But Seriously. [o1] I Hope Something Eats You.

You know, I think one of the worst feelings I have ever experienced and, at the same time, the best is feeling like the world has been ripped from underneath me. I'm speaking literal, here. After I crashed into Tucker's back and sent us both over the edge of the cliff, I flailed my arms, trying to grab something. Anything. But, of course, there was nothing for me to hold onto to, and I broke the surface of the water seconds after Tucker, with the water splashing around us as we went under.

I stayed under for a long moment. My eyes were open, and the water was surprisingly clear with the moon shining above, giving me light to see by even under the surface. For a moment, I stayed like that, just floating under the surface. I didn't think. I really couldn't think. I tried wrapping what had just happened around my mind, but it was pointless for that moment. I was in shock.

But eventually, after that long moment, the chill of the water and the need to breathe brought me back to my senses. I kicked my feet and let my head bob above the surface, then I gasped for air. My lungs stung; I'm not quite sure whether it was from all the running, or from the shock, or from not breathing for a minute or two. But they stung, and I just wanted to collapse onto a bed and sleep for days.

And that's when I saw him. Tucker was floating a few feet away from me. He looked unconscious, and for a few seconds I was terrified, wondering if he was even breathing. Another second later, however, I heard him gasp and I watched him kick and splash around, trying to find some footing in the deep water. "Emma!" He yelled out, clearly not realizing I was practically right beside him. "Emmaline!"

"I'm here, Tucker." I whispered, my voice coming out shaky. "I'm right here. Are you okay?"

"Swim to me." He lowered his voice, keeping it calm and level. "I think I messed up my leg. It stings, Ems. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Come on. Grab my hand. Let's get out of the water."

I reached out and took his outstretched hand, and he pulled me towards him through the water. I was in even more shock to feel him wrap his arm around my waist, and he actually hugged me. It seemed like an entire actual minute before he let me go, grabbing both my shoulders, and staring expectantly into my face.

"I'm okay." I mumbled, despite the fact that I was mentally spazzing over the fact that Tucker Stryke, my enemy since the age of four, actually seemed to have worried about me. Was it very wrong of me to feel happy? "What's wrong with your leg?"

I let Tucker pull me along as we swam towards the shore. The water was salty and choppy, coming in from the ocean. I kept having to spit to keep myself from swallowing the salt water, but some managed to go down my throat anyway. "I'm not sure what happened." Tucker sighed as he stood up in the water, pulling me up with him, as we'd finally made it to the shallows. "I think I might have twisted my knee the wrong way when we hit the water, but I also could have hit it on a ledge on the cliff. I don't exactly know. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Tucker, I'm so sorry." I groaned. Honestly, I felt like crying. Tonight had just been so terrible. We were lost. We'd been chased by a badger, and then by a bear. I'm so glad that bear didn't actually plan on eating us and only wanted to chase us away, but... I'd practically pushed Tucker off a cliff! "This is all my fault. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have been paying closer attention to where I was running. I'm so-"

Tucker didn't let me finish. He placed his index finger over my lips, and smiled gently at me as I looked at him in question. "Cupcake, don't be sorry. I'm fine. You're fine. Everything is going to be fine. Don't be sorry. It was just an accident. A bear was chasing us. You were freaked. I get it. Now, let's just find our way back to camp."

I nodded and walked fully out of the water. My clothes felt so heavy, I just wanted to fall down and stay on the ground for a while. I tried to ring them out. Tucker followed me out of the water, but he was limping slightly, and his face was pinched. "You can't walk back to camp like that." I pointed towards his leg. His jeans were ripped and I could see a gash along his knee cap. Blood stained the hole in the fabric around his knee, and the gash disappeared, traveling down his leg. Aside from that, Tucker was shirtless, and I was still wearing his shirt. I started to take it off. "Here. Wear this. You'll catch a cold."

"No. Keep it on. You'll be warmer. And it isn't exactly like I have a choice. I have to walk back to camp like this." He ran a hand through his completely soaked hair.

I sighed, thinking about it. "You're right. You have to walk like that. It isn't exactly like I could carry you. But, look. Come lean on me, okay? That way it won't be as bad as it would be if you put weight onto your knee. We'll get Zoe to fix it when we get back to camp. She's really good at this stuff."

Tucker just stared at me, his expression skeptical. "You want me to lean on you? Oh, yeah. That'll work out great. You're pretty short, Ems. I'm six-foot-three. It's going to be pretty awkward."

"Dammit, Tucker, just do it, okay?" I snapped, my voice slightly panicked. I was tired. I was sleepy. I wanted a bed and I wanted sleep and I wanted it now. My lungs burned. My legs felt like Jell-O. My feet were numb. I was cold. And Tucker Stryke was making me want to push him off a cliff. Again. "Jeez. Come on."

"Fine." Tucker hissed, leaning onto me. It was awkward, for the most part, but after a few minutes we built up a steady rhythm and were able to manage it.

