Thanks for your reviews! I loved reading them...
Snakes on Christine- I'm sure you've guessed but yes, this will continue, there will be about 5 chapters
The Girl of Many Fandoms- Sorry, Angel won't be in this Fanfic. I'll try to bring a mention into the next chapter
Disclaimer: I STILL don't own RENT...
Chapter 2-Trouble
(("Oh My God…Rogers drowning!"))
From the second Collins grabbed his legs, a bubble of panic began to grow in Rogers chest. He could hear the blood pulsing in his ears and managed a shocked cry before the water engulfed him.With heavy denim jeans weighing him down, he quickly began to sink to the pool floor. 'I don't want to die. I don't want to die..I don't want to die oh god..help..I can't breathe…I can't...why aren't they helping me!' his mind screamed a jumbled mess of thoughts. Almost as if on cue, his eyes met a familiar face a few meters away under the water. He struggled to distinguish it, but the raging panic in his mind made it impossible. Then the face disappeared and he was alone. Gripped by terror, he began to thrash his arms wildly, desperate to reach the surface and take a breath. But his struggles proved futile as he hit the bottom of the pool with a soft thud. Too exhausted to fight anymore a small whimper escaped his lips and he curled up in a ball, closing his eyes as the chlorine stung them 'I should have told them the truth. If I had I wouldn't be here. Why haven't they realised I need help! Don't they care..?" It felt like there was a belt being pulled tighter across his chest with each passing second and he knew it wouldn't be long until he couldn't fight anymore. "Please guys. Please realise I'm not kidding around...I need your help.." Suddenly, instinct took over and he let out a gasping breath, allowing water to rush into his mouth, slowly filling up his lungs. Stars began to dance in front of his eyes and he could feel consciousness slipping away 'I always knew Thomas Collins would be the death of me.' He thought bitterly before the world went black
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(("Oh My God…Roger's drowning!"))
Collins rolled his eyes "Don't be such a drama queen Mo," He scoffed "He'll be screwing with us,"
"Collins I swear I saw him!" Maureen protested, genuine concern etched into her face "He looked terrified." She took a breath, preparing to go back under when Collins grabbed her arm.
"Come on! He's clearly trying to play a trick on us! We've all seen Roger swim before. He was in the swim team in his sophomore year."
"Uhh Collins, that was me." Mark mumbled, his face flushing slightly
"Oh. Well what about the time we went white water rafting for spring break and I pushed him of the raft? He was fine."
"Also me. And I don't know the exact definintion, but I wouldn't call having my glasses broken and being half blind for the rest of the trip 'fine'"
Collins chuckled to himself "Oh yeah" He sighed contently "Good times."
"You know, come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen Roger in the water in all the years I've known him. When we were kids and we went to visit his Grandmother in California, he just sat on the beach and played guitar all day." Maureen recalled
Benny raised an eyebrow "And that didn't strike you as at all odd?"
"Come on, it's Roger." she replied
"True. And he doesn't own trunks. And he definitely wasn't as keen on the idea of the pool as you guys were" Mark chipped in
It was only then they all realised Roger still hadn't come up for air.
"Shit." Collins muttered, a sickening feeling -shared by the others- creeping into his stomach. Before anyone else could react, he had disappeared under the water.
"He'll be fine." Mark attempted to reassure a pallid looking Maureen "We were just looking too far into things. Collins was right, he'll be playing a prank on us. You know what Rog is like." The words were having no effect on him, so the chances of them consoling Maureen were slim "He'll be fine."
Within a heartbeat of Mark repeating these words, Collins resurfaced, his eyes wide with panic. Over his shoulder he carried Roger, who lay limp and unmoving.
"Holy…" Mark trailed of, swimming over to the edge and helping Benny and Collins drag their friend onto the poolside tiles. "Is he breathing?"
"How the hell am I supposed to know?!" Collins snapped, before putting grabbing Roger by the shoulders and shaking him "Roger? Rog wake up!!!"
In a desperate attempt to take control of the situation, Mark stepped forward and felt for a pulse "His hearts beating. Does anyone know CPR?"
"I do." Maureen whispered- almost inaudible to the others. She was still in the water, frozen with terror at the sight of Rogers lifeless body being dragged from the pool. The realization she may hold the key to bringing him back snapped her into action and she pulled herself out of the water, shrugging off the looks of disbelief from the boys "I used to be a
Brownie." she supplied as she straddled Roger and began to pump air into his lungs After an unsuccessful minute or two, the only other option became clear "Here's something I never thought I'd do." she muttered before lowering her face towards his. The second before their lips met, Roger led out a huge gasp for breath, causing Maureen to scream and tumble of him in shock.
An instant wave of relief washed over the friends and Collins knelt next to Roger, supporting him as he began to cough up water- his chest heaving with gasps for this newly granted air. These gasps steadily dissolved into shuddering breaths and Maureen leant forward, pushing his dripping hair back from his face with an almost maternal hand "Why didn't you just tell us you couldn't swim baby?"
As if responding to her, Rogers gaze travelled to the ground- a distant mist clouding his expression. His head tipped down slightly as a grateful nod to Mark- who had covered his trembling frame with a blanket.
Worried glances were exchanged by Maureen, Benny, Collins and Mark- each hurt in their own way by seeing Roger in such a state. Any hopes of a reply to Maureen's question quickly left the friends minds, so Collins moved forward and-with the help of Mark- lifted Roger to his feet. He slumped forward slightly; not fighting against them, but not helping them to move.
"Roger, you're shivering. We need to get you inside, okay?"
Nothing.
Collins let out a helpless sigh and he and Mark led their friend into the house. Followed by Maureen and Benny.
"You were so not a Brownie." Benny muttered, sceptically. As he caught up with Maureen
"He's alive isn't he." She bit back before following the others.
