Unlike most, you don't miss a thing ~ Jack / Marr

[Jack Lexington]

When I tell Kyanite about almost being kicked out she says something to me that catches me off guard.
"Please, don't jeapordize your chances, okay? I want you to excel in this. Okay? I would love to see you in uniform."
So she's keen on me doing well? Is that because I did NOT win the pregames? Does she want me to do well in something else for her or maybe my sake? Maybe because I felt so low after the pregames? Or does she want to parade me around in a uniform? I don't think so, she's not the type...but why then? Most of us don't even like peace keepers, so I slow down to look at her.
"Why are you so ambitious to see me do well there? It's not like I'm overly keen to become a peace keeper." I think she knows I just signed up for the adventure, not because I believe in the cause and the greater good of Panem. I'm not the type.
Then I catch her wink about the uniform and nod.
"Ah, I see....any other motives?"

"Not much at all. Kinda limited really. Trying to do what I can at the gym to keep myself busy. Not much to do at the house since Jeran's been gone and my father's been kinda shady lately. He hardly comes home on regular hours anymore. So, it's kinda just me at the house. Been rather lonesome lately." I can hardly imagine Kynaite sitting around all lonely and bored.
"What's going on with your dad? Are you two okay?"
I wonder before her attention is elsewhere.

There's a guy standing in the water a little further down who I recognise immediately. The shorter, athletic built, buzz cut, the way he holds his neck. Yep, it's my roomie, Tyren.

Together with Kyanite I approach him never letting my arm slip off her shoulder even though I contemplate it for a second. But why would I? He's seen how I feel about her at his party. He knows more than anybody else even though I haven't publicly declared my affection for her.
"Are you going for a swim, fishy?" I shout over at him.

[Anatra]

"Are you going for a swim, fishy?" The careers in my head have found me. They're going to hunt me, kill me, flay my body and throw it into the river. I couldn't have turned faster just to see who it was. My short haste was only to be unneeded as I see Jack with his... arm around another girl. Kyanite, I recognize her as. This is all too strange for my eyes. I think I look a little bewildered by it at first but I focus in as though the sun was blocking my sight and make it look as though I approve.

"Tyren, is that you? What are you doing out here?" She asks me, their smiles show that they're happy with each other. I'm happy for them. I stand to my feet. Standing to attention, I could easily salute but I don't. "Oh, I was just er..." I begin, because I don't exactly know what I was doing out here. Wasting time, maybe? Now that people are here, the sentimentality of peaceful thinking is gone. Now my thoughts are rushing around because I'm seeing Kyanite with two different people at two different, but close, times. She is confusing me. Now that I notice, I'm actually wearing the watch she bought me. But Matt's bracelet... That isn't on me at all. I think I left it by my bedside table. I'm still unsure about it. It brings a lot back everytime I see it. I'm probably overthinking it.

"I was just testing the water." I say after a moment of silence. Literally a moment, no longer. I didn't actually mean to emphasize my words, and even look at Kyanite a little obviously, but I did and now that I have I cover it up by continuing to speak. Perhaps she didn't notice, perhaps she doesn't understand that I just unconsciously hinted towards her ability to find a catch in every river, so to speak. Max talked a lot about her after we got home from mine and Alex's party. The next day, that is. "What about you two, just out for a... friendly walk?" I beat around the bush because in all honesty, I'm scared of pissing Matthew off again. His dark side genuinely scares me.

"It's a nice place, Ma..." I begin, but I suddenly pretend I stuttered. "Me and Alex," I continue, as though nothing happened. I was going to mention how Max comes here but that would just be awkward. Maybe I've made it awkward already by nearly saying it. Maybe saying it would have been better. Damn it, I'm terrible at this. Why couldn't it just be simple?

", used to come here fishing." I continue with no pause. "How are you both, keeping well?"

W O R D. C O U N T : quack

N O T E S :

[*]

In all honesty, I do want him to do well with this new thing that he's wanting to experience. I really don't know if he's doing this just for his own self satisfaction but in the end, the uniform is also one perk to the whole ordeal. One that I let him know my intentions by winking after mentioning something about the white uniform. It takes him a second, but he finally catches on. Bout time...!

"Ah, I see...any other motives?" I quaintly shake my head telling him that the uniform might be more of a reason to do well, so that I may admire him in the suit.

Our topic goes elsewhere about what I had done, and he catches on about my dad being shady and hardly ever around. He comments on it which only makes me shrug my shoulders in responce.

