We never did get busted for that . . . a few days later we walked all the way down to the river that flowed through the center of our town. It was quiet there and there were rail road tracks, literally, right next to the river. It was one of the only places Near would go without a fuss. He liked it there. We all did.

The moment we got down there I hopped on a track. Matt got on the one across from me and Near walked off to the side, occasionally stopping to throw a rock in the river.

I stumbled on the track. Matt held out his hand for me to take for balance support. We walked for a long time like that; hands stretched out to each other making sure the other didn't fall. Near didn't care that there was a loop he was left out of. He was content throwing rocks at the random shit that passed by in the water.

We finally got to our spot. There was a part where a concrete slab jutted out and made a cliff we could sit on. Everyone took off their shoes and let their feet dangle over the side. The water was high today. Our toes almost touched it.

"Jeez!" Matt exclaimed looking at the river, "Cruet's strong today!"

Near and I peered over the side. Near suggested, "Everyone be careful today."

We sat for a while. I noticed that there was a big log jutting out into the water that wasn't there last time we were here. It was wet and covered in green moss. Gross.

After a few minutes I got bored and punched Matt in the shoulder, "Tag!"

I jumped up and ran down the tracks. Matt looked up at me and sighed, "Eh. Tag is too much effort. I can never catch you anyway."

I stopped a few feet away, "Come on, lazy ass! You're not going to get any better if you don't try!"

Near side-glanced Matt, "He's right."

Matt rolled his eyes and pulled down his goggle/glasses things, "Running after Mello is too much work. He's faster than me. He only wants to play because he has the advantage."

Near leaned back so he could see around Matt and look at me, "He's right."

I put my hands on my hips, leaned forward a little-again not as girly as it sounds-and said with an attitude, "No one asked you, tinny. This is between me and Matt."

"Isn't everything." He snapped leaning back to his normal sitting position and twirling a strand of hair.

Matt pointed at me with a smile, "Ooh! Snaap! He got you there!"

I stormed over and stood next to them. Now I'm bored again. I slowly reached down then quickly grabbed Near's doll. He gasped and I ran back to the train tracks. I turned back to him holding up the doll, "What now, half-pint!"

Matt started laughing. Near walked over to me, "Mello, can I please have my toy back?"

"No." I turned it away from him, "You'll have to make me."

He reached for it. I pulled back more. He sighed, "Please Mello."

I shook my head. He was starting to get more frantic. He reached out with both hands and I held him back with my free hand. He let out a sad, pathetic cry. I smiled.

I held it over his head. It was just out of his reach. He raised his arms up and cried, "Give him back."

"Did you just call it him?" I asked mockingly.

Matt stood and came over, "Okay Mello, give it back."

I gave him a look. Then dropped Nears toy and grabbed the brim of his goggles. I pulled them up quickly and began to run down the track. Matt wiped around and grabbed hold of the strap of his goggles. I turned back to him. We both had a hold of his goggles with both hands. I gave a pull on them. In fear they might break, he let them go. I raced down the track, Matt hot on my tail, the two of us leaving Near in the dust. But he was fine as long as he had his toy.

I started to laugh as Matt got closer and closer. Finally I slowed and allowed him to catch me shouting, "Okay! You win!" I gave him his ridiculous goggles.

He pulled them back on. We didn't run long enough to be out of breath but Near was now a small speck in the distance. After adjusting his goggles Matt looked at me, "You're a jerk sometimes."

I smiled bigger, "I try!" something caught my eye for my peripheral vision. There was a little log floating down the river, "Hey Matt look! Target!" I ran closer, grabbed a rock, and throw it at the stick/log. I plopped into the water an inch away from the log, "Shoot!"

Matt grabbed a rock and hit the log directly in the center. He stuck his tough out at me. I grabbed a hand full of rocks and ran closer to the water.

I stepped on a little, wet bolder that was right on the edge of the water and threw a rock. Little did I know that the rock I had stepped on was covered with slippery moss. My foot slid right off the edge. I fell on my butt. The water was also misty so I didn't realize that I was right on the edge of a drop off. The rocks crumbled underneath me and I splashed into deep, freezing water.

The current didn't hesitate to carry me down stream. I opened my eyes. I was under water. The brown water didn't let me see too much around me besides small bits of wood and a plastic bottle. The water numbed out my nose and stung my eyes. I thrashed around but all it did was bring me to the surface.

I gasped for air and started to swim. You think it would be easy. I'm a descent swimmer. But every stroke I made only seemed to make me go further from the shore. I cried out, "Matt! Help!" The week sound of my voice was drowned out by the crashing waves roaring in my ears.

The current didn't seem this fast when I was on land. Matt was running but the water dragged me faster than he could ever run. It wasn't long till he was far behind. All I could taste was salt.

I was starting to panic. What was I going to do? I pattled faster but that did nothing.

I looked behind me and spotted the log that was by our sitting spot. I swam as close to it as I could get. As it passed by I reached out and grabbed a broken root. It was so wet and slippery that my hands glided off almost immediately.

"No!" I cried franticly trying to reach for it before I got too far.

A hand dropped into the water and grabbed one of mine. A held onto it tight and kicked my feet. The hand pulled me to the log. I closed my eyes focusing on climbing onto the log. Another hand grabbed my free hand and pulled hard. I climbed up onto the log and I, and whoever just saved my life, rolled onto the rocks.

I couldn't catch my breath. I got up on my knees-eyes still closed-and held myself up with my hands. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest and jump back in the water. A hand touched my back. I knew it was the one that had rescued me. I looked up expecting to see Matt.

Near was by my side. Near had pulled me out of the river. The little twerp . . . had just saved my life.

He was looking at me odiously concerned-and out of breath as well. Drops of water dripped from his hair. I stared at him for a moment. I didn't know he was that strong. Never in a million years had I ever would of guessed he could pull my body weight plus going against the current.

He leaned in closer not saying a word. I think he wants me to tell him if I'm ok or not. I panted, "Near…th-thank you…"

He just stared. I stared back. What else was I supposed to say? Thank god for Matt, who came in and broke the awkward moment.

"Mello! You idiot!" He yanked me to my feet looked me over franticly, "Are you okay! Are you hurt!"

I let him poke and prod at me, "No."

"Anything pain?"

"No."

"Water in your lungs?" He pressed his ear to my chest, "Breathe for me."

I pushed him away, "Matt I'm fine!"

Matt turned to Near who was at his feet already, "Nice save near."

He only nodded. I tore my gaze away from him and looked back at the river. Damn brat.

Matt let out a sigh and punched me in the shoulder, "Don't you ever do that again. You gave me a heart attack," He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "Let's go home and dry you off."

"Mello I'm fine." I assured letting him pull me away from the train tracks.

Near said nothing the rest of the way home. I did my best to ignore his presents.