Chapter 4
Ashlee
I was chatting with Tori, Nikki, Lexi, Kelli, and Kayla. Seriously, we needed girl time. I was sick of boys. No. I was sick of Percy. He never noticed me, despite my attempts. His mind was occupied with God knows what. But it was never me.
"Girl, I got you," Nikki said, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"Today's friday, right?" she said, looking back to Kelli. Out of everyone, she knows the most. She nodded, and Nikki continued.
"Let's go to the beach!"
"Totally!" Lexi said. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Lexi tagged along with our group, and agreed with literally ANYTHING that anyone said. I think it's obvious that she hasn't had an original thought in her life.
"That sounds great! Let's go to Pier 4 Beach. It's right around here," I suggested.
"Sure!" she exclaimed. I glared at her. Whatever. As long as we went to Pier 4 Beach. That was the only beach that I was down for.
"Tomorrow, meet us at the beach. Don't worry, I got it covered. You just bring yourself and a bathing suit!" Kayla said. She's the one who makes every moment picture worthy. Therefore, I loved her.
"Thanks, guys," I said, giving everyone an appreciative glance except for Lexi. "I really need this." What I didn't tell them is that they didn't need to bring their swimsuits. I wasn't going to...well, I was, but only for the artsy pictures I would post to make Percy want me.
...
When Saturday finally arrived, I had my ADORABLE pink Triangl suit on, my hair up in a perfectly messy bun (that's right, Kelli). My makeup was PERFECTION, might I add! My lashes had so much volume! It was perfect! My brows were on fleek, and I was feeling good.
I drove my Ford Mustang convertible to Pier 4 Beach, my camera ready. My squad was there already, of course. None of them seemed to grasp the concept of fashionably late. They were all reading the sign. Kelli turned to me.
"No swimming or wading. That sucks," she said disappointed.
"Yep, totally sucky," I replied, faking a frowny face. "Are we ready to take some pictures?"
Kayla nodded and showed her display of towels, bags, and seashells. So Insta-worthy.
"This looks awesome Kayla!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Lexi cheered. I resisted the urge to punch her in the nose. If she repeated me one more time, I was going to crop her face out of every picture, and not even tag her. See how she likes me then.
After we'd taken several hundred pictures, Kayla suggested to play truth or dare. I immediately refused. Last time we had played truth or dare, I ended up taking a no filter selfie and posting it. AND POSTING IT! Never again. Never again. But Nikki got me when she said that it would make really cute photos, so I reluctantly agreed. Lexi went first.
"Truth...no, wait, dare!" she decided, and Nikki nodded. So she had original thoughts, she just changed them based on what other people thought. That was SO uncool, it was steaming.
"Ooh! I have one!" Tori said.
"No, no. I got one," I said quickly. If someone was going to dare this girl, it would be me.
"Put handfuls of sand in the top and bottom of your swimsuit. Keep it like that all day," I said smirking. She gulped, yet did it. I smiled. Seeing her uncomfortable was the only enjoyment I needed. Everybody went around, once, twice, three times. It was my turn again.
"Truth or Dare?" Kelli asked me.
"Truth," I chose confidently. I had plenty of secrets people had told me that I was willing to spill. What's the point of a secret if not to tell it and create a massive rumor? Oh, wait…
"Ashlee, you can't choose truth more than three times in a row," Lexi reasoned. I had never hated her more. She had made an enemy. Boy, did she choose the wrong person.
"Then why did you ask me?" I said, looking around the circle. Everyone shrugged.
"Whatever. Dare," I frowned. Wasn't this supposed to be my beach day?
"Swim in the water!" Nikki flashed me a grin. My jaw dropped, and I had to force it back up. I laughed nervously.
"It says no swimming or wading," I pointed out.
"Puh! Are you- Ashlee Burke- afraid of breaking the rules?" Tori giggled.
"Wha-No! No way. Are you kidding me? I'm not afraid of breaking the rules!" I spat. What I didn't mention was what I was afraid of.
"Then just do it, Ashlee! It'll make a TOTES adorable pic!" Kayla offered. They started to circle me, as if to say if you aren't going to jump in, we'll push you. I dipped my feet in. Icy cold water came up to my ankle, making me alert and awake. I heard that people used cold water to wake up in the morning, but I never assumed it worked.
"Ha, ha. There we go! All done!" I said quickly, trying to find a way out of the wall they were building around me.
"C'mon, Ashlee. A little water never hurt anyone," Nikki laughed. I bit my tongue thinking of how many people have drowned...and how toxic this water may be.
"Just do it!" Nikki persisted.
"Yeah," Lexi said.
"You know what, Lexi, I've had enough-" Before I could finish ranting, somebody's soft, undoubtedly moisturized hand pushed into my shoulder, throwing me into the waves. A swift current brought me out, as if someone was playing with the water. Not again, I thought as the water pulled me under. I heard muffled screams from above. All I could see was the light slipping away from me. I pushed upward and caught a quick breath just before the momentum brought me back down, 2 times faster. My body slid underneath the water. My eyes stayed open, as much as it hurt to look through this salty, polluted water. My fear was so great I felt like I would explode. If I cried, it would just add to the freezing water. My legs were growing numb, not just from swimming but from the frigid water. My lungs were on fire. All I could do was sink. My body urged me to breathe, to try to reach the surface, but the current was too much for me. I was drowning. The last thing I saw before I blacked out were glowing green eyes, staring straight at me. As loud as I screamed, no one could hear me.
