Aquaphobia

Chapter 1

[SCOTT VOORHEES]

I sit on the edge of my new bed and rub my hands together. I do everything in my power to not look out the window, because with just my amount of everyday luck, we live right next to the ocean. I close my curtains all the way shut, and I refuse to open them. Ever. Whenever Grandmother sees it, she opens them, but I scowl and shut them as quickly as she opens. Whenever this happens, she claims I'm getting depressed and that I'm losing my "pep." I don't really know what that is, but I just want her to know that I don't want to be anywhere near that evil water. For some strange reason, she doesn't seem to understand or accept it. Tomorrow is my first day of school, and Grandmother and I spend the entire day unpacking and meeting the neighbors. By "meeting the neighbors," I mean her introducing me to them to which I respond quietly, with a wave and "Hi I'm Scott." There are no boys my age in our neighborhood, and most everybody is in their 40s-60s, save for a few young college grads here and there. I WOULD try to socialize with them, but most of them are on the brink of starting families and I can't even pass English class.

The very first thing I notice about Insula makes me want to puke again like I did the night I was told of our departure. Everybody on this island is addicted to water, or so it looks. Within my first 2 minutes of stepping outside the house, I instantly see a group of people pass by all wearing bathing suits. If that's not enough to make me cringe, a green pickup truck drives by, and in the bed of it are three men all holding fishing rods, heading for the shore.

Before I know it, I jump out of my skin and jolt back into the house. I run up to my room and dive under the covers, where I hide and shiver in fear.

"It's only this neighborhood, Scott; it's only this neighborhood," I tell myself, still coated with terror.

Grandmother enters my room to calm me down and find out what all the commotion is about.

"It's the water," I tell her. "I don't want anything to do with it!"

"Scott, you were raised better than this! You can't let your fears get the best of you!" Grandmother responds. Her words of wisdom don't really help me at this point in time, because nothing can calm my fear.

"That doesn't mean that they still won't scare me!" I argue back.

"Scott, you're starting to grow past this! You wouldn't even drink water three years ago!"

"I came up with a theory. If there's more me than water, then it's safe. Like, if I'm drinking it or if it's in a tiny puddle on the ground or something."

Grandmother smiles at these words, and it makes me smile, too. As long as I have the security of the remainder of my family, I feel a lot better.

"Why don't'cha go outside and make some friends?" Grandmother asks, obviously trying to encourage me. "You don't wanna be all alone when you stand up to introduce yourself to the class tomorrow!"

Suddenly, as if a sniper bullet was fired from miles away, her 'encouragement' shoots me down back under the covers.

All this time I'd completely forgotten about school! How am I supposed to stand up in front of a class and introduce myself to a bunch of strangers?! They're all just going to judge me! What if they all love the water?! What if they criticize me and ridicule me for being different?! I'm already an outcast as it is! Oh no!

I guess my face starts to show physical signs of mental/emotional breakdown, because Grandmother gets back to 'encouragement' talk once more.

At this point, I've just about had it for the day. I go help Grandmother cook dinner, and stare silently at my untouched plate as we sit at the table that night.

"Scott, what's the matter now? It's not like you to leave any trace of meatloaf left, let alone the entire plate!" Grandmother scowls.

"I just have a lot on my mind," I sort-of stutter out.

"Perhaps a good night's rest will help you clear your mind," Grandmother begins. "After all—"

I already know what she's going to say to me: 'you have a big day tomorrow.' She's just going to absent-mindedly add insult to injury.

"—you have a big day tomorrow!" she finishes.

I sigh a huge breath of somewhat relief and somewhat fear. I knew what she was going to say, and she did.

After finishing supper, I travel out to our new backyard, find the garden hose, and begin to "shower" myself until I'm completely clean and ready for my 'big day' tomorrow. As I shower, I try my hardest not to look at the huge ocean about half a mile to my right, and pretend not to hear the waves crashing against the shore. Ugghhh! I hate my life! Why does this have to happen to me?!

When I finish, I return to my room to go to bed and end this miserable day.

                                              —————————————-

I wake up the following morning and I get dressed. I go to the dining room where Grandmother and I had dinner last night. There on the table is a small note for me. It reads:

"Scott,Below is the address to your school. It's not quite far from our neighborhood at all, and we live within walking distance according to school board regulations. I trust you won't get lost. Don't forget to pack a lunch! Enjoy your first day!"

The note isn't signed, but it doesn't take a genius to know it's from Grandmother. I pull out my phone and load up Google Maps. I type in the address and find out that it's practically right around the corner. On my way out the door, I stop by the mirror and take a quick look at the hideous creature I see in it.

He's definitely an ugly one. With his pale skin and red hair, he curses his parents' genetics for creating such an abysmal lifeform. Directly after cursing his parents, he takes it back and tries not to cry, as he wishes his parents were still alive and that he could see their faces once more. Tears begin to fall from his seafoam green eyes, but he wipes them away with his pale finger. After affirming his unsightliness for a final time, he turns and walks out the door, ready for his first day of school.

                                              —————————————-

Upon entering the building, I enter the main office and they direct me to my first class and show me my schedule. With a huge sigh and quick mental warm-up, I open the door to the classroom.

All eyes immediately fall on me as I walk across the front of the room up to the teacher's desk. He's a tall man, and he looks tan. Not naturally tan, but tan from being in the sun. From swimming and diving and enjoying water. This must mean he enjoys water! Oh no!

I begin to sweat and shiver as the entire class' attention turns to me. I'm in a room filled with water lovers! They're probably all judging me right now, making a fool out of me! I didn't sign up for this!

"Ah, you must be our new transfer student I was told of this morning! Welcome to Insula Academy! Why don't you give an introduction to the class?" the tanned teacher asks.

I turn to face my peers. As judged as I feel, they don't seem to be specifically judging me, rather just looking at me. As the sweat grows heavier, and my tongue gets even more tied, I quickly spit out to the class:

"Hi. I'm Scott Voorhees."