Free Girl on the Run by B. R. Myers

under his dead weight, I managed to wrap my arms under shoulders. I kicked toward the dock, hearing Ben’s words echo through my memory. “Don’t let the kids drown.” Please, please, please, I prayed.
    Alicia leaned over and helped pull Liam onto the dock. A crowd had gathered after hearing the cupettes’ screams.
    I put my ear next to his mouth, but there was no air. I pinched his nose and sealed my lips over his. My first breath went in. Alicia placed two fingers on the side of his neck. I gave another breath.
    â€œThere’s a pulse,” she said, her voice shaking. I gave another breath but this time my head was forced down, mashing my lips against Liam’s. Then I tasted sweet marshmallow. It took my brain a few seconds to piece it all together. I screamed into his mouth and pushed away.
    Liam sat up. “It’s a miracle!”
    â€œYou little shit!” I screamed.
    Alicia took control, dispersing the now shocked and chuckling campers. Several of the cupettes still held hands over their hearts.
    Liam joined Duff and Spencer. The three partners in crime stood there snickering. I felt a volcano of emotion ready to erupt. Clever demons, I thought, creating a diversion, giving Liam enough time to swim out far enough and making sure Alicia was busy, so I would be the one to jump in.
    â€œThis was the best class ever!” Spencer exclaimed, earning a few giggles from his admirer.
    Duff signed.
    â€œOh, you’re right,” Liam said. “Duff mentioned that J.J. forgot to ring the bell.”
    I glared at them.
    â€œYeah,” Spencer said, giving me a disappointed look. “Weren’t you listening?”
    Lacey examined one of her painted fingernails. “Apologize to Jazzy, please,” she said. As if they were a bunch of primaries that used too much glue by mistake.
    â€œSorry, Jazzy,” they boys sang.
    I dripped on the dock, hating them all.
    â€œHey, Duff,” I said. “Read my lips.” I mouthed a few words that would mortify Mom.
    Kirk appeared behind the boys. “Say again?” he asked.
    Crap .
    He did a quick inventory of my shivering body in the two-piece, then he raised his judgmental eyebrow. Are you ready to quit?It said to me.
    I stood my ground and folded my arms across my chest.
    â€œYou guys have earned an afternoon in the cabin,” Lacey told them. “You can come out for supper.”
    â€œWhat?” Liam cried out. “It was just a joke.”
    Kirk only had to give a quick motion toward the lawn. Not daring to voice another complaint, they shuffled away with their shoulders slumped. But as they ran up the slope to the cabin, I couldn’t help but wonder if getting out of the activity had been the goal all along. Humiliating me was just a bonus.
    I heard a cough and noticed Scotty. He ran a hand through his black hair, then stuffed his hands in his pockets.
    â€œYou too, Scotty,” Kirk said, nodding in the direction of the other three.
    â€œBut he didn’t have anything to do with it.” I looked down at Scotty. “Did you?”
    â€œNo,” he said, his voice rising at the end. “Course not.”
    â€œGo,” Kirk ordered again. Scotty silently followed the others.
    â€œThat’s not fair,” I blurted out. But Kirk was already walking away. Alicia and Lacey continued with the lesson, probably grateful for our removal. “Wait!” I ran after him, my bare feet hitting the smooth wooden surface of the dock.
    Kirk kept walking, barely glancing at me. “You can’t just punish the other three,” he said.
    â€œWhy not?” I asked, following him across the lawn.
    â€œIt’ll make it harder for Scotty to fit in.”
    â€œWho wants to fit in with those little shits?” I reached for his arm. “Hey, hold on for a second.”
    He finally stopped and looked at me. Damn those eyes. I gulped.
    â€œAll afternoon the guys will be trash