Garrett hated the water.

It was common knowledge at this point. He couldn't stand it, not one bit. And he didn't mean thalassophobia type-shit, no. He couldn't even get in pools. Hell, he couldn't even bathe! He had to take quick showers, and even then, he hardly put his face under it.

He wasn't always like that. He used to tolerate it.

Until that night.

The road back from his grandparent's house was a familiar one. A comforting one. His parents were driving, laughing and talking to him and his sister, Amy. Then the bridge came. Then the drunk trunk driver that crossed them, that made his father lose control of the car. That made it fall off the side of the bridge.

It filled with water quickly. Too quick. His parents frantically tried to open their doors, but they didn't budge. The only exit was the rolled down window of Amy's seat. He and Amy got out. His parents didn't manage.

So when he said he hated the water, he meant it.

They'd moved to their uncle Jay's house. Their dad's brother tried his best. Amy was fine. Garrett barely spoke.

He could've helped them, he kept repeating himself. He could've kicked their windows open. He could've saved them.

It had been almost two years. He was quiet at school. He was quiet everywhere. He'd made friends. Well, no, they'd started inviting him to places. He was pretty sure they just felt bad for him, but he'd started agreeing about a year ago, after Amy begged him to.

That's how he ended up here. At this party. It was.. alright, he supposed. As alright as parties were to him. He was in the backyard with one of his friends. There was a pool. Some people were swimming, but he hadn't gotten more than ten feet near it. And he wasn't planning on doing so.

Then his friend left to grab a drink. And suddenly, someone's hand wrapped around his arm. Michael. He tried to jerk his arm away, telling the guy to fuck off, but he froze when he realized what Micheal was doing.

"No." He snapped as Micheal dragged him towards the pool. "No, Micheal, don't you dare-!"

He was pushed in it before he even managed to finish his sentence.