"I havn't a clue. I guess his job is just keeping him really busy. We're fine though. Without him there as much, It's taken a total one eighty the way he used to treat me. It's nice in a way just because he's not making me train to his schedule anymore."

That's when we notice Tyren standing in the water and I'm half expecting for Matthew to relieve my shoulder of his arm in front of him, but the further we walk, he don't. His arms stays around me. 'No more hiding' keeps playing in my head the closer we get to Tyren. Matthew teases him and calls him a fishy, which makes me chuckle slightly. Then, he turns to us all too quickly like we had started him. His face showing a little bit of confusion, I think but I can't understand why. Even when I ask what he's doing out here, I can't help but to think that the alone time I wanted with Matthew will have to wait. His responce though is hesitant.

"Oh, I was just er..." Then silence as he stands up and continues to just stare after me for reasons that I can't think of why. Then he speaks up yet again so quickly after that silent breath. "I was just testing the water."

"Is it that cold? Matthew here has just been dared to take a dip." I playfully push my body into Matthew, egging him on to go into the water. Though, I can't help but replay the way Tyren said that. To what is he referring?

"What about you two, just out for a... friendly walk?" Friendly? To what is he refering too? Matthew and I are a couple.. but. Crap! Does he think... Max... Oh, wonderful. He must think I'm trying to hook two guys at once. His cousin and Matthew. Does he really think I'd be that low to go out with two guys at once? Max and I... it just never happened. My heart never left Matthew alone.

I look up to Matthew for a split second, then back to Tyren. "You can say that."

"It's a nice place, Ma...Me and alex, used to come here fishing. How are you both, keeping well?" He almost said Max. He almost let that slip out. I caught it almost instantly as it sent this terrible freeze down my back making me go rigid in Matthew's grasp. Did he hear it or did he just pass it off as nothing?

"It is quite lovely here. We're doing well." I answer for the both of us, just then, I put my hand to Matthew's back and move out of his hold that he has around my shoulder as I sit on the sandy beach and begin to take my shoes off. It's not as easy as it seems with only one good arm, but I make the most of it and releive my feet off the confinds of the shoes. Call me crazy, but I'm dying to feel the icy water on my skin. I push off the ground, and let my feet feel the damp, cold sand.

[Jack Lexington]

"I havn't a clue. I guess his job is just keeping him really busy. We're fine though. Without him there as much, It's taken a total one eighty the way he used to treat me. It's nice in a way just because he's not making me train to his schedule anymore."
“That’s good. He’s been too hard on you anyway. “ I confirm with some satisfaction that her old man is leaving her alone without her brother around. I was a bit worried that without Jeran she’s have a hard time.
“Then you don’t need your lovely brother around.” I tease because I’m not on great terms with the guy.

Tyren seems a little startled when we show up and tells me he’s testing the water…does he mean for real?
“Yeah, you told me that you love to swim….so this is your spot? Sorry to disturb you.”

"Is it that cold? Matthew here has just been dared to take a dip." I playfully pushes against my side and sends a jolt of pain through me because she agitates the large bruised around on my lower left side. I hold my breath for a moment and count to five before I unclench my jaw and give her a quizzical look.
“Is that so? What about you, Ty, going in the water?” I have a tendency to shorten friends names to a bare minimum.

"What about you two, just out for a... friendly walk?" Huh? My eyes narrow a little. Doesn’t he remember his birthday and finding me all broken up about Max and Kyanite in the bathroom.
“You’re memory’s shit, man.” I shake my head at him with a grin.
Kyanite seems just as secretive and strange about it as she claims. "You can say that." So I give her an odd look as well.
“Could you now. And here I was thinking you’re my girlfriend.”

They’re next exchange of words has me wondering whether Tyren knows more about Max than I do and whether I should ask Kyanite about it. Then again it’s really none of my business because at the party she clearly told me to get lost and that we weren’t together.
I try to see it as just that but I sure as heck don’t want that guy to ever show his face again.

Like my girl I take my shoes off and feel the cold damp sand between my toes. Then I join Tyren in the freezing water.
“What did you think about the first week? Man, I was so exhausted I slept for 14 hours straight.”

