Disney Dreams

Chapter 2: Ariel's POV

Last Summer:

As I walked onto the porch of our lake house I slipped on a pair of flip flops. I opened the screen door and stepped out into the cooling air of the evening. There were a couple towels folded neatly on the bench to my left and I made sure to grab one of them as I slowly made my way down to the dock that was down the path from our summer house. Our jet ski was secured on its platform, but with our boats now in storage, the dock seemed empty. Our pontoon and speed boat took up most of the slots and their absence meant that summer was coming to a close and it would soon be time to start my freshman year at high school. I pulled my t-shirt off, over my head and dumped it on the dock along with my towel. Taking a seat on the edge of the dock next to the ladder, I took off my shoes as well and dipped my feet into the glassy water. Small ripples branched out from where my silver painted toes wiggled. My thick hair was tied in a loose ponytail, draped over my shoulder. It partially covered the front of my purple one piece, my favorite suit to wear during meets. During my summers at the lake my sisters and I would often take evening swims when the boats were being scarce to kept up our practice and also to work on swimming in different conditions with resistance.

Across the lake from my dock I could see a slight fog rolling in, dimming the lights from the tiny houses that were visible from where I sat. The sky was getting darker by the minute and I could tell rain was on the way. I sighed at the fact I was going to have to cancel my swim tonight. The weather had changed in seconds and I sure hadn't heard anything about a storm in the area. Glancing to my right, I spied a sailboat coming into view. Who ever was captaining that boat must be an idiot to think they could sail in this coming storm. I watched closely as the boat came closer into my line of sight but still far away, closer to the other shoreline than my own. Squinting, I could faintly make out a boy controlling the sail as the wind picked up. He had dark, dark hair that swept to the side, and a chiseled face from what I could tell, despite his age. A white tank top hung loose on his torso showing off muscular but lean arms and tanned skin. I had seen him before on the lake but had never gotten the chance to talk to him. Something about him intrigued me. He couldn't be much older than me, which made trying to handle a sailboat on his own even crazier than it already was.

I tried waving my arms but he didn't notice me. He was too wrapped up in trying to untie a knot it looked like. The sun was completely gone at this point and the water was lapping up against the dock harder and faster so much so that I pulled my feet onto the deck. It also be began to sprinkle and it took that for the guy to realize what the weather was like. He tried to change the direction but the wind was against him. I called out to him but my voice was swept up into the howl of the wind. Water started pushing up against the sides of the boat and onto the deck causing it to rock slightly. After another failed attempt at changing the sail's direction, he spun quickly. The rain was coming down harder and harder. Then suddenly, right before my very eyes he slipped on the soaked deck and crashed down hard on his back, hitting his head on the wood. I screamed and spun around in every direction looking for someone, anyone, who could help. Despite my hurried attempts, I could see that no one else was around. My own family was out in town for the night so I was alone at my lake house this evening. Of course. The one day that I decide that I need space from my family... His boat was still rocking and I realized that it seemed like he would roll off at any second.

Without thinking the idea through at all, I hurriedly grabbed a small life preserver that was hanging from a pole on the deck and dove into the chilled water. My years of swimming practice kicked in and I easily swam against the current, pumping my arms and legs like a madman. Just as I neared the boat, a jerk brought the guy tumbling overboard into the water. With one last burst of speed that was usually reserved for that last chance to win a race, I pushed myself forward and latched my hand onto the shoulder that was quickly disappearing into the waves. Treading carefully, I quickly pulled him up to the surface. He was even handsomer up close but his face seemed much too pale. I propped the life preserver that I had brought behind his head to keep it afloat and then began kicking in the direction in the direction that I had seen the boat come from. I somehow managed to push the guy's body while keeping it drifting on the surface. The cool water lapped against us, but I resisted the urge to stop and continued paddling forward.

I had seen him around the lake enough times, and as the started to let up, I saw a familiar looking dock with the sailboat's ropes coiled on it. I instantly knew that it must his house. I dragged myself up onto his dock and swiftly managed to pull him up as well. The hard rain had mostly come to a stop at this point. I put my head to his chest and heard a soft heartbeat. Using the resuscitation technique that was taught to every swimmer in my town, I watched as the color slowly began to come back to his face. The guy began to coughing up mouthfuls of water. Relieved that my methods of revival were working, I started to sing softly to concentrate on my actions. As I continued to use the method on him, his eyelashes started fluttering. Suddenly, I heard a shout from up the hill to where I assume his house to be.

"Eric! Eric! Is that you!" A flashlight beamed down towards us. The guy, Eric, was coming to at the sound of his name. I blinked in the blinding light and beginning to panic. How would I explain...

For the second time that day, I didn't think, I just did. I hurried to the edge of the dock and leapt in once again, feeling at ease instantly. I found it much easily to swim with the storm dying down and going by myself. I glanced over my shoulder once I was farther away and saw the guy sitting up on the dock next to a thin gray haired man. The guy I had saved was staring out at the water in confusion. When I got back to my dock I climbed up the ladder and grabbed my shoes and my wet shirt and towel. I dumped this all in the mud room and collapsed on the sofa, the events that had just occurred running through my head.

---

"Oh my god."

Cindy looked at me carefully. I wasn't quite sure whether to keep looking at him, look away, run away.... He pushed through his friends and began walking towards the two of us. I glanced over at Cindy, and then at Eric's friends and they all had similar looks of confusion. I quickly tugged a loose strand of hair behind my ear and pursed my lips nervously. Eric had reached us at this point and was looking me right in the eyes. The whole world seemed to slow down around us as he struggled for the right words to say.

"Have.... Have we met before?" he asked slowly, as he analyzed my face. I opened my mouth, a million thoughts running through my mind. Should I tell him? Does he already know? How does someone explain to someone else that they recused-. Before I could make a sound, a tall, skinny girl sauntered up to us and placed a perfectly manicured hand. I glanced down at my own chipped polish. She was gorgeous. Her wavy brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her tight dark purple dress showed off her curves perfectly. She gave Cindy and me a quick, tight smile, but her eyes were dark and unfriendly.

"Eric!" she beamed, turning towards him. "I've been looking for you everywhere," the girl chirped, tightening her grip on his shoulder.

"Uh, hey Vanessa," Eric replied uncertainly. He started to turn back to me but Vanessa grabbed his hand.

"Eric, I really need to show you something. Come with me." she frowned, her voice taking on a steely edge. She quickly pulled him away with her before Eric could say another word. Vanessa stole a look back at me and smirked, her look seeming to say, he's mine. I sucked in a deep breath.

"What was that about?" Cindy asked in confusion, cocking her head at me. I shook my head and put on a smile.

"I have no idea," I laughed nervously. But something told me that this was the beginning of something that would change my life. I was right.

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(All characters and storylines used belong to or are based off of content by Disney)

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