I'm at a beach somewhere in California with my father. We laugh, building ornate sandcastles with glistening shells. I love the beach. It's filled with salty sea air, and the lulling sound of waves crashing against the beach. My father decides that we should swim in the water, and there's no hesitation from me. It's scorching hot and the sand is beginning to burn my skin. I jump in, and the cold water laps against my shins refreshingly. I live for days like this. My father swims out, and I follow him. There's nowhere else to go, anyway. Just out. It is simple, and it feels like the waves oblige to my touch. My father swims farther out. My 8 year old arms are tired, but I need to reach my father. He is waiting for me. I continue to follow him, and he continues to swim. His arms rest beside him and his legs stop kicking, but he continues to swim. I continue to follow. Once I come close enough, I realize he is not swimming. He is being pulled out by the current. He is not breathing, and I am beginning to slip under the waves. My arms and legs feel like lead. They cannot hold me for much longer. I cry for help, but it is no use. I am too far away. I feel awful that I had just followed a corpse out into the ocean. I feel tears slipping down my cheeks. He was alive just seconds ago. I am sure of it. I remember his smile he flashed me just before he was pulled away, and my legs turn from lead to jelly. I try to focus on staying afloat, but I cannot remember anything that my father had taught me. I feel myself sinking, slowly, though the tip of my back stays somewhat afloat. I realize that I must look like I am swimming. An odd method, but swimming. I push upward, choking on salty water. The air tastes fresh in my lungs, and suddenly all I want to do is sink. I want to let go. But I know that if I let go, that will be the last time I see the light of day. I kick my jelly legs upward and scream. It takes so much effort and air, that I slip under the surface. Once I regain my strength, I kick and scream, flailing my arms in the air. I see the lifeguard jump off of her chair, and run toward me, but I feel like my fate is inevitable. I drift in the water until the current pulls me under. I see the lifeguard 5 yards away, though she feels like an eternity away. I let myself fall, to be claimed by the ocean floor. I realize what a mistake that is when my lungs start to burn. They feel like they are about the explode. I kick up for a breath, but I stay put. I try kicking and kicking. I don't want to die, I think. The last thing I remember is the lifeguard's grim face pulling me out of the water. I sputter and choke until air fills my lungs. It feels like my father's hot chocolate, warm and relaxing. I don't realize I'm still kicking until the lifeguard places her hands on my legs. I lay in her arms, sobbing, crying for my father. But he doesn't come back. I don't know if they leave him behind or not, but I can't forget his smile. He's gone, but I can't wrap my head around it. He's never coming back. I wonder if people would miss me if I had let myself sink, but I decide not to dwell on it. I just thank God that I'm alive. I vow to myself never to swim in deep water like that, and I keep my promise, until 9 years later.
I choked. I was back on Pier 4 Beach, my friends huddled behind the sign, probably calling 911. I tried to call out to them, but no sound came out. I took in a deep breath of fresh air. I didn't dare stand up knowing that I'd inevitably crash back to the ground. I coughed again, sputtering out salt water.
"Oh my god!" Kayla shrieked, running to me. "What the hell happened?" I tried to give her a look that said, I can't talk, you idiot! But it may have come across as, Fish chewed my toes while I was under. She raced to grab towels as everyone else crowded around me. Lexi was crying, and I automatically knew it was her who pushed me in. The one original thought she had was the one that almost killed me. Ironic, huh?
"What the heck!?" I managed between gasps.
"I'm….I'm sorry! I-I….I didn't mean to!" she broke into sobs, and Nikki, Tori, and Kelli crowded around, comforting her. I gave a few dramatic coughs and groans. That got their attention.
"You almost killed me," I said. It felt good to beat on her, but something kept nagging at me. I didn't want to mention it, though, for fear of being as uncool as Lexi. Kayla threw some towels on me as I shivered.
"If you'd stayed under any longer, you would've had hypothermia," Kelli noted scientifically. I was really done with her. First she had comforted Lexi for almost killing me, and then she was sputtering facts as I was sputtering water. What a jerk!
Once I had somewhat dried off, I sat on the sand, still catching my breath. I couldn't believe that I just relived my worst nightmare...twice. I recapped the story to my squad, every few sentences stopping to take a breathing break.
"Before I blacked out, I saw something," I paused for dramatic effect. Everybody leaned in, holding their breath. Except for me, obviously. I was drinking in air like a starbucks frappe: every time I could.
"There were these bright blue-ish green eyes. Staring straight at me." Everyone gasped and started whispering.
"Ohmygod!"
"Seriously?"
"Wow!"
"Yeah!" (I figured that was Lexi).
"You NEED to tell everybody at school. They're going to think you're so brave...especially Percy!" Kayla encouraged. I nodded. It seemed like a good enough idea. Popular and brave? Percy wouldn't be able to resist.
On monday, I raced through the halls, trying to find Percy. We had English together, so I knew I could catch him in the classroom, as long as I made it before class started. Mr. Blofis was very strict about talking during class. As soon as I made it to the classroom, I found Percy alone in the classroom with Mr. Blofis. There went my chances of making our chat coincidental. Whatevs. He was talking with Mr. Blofis with a grim expression, as if telling him rules. Mr. Blofis nodded, as if Percy knew what was best. Mr. Blofis never listened to anybody, who wasn't his boss, of course.
"Um, hi," I put in. Percy whipped his head around to face me. He scrambled off of Mr. Blofis' desk, almost tripping over his book, but then regained his posture.
"Hey," he said, nodding, and I almost fainted. How did I never notice this before? Percy's eyes were a bright, sea green, just like the eyes of the creature I'd seen in the water.
Hey guys! Wassup? I know I kinda made it seem like Ashlee was a daughter of Poseidon in the beginning, but I just wanted to clarify that all of the POV's are from mortals. And also, in BotL it says that Goode overlooks the East River, so I was not making that up, and there is also a place called Pier 4 Beach, but don't break the rules like Ashlee did ; ) I hope you liked it! See ya!