Misconceptions (may change, this is new)

Seven.

The second my toes touched the water, shiver bumps shot up my legs and stomach. I shuddered and grinned. It had been far too long since I last went for a swim. I took a few more steps out into the water, the water splashing against my thighs, took a deep breath, and dove into the wine dark lake.

The water was frigid, and a small part of me wanted to get out and put my leggings back on, but the rest was pure joy.

I couldn't touch the gritty sand of the floor where I was, so I had to keep moving to stay afloat. I slowly kicked my legs below me and swing my arms back and forth, causing small ripples to reach out around me.

I could see the lights of the house reflecting onto the deep waters, but the trees leaning out above the shore shielded the house itself from view. Twisting in the water, I floated up to the surface to rest on my back. As soon as my legs hit open air, my eyes closed on reflex. I had missed this.

Pulling memories from thin air, I remembered the many times my parents had taken me here as a child. We used to have picnics on the shore and spend hours splashing and laughing in the shallow waters near the road.

Smiling to myself, I tilted upright and swam farther out, until I could see the house. People were laughing and throwing up off the balcony, yelling across the yard at buddies, and picking fights over spilled drinks. I could just make out the form of Emily's lavender lace up sitting on the edge of the deck, lips locked on her new toy. It seemed like a lot of people were in the water, but you never knew who might have invited some kid from another school who invited all his friends and so on. Mathew's parties were always a bit bigger than he intended.

I began swimming back to the shore to get a drink, just as I was about to put my feet down and walk, something pulled me backwards, out into the water, and down.