Chapter 2

I thought I died.

I couldn't breathe and my heart seemed to stop beating for a moment as I faced Levi at the bottom of the sea. One of his hands was holding my waist and the other was holding my hand.

The shades covering his eyes were gone, so I could clearly see how he was staring at my face as if I was something interesting in his eyes.

I just stared back at his eyes speechless and breathless. He swam upwards, carrying me in his arms. I didn't even notice that our heads were already sticking out of the water.

Nicole chirped which pulled me from dazedness. "Pulled him! Faster!"

It was only then that I felt the pain in my eyes. I closed my eyes tightly and softly rubbed it with my hand but Levi caught my hand and stopped me by doing so. My breathing became erratic as I blinked my eyes, glancing at Levi's handsome face.

Someone up on the the dock called my name. "Rishell?"

I blinked for several times and looked up at the dock. Tiden was standing there. I narrowed my eyes and blinked until the pain disappeared. I then saw Tiden frowning while he stared at me with wide eyes. When he took a good look at my face, his mouth fell open. "Rishell!" he shouted in shock. He turned to Levi who was next to me. "Hand her over to me, bro!"

I drew a breath when Levi suddenly grabbed my waist and lifted me out of the water.

Tiden quickly knelt down. "Rishell, give me your hand!" he shouted.

I held out my hand to him. He grabbed it tightly and pulled me out of the water.

Nicole complaint. "Hey! Don't leave Levi!"

I collapsed and knelt on the dock. I could even feel Tiden's gentle tap on my back. Then I heard Levi raised his body up on the dock and out of the water.

"You naughty boy, Ariel! You always bully my Levi!" Nicole's voice rang in my head. "Look, he's soaking wet! Like eww if he gets in the car and make everything wet!" she continued nagging to Ariel who was just laughing his heart out at the corner.

I simply glanced at Levi. He was shaking off some sea weeds that had stuck to his T-shirt. "You must bring dry clothes for me," he said to Ariel then glanced at me. "...and for her."

I swallowed my own saliva. I could still feel the heat on my cheek at what he said. My heart beat wildly and my breathing became frantic again.

That was the first time Levi had noticed me. And I was not sure if the misfortune was a blessing in disguise or not. I've dreamed for few months for him to notice me and yet...

"No." Nicole's face flushed. "We must be there before six, and because of what you did, Ariel, Maingey will be mad at us again! I don't want to hear her voice nagging at me."

"Nicole," June said. "You saw how Levi pushed Rishell so we should apologize to her. That attitude of yours is not helping this situation."

Nicole looked sideways and glared at me. She raised an eyebrow and said, "She's okay now. Also, it's not really good to stay at the dock. Who told her to stand here?"

Tiden frowned. "Nicole ---"

"Tiden," I interrupted him. I smiled at him then averted my eyes. "I'm fine."

"See? She said it. She's okay so we must move on. Later, we have our meet-up with new sponsors. We'll be late if we'll entertain some ... pathetic girl."

"That's enough," Levi said. He stepped closer to Nicole and then put his arm around her.

Nicole quickly removed Levi's arm from her shoulder. "You're dirty. Take a bath first. You stinks!"

Levi's face turned gravely cold but he did not say a thing. He just pulled Nicole away from the dock. They might went to the car or went to public shower  to take a bath at the hotel nearby. I shrugged my shoulders.

All I could be sure of was that Levi hugged me under the water. I bit my lip hard and screamed loudly. Gosh, my idol saved me!

Tiden's expression was grim. "Rishell," he called in his most domineering voice.

I looked up at him. His arms was crossed against his chest and his face showed no sign of any amusement nor smile. My lips curved into a smile, more like an apologetic smile. "H-Hey?"

"Are you still happy to fall into the sea? You know the water there is dirty."

I jokingly glared at him then stood up. "At least Levi saved me." I screamed again and then slapped Tiden's arm.

"Aww- oww! That's hurt, Rishell!" he complained.

I just laughed and pulled away the strand of wet hair that covered my face. I placed it behind my ear and smiled from ear to ear. "I'm going back to the Port," I said to Tiden and June who was standing nearby and observing me.

"Are you okay? Or do you want us to take you to the hospital?" June suddenly asked.

