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ELIZABETH'S POV

I groaned as the bright light filtered through my bedroom windows. My mind swirled as I tried to remember how I had gotten up to my room last night. I was at Callie’s party and then…

Oh yeah. I face palmed myself. I almost drowned. Curse my darn inability to swim.

I winced as I sat up and looked around the room. Memories of the night came back to me in flashes.

After Kevin had rescued me, he'd taken me to the hospital, and of course, since I was still seventeen, they’d called my parents.

And then Callie’s parents, who had absolutely no idea about what was going on were called and overall it was a very confusing and awkward experience.

I sighed, reaching for my phone. I had missed so many calls.

I decided to call Callie back first. She picked up after the first ring.

“Oh my gosh, Liz, are you okay?!” she yelled into the phone.

I had to hold it back from my ear because she was so loud.

“I think you broke my eardrums.”

“Sorry,” she said, a little quieter this time. “I was just so worried about you. I never should have had that dumb party.”

“Sorry I got you in trouble.”

“What are you apologizing for, silly? I really was worried sick. You were mumbling all kinds of stuff about the rebel life, whatever that is.”

“Oh no,” I groaned and she giggled.

“I’m under house arrest, but I’ll come visit you later today.”

“I don’t think I’ll get let out again until I’m forty,” I complained. “But if you’re under house arrest, how are you gonna come over?”

“I don’t think my parents care either way. They asked the helpers to keep an eye on me, but if I sneak out, then that should be fine.”

“Cals, won’t they check up on you?”

“Oh please,” she scoffed. “They’re probably half way across the world right now on another cruise. They’re just glad this didn’t get out to the press.”

I could hear the disappointment in her voice, but it quickly turned into excitement. “Guess what?”

“Umm… I don’t know.”

“That’s not a valid answer.”

The happiness was ringing in her voice. I could almost see her bouncing impatiently on her bed as I tried to figure out whatever was on her mind.

“Does it involve Demetri?”

“Yeah!” she squealed. “He asked me to start dating him.”

Oh, so that’s what this was about.

“What did you say?”

“I said, yes. Duh!”

“I’m really happy for you, Cals!”

And I meant it. Demetri seemed a bit weird to me, but we had known him for three years… sort of.

And Callie seemed to have gotten over Daniel a little bit now too. Maybe I was just being paranoid and he was actually a nice guy.

Yeah, that had to be it.

I smiled. “So Kevin and I are the only singles left now.”

She laughed. “Klizzy forever.”

“I should call him too. I need to thank him for saving me last night.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I guess I can overlook his past sins for the moment. He did get you breathing again.”

“It’s a good thing he can swim.”

Callie paused. “What does swimming have to do with that?”

“You know, him pulling me out of the water and all. The deep end was like ten feet at least.”

“Liz… he didn’t pull you out.”

“What?” I frowned, sitting up. “What are you talking about? Yes, he did.”

“No, I think you got it mixed up. Kevin was about to jump in, but Ashton was closer. He got to you first.”

I nearly choked on the fingernail I was nibbling. One of my bad habits. Just like that, the nail I had been growing out was now ruined.

“Ashton saved me?” I gasped.

“Yeah. It was him alright. I was so surprised because… well, I thought he hated you.”

“He does,” I agreed. “I don’t see why he’d mess up his perfect hair for me.”

“You think his hair’s perfect?” I could hear the smile in her voice.

“No! I mean, yes, but no,” I groaned and she laughed.

“But Kevin was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes. I didn’t see Ashton anywhere.”

“That’s because after he pulled you out, Kevin took over and Ashton went to beat the crap out the guys who did that to you. I’m pretty sure he broke their faces.”

I grimaced. “That doesn’t sound too good.”

“I’m sure it feels worse for them.”

“Why would he do that for me?” I asked flabbergasted.

I was stupefied. Mystified. Flat out confused. I thought he was mad at me for confiscating his stuff.

“Maybe he’s not as bad as you thought. He could be misunderstood.”

“I’m not sure him being a colossal jerk is a misunderstanding. He literally threw my books in a fish tank a few weeks ago.”

“But it’s romantic isn’t it?” she gushed. “The brooding bad boy falling for the innocent girl.”

“I’m sure it’s not half as romantic as you make it sound. And I have no intention of falling for a bad boy.”

“I thought you were about the rebel life,” she joked.

“The rebel life kicked me out,” I sighed, feigning sadness. “Alas, I am back to being regular Elizabeth again.”

“Well, I like regular Elizabeth,” she giggled. “I’ll see you at school Monday?”

“Yep,” I said, popping the p.

Now, I needed to go get some breakfast. I went downstairs and made some cereal while I thought about everything I’d just found out.

Ashton saved me?

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