Everyone's doomed to experience heartache and disappointment; now it's simply my turn. That's what I told myself when Mum said we were selling the house. Ever since we found out Dad was having an affair, she's been in a state of perpetual gloom struggling to gather our things and putting them in neat brown boxes. While I don't like turning my life upside-down, it's better than watching my mum lie in bed with the blinds drawn shut. She did that for a full week after the truth came to light. And even when she emerged from her seclusion, she'd go about the day like the living dead, slugging through chores with nothing but me as a source of comfort. When Granny came to visit, she was appalled at how messy our home had become.

"You should come stay with me," she said. "I'd get an extra pair of hands tending the garden and you'd get the fresh start you so clearly need. Besides, village life is much kinder to the soul than this modern craze you live in."

At the time we didn't ponder on what she'd suggest. Least, I didn't. But two days later, after getting back from attending class, I found Mum elbow-deep in our old drawers. Now we've stowed most of our belongings in storage. Tomorrow, we'll go to Windermere. A small village located a mile east of the lake bearing its namesake. Many summers were spent at that lake. Summers with Mum, Dad and Nelly, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that loved snuggling up to me whenever I got sick.

"Have you finished packing your things?" Mum asks in the doorway.
"Almost," I answer, putting another cardigan on the pile in my suitcase.
"You're not upset at me? For doing this?"

I haven't really spoken to her about the sale. Moving is the last thing I want right now. I've still got two more years to complete my bachelor's degree. But as the choice has come between my mum and her mental health, I choose my mum.

"I'm not upset, Mum. A little sad, maybe. But no more."
She comes up and cups my cheeks. "My little girl. It seems only yesterday I brought you home in the car seat. And now look at you, a bright-eyed young woman with frizzy brown hair that never yields to a brush."
"Like you, then?"
"No. You've always been more like your-" she stops, pain flickering in her blue-green eyes. "Anyways, you should get back to it. We'll be leaving early in the morning."

Granny welcomes us into her home with open arms. A two-story Victorian cottage with white shutters and potted plants. She brings us through the entryway and up to the bedrooms at the end of the hall. My old bedroom has remained exactly as I remember it. It's all here. The flowery wallpaper I never grew to like. The massive wardrobe with enough space to house a football team. The dressing table keeping every little thing from trinkets to the seashells I used to collect. And, of course, the seat at the window. How many evenings did I sit there reading a good book or listen to the rain smattering against the glass? Dad sometimes put on plays during those nights. He'd draw inspiration from Shakespeare and Wilde and would incorporate their work into his own. Other times he'd tell horror stories under the cover with a flashlight. But now he's gone to live with a woman he met at his law firm, breaking our family and my mum's heart. Selfish bastard.

"Now," says Granny. "What are the rules?"
"No snacking in bed and no loud music after midnight."
"And no bringing home boys either. I don't want any hanky-panky under my roof."
"Granny!"
"But if you find a good one, don't forget to use a condom."
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm not into dating."
"Why not?"
"It's just not my thing."
"Have no boys caught your fancy?"
"Not really," I shrug. "Most are too busy playing video games and being on social media."
"Bah! When I was your age, we'd be out all-night dancing. And often we'd end up taking home the one we were snogging."
"Is that how you met Grandpa?"
"Oh, no! I met him on a fair in Kendal. He was selling glazed pottery and charming figurines. I asked how much it cost, and he said he'd give one for free if I agreed to go on a date with him. The rest, as they say, is history."
She smiles, the creases around her eyes shrinking into one. "I'm sure you'll meet someone one day, dear. But please heed my advice: don't do anything reckless until then. Protect yourself."
"I will." Tired of the subject, I drop the suitcase on the bed. "When's dinner?"
"I'll begin cooking soon. Will you help me chop vegetables or do I have to ask your mother?"
"I'll help."

Our lives fall into place in the coming weeks. Mum manages to find employment at Windermere Manor Hotel at the same time I land a part-time job at a local grocery store. It suits me as I get to choose my shifts and not have to worry about wearing makeup. During one shift, while being in the middle of stocking shelves, a skinny girl in white linen and khaki shorts approach me.

"Auri? Is that you?"
"Who are you-" I pause, studying her round face. Her coconut hair has been dyed blonde, but there's no mistake. This is the same girl I used to swim in the lake with. "Maya?"
"Oh my God! It's so good to see you," she says, hugging me. "How have you been? Are you staying the whole summer?"
"Actually my mum and I moved here recently."
"Really? Where do you live?"
"We're living with my grandma in Troutbeck Bridge."
"How sweet. We've moved into the town proper. And when I say "we" I mean me, my dad and my brother."
"Where's your mum?"
"She died. Of ovarian cancer."
"I'm so sorry. That must've been terrible for you."
"It was. But life goes on, you know?"
I nod. Understanding her perfectly.
"Yikes! Look at the time. I have to go. But listen, me and my friends are having a bonfire at the lake this weekend. Wanna come?"
"Sorry. I've an upcoming exam I need to prepare for."
"Okay," she grabs the phone out of her pocket. "But let me give you my number at least, then you can text me if you change your mind."
"Thanks. If I do, I'll let you know."

When I come home, a scene of shouting and tears greet me.

