Drowning

Chapter 1: I am compared to a juice carton and a monkey?

"This is my secret.", I twist my neck around to face Indigo. He stares at me with those eager blue eyes, waiting for me to unravel my truth before him. I nervously look down to the sea water's edge. I dig my toes into the bark coloured sand, gulping the bubble of fear that is stuck in my throat. Should I do this? Is this safe? Would he tell? No. No is the answer to all those questions. I'm breaking all the rules here, which can lead to serious consequences. Torture? Death? Regret? I will face all of these sometime in life.

I lift my right foot, slowly, my brain is screaming 'NOOOOOOO!!!!!', my heart is screaming 'YESSSSS!!!!'. I place my foot on the soft sea bed, just in time to see Indigo's face transform into horror.

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The fresh sea spray specks sprinkle and sparkle on my soaked face as I'm blown in the wind. I feel like I'm soaring across the sea as I dangle by the edge of our home-boat. The engine is roaring like thunder, it's so loud I get lost in my own world. As I look down at the water I see a dark shadowy shape of a dolphin skimming the edge of the water surface.

"MUM!!!!" I screech at the top of my air sockets.

"WHAT?????" She screams back from the driver wheel.

"THERE'S A DOLPHIN!!!!" I say in amazement, pointing just in time as it flipped out of the water spraying me in salty water.

"I KNOW!!!!! THERE IS A WHOLE ARMY OF THEM."

I turn around to see a magical site of a fleet of dolphins skimming across the sea and setting off into the sunset. I tumble closer for a better sight, taking in the beautiful and perfect moment. Suddenly the boat hits a wave. The hit is too hard. I slip. Just in time I clutch to the handle bar.

"SCARLETT?!?!?!?!!!!!!!" My mum drops the wheel and sprints as fast as she can across the slippery ice like deck.

"MUM", I beg, regaining my balance. Mum reaches out for me just as a wave hits the boat. The whole deck shudders knocking me and my mum off. The last thing I see is the silhouette of a dolphin beneath me.

I wake up screaming in tune with alarm clock ring. I notice beads of sweat are trickling down my forehead. "...Mum", I whisper to myself. Snap out of it Scarlett! Stop feeling sorry for yourself! That was eight years ago. In my head I slap myself on the cheek.

I throw my duvet on to the floor. I can clean that up later. If I remember. I sludge my way towards the seahorse themed calender that's pinned to my pale blue wall, whilst trying to wipe away the sleep in my eyes. The blood from my face paled. Oh Fish. February the 5th. First day of a new school. In a new country.

I pull on a baby blue V - neck shirt with a purple cardigan. I dance around trying to get my blue denim jeans to fit. Usually I'd just walk around in a pair of shorts or a loose dress, unfortunately this is winter. The cold, bitter winter.

I huff down my slice of toast. Slip on my purple beanie hat and converse. I looked outside the window, sure enough the bus is already parked outside.

"Love you Dad! I'm off!", I call upstairs whilst opening the door.

"Hold on! WAIT THERE!", he yells back from his room.

"DAD, I have to go." He scrambles down the wooden stairs loosening his collar with his tie in the other hand. As he jumps off the last step he catches me in a warm hug.

"Good luck. Your mother would be proud of you", he smiled.

"Dad, don't."

"Anyway, have a good time." He pats me on the shoulder, "You better go", he eyes outside the door. I twirl round to find that the bus engine has started and the door closed.