Submerged in Your Love (✔️)

Chapter Eight

(Josephine's POV)

I was scared.

But I knew that Kai wouldn't let me drown.

"You ready?" He asked.

"I think so." I nodded.

I felt him move over in front of me. I felt him take my fairly small hands in his larger ones.

"Brave enough time step off the last step?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yes."

With him holding my hands, I stepped down off the last step so that I was touching the bottom of the pool. The water felt cool and reached about an inch above my waist.

"I'm halfway in the water." I said with a smile.

"You are."

"How far does the water go on you right here?"

"Ummm, it stops quite a few inches below my waist."

"You're tall then."

He chuckled. "Just a bit."

"What do we do now?"

I then felt him move. It took me a second to figure out that he bent his knees down to my height.

"Would you like to learn how to float first or doggy paddle?"

"Doggy paddle? To a professional like yourself, isn't that your least favorite swimming technique?"

"One hundred percent, but for those who don't swim professionally it's good enough."

"How about floating first?"

"Good deal. Now you gotta trust me."

"I trust you."

"Glad to hear it."

He walked me through the steps/process of beginning to float before I gave it a go.

"Promise you won't let me go?" I asked, clutching his hand in mine.

"I promise, Fi." He said.

I couldn't help but smile at the nickname. I liked it. A lot.

With the guidance of Kai I slowly began to try and float. My skin erupted with goosebumps as he placed his hands on my back to help me float.

"You're doing great."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

After floating a few more times I then tried it on my own without him helping me. I didn't drown so it was a success.

"Now what?"

"Puppy paddle or trying to go under?"

"Let's try under and then puppy paddle."

"You're getting brave." He teased. "All right. Let's do this."

"What do I do first?"

"Lower down as much as you're comfortable with." He said and so I did.

I lowered myself into the water until it was right at my chest. I felt Kai lower himself too.

"When you're ready, stick your face in the water and blow bubbles."

"That's it?"

"That's how we start."

"Okay."

I was scared to be honest. Why? Because I couldn't see and this was my first time in a pool or large body of water.

"I won't drown?"

"No, you won't drown."

"Can I....." I trailed off not wanting to finish my question out of embarrassment.

"Can you what?" He asked.

"Can you hold my hand while I do it?"

"Of course." He said before I felt his hand grab mine. "Just stick your face in and blow out. Don't inhale."

"Got it."

I took several deep breaths before I stuck my face in the water and blew out. I blew bubbles for approximately three seconds before I pulled my face out.

I wiped the water from my face with my hands and smiled.

"I did it." I smiled.

"You did." I could hear the smile in his voice.

For the next hour he taught me the basics of swimming and I had a blast.

As we were leaving, I realized that I didn't bring a towel. I suppose Kai noticed too because I felt his towel land around my shoulders.

"Oh you don't have-"

"Don't argue." He said cutting me off.

"Thank you and thank you for taking the time to teach me." I said as we walked to the elevator.

"You don't have to thank me. I had fun. Helped me get my mind off of things."

As we each got to our door, I grew a bit brave as I said one last thing.

"Kai,"

"Yeah?"

"If you...if you ever need to just talk, to just let some things off your chest, my door is always open. Titan and I are great listeners. We won't judge you or ask questions. We'll just listen and I can bake cookies." I smiled softly. "Thank you for the lessons. Goodnight."

I couldn't get in my apartment quick enough. I don't know why but my cheeks were on fire from blushing. I could feel him staring at me as I spoke and it gave me butterflies for some reason.

I didn't want to admit it....but the more times I spent with him the more I started to like him.

~~~~~~~~~~~
(Kai's POV)

As Josephine shut her door I couldn't keep the smile off my face. She was adorable. The more I stared at her as she spoke the pinker her cheeks got.

The whole time she spoke, she fidgeted with with the corner of my towel that was still wrapped around her shoulders.

I took a quick shower and a bite to eat before I grabbed my phone and headed for bed.

23 Missed Calls
2 Voicemails
45 Unopened Texts

I sighed.

I pushed the first voicemail and put my phone to my ear.

"Hey man. I stopped by since you're not answering your phone. Pounded on your door. You didn't answer obviously. I know....I know what this week is, man. We know it's hard on you, but don't....don't go through this alone. Talk to me. Talk to your parents. Talk to someone. We love you."

I went on to the next one after that.

"Kai. My champion. How are you? Dumb question right? Listen, I just wanted to say that.....you were born to swim. You were born to be in the water. Remember, I knew him almost as well as you did. I know he wouldn't have wanted you to give up your passion. He would kick your ass if he knew that you've stopped. You don't have to come back to me. You don't have to try and get in to the Olympics. Just....Just the back in the water. We all know how much you love it. How much it means to you. How much it meant to both of you. I love you, Kai. You'll always be my champion."

I wiped away the one tear that rolled down my cheek as I put my phone down.

I plugged my phone in and turned it off before I stared at the ceiling.

I know.....

I know that I have family. I have Austin.

But despite that....I feel like I don't have anyone to talk to about the shit that goes on in my head.

Not anymore.