[Anatra]

"Is it that cold? Matthew here has just been dared to take a dip." She asks. It is great to see her smiling more since that time in the hospital. Though that was a first meeting. "A little bit," I begin. "Is that so? What about you, Ty, going in the water?" I smirk at Matt. "Is that a challenge I hear?"
After I ask them whether they're out for a friendly walk or not, half jokingly and half uncertain. "You’re memory’s shit, man." Matthew tells me, but my mind just tells me how good my memory is. I think it is his that is damaged, since he can't remember a minute of the party, apparently. Kyanite answers me. "You can say that." It is mostly because I'm in the blue a little here, that I ask. I'm not sure what is what, who is with who. And in all honesty, I don't quite want to believe that she is with Matthew again, because it wasn't long since I heard Max talking about going to meet her. If she is taking him for a race, she won't win it. I think to myself. I try to keep those thoughts away from my expression, there's no need to start a scene as I'm only curious. I could, and should be wrong.
“Could you now. And here I was thinking you’re my girlfriend.” Matthew enquires with a grin at Kyanite. I'm not sure now whether I'm happy about this, because it will hurt Max to know he's being betrayed like this. Even if it was something he should have expected. In a way, I feel like I'm seeing two faces on this girl, I tell myself. Mostly to reassure myself she isn't going to hurt both of them and run. I have too many theories running through me right now to think straight about it.

Matthew and I step further into the water. I'm not getting my t-shirt soaking so I'll only go in a little bit, where my now-short-like trousers will let me without getting damp. It isn't too cold now that I've adjusted. The breeze is strangely warm. I can feel the sun on the back of my neck and I feel the urge to use the sunglasses that Max bought me. They rest in the 'v' of my t-shirt which is a summer white. Summer summer summer. It feels like it already. If only. We can't sit and have a river party like we can then.

“What did you think about the first week? Man, I was so exhausted I slept for 14 hours straight.” I admit to myself that it was bad in terms of sleep. Turns out Alex does snore. Surely if we are twins it would be both of us. Maybe it's the fact his nose is simply bigger.
Or maybe I never get to snore because he does. "Yeah, it's hard to sleep with the bad twin in the room." I should be used to it by now, eighteen years. Jesus, that is a long time. "I don't sleep much anyway, but this weekend was different. I could have slept all day I think." I pause briefly. "Besides, I think I..." I put the sunglasses on matter of factly. "...Shined."

HA. Fucking hilarity at its best right there. All hail Tyren Orca and his fabulous humour.

"Or is it shon?" I sigh. "Damn it." I roll my eyes at myself jokingly. "You alright then? Everything as it was when you came back?"

W O R D. C O U N T : quack

N O T E S : www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

[*]

The closer we get to the sandy beach, I hear Matthew apologize for coming here asking if we had disturbed him at his special spot. I can imagine why this place would be special. It's beautiful and quite peaceful. Then my curious nature comes out as to whether it's cold and Tyren admits that the water is in fact a little chilly. As much as I wasn't going to want to freeze myself out, I wouldn't mind just hanging out in the water. And unknowingly, I set up a challege between the two guys to get them to go swimming.

"could you now. And here I was thinking you're my girlfriend." What he says makes me curious and oddly embarressed now that he's brought it to someone's attention. Not to mention one if his friends, I assume. Has alot happened between the two that I don't know of? Their friendship? Is it possible since the pregames even though what happened almost ended badly. Are they close now? Should we leave?

Matthew releives himself of his shoes just like I did and both him and Tyren step closer into the water leaving me behind to stay with the cold sand between my toes. I do get closer to the edge, letting my feet sink in the sand and the cold water that sends shivers up my spine. I automatically take to a shiver though.

As I stay up closer to the shore, I hear both of them start to talk about their first week at the academy. It's something I've not experienced so there's no way that I'll be able to participate in this conversation, so I only listen and take to making sure my arm and the brace don't get wet. I do smile though when Tyren mentions something about his brother snoring and I finally have to pip up about Jeran.

"I'm surprised you can hear your brother. I figured my brothers snoring would take over the sound. It's actually been peaceful at my house without him there at night. Luckily, you two get to take him back after this weekend." I add when Tyren begins to make himself into a big shot with the glasses on his face. "Trying to act all cool? Try this on for size, Tyren."

I bend down taking a scoop of water in my hands and splashing it toward Tyren a couple of times, before quickly trying to get out of the water.

[Jack Lexington]

The snoring conversation makes me laugh. "Yeah, you're brothers a nightmare." I confirm. "Worse than Vy with all her random babbling."
When Kyanite comments whether we heard her brother I can only frown..her damn brother damn near killed me.
"Jeran's not in our room so we're safe...bad enough that we have to work with him." I couldn't help that comment but I'm pretty sure Kyanite figured that herself because she knows we don't get along.
"But...." I stretch that. "..he might have found himself some love interest at the academy. I'm not going to name names but the chick in our room ...oh well."
I'm not sure what Tyren will think about this..if he will think anything about it at all.
"I was so sure she's into girls but I might have been wrong."


