This is how I relax.
Back when I was seven and I had the accident in my pool, my parents immediately got me a swim instructor who taught me how to float before anything else. She said I could get out of any pool if I rolled onto my back and let the waves take me slowly to the edge. I could float for hours on end in my pool and it in turn made me get over any anxiety that I had in the water. As soon as I got past my nerves, I became one with the water and never looked back. I was like a little fish, as my parents would call me, spending hours upon hours floating and enjoying the pool. I had overheard my father tell my mother that he was so glad they had made the investment that they did in the pool. I know Mom used to think it was a dangerous ‘hole in the ground,’ but Dad insisted that it would bring our family many years of fun. He was right.
My face is barely out of the water. Only my nose and mouth are exposed to the warm night air. The party noises are barely audible as I float through the pool.
Suddenly, I’m underwater, strong hands wrapped around my ankles, pulling me deeper and deeper. I start kicking, but I’m not strong enough. My lungs burn, and I wave my arms in the water, trying to gain momentum so I can reach the surface. A hand loosens from my ankle, but one still holds tight. I bend my body so I can see what’s happening.
Todd Mitchell’s face is all I see underwater. His eyes glow like lanterns, and his face contorts into a grisly smile. I let out the air that’s crushing my chest and force all of the strength I have into kicking both of my legs, mermaid style. He lets go of me for a second, and that’s all I need. I kick as fast and hard as I can toward the surface, and as soon as the warm air hits my face, I scream louder than I ever have before. “Help! Over here!” I pant and gasp for air, and I hear him surface behind me, his body pressed against me from behind.
“I was just playing with you, baby.” His rough hand fondles my ass and I raise my heel, kicking him in the balls. “Ugh!” he grunts, and Brad swims up behind us with Cassie in tow.
“Is everything okay here?” Brad asks, his eyes worried.
“Sam?” Cassie asks hesitantly.
I reach the side of the pool and pull myself out in one motion, looking back at Todd as he tries to regain his monstrous composure. I know I kicked him hard, and I hope I busted at least one of his nuts, if not both. His glare causes chills to run down my spine.
“I’m fine,” I say and look at the pool house. I see the large dial on the clock that hangs outside above the bar. “It’s almost midnight, Cass. Your mom will be here any minute.”
I look at Todd again to make sure he doesn’t get out of the pool with us. I swipe my cover up and shoes and grab Cassie’s things as well.
“I’m coming!” she calls after me as I head up to the house. “Brad, call me tomorrow?”
“Sure,” he says, and then I hear him say, not so quietly, “Todd, what the fuck?”
Todd chuckles and another chill runs up my spine.
Cassie’s mom is waiting for us, as I predicted. We wrap towels around us and ride home in silence. She’s super excited about something but looks worried at the same time.
“Did you girls have a fun time tonight?”
“It was great, Mom.” She giggles.
“Hey, what happened with Todd?” she whispers in my ear. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I think.
“What did he do to you?” she asks.
Her mother chimes in from the front seat, “What happened? Is everything alright?”
“Todd Mitchell was being a royal ass tonight. He was messing with Sam in the pool, and I think she kicked him in the nuts,” Cassie announces proudly.
“Are you okay, dear?” she asks.
“Yes,” I say and hope that I never see his face again.
“I can’t imagine why Todd Mitchell would be at a high school party. And why isn’t he at college where he’s supposed to be?”