Behind the Gate

Chapter 13

Fast-forward to the summer

I was relaxing on my couch watching TV, until I got a group call from Celina. It was a group with Tia, a girl named Rozan, and I. Synthia and Mary were in it, but things happened.

"Hey guys, how's life?" Celina asked us.

"Pretty good," Tia said as I agreed.

"So I have an idea, do you guys want to go to the pool tomorrow since it's a sunny day?" Celina asked us.

"I'm down," Rozan said.

"Same here, but what time," Tia asked.

"Oh sorry I forgot to say, but around 3:00 at the pool in Easton," Celina answered.

"It's fine, but yea I'm free," I said.

"Oh, and my mom would come and pick you guys up, so it's kind of like a carpool to the pool." Celina stated.

From there, we started talking about the oddest things for like an hour straight. When we finished, I told my mom about it and she was fine with the idea. I looked around for my bathing suits because it was the beginning of summer break and I haven't been to the pool yet this year. After searching for half an hour, I finally found my favorite bathing suit. It was a pink and purple two-piece bikini that I have had for so long, yet still fits me.

........................

It was the day to go to the pool and I had everything packed and double-checked. I brought a drawstring bag filled with a bunch of snacks, my towel, spray-on sunscreen, my phone, and some money. I was wearing a pair of jean shirts and a white tank top. As I was waiting for my ride, I was sitting on the couch until the news came up.

"Latest news: New movement in demolished house in Allentown. Nearby neighbors saw some people go into house when forbidden. No evidence of who it was, but neighbors predicted the monster was inside because the invaders apparently 'ran out of house in hurry.'" The news-lady said. My mom was next to me and she heard everything the lady said.

"Did you hear that, Celine? Some crazy people just went into our old house," She said, but little does she know, those crazies were us. She was getting a bit more curious and was about to ask more questions when the lady showed blurred photos of us, until she got interrupted by a honk sound.

"Oh, well would you look at that? It's time for me to go," I told my mom

"Well, have fun Celine," she responded.

I headed for the door and put my peach-colored sunglasses on. I went outside and opened the car door.

"Hi Celine!" Celina's mom said.

"Hi," I replied to her, "Hey guys."

"Hey, you look good! I haven't seen you in so long," Rozan said.

The car ride wasn't that long since the pool was near my house. We talked about what we would do over there and other stuff about the pool.

Once we found a spot to sit, I set my stuff down and took off my shorts and my top and took out my sunscreen.

"Hey can you do my back?" I asked Rozan, since she was the closest one to me.

"Yea sure."

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Once we were all ready, we headed to the deeper end. We all looked down into the depths of the water, scared to jump in, well except for me.

"So, who's going in first?" Tia questioned.

"I call dibs on going last!" Celina exclaimed.

"I'll go in first," I said happily.

"Then I'll go after Celine," Tia said.

I backed up as far as I could and took a deep breath. I ran and jumped and landed in the cold water. Once I reached the surface, I gave them a thumbs up. Tia ran and also jumped in. Following her was Rozan, and in the water she went. When she came back up, her teeth were chattering.

"That's cold! Are you not freezing?" Rozan asked me and Tia.

"I am," Tia said.

"I don't get cold in water, I got used to it," I responded.

"I'm going in through the shallow," Celina said.

"Come on, we all did it," Tia said to her.

"I can't swim in the deep," she admitted.

"Well go get a noodle from the rack,"

"Fine, I'll be back,"

When she got back with a noodle, she threw it into the pool. Tia and I held it on either side and waited for Celina.

"Ready?" Tia asked her.

"Yea, yea, let me warm up."

"Just jump in," Rozan spoke out.

She went back and ran and plopped into the pool. She got a hold of the noodle when she came back up.

"That's mad cold!" She shouted, "Celine, how are you not cold?"

"I don't know, my body is just used to it," I responded.