Hanging by a moment, chapter 8

A lifeguard came out from nowhere and ran into the water. Miley and Oliver were still watching to the ocean, hoping to see Lilly, to see a sign showing them she was still out there, alive. Miley felt like she was dying. Her heart felt it was going to explode. She couldn't breath. If Lilly died, she didn't know what she would do. She couldn't lose, she couldn't live without her. She made a step towards the water, but Oliver grabbed her arm, stopping her.

Lilly was fighting against the flow under the water. She kept trying swimming to the surface, but she was everytime pulling back down, even more deeper. She was panicking. Her lungs were burning. She was going to be out of air in any second now, and she was getting exhausted. Lilly gradually started to calm down, a strange feeling invading her. She was feeling dizzy from the lack of air, her body felt weak. Slowly, she drifted away, the surface of the ocean being more and more far away from her.

It was the end. Lilly couldn't fight anymore. She didn't want to die, but her body wouldn't let her resist. She thought about Miley. She was going to miss her. She didn't want it to end that way, she didn't want it to end at all. Miley had made her more happy than she could ever be. She loved her. She couldn't believe she wouldn't be able to touch her again, to kiss these beautiful soft lips. ''I love you Miley'' she thought one last time. Her eyes closed, and she slowly seized breathing. Her heart stopped, not even beating for Miley anymore.

The lifeguard was fiercely swimming in the water. He finally reached the board. The lace had been broken. Lilly wasn't attached to it anymore. This was going to make more difficult the research. He dived, and dived again, but he couldn't find her.

Miley started crying. Oliver put a comforting hand on Miley's shoulders.

''Lilly's strong. I'm sure she's gonna be alright.''

Miley didn't say anything. She just kept watching the lifeguard, like she was stuck.

The lifeguard soon got out of the water, Lilly in his arms. He laid her down the sand. She had a cut on her forehead, probably because of her board.

''She's not breathing,'' he stated, a ear next to Lilly's mouth. He started CPR, blowing in Lilly's lungs, and applying compressions on her chest.

Miley was shaking. She was watching the scene, unable to help. Lilly was laying in front of her, inert, unconscious, almost like she was lifeless. She took Lilly's hand in the sand and held it. Lilly was so cold. She looked up and down her body. Her skin had a purple shade. It was a scary sight for Miley and Oliver.

After what seems hours, Lilly had small jumps. She inhaled some air and coughed, finally spilling out the water from her lungs. She breathed heavily, panting. Her eyes were red and she was looking desoriented. She grabbed the lifeguard's arm on her left, and Miley's arm on her right, still struggling to breath normally.

''You're gonna be ok,'' the lifeguard reassured her. ''Ok, easy now. Just calm down, and take deep breaths.''

Lilly gradually calmed down. She wasn't fully aware of what was happening around her. She was seeing blurry faces, and could hear some voices without being able to understand what they were saying. Miley jumped on Lilly, taking her in her arms, as soone the lifeguard said it was ok. Tears of relief started rolling down her cheeks as she kissed Lilly everywhere on her face.

''Don't you ever do that again!'' Miley exclaimed, holding a barely conscious Lilly. She put her head on Lilly's forehead, without releasing her tight grip. Miley's heart was beating so fast. She had the fright of her life. And this moment made her realize that her life was tied to Lilly's, and nothing will ever break them appart. Not even death would have...

Lilly was sitting at Rico's, a blanket around her. She had a bandage on her forehead. Her hair was still wet and she was shaking. She was cold, but it was also due to the after shock.

Miley and Oliver came next to her. Miley handed her a cup of hot chocolate.

''Here, drink this,'' she said. ''you'll feel better.''

Miley sat on a stool next to Lilly. Lilly had a small sip of her chocolate and let the warm feeling running through her body. Lilly put her mug away on the counter and grabbed Miley's hand. Lilly's hand was so cold that she shivered at its contact. Miley put her other hand onto it to try to warm it up a little bit.

''So, what did they tell you?'' Oliver asked about the rescuers.

''No surf and no skate boarding for a while.'' Lilly sighed. Miley rolled her eyes. Lilly had almost died and she was upset because she wouldn't be able to get on a skate for a few days.

''And If I feel nauseous or dizzy in the next few hours, I should check that out at the hospital.'' Lilly added.

''Don't worry. We're gonna look after you!'' Miley said. ''You scared us, you know... How many times did we tell you to be careful? How many times did we tell you to stop taking risks? You're so...'' Miley was rambling. Lilly jumped on Miley's legs and kissed her softly to make her stop.

''I'm sorry.'' She whispered. Miley eases down, holding Lilly by the waist. She made a little smile.

''Miley, do you think I could talk to Lilly for a second?'' Oliver asked. Miley glanced at Lilly, not very sure if she could leave her. But Lilly smiled encouragely.

''Sure. I'll leave you guys alone.''

Miley kissed Lilly on the lips and Lilly got off her legs. Miley left and Oliver took her seat on the stool.

''I'm sorry Lilly.'' Oliver said, looking down. ''I was a total...''

''Jerk?'' Lilly guessed.

''Well, I was gonna say 'pain in the ass' but I guess that works too...'' Oliver replied, looking up to Lilly. He could she was smiling. He felt relief. He knew that look. Lilly's friendly look, all sparkling.

''It's okay Oliver. I really wanted to kill you a few times, but you wanted to protect Miley, and that makes me love you more.''

''Really?'' He grinned.

''Really.'' Lilly smiled.

''So, you forgive me?'' Oliver asked, expectantly.

''Of course, you're my favorite donut!'' Lilly mocked.

Oliver gave her a hug, beaming.

Miley had came over that night at Lilly's house. She was spending the night there, with Lilly, wanting even more closure after what happened earlier. She couldn't stop thinking about the board, floating away, without Lilly. She shook her head to push away this image. She climbed slightly on her bedroom door and stepped in.

''How you're feeling?'' Miley asked, climbing on Lilly's bed. Lilly was resting.

''Better...'' Lilly sighed. Miley could feel that she wanted to say more, so she stayed quiet, waiting.

''I'm still kind of shocked though.'' Lilly let out. ''I kept relieving what happened under the water. I couldn't breath and I kept swallowing water. I was really trying to swim but I couldn't manage to move up. It's like something was pulling me down, and...'' Lilly started panicking, fear in her eyes.

''Shhhhhh.'' Miley soothed, putting a comforting hand on Lilly's thigh. ''It's over now. You're safe.''

''I really thought I was going to die...'' Lilly's voice was shaking, as her body.

Miley laid next to her. Lilly moved into Miley's arms, putting her head on her chest. Miley held her tight. She had been as scared as Lilly today, and feeling her alive in her arms was what she needed. She could feel Lilly's heart beating against her and it was good.

''I love you Miley.'' Lilly whispered, just before she fell asleep. Miley looked down to her and smiled.

''I love you too.'' She softly kissed her on the head. ''You have no idea how much...''

She tightened again her grip around Lilly's body, and she fell asleep.

What happened today was in the past, but it had made clear that their love was strong and endless.