Troubled Waters

Prologue

The water surrounded my body as my arms waved around the bubbles. My eyes shot open to see my surroundings. My hair wrapped around my shoulders as my bottoms floated mid-water. I could see my sister floating next to me with the same expression that was held on my face: amazement. In front of my eyes was the life of the sea.

 

I slowly let myself drift towards the surface. Once emerged, I could see my family on the shore with our tiny schnauzer, Sora, running around with a maroon-colored Frisbee. My younger sister, Hoshimi, grabbed my dripping hand and led me to the sand-filled surface.

 

I took a seat next to my mother and placed my hands behind my head. My mother reached to her right and took out a small bottle of Ramune and handed it to me, giving me a smile. I reluctantly gripped onto the transparent bottle and placed the rim between my lips as I let the sweet liquid trickle down my heated throat.

 

"Don't drink it all," my mother warned as her nimble fingers went to grab the end of the bottle and pull it down, "We don't want you sick before the vacation even starts." I hesitantly placed the bottle in the sand near my feet and stood up.

 

I looked around at all the tall buildings and bustling people. I had never been in Matsuyama before, and my father said it was a worthwhile trip. From what I had seen, it certainly was worth it. The shops were delicately placed around the boardwalk as people with shopping bags walked slowly to their next destination. Our hotel was just a block away from the ocean and I couldn't have asked for it closer. To be honest, I wasn't truly looking forward to this vacation. My mother and I have a problem when we leave the house, for troubles mainly come when you're not at home. Hoshimi and my father were very eager to be traveling. It wasn't something we did often, only when Father's work offered him time off which was very rare.

 

I started to make my way to the water again and dipped my big toe in the stirring waves. It wasn't until I heard, "Narumi, we're heading back to the hotel, come," that I stopped. I turned my body ninety degrees to see my family packed up, motioning me to follow them. They started on their way as Sora merrily trotted towards me. I slowly picked her up and stroked her back as I followed my family to the humble hotel we would be calling home for the week.