I rushed through the halls of the ER. Nurses were rushing around, eyes wide and panicked. The memories came rising back quickly, the pain behind my eyes almost unbearable.

Lucy reached for my hand from the water, the waves crashing over her freckled face. I clasped my hand around her wrist, face twisted in determination. “Don’t let go! I’m not ready to die!” Lucy wailed, struggling to pull herself up. “I’m trying! Please, I’m trying so hard, Loo!” I cried, brown hair sticking to the back of my neck.

Lucy slipped, and disappeared.

“I need to get to my girlfriend! Please I need to see her!” I screamed, pushing doctors away. The ambulance had arrived almost 10 minutes after Lucy had slipped. She had been able to bob above the water a few times, but she was in critical condition as of now. I stumbled through the doors of her room, and stopped. Lucy was pale, the heart monitor beeping steadily. An oxygen mask was attached to her face, and her mother was sitting in a chair, her leg bobbing up and down rapidly. “Nora! Oh, baby, Lucy was asking for you earlier.” I kneeled by Lucy, and gripped her hand in mine. “Oh, Loo. Please don’t give up on me. You said you weren’t ready and neither am I.” Lucy’s eyes fluttered open slightly and she smiled at me. I kissed her forehead, sobs racking my body. “Hey.” She rasped, her voice whispy and light. “Shush. Get some sleep.” I murmured hugging Lucy. Lucy shut her eyes,and fell asleep quickly.

Lucy went into a coma that day.

Two months later Lucy was ready, even though I wasn’t.