Five

Laura's POV

I gasped for air as my head burst through the surface of the water, but my lungs refused to cooperate. They didn't know how to function without the comforting embrace of oxygen - which, in my current position, was not readily available.

I had never learnt to swim before, unlike Annabelle.

My arms flailed helplessly in the water as my head once again sunk below the surface. I tried to calm my racing heart, to control the desperation building inside me, but it was all for naught. My mind was quickly becoming consumed by the thought that this might be it, that I might die here in the pool on this otherwise unremarkable day.

Killed by someone I don't even know, in a place I don't even want to be.

It all happened so quickly. One moment I was walking out with a beautiful dress, something I couldn't brag of in a very long time, next I'm making bubbles with water due to water running in through my nose. I opened my mouth several times to call for help, but water filled my mouth right up.

The evil mistress that was the cause of my predicament didn't even care to help, maybe she did in intentionally.

My vision was narrowing, blurry and my focus fading fast. I was alone in the water and helpless, just the same way I've been drowning alone in my messed up life.

I had given up hope that this was it for me. Everything that I dreamt of achieving flashed right before my eyes. Finally, I will be rid of my problems and I just let the water take me.

And then, suddenly, I didn't.

There was a jolt, a sudden movement that sent me spinning in the water. A pair of strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me in close. The rough fabric of a t-shirt was pressed against my chest.

But I was losing myself. Drenched in water, I became heavy for me to carry. Water had filled up my lungs that I couldn't breathe properly and he took me wrapped in his arms, but before he could get me out of the pool, I lost myself as I couldn't no longer hang on. I lost focus and everything blacked out.

Suddenly, my eyes opened like someone had dragged me out of the darkness. Water sputtered out of my mouth and my nose.

I looked up and the face I saw was, though blurry a man knelt down above me, spitting out water too.

My chest hurt as I coughed and I looked around, seeing people gathered around me. I was embarrassed at the fact that people had to see that I don't know how to swim. Then, someone carried me in his arm. I knew he was a man when I felt the masculinity of his arm, I turned to see him and I was surprised by the face I saw, because I had never seen him before.

Brown haired and honey eyed, my super hero was caped by a handsome look.

"I can't... Walk." I stuttered, because I couldn't stand everyone watch me carried like a baby.

"Okay, whatever you want." He said, calmly as he dropped me on my feet.

"Thank you," I whispered as I turned to go back to my room.

I slowly made my way up the grand staircase, my legs still shaky from the near-death experience in the pool. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't shake the feeling of terror that still lingered within me. As I walked up the stairs, I heard the sound of someone's laughter in the distance. I turned to look who it was and it was the same girl that pushed me into the pool, I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I realized she was making jest of me. I thought I was done dealing with Annabelle, but it seems like my life was interwoven with Annabelles.

"Look at her! She couldn't even swim," She said, still chuckling.

I ignored her and continued walking, keeping my focus solely on reaching my room. I couldn't believe that she could find any amusement in my almost fatal experience which she had a hand in. She wasn't even sorry.

I could hear her footsteps behind me, and soon she was walking alongside me. "Why are you walking like a slave?" she sneered, mocking the way I walked. "What do they say again? Is it the sex every night that's making your legs so shaky? Or it's just the water?"

I clenched my fists at her nasty words and kept walking, not wanting to engage in any conversation with her. I had learned to ignore such snide remarks and insults over the years, but her words were hurtful. Just a few moments together and she was already a more cruel person than Annabelle ever was, and it appeared that she wasn't even trying to hide her behaviour.

I climbed up the stairs

As she kept on mocking me. Then, I heard someone walk up to where we were. I turned back and it was the same person that saved me from the pool.

"Stop it Clara!" He whispered with a deep toned voice.

"Oh, confess it. You have a feeling for her after seeing her waist in that revealing and slutty dress." She spoke loudly.

"Don't make me, Clara. Don't make me!" He warned her.

"Else, what?" She asked as she put her hands on her waist like she was getting ready for a fight.

"Enough." A voice from above screamed.

Everyone looked to the direction of the voice and it was Xander.

"Well, mission accomplished. He noticed you, but he still won't let you lick his ass." My knight in shining armor whispered.

I couldn't resist the shade as I snickered and she left the place angrily.

Then, I headed for my room.

On my way to my room I turned back and looked at him again and our eyes meet as we both looked at each other.

I quickly took away my eyes and rushed to my room.