"Besides, I think I..." I put the sunglasses on matter of factly. "...Shined."
I give him a suddenly rather grumpy look when he stresses that he shined and puts his sunglasses on like he's some rockstar.
"Yeah, getting your ass kicked by the lieutenant commander sure made you shine, Mr. Points." I refer to him scoring a lot more points than I did...anybody must have.
"How many did you get at the arrest? And Alex?"
I wade deeper into the water but it feels way too cold for a swim. It actually gives me goosebumps and then Kyanite starts splashing him and me.
"Ah, you didn't!" I jump away from her droplets and decide that since she's already running like a bunny it might be a good time for revenge.
So I turn around to chase her and reach for her to tackle her but remind myself that she's injured. So I stop and let her go.
"I'm just letting you go because of your arm...I'll pay you back later!" 'In my very own way'

[Anatra]

"Jeran's not in our room so we're safe...bad enough that we have to work with him." Oh, almost forgot about him. I comment privately. "Kicked his ass." I pause though I see how inconsiderate it was. But, should I mind? Kyanite doesn't seem to regard my family when she acts, so maybe I shouldn't. I feel awfully snide right now, poking holes and prodding the fire. It feels right, though. She did try it with Max. She didn't make it obvious she was gonna go back to Matt afterwards. Max is in the blue right now, completely unaware. Oblivious. And here she is playing river romance with my best friend. I can't decide who I should be siding with, but either way she is in the middle. I don't know, I just can't decide.

"Yeah, getting your ass kicked by the lieutenant commander sure made you shine, Mr. Points." Oops, he just went there. I'm sure he's just joking. I'm not going to get pissy on a day like this. "Yeah, he was scary though. Jeran ain't scary." I say it, acting like the tough guy again, but in reality Jeran was taller than me, and that was probably the only reason I 'won' the little spar. We still came out with equal points. "How many did you get at the arrest? And Alex?" I'm not sure about Alex's, we haven't discussed it. I was waiting for him to mention it, but now that I think about it, he probably was doing the same thing. Twins, afterall. "We got the guy. Vy was good, actually. Not sure about Alex, didn't think to ask." I should have, probably. "He was with that younger girl, I can't remember her name."

After my little comment about shining, Kyanite throws water my way. "Trying to act all cool? Try this on for size, Tyren." Damn it. It's cold on my skin, but not too bad. I'm wet now, may as well swim because the only reason I wasn't going to was because I had my clothes on and dry. Now that they are wet... Thanks Kyanite. "Ah, fuck. It fits." I swear because the cold is a little shocking.

Quickly, I lose balance and slip into the water anyway, on my back though the water stops it from being painful at all. I get up and sit, the water going to my chest. Now, I'm soaking wet. "Kyyyy..." I drag it on. "Whyyyyy..." I start laughing, and then Matt begins to chase her and I'm on my own in the water. Soaked hair (my precious hair), and clothes all run through with water, every inch clinging to my body as though there was nothing left to grab but my skin. Thankfully, I'm not exactly fat in any way, so it's not at all embarrassing. The clothes seem to like showing of the career in me now that they are soaked through. "I'll pay you back later!" I don't wanna know! I think to myself, a smile on my face. Little things like this are always fun. It makes it worthwhile now that they are here. I know now that them coming here was meant to happen, because it's much more fun than sitting thinking about problems.

I can't stand the white t-shirt clinging to me like life depends on it. I stretch it off of me, leaving me bare chested in the water, still sitting. I throw it in Matt's direction. "Stop beating up the girls, Dunham!" I... Didn't mean to refer to that. I remember him telling me that he'd beat up a girl once. The truth is that I've fought a girl too. In the pregames, a girl called Alyssa. I'm not sure why this is coming back to me now. "Besides, I am cool." I say, reapplying the shades.

Screw it, more fun please.

W O R D. C O U N T : quack

N O T E S : www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o

[*]

Matthew doesn't take my comments too kindly abuot my brother's snoring and goes on to tell me even more than I wanted to know. What he does tell me is that to him, he's been an absolute nightmare but then claims he's not even in their room. Apparently, Jeran's not the kind to be liked there, cause I knew that Matthew and him woudln't get along, since I know he's went after him once, but when Tyren chimed in that he 'kicked his ass', I do frown just alittle. I didn't think my brother would be causing that much trouble. I just kind of assumed that he would make friends and be great at the academy. Not keeping and making enemies.

