I talking about my family. Well I am Georgia Mile and I come from a small town in Georgia, and if it wasn’t clear enough that is where I got my name. My family isn’t rich but I was able to get scholarships and get into honors and I basically won my pathway to a free college in Florida. Now to get to the point, it all started out as a normal day June 12th 2021 and since it was the weekend and no school, I went hanging out with my friends at the beach. I was basically the mom od the group and took care of everyone, I brought the food, sunblock anything you could think of to make a beach day possible.

As I was reading my book to ease my mind off the fact that my friends were in the dirty ocean, my friend Jaklyn came over and just bear hugged me. Of course I just sat there and looked at her like she was an idiot and she frowned.

”You have to loosen up girl. We are at a beach for cryin out loud! And what are you doing? You are reading a book Georgia!” Jaklyn trying to explain in a calming way, knowing why I don’t even like the beach. “Look you just need to enjoy yourself, I will go with you into the water, I’ll even hold your hand! Come on girl!”

She stands up motioning me to come with her. I hate germs, especially the ocean, I mean we know more about space than we do the ocean! Why would I-

“Hello? Georgia?”

“Fine! But you have to and I mean you have to stay right next to me!” I yelled

“Okay!” She said laughing

I dusted off the sand and held her hand as we started off to the water. I always hated the fact that I couldn’t see what was underneath me in the water. That’s why I prefer pools. They were clear, clean and of course extremely easy to see through.

Literally before I knew it we were belly deep and I could feel the slimy sand through my toes and started to imagine the most horrible play-outs my mind was playing.

As I was looking into the murky water I hear a loud warning sound. Was that the lifeguard warning to something? I look back behind me and see everyone rushing toward me. Me? What? I turned back around and realized they we’re headed for shore. Was there a shark? I turn around again and see two fins far off. I don’t care how far or close they were I was headed to the shore and pulled Jaklyns arm and started swimming

I knew I was faster at swimming than Jaklyn but I could no longer feel me dragging her behind me. I still didn’t look back. I keep going to the shore untill finally I was back to where my picnic basket was and my friends. I started nervously laughing. I didn’t question why I was laughing but I knew. Either I was shark bait or safe on the shore. I knew where I was but when I looked up I seen my other two friends Harry and Jess and the look of horror was on them. I was beyond confused. I turn around to look at Jaklyn but was no where. Wait. No no no. Wait!

“Jaklyn?” I questioned “Jaklyn!”

Before I could blink I felt arms around me pushing me down. I pushed back and felt a pain on my arm. When I looked I couldn’t even see where I was hurt. Too much blood. Dark blood. I was motionless now and couldn’t say a word. Did that shark get me? They weren’t even that close. I didn’t have the strength to even keep my eyes open and darkness overtook me.

*Beep *Beep *Beep

When I woke up everything was white. My arm where the pain was wrapped up so much it was too heavy to lift. My other hand had a little machine on my finger and realized I was at the hospital.

What? God! What on earth. I looked to the right and saw Harry half awake half dazing with puffy eyes, was still in his swimming shorts and had a blue blanket over him.

”Harry?” I questioned in a low voice

My hello must of definitely snapped him out of his daze because when he looked at me be turned his head quick, but not fast enough because I could see tears flow down his cheeks like a waterfall.

“Harry” I said with a firmer voice

He wiped his tears and turned to me and just asked how was I as he looked at my arm.

I didn’t care about my arm right now. I was confused. Why wasn’t Jaklyn behind me when I got to our spot? Nevermind. God how stupid am I? Put two together Georgia. You already know what happened. Tears came to my eyes and I looked at Harry.

“Jaklyn?” I asked even though I knew what he was going to say.

The nurse came in and brought a plate of food to me and Harry. I found out that Jess didn’t have the stomach for any blood, hospital any of that, so he didn’t come

We couldn’t say anything to each other. We weren’t that close, it was Jaklyn who we talked to, but not to each other. So instead of shedding more tears for something we can’t take back we ate in silence as the news reporter talked about the accident that happened on June the 12th.