By The Water | Stephew

Chapter Four: High Water Week

A/N: haven't updated in a while but I'm finally here with another chapter!! Enjoy! ❤
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Previously On By The Water:
Stephanie shares her heart breaking life story and Matthew has only two weeks to get over his aquaphobia before he will be transferee to a different school. Matthew then ask Stephanie for help. Will she agree and help him?
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"W-what? Matthew... I-I can't do this. I'm no expert. Plus, I Won't be able to live with the guilt of letting you down if it didn't work.." Stephanie said while looking down at her feet.
"Please Stephanie, you're the only one that can help me! If I won't get rid of my fear of water...I might be transferred to a different school." Matthew said and Stephanie could tell he was desperate just by the sound of his voice.

"So why won't you just go Matthew? A different school might be the thing that will help you the most. I mean, you're here, probably feeling like a failure when you stay out of the water and everyone else is surfing or swimming. At a different school you'll be able to show off your amazing brain and be smart." Stephanie said with a smile, letting him know that there are other options.

"I don't know Stephanie... My best friends are here. My grades are pretty good, and I feel like I belong here in some way.. I don't want to change all of this just because of my idiotic fear. Also, talking to you makes me feel better you know, like I can do anything and nothing is impossible. The principal gave me two weeks to get over this, and I promised him that if it won't work then I'll do what ever he tells me to do. I don't know why, but psychologists never helped me, but I do think that you can help me like they were supposed to. So, please?" Matthew pleaded again, and after a few moments of consideration, she nodded with a sigh.

Matthew smiled a big smile before hugging her tight. "I'm happy that you're happy, but I can't breath..." Stephanie said and Matthew released his grip on her. "Thanks. Now, how about we'll have a walk back to the dorms and discuss your little problem a bit." Stephanie said when the salty air of the beach filled her lungs once again.

They both got up from the sand and started walking. They walked slowly, appreciating the view of the susnet and the refreshing wind. "So...when did it all start? What happened?" Stephanie asked after a fit of comfortable silence. Matthew sighed, looking at his bare fit as they manoeuvred their way through the sand.

"It's kind of stupid actually..." Matthew said with a bitter chuckle. "It's probably not so stupid if it's shutting you down and may cost you your scholarship." Stephanie said seriously. "OK...it all happened when I was six, and I was a going with my family to Hawaii. I kept telling them that we should try to go to that cage that lets you see sharks underwater, so even though it was really expensive, they bought tickets. A day before we had to go there, I made a stupid decision and watched jaws with my dad because it on tv at the hotel. I was so scared of sharks that I couldn't sleep that night. The next day, I tries to tell mg parents that I didn't want to do it anymore, but because it was so expensive they didn't listen to me. Seeing all of those sharks underwater at the cage was so scary that I was shaking of fear by the time we got out of the water. And I even got sick because of this for the entire vacation." He told, and stephanie couldn't not feel bad for him.

"Wow... I never thought it would be this..."
"Silly?"
"No! It's not silly! Well....maybe it's is a little bit...but just a little bit!!" Stephanie said, trying to not make him think the wrong thing.

"It's OK, you don't have to sugar coat it. It's a stupid reason to be so afraid of water, but I just can't help it you know.." He said, as if trying to explain himself.

"Fear is a very complicated thing, Matthew. I won't laugh at you for having this fear, not at all. If you want me to help you,you have to trust me and tell me everything." Stephanie said, and without even noticing, already reached the dorm's entrance.

"Ok, guess I'll talk to you more tomorrow, bye." Stephanie said as she went for the girl's side of the dorms, and Matthew went to his. He entered his room, and in it were Mark and Nate, playing catch with a small red bouncy ball.

"Oh hey there Matthew, what's up?" Mark asked and Matthew only sighed as he laid on his bed. Mark and Nate exchanged worried glances before coming closer. "Matt? What's wrong?" Nate asked him again. "The principal...he wants to transfer me to a different school because I can't do anything water involved in a 'fudging' water sports high school. He says it's for the best." Matthew said with his eyes rolling.

"What?! He can't do that!! Giving up on you is like taking the best student in this place away." Nate said as if stating a fact. "Don't worry guys,it's going to be okay. I'm going to take a nap now, goodnight." Matthew said quickly before closing around and spinning his back towards his friends, as if saying "the conversation is over." Matthew couldn't help but ask himself... Will everything be ok?
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Matthew woke up the next day, to find out that his roommates are not snoring like usual. He was alone. He looked out of the window, only to see people in swimwuits all over, swimming, surfing and whatever else you can do on the beach.

Matthew rolled his eyes, before going to his computer to play video games. Today was the first day of the "high water" week. a full week where the waves are perfect for surfing and any kind of water sports, which means that all Matthew could do is to play video games and wait impatiently 'till it's over.

He was already at his tenth round of Mario kart, just when someone knocked three times on the door. Confused, Matthew paused the game and went to open the door. Stephanie stood there, a huge smile was on her face.

It was the first time Matthew ever saw her smiling out of pure happiness and not just so people wouldn't see her true tragic background story and sadness she bares with her on a regular basis.

"Stephanie, what are you doing here?" He asked, slightly happy that someone came to keep him company. "I came here to tell you something amazing!!"
She shrieked excitedly as she walked into the room and sat on Mark's bed. "Sure,what is it?"
"Remember Frank Clawford?"
"That ass that ran the orphanage you were living in? What about him?"
"So, the story is, that after I told you what was up with me, I realized how long I didn't even think about my friends who stayed there. So I called my friend, Rony. One time at our stealing spree he stole someone's phone so I could contact him without calling the actual orphanage and maybe even get caught. I called his number and luckily, he picked up. I spoke quietly, and tried to not make noise, in case Frank or Justine, the house keeper, might catch him speaking on the phone and punish him, but then he told me the most exciting thing possible..."

Stephanie couldn't hide her happiness as the biggest smile Matthew has ever seen was splattered on her face.

"What did he tell you?!" He asked impatiently.
"He told me that they finally did it. They made Nicholas and sky to believe them about their abuse, and after a painful trial, Frank and Justine were send to prison and Nicholas along with sky are in charge now!!" She shouted happily and Matthew, who was extremely happy to hear so, hugged her tight.

But then he thought about it again. If the place is now safer and she can go back, then what would he do? Stephanie felt his tight grip on her getting loosened, so she broke the hug and looked at Matthew's expression.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy for me?" She asked, a little taken aback by his sad expression, when this might be the happiest moment of her life. "No, it's not it at all. I'm so happy for you, and forgive me for my stupid mind...it's just that.. Something in me knows that if you would've had the chance to go back there, you'd do it without a second thought, and I don't want to lose you. I mean, I have friends here, but I feel a connection with you Stephanie," he took her hand in his and gave it a little squeeze, "a strong connection."

"You're not losing me Matthew. I actually thought about going back there for the high water week. Would you like to companien me?" She asked with a toothy happy smile, And Matthew, who had no other plans for the rest of the week, agreed vigorously.

He packed his things and left a note that will explain Mark and Nate about his absence, and by noon they we're already on their way to "The magical residence", the new and improved orphanage.