Splinters: Part One

Part One | 15

"Don't do that again, Ursa," her mother spoke sternly.

"He's fine now!" she defended.

"It doesn't matter," she said, giving Ursanne the stink eye. "He was scared."

Ursanne swam towards me. "Sorry, Bray."

"I-It's okay."

"The water feels good, doesn't it," she smiled.

I didn't really think about it. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either, and it didn't feel just right. It was weird. I've never gone swimming before. Sometimes, the nuns would take us places or something, but I'd never get in a pool. Josephine and I would sit and talk. She told me that once her foster father took her into a pool and he wouldn't let her go. He would keep her close to him. It made me sick. I told her to forget about him, to forget about all the crap he did to her, and she told me she couldn't.

"It's okay," I said, ridding my thoughts of Josephine.

"Mom! Mom!" Odera shouted. "Dad! Watch this!"

"We're watching," Greg laughed.

All the girls flipped over and began swimming down. Their upper halves were now underwater while they're bottom halves were above the water. I wondered how they were doing that. It seems like it would be a struggle with how much the life-jacket keeps you afloat.

They came back up after a few short moments.

"Did you see that, Daddy?" Edaline shouted. "I went all the way under!"

"I saw that, baby," he assured.

"Mom, did you see it?" Odera questioned.

"We all saw it," Melissa laughed.

I swam towards the boat and pulled myself up. I tried not to freak out when the boat tipped towards me.

"I want to get out," I said.

Greg came my way and helped me back up. "Didn't like it?" he guessed, handing me a thin towel.

I shook my head, feeling extremely cold.

"Aw, Brayden!" one of the girls whined.

I saw Melissa shake her head and could imagine her giving them the leave-him-alone look. I frowned and went to sit down in the same spot in the front of the boat.

...

I was glad to be back at the house not only to be away from the water, but also to text Collie. She'd sent about four messages which ultimately made me smile, knowing that she was possibly a little worried about why I wasn't answering.

Have fun (:

How is it?

Are you still on that boat ride?

I miss u ):

I couldn't help but feel a little jittery. Collie definitely knew how to make me feel nervous even when she's not around.

Im back :)

She didn't take too long to answer.

Yay! (: How was the boat ride?

Suddenly, the sound of the glass screen door was heard. I hurriedly got out of my swim suit and dressed in some better clothes. Voices I'd never heard before were speaking outside of the bathroom. It took a second for me to realize it was the rest of the family. I was almost scared to leave. After attempting to gain the courage, I grabbed my swimming trunks and left the bathroom.