Natella- Distances

Ten

The red haired girl clung onto the brunette like her life depended on it. Even just a few steps into the cold water, she clung tighter. Bella didn't mind, holding her in return and making sure she didn't panic.

Naty's eyes watched the water like a hawk, hating the feeling of her feet on the shores floor as she felt like she was slowly sinking in. She wanted to drown out any thoughts about what remained in the waters out there. What could be there.

A piece of seaweed brushed against her leg and she felt like bursting into tears and rushing out. But Bella took a few more steps. The seaweed stayed wrapped around Naty's ankle. But she didn't say anything. Instead she whimpered and tried to stay quiet in Bella's shoulder.

She didn't want to seem like a little immature kid to Bella, but she was terrified... Barely able to stop herself from reaching tears. Bad memories flooded her mind and it was the worst feeling ever.

"Bella please, can we leave the water!?" She asked in a frightened tone as she felt another piece of seaweed wrap around her and her feet started to sink further into the sand.

Bella looked at her frightened girlfriend. "Naty, it's okay. I won't let anything happen to you..." She assured with a soft and relaxed tone. One Naty questioned. How could she be so calm in such a scary atmosphere.

Tears flooded Naty's eyes helplessly, her heart pounding as the paranoia got to her and she was unable to breathe. A wave splashing their stomachs as their lower halves were all the way in. She was terrified. What if a shark was close to shore? What if she got bitten? Stepped on a poisonous fish or perhaps a jellyfish? What if she sunk into the sand? What if she drowned?

Naty nodded and held on... Closing her eyes tight so she couldn't look at the water. A wave splashing against them, but with that, came something else brushing against her leg. And it was no piece of seaweed. It was a fish.

And with that and a squeal, Naty was out of the water in a flash. Letting Bella go as she felt the fear rising in her stomach. Squirming away and making her way out of the water. Thrashing and when she reached shore, she tripped, she kicked the sand away and struggled to get away. Cutting the bottom of her foot on a broken shell.

And with that she was in even worse tears. Terrified of the water when the waves would come up to the sand, leaving Bella in the water. Bella made her way out of it, quickly walking over to the scared and upset Naty.

Naty's face a bright pink as she realized people were staring at her and some even laughing. She was a grown adult, scared of a little water. At least that's what a lot of people thought. It makes sense to be scared of the ocean just a little, but of a little fish who touched her. Ridiculous.

Her mind was roaming on the bad memories, the fear, everything all at once as it overwhelmed her. Bella went to the scared girls side.

"What happened?" She asked with a soft tone and while making Naty look up at her.

"A-A Fish... It touched me and I- I cut my foot and I-" she completely broke into tears while Bella looked at the bottom of Naty's foot. A big bloody gash waited there, slowly bleeding.

"Don't worry, we won't go back in the water. I'll get a lifeguard to come over. It doesn't look too serious for stitches." She said, standing up to go get the woman in the red bathing suit. Calling her over with the first aid kit.

Soon enough Naty had a huge bandage on her foot and her eyes dried up from the tears. She sniffled as she wore a towel now, shivering from the cold feeling of the water still on her. Bella frowned as she sat back down at her side.

"I'm sorry... About convincing you it would be okay." She said, resting her hand on Naty's. "I didn't know you would be that afraid. I thought you were fine."

Naty looked up and shook her head. "There's no reason to be sorry. It's a stupid fear... I just can't get over it... I wish I could, maybe then I could enjoy the beach and wouldn't even have paranoia swimming in a flipping swimming pool!" She cried out.

Bella wrapped her arm around the girl. Gently pulling her close and making Naty rest her head on her shoulder. "Babe, it's not stupid. Everyone's scared of something they don't want to admit. It's just life... Wanna just head to my place? You can borrow some of my clothes or something and we can watch a movie..." She suggested.

Naty just nodded. Wanting to get off of the beach... Plus, getting the chance to cuddle after this. Seemed much better. "I'll tell my cousin to bring my things."