A/N: I just started reading this book for school and it's really great! I thought this could have been a cool plot twist, but it may have come out wrong. I meant for a kind of friendship prevails theme, but it's a little bromancy. Take it as you will.
I was too nice. I saw Finny start to lose his balance, and I had to do something. I had just realized he wasn't competing with me after all. He wasn't jealous, and I shouldn't have been of him.
He stumbled, and turned to look at me. I knew he was going to fall, and, in my idiocy, I lunged for him so he wouldn't fall on the ground. He needed to at least make it to the water. I tacked him around his waist, pushing him away from the tree and catapulting us over the water.
His eyes met mine for a moment in mid-air and I must have looked panicked because he gave me that sly half smile.
Before I knew it, we hit the water and the cold shock overwhelmed me, leaving me temporarily paralyzed. I couldn't control my actions, and I felt myself flailing and starting to sink. I took in a breath, only to receive water. I started to choke as my vision turned dim.
Someone grabbed my hand and I broke surface. I took in a huge breath and started to cough up water. My heart was pounding and I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes.
I could hear Phineas shouting my name, though it sounded very faint. Someone hovered over me, and I could tell it was Finny because he was dripping wet. I wanted to open my eyes, to tell him I was okay, but I was too in shock I could not being myself to move.
I was lifted up by Finny, and he started off to what I supposed was the infirmary. Ironically, he was walking quickly, doing something resembling my West Point stride. At this point, I succumbed to sleep.
When I awoke, Finny was sitting next to me. That immediately put a smile on my face. He really did appreciate me.
"Finny," I said, as loud as my voice would allow. I wasn't very loud.
He smiled. "Hey Gene. You're okay."
I nodded. "Guess so."
"You...saved my life," said Finny slowly.
"Well, I owed you one," I replied.
He was silent in thought for a moment. I had finally managed to bring out the throught-provoking side of him. All I had to do was save him from death. Easy. It could have been a perfect moment, but I had to go and ruin it.
"You did my West Point stride," I grinned. After all, it was my sarcastic summer.