"A love interest? Jeran? That's just not possible. He's very strict about dating and romance... he's the one who told me to never get into a relationship until after my last reaping. What a hypocrite." I plan on teasing him about that later, although I didn't follow his plans, I feel that my life should be run my own way. That's becoming a regular thing now. My way. Not my fathers or my brother's, but mine. What I want, is starting to come out naturally to me now. I've been given more and more freedom to myself. To experience life, friendships ... and love.


Matthew comments to Tyren about being kicked by the commader and I start up a water war with Tyren and Matthew by splashing them. I knew I needed to get out of the way the moment the dropletts started hitting both of them instead of just Tyren to get back at him for his comments on being cool. Matthew, though, is the only one who actually starts taking after me. I can't help but scream out in a playful manner because I'm dreading getting knocked to the ground, but he stops so suddenly. I watch him with earnest as he claims he only let me go because of my injury. That's when I stop and glare at him, and Tyren suddenly calls out my name elongating the 'y' and asking me why I did that. I shrug my shouders with a huge grin. My attention is back on Matthew though.

"I am not weak. I can take you with one arm tied behind my back... Come on. Come get me, unless you're yellow?" I tell him, but I did catch that small part about paying me back later. In front of Tyren, I will not comment, but I can only imagine what Matthew has in store for me. I'm not even sure if Matthew will persue it right now with my challenge. I'm ready on my toes though if he decides to come after me again.

"Stop beating up the girls, Dunham." I hear Tyren yell out and the smile disappears from face in an instant. I've never seen him hit anyone in my presence and I know it was only suppose to be a joke, but the way he said that, instantly brings up Jins in my recollection of yesterday with Vy and me. "Besides, I am cool."

Now he's asking for it even more. So, I make my way back to the water, and use my hand to once again start spraying him without stopping. "Matthew! Get him! Get the cool guy!"

[Jack Lexington]

My hands on her hip when she challenges me to more in a playful manner. I would if she hadn't told me that she'd hurt her broken arm the other day. So I let my hand slip from her hip when she eggs me on. "I am not weak. I can take you with one arm tied behind my back... Come on. Come get me, unless you're yellow?"
"I know you aren't. Take it easy, tiger."
I hug her instead from behind and let go again when Tyren has the genius idea of stressing that I shouldn't beat up girls.
I can practically see the smile drop from her lips and roll my eyes at him.
"Thanks, man."
It's an undeniable fact that I've hit a girl more than once but only if they started hitting me. I guess he's referring to Vy.
"Besides, I am cool."

Shaking my head at him I side with Kyanite on this one when she tells me to get him.
"You really want to be cool? I think it's time for you to go for a swim."
Without much of a warning I start sprinting towards him but the fast movement agitates the bruised muscles on my abdomen so much that I have to slow down and more or less limp into the water because it now pulls with every step.
I'm determined not to let him get away though.
So I speed up again even if it hurts and follow him into the water because there's nowhere he can go unless he's going in deeper.

[Anatra]

"Matthew! Get him! Get the cool guy!" She calls out. I really can't bring myself to have too much fun under her orders... She's with two guys at once. How can she possibly stand anywhere near me, knowing how much I love my family? My occasional looks towards her are half-hearted, and not at all happy. Though I try to hide them from Matt because it's not his fault in any way, really. I don't think, at least. I wish I knew all the facts, damn it. It's so frustrating being in the blue. I want to ask about it, but I'm afraid I'll get another bust nose. I want to tell Max but I fear the same for Matthew, then.

"You really want to be cool? I think it's time for you to go for a swim." I don't have time to think about things, not like I intended today. He's charging right at me! Though, he slows a bit. Which makes me think little of a tackle. If he's gonna charge at me and throw me into the water, then he'll end up in with me too. I'm still sitting down in the shallow end, so I stand up, defiant with a look on my face that shows I'm having fun. "Come on then, do your worst!" I keep my shades on because I am cool. "Is that all, come on butch!" I call at him playfully as he slows down, which either makes him speed up or I'm just seeing things. "Shit, shit shit shit!" I panic on purpose and pretend to appear fearful. As he nears, very close, I simply root myself in position like a rugby player and brace myself for whatever he's got to give.

