I own nothing. Thank You!
She could feel it. She could feel his muscles tightening and cramping, the cold water filling his lungs. She could feel his body become stiff and he slowly sank under. She screamed. She screamed his name but there was not a sound to be heard. She screamed so hard it gave her a headache. She screamed when they pulled her away, she screamed and thrashed, wanting to run into the water and go with him.
Clara shot up with a jolt. Rose stood above her, shaking her, pleading her to wake up.
"You were having a night terror again love," Rose sat on the edge of the bed and comfortingly rubbed Clara's back and shoulders. Clara panted and shook vigorously. She had been having the same dream every night since he died. It had been 4 months. Clara rested her head on Rose's shoulder, sobbing.
"I miss him," she whimpered.
"Of course you do. It would be ridiculous not to," Rose said while rocking gently. Despite there only being a couple years age difference, Rose was much like a mother figure to Clara; even more so since the tragedy.
Rose had woken up just about every night to the sounds of Clara's screams. It broke her heart, knowing how much pain the poor thing was in. She was only 24; she shouldn't have to go through this.
"D'you want tea?" Rose asked, gently stroking Clara's hair. Clara nodded and muffled a 'yes' into Rose's shoulder before laying down again while Rose got up to fix her tea. Clara rested her hand against her chest, feeling her heart pound. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. In 4, hold 7, out 8, she counted in her head. Eventually her heart rate returned to normal and she was no longer shivering.
Rose returned with a mug. Clara took the steaming cup, it burned her fingers but she ignored it. She wanted it to hurt.
"I've got a suggestion for ya," Rose said, crossing her legs on the bed. Clara sipped her tea, concentrating on the tingly burning feeling on her tongue. She won't taste anything for a bit.
"I'm listening, but I'm not approving," Clara grumbled.
"In a couple days the University is having auditions for the musical; you know how they have one every year? This year's show is Anything Goes. David and I are trying out, and I think you should too."
"Really Rose a musical? I'm not coordinated enough for that."
"I reject that. You need to do something Clara. You can't just wallow and stay in bed for the rest of your life."
"I believe I can, I've been doing it for 4 months."
"You're being silly. Please Clara?" Rose gave her the biggest, saddest eyes she could.
"Stop, you know what that look does to me!" Clara complained, shutting her eyes. Clara knew she wouldn't win this battle. "Fine," she groaned. "I'll go. But if it doesn't work out, you let me go back to wallowing."
"Alright," Rose ruffled the smaller girls' hair and retreated to her own room.
Clara huffed and rolled onto her side. She traced her fingers along the empty half of the bed before kissing his pillow and falling into a dreamless sleep.