• "Oh...my god." I whispered, the first to break the silence as I rushed over to her. "It's alright...i-it'll be alright." I soothed, stroking the hair out from her face. She was sobbing, but her screams still filled the air.
    "THOMAS!" I said loudly, glancing back to see him stumbling across the beach. "You better help her." I said through clenched teeth, gently placing her in his lap. I watched his pale face, his wide eyes...and got mesmerized gazing at his strong jaw...his perfect face...
    "I'm going to need your help." He said firmly, and I blinked as I slowly floated back to reality.
    "I'm no doctor." I said quietly, already knowing he wouldn't care.
    "She needs help...if you don't, she'll die." He said sadly, and that remark punched me in the gut.
    "Fine," I whimpered, and knelt back down, placing my hand on her cold collarbone. "What should I do first?"
    "Well, we need her to stop screaming." He murmured lightly, gazing down at the teenager with pity.
    "And I assume that's my job throughout this whole thing, eh?" I snorted, and leaned my face down to her's. "What's your name, sweetie?" I asked her, forcing a smile.
    "Nicole," She gasped, placing her sweaty palm over mine. "Nicole Jones."
    "You're going to be okay, Nicole." I stated, glancing at Thomas, who had already started dabbing her wood with alcohol.
    "A-are you sure?" She winced, letting out a small whimper as Thomas pressed gauze down against her forehead.
    "Positive." I smiled, holding onto her hand and stroking it gently. I could feel her body calm, but her eyes remained worried.
    "What about that older woman?" She asked suddenly, looking up at me strangely. "Is she alright?"
    I paused there, unsure how to answer. I decided to stick with the truth.
    "No," I admitted, looking away to avoid her pained expression. "She was dead."
    She gasped and started to sob again. Why did she care so much-
    "That was my mother." She cried, hiding her face in my pant leg. I felt tears soak threw, and I bit my lip.
    "I'm sorry." I said slowly "I know this must be so sad of you, but we can't do anything. She had lived a full life...and, all we can do is get you bandaged up now."
    "Bu-"
    "No buts," I interrupted, holding up my other hand. "You'll be fine, I mean common, look at Thomas go! You're almost ready!"
    Her light green eyes moved to Thomas' direction, and she instinctively moved a hand to where her cut had been. It was covered in thick layers of protection.
    "Oh thank you!" She cooed, scrambling to get up and throwing herself at him. They toppled backwards onto the sand, with her on top and hugging him with all her might.
    I was sure annoyance was written all over my face, because I had to bit my lip to stop from snapping at her. I watched as he grinned, then slowly pushed her to the side. They both dusted themselves off, and when I caught Thomas' gaze for a moment, he seemed sorry.
    "Does any else need help?" He called, looking over to the small group of people that had huddled a few feet away.
    "No, nothing's to wrong with us. Just some cuts and bruises. The bleeding has already stopped for most cuts." The man I had met earlier, Gregory, explained, stepping forwards. "This might be a good time to...introduce yourselves? I'm sure we'll be together for a while."
    "Good idea," Thomas grinned and motioned for me to follow, holding his hand in my direction. My heart leapt, and I moved forward to take it. But there was Nicole, clinging onto that same hand only moments before I had the chance.
    "Common," She giggled, unable to look at his face. "Let's gooo."
    I almost choked, anger and jealousy bubbling up inside of me.
    As they started forward, I trailed behind, shuffling with my head down. Damn, this was turning out to be terrible.


    ~~~


    WORKING ON