W O R D. C O U N T : quack

N O T E S :

[Jack Lexington]

As I jog towards him and cold water licks at my bare feet it dawns on me that this might be a bad idea on a day like today. Sure, the sun's out but the water is still really cold and I mean really!
"Come on then, do your worst!"
Tyren eggs me on so I have no other choice than to go through with it if I don't want to be called a chicken and we all know how much i hate that.
So I speed up a little.
"Is that all, come on butch!" Oh he's so asking for it.
"Shit, shit shit shit!" He mocks me in a playful tone.
Okay I must admit this is fun.
I can see him root his feet down and put down his shoulder. So I bring my own down as well and reach my arms out for a good tackle.
All I can hope for is to 'uproot' him with my impact. My arms close around him but instead of simply knocking my shoulder into him I step around him and with my arms wrapped around him I turn trying to throw him off balance.
I'm pretty heavy and had enough speed to make him loose his balance but the quick turn pulled a little too hard on my newly acquired 'injury in the line of duty'. I think I hurt myself more than him. What a stupid idea!

[Anatra]

He's coming right for me now, no resistance showing on his face. It's all playful, all fun and games. But I can't help but see anger in his face, whether it is there or not. Why can't I trust this guy to keep his cool? Relax, Tyren. You're being stupid.

He wraps his arms around me and takes me down good and proper. With the speed and weight, I'd be surprised if anybody could have stopped him charging. I'm strong, just not that strong. We're in the shallow water though, so my head is thrown back and hits the rocks and pebbles whilst I'm under the water. Nothing serious but either my vision is blurry or I'm under the water with my eyes open. It's nothing, just my worst nightmare. Drowning. Being unable to help yourself. He still has his arms wrapped round me a little as the the tackle ends and I think he landed on top of me but I feel my heart race because this is not a situation I'm all too keen on.

I hold my breath, and count to three. By then he's off, I think. I can breath.

W O R D. C O U N T : quack

N O T E S :

[*]

I try to make Matthew feel bad for giving up on me so easily, so I challenge him by calling him yellow. He only takes the challenge so far, by letting his hands drop from my waist. He really is giving up on me after I called him a chicken for not taking me on fully. Though, what I get instead of a challenge is him hugging me, with him pressed up against my back, his arms around my middle. It's enticing and inviting. Then he drops his hands to let me go fully. So the next moment, I take the challenge to someone more able. Tyren.

I watch the scene from afar. Even though I throw more water at Tyren, I urge Matthew to hurry to tackle him, though Matthew seems to slow at one point before gaining speed again. I want to close my eyes cause Tyren actually plants himself fully in the water. It's like a childs game to see if you can make the other player fall down by force. In a matter of seconds, Matthew has him tackled and they fall into the water. It's all pretty funny from this point of view. Even more so, I join in by going into the water a little ways up to my knees, but the water freezes me out. Already, my bottom lip starts to quiver from the chilling water, and I can see how Matthew still holds him under the water for seconds at a time.

Is he going to let him up? I can't help but wonder how long this will take before Tyren surfaces and Matthew is laughing it off. I follow closer to where they are and call over to Matthew playfully.

"Alright, alright. Let him out of the water. I think he's had enough." I tell Matthew, laughing at the sight of the two falling into the water getting completely soaked by the water. I keep moving closer at a slower pace though because the water is getting colder the further I go in. More teeth chattering shivers rack my body as I fold my arms up against myself, holding the injured arm close to my body. I reach a hand out and into the water for Tyren to take, to pull him up quickly once Matthew allows him to be let up.

[Jack Lexington]

Tyren's pretty easy to get off his feet or am I really strong?
Not matter what, the sudden jerking makes my bruise hurt and makes me stumble right after him. With half of my weight I land on him while he gets dunked under the surface of the icy river.
It's pretty shallow here so he's not going in too far but it's wet and cold.
I don't hold him in there for long as chills are wrecking my body taking the fun right out of it.
So I struggle back to my feet as quickly as I can.
With a not very gentle grip I hold on to his upper arm and pull his upper body out of the chilling current.
"C'mon, get up, you drowned rat."
At the same moment Kyanite is by my side offering him a helping hand as well.
My clothes are soaking wet and sticking to me like a clammy second skin reminding me a lot of the day when Kya and I had to get in the water to evade the dog. Not a fun memory.
Tyren looks terrified rather than amused and he's soaked from head to toe, which can't feel good.
I can't stop the shivers that shake my whole body so I trudge back out of the water.
"Awesome idea, Ky."