“That’s okay, I’ll set it down.” I placed my phone on the ground.“Okay. I’m gonnastart at the deep end so I won’t drown—”
“That seems like the opposite—”
“And then I’ll cartwheel in! Can you at least hold this?” I pulled the small wallet from my other pocket.
“Are you really doing this?” she asked. I nodded.“With your boots on and everything?”
“Yes,” I said. But then I changed my mind.“You’re right. I’ll take them off.” I undid the laces while she laughed.
“At least you’re makingsomekind of sense.”
“I always make sense.” I kicked the boots off and shoved my socks inside before straightening up.“I’ll take my bra off, too,” I decided, reaching back to unhook it. Ari tried to stop me but I dodged.“What? It’s brand new andit might get messed up in the chlorine,” I said, freeing my arms from the straps.“Here you go.” I slipped it off to drop in her unsuspecting hands.“Present for you. And look,” I adjusted my chest and threw my arms up, “you can’t even tell!”
“I can tell. Put it back on.” She thrust it in my hands but I shoved it right back.“Emery—”
“Here I go!” I took off running and shouted‘weeeeeeee!’as I cartwheeled into the deep end.
There was a deafening splash. I opened my eyes and swam for the bottom, but then I noticed the pool was a million feet deep and panicked. I did an about face and swam for the top, going at record speed. There is no way I’m drowning in this ridiculously deep pool. I need to die an awesome death, and that one would suck. There wouldn’t even be explosions or monsters involved.
I grabbed the wall and hoisted myself to the surface, sucking in a massive breath the second I hit air. I pushed my hair away to see Ari laughing uncontrollably. She doubled over just in time to miss the wave of water I tossed at her head. She squealed and ran back as thevampiricfront door opened.
“What are you guys doing?” Sean asked, walking out to see for himself.
“Swimming,” I said happily, treading water in the deep end.“You should get in. It’s really warm.”
“Did you fall in?”Denniscame out to stand beside him.
“Nope. I’m training for my new sport,” I enthused.“You should know I don’t fall by now. I grapple with gravity and let it win.”
Ari snorted, falling into more hysterical laughter. She tried to say something but couldn’t stop crying.
“Is that yours?” Sean asked, looking at me and then at the satin bra hanging from her hand.
“That is most definitely mine.Isn’t it cute? I took it off so the pattern won’t get messed up.” I climbed out and squeezed my hair over the cement, making a small puddle. I squished some water from my shirt and threw it at Ari, giggling when she screamed and ran behind Sean.“Wanna see my new trick? It’s really amazing.” I went back to fixing my hair as he and Dennis exchanged a look.
“I’m sure it’s spectacular,” Dennis said.
“It’s so bad,” Ari barely managed. She tried to imitate my cartwheel before falling into more giggles.
“Go ahead.” Sean put an arm around Ari while she took a deep breath and wiped tears from beneath her glasses.
“Kay, I’ll show you. I’m just gonna…” I took a second to grip my chest so I could run properly.“Emy Raine,away!”
I held tight and took off running, then let go to cartwheel into the pool. Another water explosion happened as I fell in. I swam underwater to the other end, which was still deep but not enough to kill me. I surfaced and pushed the drenched hair from my eyes. And then I felt a little extra freedom and looked down.
“Oopsie!” I fixed my wardrobe malfunction, pushing everything back inside my shirt before anyone saw. Not that I care if they do. Except Sean, he’s the only one who can’t and only because he’s Ari’s future man.
“I saw that.” Dennis laughed as I shot him a guiltylook and covered my face.
“Shhh. Don’t tell anyone,” I whispered, peeking through my fingers to see him.
“You’re like a different person right now,” he mused.“It’s fun. As long as you don’t stay like this forever.”
I swam to the wall and climbed out to sit on the ledge.“You know what else I’m like?” I asked him, leaning back on my palms to see them all.“Asuperhero.” I giggled and adjusted my shirt, then spread out on my back with my legs bent and kicking through the water. I started humming,marveling at the stars and moon.“Do you think the people up there have a president like we do?”
I shimmied to the ledge and lowered into the pool. I should practice my breath holding skills because drowning during the mermaid division will be an automatic disqualification. I drifted underwater, then squeezed my eyes and started counting.
One…
