New Grounds -ON HOLD-

Chapter 8

          A/N: Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I just have a few announcements before I start the story. First of all I just wanted to say thank you for actually reading my stories! It means a lot to me considering this is my second story now (So don't judge my grammar). Speaking of grammar I have semi-improved? Yeah... if that is even a word XD. So this chapter might have a lot more detail and should make some more sense. Now with that aside, ONTO THE STORY!

          "So you want to go back already?" They stared at me, washing a glass in their hand.

          "Yeah, I have to meet up with someone, she's probably worried sick..."

          They set down the dish and looked at me.

           "You need to rest, you took a pretty bad hit to your head."

           "I seriously need to get back! She probably thinks I'm dead by now!" I started flailing my arms in the water, attempting to swim upwards. In my attemps, my feet never left the ground.

          They raised an eyebrow. "Can you even swim?"

           I stopped trying to swim only to stare at my hands in confusion, why am I not moving?

          "O-of course I can, I just don't understand..."

          "You're tired, and your fin is crooked, let me help you." They reached a hand out to help me, but I quickly smaked it away.

          "NO!" They backed up, snatching their hand away from me.

         "Uhh, I mean... I think it's fine." I slowly reached to my neck and carefully smoothed out the fin.

          They stared at me as I akwardly stood, awaiting for someone to speak up. 

           "What's wrong?" They finally asked. "You're freaking out about being underwater and you can't swim... are you sure you're feeling alright?"

          "I-i... I have no idea..." I sat down on the couch, rubbing my head. "Today is just not my day I guess..."

          "Hmph..." They said, putting a hand on their chin. "I guess I could bring you to the surface, I don't want to trap you here forever."

          "N-no! You're not trapping me! You were trying to help!" I stood up quickly, grabbing their shoulders. They reared back, not expecting this movement. They slowly smiled and lifted my hands off of them.

          "Let's just get you to the surface."

          ~TIMESKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY MY LAZYNESS~

          I broke the surface of the water to find that the beach was a few ways away.

          "Ugghh..." I moaned. I turned to the figure behind me.

         "Please don't tell me I will have to help you swim again..." They said. 

           I shrugged, not knowing if the water would 'let' me swim. They had to literally DRAG me up to the surface.

          "I hope not..." They mumbled.

           "Should I try?" 

          "Sure, why not?"

          I started kicking my legs, moving one inch in a full minute.

           "Yeahhhh... not working for you huh?"

           "Shut up..."

          ~TIMESKIP AGAIN~

          After the embarrassing few minutes of the stranger helping me swim to shore, we made it to land. I stood, brushing off the sand that had clung to my clothes.

           "What's your name?" They asked me.

          "Shilla."

          "I'm Caitlyn." 

          They held out a webbed hand to me. I shook their hand and waved before leaving to look for Ava. I turned before they disappeared under the water.

           "THANKS!" I yelled to them.

          "ANYTIME!" They laughed.

          "Shilla? Is that you?"

          I turned my head to see Ava walking towards me. 

          "Ava!"

          They smiled and started to sprint towards me.

         "OH MY GOODNESS I WAS WORRIED SICK!" She grabbed my shoulders.

          Her smile faded, "Where were you?"

          I smiled to try and brighten the mood, "I was underwater."

          Ava looked confused, "But you're a human, you can't breathe water..."

          I hesitated, "I thought so too, but I was breathing, but I couldn't swim."

          She laughed, "You couldn't swim from the start."

          I blushed, "I could swim earlier ok?"

           "You got knocked under water by a small wave."

          "Yeah yeah..."

          "Come on, it's getting dark." She grabbed my arm, tugging me in the direction of her house. I slowly followed her, all I wanted was to sleep.