"Tucker." I grunted, wincing and clenching my jaw as he leaned onto me. "How much do you weigh? You're really heavy, you know. I'm going to need a break soon."

Tucker rolled his eyes, but I saw a small smirk break out onto his lips. "Oh, yeah, Ems. Like you're all that light."

Oh, Hell no. "You did not just say that!" I gasped, pushing Tucker away from me. How could he be so nice to me one minute, and such a jerk the next? I mean, it isn't like I'm one of those oh-no-I-must-be-under-weight-to-be-pretty girls. But, come on! I'm still a girl. "I can't believe you! How could you say that to me?"

"It's a joke, Emma!" Tucker raised his eyebrows in question. "What, I can't joke with you anymore? You know, you used to be able to take it. What's wrong with you? Did you hit your head, or something?"

What was wrong with me? I realized Tucker was right. We used to joke a lot. He'd always say mean things to me, and I'd always take it. I'd always have some smart-ass remark to shoot back at him. I'd always have a come back. But here I am, getting all hurt by it?

I knew exactly what was wrong with me, but I did not like it. I didn't like it at all. It seemed to me that ever since I'd come to this beach to find Tucker Stryke here, living with me for the summer, things had been changing. My opinion of him, my feelings for him, were changing. It wasn't just that I found him attractive. Maybe it had been at first, but not anymore not since he'd kissed me (even if that was a prank we'd pulled on everyone).

I realized, with a little shock, that I was falling for my worst enemy.



"Where have you two been?" Ace wondered loudly, looking between Tucker and I. We must have been some sight; soaked clothes, messy hair, random scratches and a few bruises covering us. "We've been waiting for you to get back since one this morning!"

"Oh, Emma!" Zoe sobbed, flinging herself at me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me. "I've been so worried about you! Are you okay? Where have you been? Oh, come sit down!"

I yanked my hand away from my cousin as she began pulling me with her. "No." My voice was low, and I tried to clear my throat, but it didn't really help. "Sleep. Now." I mumbled in monotone, heading for the tent.

I didn't even care that I'd be sharing that tent with Tucker.

He and I had finally found our way back to camp. The sun had come up, and we could finally find the trail again. Thankfully, we weren't chased by any other random animals Uncle Clark chose to keep as pets. After having realized that I was actually falling for Tucker, I hadn't said much on the way back, and he hadn't, either. He did keep sending me glances, though, out of the corner of his eye. I hadn't missed those glances.

"Holy shit, Tucker!" Ace exclaimed, staring at Tucker's leg. "What the Hell happened to you two? Did you have a fight or something?"

"Emma pushed me off a cliff." He mumbled tiredly. I don't actually think he meant it the way it sounded, but...

"Emma!" Zoe gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, as she sent a stricken glance my way. "Why would you do something like that?"

"Jeez, Stone!" Bryce grinned, shaking his head as he looked at Tucker's knee. "Do you hate Tuck that much? Guess we better watch it and not make you mad, huh?"

"Emma... I... Tucker?" Ace seemed to not be able to find words. He along with Zoe, Bryce, Jenna, and Blaine just stared at me accusingly, like I was some kind of psycho or something.

I just couldn't take it anymore. I was exhausted, and really annoyed with the way they seemed to think I had honestly pushed Tucker off that cliff on purpose. I mean, I'd gone over the cliff, too, for Heavens sake! I just kind of blew up then. "You know what?!" I snapped, my voice uneven and shrill. "It isn't like I did it on purpose! Jeez! I can't believe any of you would honestly think I'd hurt someone on purpose! I could have killed Tucker, you know?! I... I could have..." I trailed off, in sort of hysterics. I was very aware of everyone staring at me, and I was aware that my cheeks were flaming as tears rolled down them.

But then someone was pulling me into their arms and smoothing back my hair. "Shh, Cupcake." Tucker mumbled, rubbing my back in small circles as he hugged me. "It's okay. No one here thinks you did it on purpose." Tucker turned his head and glared at everyone watching us; he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. "If anyone gives you shit about it, I'll take care of it." He turned his head back and looked down at me, smiling now. "Everything is fine. Come on. I know you're exhausted, so let's get some sleep, okay?"

I swallowed a sob that was building in my throat and nodded my head once, letting Tucker lead me towards our tent. "I'm sorry..." I mumbled again, rubbing my eyes. Now, because of the tears mingling with my sleep deprivation, they were starting to burn.

"Don't be." Tucker lifted up the flap of our tent for me, and I crawled into it. I didn't even bother getting into my sleeping bag. I simply lay myself on top of it. Tucker let the flap drop for a second, calling back to the others, "When Emma and I wake up, she and I are going back to the beach houses. And, dammit, Bryce, I'm going to kick your ass when I don't feel like death."

I let my eyes close. They pretty much refused to open again. I felt Tucker crawl into the tent and lay beside me on his own sleeping bag, and I felt strangely comfortable. I fell asleep almost immediately after that.