Rise Of The Seas

10

I hate competitive swimmers

I hate fried cucumbers

But I especially hate the ocean

"Cancelled?!" the gym almost screams.

"My father won't like this at all" Parker sneers, shaking his head. Luckily the flood of parents hadn't arrived, just leaving a large amount of pissed off teenagers.

"Well, I guess you can thank you father for the tournament for being cancelled" Coach snaps, his muscles pulsing.  "He decided to hold a meeting instead, so I won't be able to watch you all. And since I can't do that, there's a chance you might kill one another."

"If only" Amy whispers under her breath.

"When will the tournament take place then?" I call out, crossing my arms.

"Glad you asked Miss Campbell" Coach sighs "It will take place in exactly a week, so you all have another week to prepare. Use this time wisely."

"This is utter bull" Amy growls "I had my lucky protein shake today, and that shit is expensive."

"My Mom isn't going to be happy" I sigh, "She took the day off to see the game." She had also spent half the night decorating colorful signs, which sat proudly at the front door.

"I'm sure she can just go in, don't worry about it" Amy smiles. "Thanks, wanna do something since we have the rest of the day?"

"Well we can always grab Cameron, Ricky and Nova and go down to the beach" Amy grins, already tapping away on her phone. As she does, the gym doors open, revealing Cameron, Nova and Ricky.

"Speak of the devils" I grin, walking over to the three.

"I'm surprised you haven't brought out the war paint yet" Nova chuckles. Looking around, she raises a brow. Usually there was already a rowdy student zone, or at least crazed parents screaming on their kids.

"Game's cancelled, something about a meeting" Amy sighs, hoisting her bag around her shoulder. "I suggested going down to the beach, since your sister and you have yet to see it."

A frown settles on my mouth. "I don't know, isn't it a little bit chilly?"

"Come on Riles, it's almost ninety degrees. I can take Cameron home to get her stuff, and Amy can take Nova and you home" Ricky grins, rubbing my back with his hand. "You'll be fine."

Looking around frantically, I try to find another excuse. Stopping Nova, I instantly spit out "Nova doesn't even own a swimsuit!"

Smiling, Cameron looks over to Nova. "No problem, Amy can take you two home to grab your things, and Nova can borrow one of mine."

With a huff, I grab my bag "Fine, but I'm bringing my volleyball."

I had always hated the water.

It wasn't because I almost drowned, or someone I cared about was hurt in some kind of water-related accident. Any body of water made me feel utterly weak. I couldn't run in it, nor could conquer it, water just flowed, never caring what impaled it.

I hated feeling weak, I couldn't be weak, for Nova and Moms sake. Yet I still couldn't step foot in a pool, lake or ocean without having a panic attack. At least that's what Nova thought they were, we never did tell Mom. On that note, Hayden was the only other person besides Nova who had known about my fear.