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Lettie and Dane are the first to jump in. Bryce and Emmaline jump in while holding hands. The rest disperse around the entry area, but John puts me on his back, and we ease into the cold water, snorkel masks and all.

Wading in crystal-clear water, dozens of fish swim around us, unconcerned that another species is invading their space. But the underwater rock formations grab my attention. I reach for John’s hand and point under the water. “Let’s dive down.” We close our breathing tube, so the water won’t get in. We’re only diving a few feet down and can come up at any time.

“Let’s do it.” We go headfirst under the crisp, clean water, and the pointed rocks emerge from the ground, both big and small. I can’t tell if they have a sparkling substance or it’s a reflection of the water that makes them glimmer. The floor of this cave is a vibrant mixture of icicle-shaped sculptures.

When we come up for air, I say, “They’re beautiful.”

“So are the ones from the ceiling. The ones on the floor are called Stalagmites, and the ones that look like they’re dripping from the ceiling are Stalactites.”

“Aren’t you Mister Smarty Pants? You keep surprising me, John Basilio.”

“What can I say?”

“How do they form?”

John shrugs and says, "Stalagmites form when water dripsdown in caves. The minerals it leaves basically pile up on the cave floor and over time, they build up and form icicle-like structures.”

“It’s like the cave slowly decorates itself from the bottom up,” I say.

“Yeah, that’s such a girl way to describe it.” He pulls me into his chest, rewarding me with a quick peck on the lips. I made him promise not to overdo us today and give Corbin a chance to get used to us dating.

For a long time, our group sticks together, flocking toward an underwater treasure. We skim the surface with our masks on and end up with Brooke, Reed, and Austin going down a long tunnel in the cave that gets smaller and smaller.

A light flickers from below, resembling the brilliance of a diamond ring resting on a stalagmite—just like the silver elephant ring holder Mamaw gave me for my sixteenth birthday. I push the lever that doesn’t allow water to fill the breathing hole so I can dive down.

My hands push the water away as I close the distance between the sparkly thing and me. Having never been on the swim team or taken lessons, I’m not the best swimmer, but l’m strong and able to hold my breath for a good bit.

Grabbing the reflective treasure, I smile as I try to swim back to the surface, but something is tugging me down. My lungs burn, and I can’t hold my breath much longer. My body fills with panic, slashing around to free myself.

Why didn’t I show John? Why didn’t I hold his hand?

CHAPTER TWENTY

John

Laughter echoes from another part of the cave, enjoying this freshwater excursion. Reed and Brooke congratulate Becca and me. “It helps that all of you are on board,” I say to Reed as I reach for Becca. When she’s not within an arm’s length, I swivel around. She’s nowhere in sight. The water is still clear, but in this smaller area, without much light, the water reflects the earthly brown and green tones from the cave.

I see her body thrashing under water about ten feet deep. “Becca.” Slinging my mask off, I dive down with my heart pounding so loud, it seems to cause ripples in the still waters.

As I get closer, I spot her—struggling. Her kicks are getting weaker, her hands clawing at the water. How does she look so close yet farther away? It seems like an eternity before I scoop her into my arms, but her bathing suit is caught on the pointed mineral deposit. I hold her tight while I set her free. She looks at me—really looks at me—and I see both fear and relief in her eyes.

For a second, she’s limp, hanging onto me with her nails piercing my skin. I haul us toward the weak stream of light. It seems an eternity until we break the water’s surface.

Becca gasps for breath, spitting water from her mouth as sheshudders. Rolling her onto my back, I swim toward a ledge of limestone jutting out from the cave’s wall.

Her chest heaves as she squeezes my neck. Her body shakes as I stroke her back and mutter, “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

A flood of emotions cascades over me, especially fear. What if I would have lost her on the same day we started dating? With every desperate breath, relief finally sets in when Becca loosens her grip around my neck.

I kiss the top of her head before I pull back and ask, “Why did you go down without me? You scared the shit out of me.”

“I can do things by myself,” she says, her voice wavering as she squares her shoulders.

I can’t help but laugh since she’s gripping my arm like a lifeline. “I know, but I’m glad you let me help you.”

She looks away, a faint blush tipping her cheeks. “Maybe I did need you…maybe I do need you,” she admits softly, and her bravado fades into a shy smile.

Her breathing returns to normal and just before Brooke, Reed, and Austin surround us, I grin, lightening the moment with a little tease. “You know, I thought if one of us lost a swimsuit on this trip, it would be me—since you love my extra-large…”