"Don't put me blame on me! Not when it was you who decided to leave! You who decided to cheat!"
"You were the one who said this relationship wasn't working anymore!"
"Yes! Because you spend every waking hour at your firm. Because you're barely at home or present when you are."
"Who do you think pay the bills? The car? The insurance? I slay at my job to give you and Aurora a decent life! And now you've gone and sold the damn house!"
"You should be glad I didn't throw your things in the gutter!"
"Enough! Both of you!" Granny cuts in. "David, your daughter's come home."

Dad turns and stares at me. The line around his eyes seems to have deepened. As if the consequences of his actions have cemented in his forty-year-old face. But that's wishful thinking on my part. Even when he's not wearing his suit and his chestnut hair cut short, he maintains that aura of respect.

"Hi sweetie," he says in a strained voice. "How was work?"
"Why are you here?" I ask.
"I came here because I wanted to see you. To explain myself and perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?"
"He wants us to become a family again," Mum snarls.
"Why'd you think I'd want that? You left us!"
"I know. I fucked up. But I don't want my mistake to ruin our family."
"It's already ruined," I say, turning to the stairs.
"Don't turn your back on me, young lady!"
"I didn't turn my back. You did."

Dad leaves soon after, but peace and quiet doesn't return to our home. Mum and Granny argue constantly, both adamant about their own opinion. Mum wants to file for divorce while Granny thinks she should try and mend their relationship. Come Saturday, I've had enough listening to the two of them and I close the twenty-seventh page of Accounting Principles and text Maya I'm meeting her at the lake. By the time I get there, the bonfire has been lit. Several people have gathered around the fire, drinking and banging their heads to the heavy music blasting from the loudspeakers. I approach cautiously, not sure exactly where I belong. Maya sits on one of the folding chairs talking to her friends, but upon seeing me, she waves to come join them.

"Hey! You made it! Everyone, this is Aurora. We went to the same swimming class when we were little."

They each murmur a quiet hello as Maya introduces them one by one. There's Robin, a sleepy brunette in a yellow green dress. Hannah, a sweet doe in dark leggings and pink camisole. Collin, a pale scrag with strawberry blonde hair that rests in tangles on his naked chest. Then, there's Simon. A black-haired punk wearing ripped jeans with a white t-shirt and sneakers. I try my best to ignore it but the creepy vibes in my gut won't go away.

"So," Collin leans forward. "You into smoking?"
"Smoking?" I ask.
"Ignore him," says Robin. "He's wanted someone to try his new mixture for weeks now."
"You're just salty you couldn't get the dope for free."
"Uh-huh. And you're just pissed I wouldn't give you a blow job."
"I wanna try it," says Hannah. "See if you've upped your game or not."
"I think I can make that happen," Collin smiles.

Maya rolls her eyes and passes the bottle to Hannah. Simon remains quiet as a statue, occasionally shifting his death stare to me. What's the deal with him? It's like I'm an eyesore he wants nothing more than to get rid of. Despite his strangeness, the relaxed mood eventually draw me in, and I begin talking and even laughing at Collin's dumb jokes.
As the alcohol sets in, however, the atmosphere turns chaotic. Collin takes Hannah into his arms and they dance in a drunken stupor around the fire. To get some space, I leave the circle and head towards the lake. The setting sun has the sky bleeding. Red and purple light reflect the surface of the water, creating a portal to another world. The sight stuns me with its beauty, and I take out my iPhone to capture it.
But as I raise it to my eye-level, Collin and Hannah crashes into me, breaking my balance and causing my phone to drop like a stone to the dark, dark, depth. I scramble to my feet. With no time to lose I take off my shoes, grateful that I chose to wear my denim shorts for once. Cold pierces my body as I plunge into the lake.
The glow of the screen guides me down, and for a moment, I fear my efforts are futile. That my phone's lost forever.
By a stroke of luck, the phone lodges itself between two rocks and as I wedge my hand into the crevice a surge of dizziness passes through me. I have to hurry. Before my breath runs out. But the more I try wrenching my phone loose the more my hand gets sucked in. A second surge passes through me, and I stop. But as I pull my hand won't budge. I grit my teeth channelling all my strength into breaking free. My lungs feel as if they're about to burst and stars flicker before my eyes. Somewhere in the far distance, a golden white light appears. The light of Heaven. Oh God. I'm dead, aren't I? I've drowned in the lake like an idiot. Fuck. What am I going to do? What are they going to say to my mum? To Granny? They'll be heartbroken when they learn of this. It's my own fault for jumping into the water. Why did I do that? I could've gotten another phone. Or borrowed one. I guess stupid people deserve a stupid death. But still I wish I was given another chance.
The light grows stronger with each frantic heartbeat, filling my vision and deteriorating mind. When the light reaches me it takes the shape of an ethereal man with skin as beautiful as diamonds. He holds my face and gently presses his lips against my own. The thick black fog recedes as the pressure eases in my lungs, and a wave of bliss spreads throughout my body. As he pulls away, a part of me cries out in sorrow. Then I remember I'm underwater on the verge of death. The man frees my hand and with a serene smile guides me to safety. He lets me go in view of the sky, and without a word swim back into the deep. My eyes stay on the fading light, but the voices on the other side snaps me out of it, and I break the surface to the relieved outburst of the others.

"Oh my God!" cries Maya.
"She's alive?!" slurs Collin.
"Go help her! She must be taken to the hospital!" commands Robin.
"I'm fine," I cough, spitting up saliva and water.
"I've called an ambulance," says Simon.

Maya lays her jacket over my shoulders and sits with me until the paramedics arrive.