I smiled and shook my head. "No need. I'm fine and I don't want to lose Levi's touch on my skin." My smile widened even more. "Did you see that? My idol is smart and handsome!"

Tiden's eyes narrowed. "The band's electric guitarist is more handsome," he whispered then averted his eyes.

I turned to him. "You mean, you?" I teased. The corner of my lips rose and I raised a brow. "I idolize Levi more than you, you know."

"Is that so?" He stepped forward to approach me. I stepped back but he suddenly grabbed me and tickled my side.

"Hey! That's enough! Haha - sheems Tiden! Don't! Stop it!"

I laid down on the wooden dock because of the ticklishness. Tiden laughed then helped me to stand up straight. Suddenly, the cold afternoon sea breeze passed by me. I hugged myself when chill ran over my body.

Then someone yelled, "Tiden! June!"

The three of us looked at the person standing few meters away from us. It was Ariel. A wide grin was on his face as he smiled. "Nics will nag at us again! Come on!"

June drew a breathe. "We'll be there!" And he faced me. "Next time, Rishell, don't embarrass yourself for Levi. Be careful."

I looked away. "No, I don't."

June shrugged. "You followed us all the way here?" he asked.

"Hey, no, never!" I shook my head. "I just saw you here by accident. Then it's not my fault why Ariel pushed Levi so we both fell into the sea."

Tiden sighed. "Is your father in Port?" I nodded. He then averted his gaze. "Take a bath there. The water that sticks to you stinks."

I looked down at what I was wearing and then smelled it. I winced at the smell of moss and rotting garbage. "Y-Yeah... looks like I really need to take a bath."

Tiden laughed so I frowned at him. "What's funny?" I asked.

"Don't stand on the dock again. Maybe next time, you'll drown in the amount of garbage in the water."

I just raised an eyebrow and then stared at the wide ocean ahead. "I can swim."

"But you're acting like a damsel in distress, Rishell Joy." June shook his head and folded his arms.

I stucked my tongue out to him. "Why are you nagging at me? You're the one who should apologize to me. No text, no calls. Is that what being an idol does? Then you'll nag me just because of the accident?"

"It's not like that, Rishell." Tiden sighed. "We don't want anything bad to happen to you. We're not by your side now to protect you. So always be careful. Please."

I averted my gaze. "I'm always careful."

"But you don't show it every time Levi is around. You've always been aggrieved, and you weren't like that before," Tiden argued.

My face flushed at what Tiden had said. "It's okay. Levi will save me like he did earlier, then ..." I smiled. "Even if I swim in the sea of ​​garbage a hundred times, eh, it's okay. Levi is there to be my superhero." I giggled.

June laughed at Tiden's contorted face. He even patted the latter's shoulder. "You take care of your dearest Rishell, bro. The screw has come loose again. Please fix it. Tighten it up." He laughed again and then walked away. He must be walking back to the group's sedan.

I looked at Tiden again. Nothing has changed in his expression. He still looked grim but I noticed that his eyes were not fixed on me, like he was in deep thought. My forehead furrowed so I waved a hand in front of him. "Tiden?" I called.

He shook his head. He looked down. "I need to get in the car, Rish."

"Okay."

"And don't be desperate for Levi. He loves Nicole. You have no hope in him."

I frowned. "Don't be silly," I muttered.

He smiled then shook his head. "June and I are so busy that we can't take care of you anymore. But don't worry, when I've saved enough money, I'll leave the band to take care of you, Rishell."

I just shook my head and folded my arms. "You worked hard on that. Don't just let go like that. And I can handle myself so don't be silly again."

He nodded. "I know you can even without me." He took a deep breath then smiled at me again. "Study hard, Rishell. Don't be like June and me."

I stared into his eyes for several seconds. There was sadness in his brown orbs. My lips curved into a thin smile and nodded. "I'm studying hard, Tiden." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Take care of yourself and tell June to enjoy life and don't be serious at all times."

He laughed and then averted his eyes. "You know I love you, Rishell. Remember I love you so much."

He bit goodbye and his last glance at me lingered for several seconds, before he finally turned around and stepped away.

I just watched his disappearing bulk and smiled softly. My heart must be deceiving me for trusting people but I still realized that I also love Tiden as a friend.