Ashbourne's Powers

Chapter 3

*Dylin's POV*

We walked to the beach, even though I was reluctant. We both walked to the edge of a small dock, and then, Jay took off his shirt and jumped into the water. He looked back at me, smiling. "You wanna get in too?" He said. "Uh, no thanks. I actually am afraid of water." I admitted.

He looked at me, surprised. "Really? Can I ask why?" He finally said, sounding a bit shocked. I took a breath, and sat on the dock. He pulled himself out of the water and sat in front of me, soaked. I took one more breath before starting.

"I'm not just afraid of water. I  can't swim. Some kids at my school when I was little found that out. They asked me if I wanted to hang out after school with them. I was naïve, and I believed them. So, after school they told me we were going to the skate park. They tricked me into coming here instead. They pushed me to this dock, then shoved me in the water. I begged them not to. Told them I couldn't swim. They didn't listen. I just held onto the beams, but they were slippery from the algae, and the waves kept pushing me up against them which caused the barnacles and rocks to cut my arms, hands and legs. Every time I tried to get back up onto the dock they would stomp there feet to make me let go. It was probably only a half hour until they finally let me get back up, but it felt like it would never end." I finally finish, taking pauses in some places to attempt to calm myself. I look at him, and he's staring at me, absolutely horrified.

But, then, he drew closer to me, and I finally realized he wasn't just horrified because of the story, but because of me. I didn't realize that, while I was telling the story I had started hugging myself with my arms, like I was protecting myself from something. Tears had rolled down my cheeks and I hadn't even realized.

He drew closer to me, and placed his hand on my knee. He opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again, truly not knowing what to say. I gave him a half smile, understanding. "I...I don't.. I can't.. wow." He choked out. "I'm so sorry." He said. "Yea.." I say, looking down at my crossed legs, wiping my face. "At least I didn't get extremely hurt. " I say, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "You know.. since that happened, I never went to the water again. I pretty much only like showers. And... I never actually learned how to swim." I admitted bashfully.

He smiled. "Well, if you ever want to change that you can always come to me." He said, clearly trying to lighten the mood as well. I smiled, nodding. "I might actually take you up on that offer."

He got up, and held out a hand to me. "Come on. It's getting kind of late into the evening. We should probably go home." I silently agreed, and took his hand. He pulled me up, and we walked off the dock, back onto the street.

He walked me home, and as we came to my driveway, he asked, "Your parents aren't home?" He must've noticed that there weren't any lights on in the house. "No. My mom works a lot. She works at the hospital. That's actually where my parents first met. But my mom's usually home by the time I'm already in bed. She leaves before I get up too. Either that or she's still sleeping. I kind of essentially live by myself." I reply, looking up at him. His eyes are saddened for a moment at my last comment, but then moves past it. "Oh, I see." He pauses, then looks from my house, back to me, and begins again. "Well, I'm gonna go I guess. Tonight was fun, Dylin."

I smile softly at him, honestly happy that I spent some time with him. He's not the person I'd expect to be this nice, considering who he's friends with. "I had fun too. Well, I'll see you tomorrow in our classes together. Bye!" I walk away, and go into my house. I walk upstairs just in time to see him turn the corner. He's very sweet. He seems like he's not like a lot of others at school. He seems genuine. 'I want to know him more.' I think to myself.

I change, and read for a bit, then head to bed. Tonight was fun.