Now at the age of fifteen and I can't swim. Every time I see a body of water thoughts of drowning run through my mind, basically suffocating me.
When I was younger, I had an incident that has driven me to avoid water at all costs. Whenever my friends visit the beach or have a pool party, I can never attend or I have to tell the story and relive that awful day.
I got an invite to a party by the popular kids. Of course I agreed, but I agreed before knowing what where it was. They told me that it was at one of the lakes nearby and they were taking a boat and jet ski out there.
I tried to back out but it was too late. I guess I could ride in the boat or just hang out by the edge of the lake. My best friend, Annabelle, will be there too and she knows all about what happened so she'll be there to back me up.
As the days of the week roll by, I get more and more nervous for the upcoming weekend. By Friday night, I'm a puddle of anxiety. I run around the house checking that I have all the stuff I need and my best friend, Annabelle, helped me come up with a ton of excuses as to why I can't swim.
I revised them a couple times, making sure they're memorised and stuck in my brain. I don't want people to find out that I'm afraid of water because my crush is going to be there and it will just be embarrassing.
I climb into bed and try push all my thoughts out of my head. I'll probably have a ton of fun tomorrow; I'm just overthinking everything.
Finally, tiredness overwhelms me and I fall into a deep sleep.
<><><>
I woke up to my alarm blaring in my ear. It took me about ten minutes before I actually got out of my bed. I didn't want to leave the safe confines of my warm, comfy bed.
I dressed into a black and blue bikini and slipped some jean shorts and a white top. I slipped on some vans and grabbed a back pack. I threw in a towel (just in case), a bottle of sunscreen, a water bottle, a book and a granola bar.
I slipped a pair of sunglasses on my head and went down to the kitchen. I didn't want to eat because my nerves were everywhere so I ended up drinking a glass of chocolate milk.
Afterwards, I sat on the curb and waited for Annabelle to come pick me up. I was texting her until her mum pulled up. I climbed in the car with a smile on my face.
"Hello," I said cheerfully, although inside I was screaming.
"Hey! I'm so excited!" Annabelle beamed.
I chuckled and stared out the window, mouthing along to the radio for most of the ride there. I was trying to convince myself that it would be fun. As long as no one found out that I couldn't swim I would be okay. I could maybe sit in the shallow water if I'm feeling confident enough.
As we pulled up to the lake, there were already a bunch of other people here. Annabelle practically ripped my car door open and dragged me outside. I swung my bag over my shoulder as we walked over to where everyone else was.
Annabelle's Mum honked the horn as she took off around the corner.
No going back now, I thought to myself.
I dropped my bag on to ground next to Annabelle's stuff. She smiled at me as she took her dress off, leaving her in an orange and black swim suit.
"I'm gonna go in the water. Call out if you need anything,"
I grinned at her and nodded. There were actually a lot of people here. I didn't know the majority of them but I saw a couple classmates who smiled and waved at me every now and then.
I study the lake, it was actually pretty clear and the water looked really nice. A couple metres to my left was a dock kind of thing.
It was a wooden walkway, above the water and that's where two jet ski's where tied up, bobbing around in the water.
I glanced around again until my eyes landed on Jakob, the boy I've been crushing on since fifth grade.
I smiled and sighed dreamily, then caught myself. Since when did I do that?
I was watching him throw a ball to one of his mates in the shallow water, when I felt two hands lift me up.
Thinking it was Annabelle, I laughed until I was lifted over the person's head. No way in hell could Annabelle lift me like that.
I looked down to see a tall, buff guy heading towards the end of the dock.
I screamed as I realised what was about to happen. I started squirming in his hold.
"Stop! Wait no stop. Let me down! Hey! Cut it out!"
The guy just chuckled and kept going. He stood at the edge of the dock and before I knew it, I was flying through the air.
A scream escaped my lips just as I hit the water before it was cut off. I held my breath as I tried to regain myself.
I thrashed in the water and tried to get my head above the water. Once I broke the surface of the water I inhaled deeply.
"I... can't... swim!" I managed, as I gasped, trying to keep myself above the water.
A hand latched onto my arm and pulled me out of the water. When my body collapsed against the dock and inhaled and exhaled deeply trying to calm myself down.
My whole body was racking with shivers as I regained my breath. Someone's hand was on my back in a comforting manner.
I balled my fists and rested my forehead on them. I looked up to see Jakob standing there, concern all over his face.
Just looking at him was enough to make me ready to cry. He obviously saw something change in my demeanour because he scooted forward and pulled me into him.
My breath hitched as he wrapped his arms around my back protectively. I snuggled into his chest, enjoying the warmth he was providing.
"Oh god, you're shaking so much," he whispered in my ear.
I just nod.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be," I whisper back.
"Okay, let's just...stay like this for a while," he says.
I smile and nod, not wanting to leave this position ever. I couldn't care less if everyone was watching us, I just wanted to stay like this forever.
"Izzyy...?" he whispers in my ear.
"Yeah?" I reply.
"Be mine?"
I grin. "Okay,"
