“Now what’s the point of a pool if you’re not going to swim in it?” I scolded her jokingly.
“You know full well that I wasn’t planning on swimming!” Theresa shouted, spitting out water. “I already showered and everything!” I just laughed and started swimming laps. Theresa climbed out and said she was going to shower AGAIN, and making sure the boys weren’t burning down the kitchen. I hadn’t gone on a run earlier that day because I had gone to the plant nursery with Theresa. Despite my total workout that I had earlier planting the vegetables I felt like I was slacking off. I got into a good rhythm and swam laps back and forth. I was in my own world, so when a hand reached into the pool and grabbed my ankle as I was turning at the end of the lane to shoot back down the pool I gasped, inhaling mouthfuls of pool water. I thrashed under the surface and panicked. I felt two hands grab me under the arms, and hauled me out of the water. I lied on the pool side coughing up what felt like gallons of water. I rolled over to see Tye looking at me with worry in his eyes.
“Lina! Lina Answer me!” He shouted in my face
“Geeze bro, say it don’t spray it” I mumbled, between fits of coughing.
“I’m sorry, I never meant for that reaction to happen, I was just joking around!” Tye scooped me off the poolside and started to carry me into the house. As he stepped over the threshold, our parents looked up from the table they had been setting. As soon as Theresa saw me she dropped the silverware she was holding, her face turning pale.
“Ohmigosh Carolyne! What happened?!” Theresa took her attention off of me long enough to look up and glare at Tye, “well put her down you silly boy! So I can see if anything is wrong!”
“I’m fine mom.” I said throwing Tye a gracious smile as he gingerly set me down on one of the dining room chairs. “I caught a cramp in my leg. I thought I was making up for the run I didn’t take today, but I guess my body was tired enough as it was. I just pushed myself too hard. A good hot shower and a good night’s rest, I'll be good as new.”
"Well, do you want me to wrap your plate and leave it in the microwave?” my dad asked.
“No, you can go ahead and put the leftovers away, I’ll come down and get something if I get hungry at all during the night.” My dad nodded, kissed the top of my head and ruffled my hair.
“Night princess” Theresa said, gently patting my hand as Tye helped me up the stairs. Once we were out of sight and earshot of our parents, I gently pulled out of Tye’s grip.
“You don’t have to help me to my room, I’m really ok now.” He just sort of looked at me head slightly cocked to the left, like he was trying to figure something out.
“why did you tell mom you caught a cramp?”
“I figured that she was upset enough, and I know that Sunday is date night for you and Lilah. It’s your ‘six month-aversery’ and being grounded for something like that, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you would be terrible”
“how do you-“
“Field hockey, remember? Girls gossip in the locker room too ya know” I grinned. “Anyways, get back to dinner, and try not to almost drown anyone in the gravy boat while you’re in there?” Tye laughed at that.
“Ok, I’ll try my best.” He gave me a hug, giving me and extra squeeze for good measure “I really am sorry Lina”
“I know you are.”
“Night.”
“Night.”
I turned and walked up the stairs to my room and straight to my bathroom. Peeling my bathing suit off my cold, clammy, goose-bumped skin I waited for the water to heat up. Once the water was the correct temperature, I slid in. Almost immediately , all of the tension in my muscles slid away. The smells of vanilla and lavender filled my nose and my bathroom and I washed my hair, knowing that I would never be able to relax if there was any lingering smell of chlorine. Once I was sure I was thoroughly de-pooled, I climbed out, dried off and pulled on my bathrobe.
After finding an over-sized tee-shirt, and a pair of cotton shorts to sleep in, I turned on some music and headed for my bed which was all but calling me at this point. As I was reaching to turn off my bedside lamp, my phone caught my attention. My breath caught. ‘That’s a weird reaction.’ I thought to myself, and was going to dismiss it- if my hand hadn’t shot out to grab it like it had a mind of its on. My heart raced as my finger lingered over the home key. I closed my eyes as I slid the unlock bar to the right. I peeked from under the lid of my right eye hoping for---- hoping for what. Who was I expecting to have called or messaged. I rolled my eyes at myself and set the phone back down. As I lay there, eyes closed, the image of the text from the mysterious person splayed itself on the inside of my eyelids; my eyes shot open once more. Was that really what I was hoping for. Maybe a text from a random person who didn’t know what a social outcast I was. Someone who would get to know me without some preconceived ideas? I shook my head to clear my brain. Maybe I inhaled more water than I thought. I really needed some sleep.
chap. 2
Mulai dari awal
