The Haunting

Chapter 7

Amber hoisted herself out of the pool and grabbed her Gatorade sitting on the bleachers.

She took a long gulp and exhaled.

Then she untied her blonde ponytail and shook it out.

Water polo was now over. Preseason swim has now begun.

There were many more girls in the pool now, including Kayla.

Thank God the pool's indoor. It was raining cats and dogs outside. The water polo boys from the Havens Academy were there too. They practiced in the other pool.

The boys were all Hollister material, but no one took Amber's interest.

None of them pleased her.

She went to the locker rooms and unzipped her swim bag. Walking cautiously to the showers, Amber felt the comfort of mist and laughter arising within the steam.

One girl undressed then and there on the spot.

Amber couldn't help but glance.

She trained herself not to look a long time ago. But she couldn't help it.

“Amber!”

A voice called through the cloud of uncertainty. It made her turn so sharply, her neck hurt.

“Amber!” It was Kayla. She only had a towel on, clutching the front to keep it from falling.

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any conditioner?”

Amber's heart skipped a beat and she blew out a sigh of relief.

“Yeah, of course. Here.”

That was close. That was WAY too close. But who cares? No one found out anyway.

She pulled her warm-up jacket around her and put on her sweats.

No one has to know.

No one has to know anything.

Amber walked out of the shower rooms and sat down onto the bleachers.

A girl with straight short brown hair and soft brown eyes sat next to her.

“Hey Amber.”

“Hi Angie.”

Angie was brushing her hair, and Amber had to pinch herself to keep from looking.

“Hey guys,” Kayla said to them. She lugged her swim bag with her and dropped it at her feet.

“Soon, those bleachers will be crowded with spectators,” she said, gazing at the empty seats in front of her, sparks in her eyes. “We just gotta get ready whenever they do.”

Amber didn't know what the heck she meant, but before she could ask, Kayla was already almost out the door.

Amber stared at the floor. Echoes of cheers and laughter sounded through the indoor pool, bouncing off walls.

Suddenly, Amber's phone buzzed.

It was a text.. from an unmarked number. Amber read it. And her cerulean blue eyes grew wide with fear.

Amber...

I didn't know you liked swimming. It must be fun playing in the water with other girls... if you get what I mean ;) Yeah I saw that. And I know EVERYTHING. You think I won't tell the others? Try me.

Pre-meet jitters are not the ONLY things that get you nervous.

-M ;)