The Secret of the Water

Chapter 1: The Beach But Not The Ocean

April 22nd 2:08pm.

Dear Diary,

The beach always makes me feel relaxed and at ease. I like sitting with my toes dug into the sand, closing my eyes while the sun hits my face. Sometimes I build sandcastles, pretending that a family of crabs will move into it later that night. I've even made a sand man- like a snow man but made out of sand- because I've never seen the snow and it's something I've always wanted to do. My family moved us to Florida from Seattle when I was just 3 years old, and even if I've seen the snow before I don't remember it.

The one thing I don't like about the beach is....well, the ocean. For some reason, I am just absolutely terrified of swimming in murky waters, and I can't figure out why. I've asked my parents if something happened when I was little that made me scared of water but they said they have no idea. Every time I asked them about it again they change the subject. It seems like they are hiding something from me.

Chloe

"Chloe! Come here!"

My 12 year old sister, Anna, motioned me towards the water.

"You know I don't like swimming, Anna."

"It's not that! Just hurry up!"

I dug my toes out of the sand and set my journal on the towel beneath me. I was about to lock it so my older brother, Joey, wouldn't steal it, but seeing that he was all the way at the Peer fishing with dad I didn't see him as a threat. And also because I have only written one page so far.

I walked down the beach to where my sister was and saw her looking down at a dead jelly fish.

"That's cool. But it's dead." I said.

"Oh. Well I thought we could've saved him but I guess it's too late." She reached down to poke it but I stopped her. "Don't touch it! It can still sting you after it's dead. Remember when Joey touched one when he was seven?"

"No, I don't remember." said Anna, squinting from the sun to look up at me.

"That's right, I guess you were only two." I smiled at her and walked back up the beach while Anna jumped into the ocean. She was on a mission to catch a fish with her bare hands, but I didn't see that happening anytime soon. I almost wanted to jump in there and help her, or just splash her like any sibling would do, but something inside me was holding me back.

I grabbed my journal and sat back down on my towel next to my mom. My mother had long, brown, wavy hair with natural highlights that shimmered in the sun. Her, Anna and I looked very similar. I've been growing my hair out for a while now like my mom has been doing and it now flowed down my back like a river. Not the kind if river I'd be scared of though, but the kind that has a soothing flow and shimmers in the sun.

Anna cut her hair about a month ago, and it is now just barley touching her shoulders. It looks cute on her. It's the perfect hairstyle for her since she is always playing outside.

"What is that for?" My mom said, interrupting my thoughts and pointing to my journal.

"Oh nothing, just something I got from Leah."

I met Leah when she moved in across the street from us when we were eight years old. Now we are almost sixteen, and we are still best friends. Oh, and we share the same birthday, May 26th, which is coming up next month.

"Have you thought about what you wanna do for your birthday this year?" said mom, who seemed to be reading my thoughts. "It's your sweet sixteen."

"I don't know, maybe just go shopping with Leah or something."

"Shopping? Really? Come on, you guys do that like every weekend. This is an important birthday for you, if you have something big in mind let me and dad know."

"Okay, thanks mom," I said with a smile.

Mom stood up as she adjusted her sunglasses. "I'm going to see if Joey and your dad have had any luck with the fish."

"Maybe you should see if Anna is having the same luck," I joked.

Mom giggled. She always laughs at my jokes.

"Keep an eye on Anna for me." Mom said.

"I will," I promised.

Mom walked away toward the peer and I glanced over at Anna. She was talking to a girl her height who had long, blonde hair. Seems like she made a new friend.

I picked up my journal.

April 22nd, 2:47pm.

Dear diary,

I told my mom I don't want to do anything big for my birthday, but what I really want to do is too far out of reach. They will never say yes.

I want to travel back to Seattle. I want to see where we used to live and what it's like, since mom and dad never talk about it. And I want Leah to come along. It would be so fun to travel AND see a place I've been to but don't remember. And having my best friend with me would make it even more fun.

That is what I want to do for my sweet 16th birthday.

Chloe