Saving Hannah.

I didn't see Mike in our last period of the day, once again. The bell rang and he wasn't waiting outside the classroom for me, so I walked to Vic's office, hoping he would be there.

I peered into the office and saw Vic sitting at his desk, his face concentrated on the paper in front of him.
"Do you know where Mike is?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I still wasn't too keen on being around him.
"He had testing today, he said he'd come here after to meet up with you so I'm glad you ended up coming by." Vic answered, giving me a small smile. "You can sit if you like, it might be awhile."
I nodded and took a seat cautiously, glancing at the paper accidentally. I noticed it was my file, and on top of the manila folder was my discharge summary: the reason I had been on suicide watch.
I sighed loudly and Vic looked up at me.
"I'm sorry if you think I'm being nosy, I just wanted a better understanding of what your situation was. I didn't know you were on medication." He said, frowning.
"I'm not." I blurted out, immediately covering my mouth with my hand.
"Your discharge papers said you are."
"I don't take it. I won't take it." I mumbled, peeling the skin off my fingers, a nervous habit I'd recently picked up.
"Hannah, that medicine is there to help you. You need to take it, I'm serious."
"Yeah okay, not gonna happen. Stop acting like you care." I spat out.

I stood up and Vic did the same, but Mike walked in at that moment.
"Hannah! Hey, you ready to leave?" Mike asked, a wide smile on his face.
"Of course." I said, returning the smile.
I grabbed my bag and pulled my keys out and headed out the door, but turned when Vic called Mike back to talk. I disappeared but stayed for a second to listen in, hearing Vic ask Mike to ensure I took a medicine.
I ran out to my car and started it, smiling as Mike climbed in the car.

I drove off the down the road in silence until Mike turned down the radio and tapped my shoulder.
"Can we go to your house? I really wanna go swimming if that's okay with you." Mike said, giving me a small smile.
I thought about the cuts on my wrist, but Mike already knew about them and I could always wrap them. My older cuts were nothing but scars, and I could always get in the pool before Mike did.
"Yeah, sure. That sounds like fun." I replied.

We pulled into my driveway and Mike turned to me. "I'm gonna grab my swim trunks, then I'll meet you out back by the gates?" He asked.
I nodded my head and ran inside, slinging my bag down on the floor. I quickly grabbed my ace bandage and wrapped my wrist tightly.
Sighing loudly, I opened my bathing suit drawer and stripped down, smiling at my body. Although I didn't like it most days, I had the cutest thigh gap and a toned stomach. I was lucky enough never to cut too deep, so the only scars I had were from a knee surgery when I was younger. I quickly slipped on a bathing suit, and walked outside and opened the gate to see Mike already standing there.

Mike's eyes widened when he saw me. "You look nice. That top is a little big, but fits considering your lack of boobs." He said, snickering.
Mike always made fun of the fact that I had no boobs, whatsoever. I was a 32A, and most days I didn't even bother with a bra, I'd only wear a sports bra.
"Whatever Fuentes, I don't even care at this point." I said, sticking my tongue out at him. I let him in through the gate, and his phone began blaring Nirvana just as he passed me, making me cover my ears.
"Hey Vic, what's up?" He answered, the phone on speaker.
"Hey. I'm bringing Mr. Perry and Mr. Preciado, sorry I mean Tony and Jaime over for a bit tonight, do you and Hannah want to hang out here? They don't mind and neither do I." Vic asked, and I was shocked.
"Yeah sure. We're swimming now, but uh hold on." Mike turned to me. "Can they come here for a bit?" He asked.
I nodded silently.
"You guys can come chill and swim with us, Hannah doesn't mind." Mike said, giving me a smile.
"Awesome. See you in five." Vic said, ending the call.

Mike and I set our phones down at the edge of the pool and he pulled off his shoes.
"This is gonna be so awkward." I mumbled, turning a notch to heat the pool up.
Mike giggled and looked at me. "It'll be fine. I doubt they'll be all weird about things."
I nodded in agreement and we stood there for a few seconds.
"Should we go in together?" Mike asked, dipping his toe in.
I knew my pool was freezing cold, I had just turned the heater on and it would take a few minutes, so I figured I'd get Mike back for his comment on my cup size.
I heard a car door slam and voices making their way to my yard, and I froze. "Sure, let's do it." Mike took my head and counted down from three just as I heard Vic greet us.
"Hi Vic! Okay, ready? 3-2-1!" Mike shouted, jumping and letting out a scream as I backed up. He crashed into the water and I felt the freezing water hit my legs as Mike resurfaced, gasping. "It's so fucking cold! You didn't even go in!" Mike shouted, making his lips into a pout.
I shrugged my shoulders and turned to see Vic, Jaime, and Tony all standing there, wide smiles on their faces.
My cheeks went red as I noticed my overall lack of clothing, and I couldn't help but feel awkward. Mike climbed out of the pool and hugged me, and I let out a loud squeal as the cool water went all over me.
"Mike, seriously? You watched me turn the heater on. It's freezing right now." I giggled, pushing him away.
"You deserved that Mike." Vic said, laughing.
I waved shyly to all my teachers and guidance counselor, seeming to be the only person thinking this was awkward.
"I'm gonna grab a drink, you guys want anything?" I asked, smiling.
Everyone agreed on waters, Mike begging me for a beer which Vic scowled at him for. I went inside and grabbed the waters, noticing my pill bottle on the counter.

I sighed to myself. I should probably take them, they could only help. I walked outside with the waters and pill bottle in hand, setting it down on the table. I noticed everyone already in the pool, so I placed the waters down and retreated to where the pill bottle sat. I saw Vic eye me and the pill bottle and I smiled, twisting the cap open and taking a bright blue pill out. I placed it in my mouth and took a drink of my water, Vic smiling widely at me.

Gosh, was he handsome or what?

"Will you please play chicken with me? Vic won't get on my shoulders, he's ditching me, and I need short person." Mike whined.
I nodded and climbed into the pool, watching Mike duck under me and I adjusted myself on his shoulders. Vic was climbed on top of Jaime's shoulders, and Tony decided to referee.
"Could you hand me my tank top please? This top isn't exactly the best." I said, smiling at my science teacher. He nodded and passed it to me, and I slipped it on.
"It's not like we'd see anything anyways." Mike said, laughing loudly.
"You know Mike, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you really like me since you're always picking on me." I retorted.

Everyone laughed along with me, but my eyes were on Vic. And then it hit me.

I liked Vic.

Notes