Chapter 11
Water Worries

Everyone has something they are afraid of. Spiders, bugs, heights, small spaces, and the worst of them all, the dentist. You know what I mean. That place is the living nightmare. What about the fear of water? I know that isn't one of the most known fears, but it is a fear that quite a lot of people deal with. It is a fear that can keep you from being able to swim, which is tough if you like to visit the pool or beach. This is a problem that Summer deals with. Yes, Summer is afraid of water. Specifically swimming in it. However, only her mom and dad know about this. Summer hasn't told this to her friends because she is afraid of what they will think about her. Eventually though, they were going to find out sooner or later. It all began one morning in Ponyville. Summer was getting ready to go on trip to Seashell Beach with her friends. Skyline wasn't able to make it due to having Wonderbolt practice. In Golden Oak Library, Summer was seen packing a lot books into her travel bag. Mainly for the reason she wouldn't be swimming of course. The hard part would be trying to keep her fear of water hidden from the others. After she was done packing her stuff, Summer said goodbye to Prey and headed to the Ponyville Train Station. Not longer after, Melrose and the rest of her friends arrived.

"I can't wait to get there!" Melrose exclaimed happily, "I'm going right for the water! What about you Summer?"

"Uh...I think I'll just relax under an umbrella and catch up on my studies," Summer replied.

"You're always studying Summer. You need to take a break and have some fun," Jester said.

"He's right Summer," Chary said with a sincere smile, "You don't have to worry about that stuff until we get back. We're going to have so much fun you won't have time to study!" As the others nodded their heads in agreement, Summer fidgeted nervously. She couldn't let them find out she was afraid of going in the water. No matter what. After boarding the train, everyone began to talk about what they were going to do when they got to Seashell Beach. Summer decided not to join in on their conversation and instead read one of her books as the train made its way to the beach. A few hours later, the train finally made it to its destination. Once the doors opened, everyone except Summer rushed out. There were already a lot of ponies visiting the beach too. After setting up their things, Chary, Melrose, and Jester quickly ran into the ocean. Meanwhile, Jasmine decided she was going to start off sunbathing and Summer to lay under her umbrella and read another of her books that she brought. It wasn't long before Jasmine fell asleep under the warm sun. As the hours went by, everyone was seen enjoying their time at the beach. Building sand castles, playing volleyball, sun bathing, and especially swimming. The only pony yet to go in the water was Summer. Luckily though, no one had noticed Summer hadn't gone in the water yet, that is until, it was brought up during lunch.

"Hey Summer. Why haven't you gone swimming yet?" Jasmine asked. Summer nearly choked on her food.

"Yeah...you've mostly been reading and sleeping this entire time," Jester said, "Seems like a waste."

"Uh...I'll go in later," Summer lied. With this lie, the subject was quickly dropped and instead moved to a different one. Thirty minutes later, after they were done eating, the subject of swimming was brought up again, but Summer made up the excuse that she had to wait at least an hour before swimming due to eating because she didn't want to get cramps. Before they were able to convincer her otherwise, Summer was already under her umbrella reading another book. The others decided to head into the water anyway. This time around, Summer was asked to go swimming more frequently. So much that Summer was starting to run out of excuses. It was now down to saying that the water was too cold or that her hoof was asleep and she didn't want to move it. Everyone was becoming suspicious that Summer was hiding something from them, but when they asked her about why she didn't want to go swimming, she changed the subject every time. Later on, while playing in the ocean with a beach ball, Chary and the others were talking about Summer.

"Is it me or is Summer acting weird?" Chary asked.

"I wonder why she doesn't want to go swimming," Jasmine replied, "It's not like there's anything wrong with the water."

"Beats me," Melrose said with a sigh, "I guess Summer has her reasons. Though I have no idea why it would prohibit her from swimming." After some discussion, no one could figure out why Summer didn't want to swim. An hour later, Chary, Melrose, and Jasmine got out of the water to go a bite to eat at a restaurant in town. Since it was so late, mostly everyone had already left the beach. Jester was the only pony still in the water. Suddenly, Jester's legs began to cramp up. Jester quickly called for help as he desperately tried to keep afloat. The only pony that was close enough to hear him was Summer. As fast as she could, Summer ran up to the water's edge.

"Hold on Jester! I'll get help!" Summer yelled. However, when she looked around, there was no one to be seen. The only ponies Summer could see were too far away. Not to mention, the restaurant where Chary, Melrose, and Jasmine were at was half a mile away. It would take her too long to go and bring them back here. Summer knew there was only one pony that could save Jester. It was her. However, when Summer took when step in the water, her entire body froze up and she quickly retreated. At that moment Summer decided she had to push through her fear in order to save Jester. Running with all her might, Summer charged into the water and made her way to Jester as fast as she could. The fear she once had was completely gone. After finally making it over to Jester, she grabbed hold of him, and brought him back to shore. Jester was then seen kneeling on the sand as he spit out sea water.

"Thanks for helping me Summer," Jester said sincerely, "You're a life saver. I owe ya one."

"Don't mention it," Summer replied, "I'm just glad I was able to save you in time." A few minutes later, Chary, Melrose, and Jasmine returned. After Summer explained to them what happened with the situation regarding Jester, she finally decided to reveal her fear of swimming.

"It all happened when I visited this beach back when I was a filly with my mom and dad," Summer said, "I was playing the water when I was suddenly pulled back by a big wave. Right after I went under the water, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I saw my mom's face staring back at me. I was quickly embraced in a tight hug. It turns out she had saved me from drowning. From that moment on, I've been afraid of swimming, especially in the ocean. The reason I didn't tell you guys was because I was worried about your reaction. I thought you would make fun of me." In response, Melrose put her hoof on Summer's shoulder.

"You should have told us sooner Summer. You know we would never make fun of your fear," Melrose replied, "We're your best friends after all." As the others agreed with Melrose, Summer quickly wiped a tear from her eye.

"Thanks everyone," Summer said with a smile. To celebrate Summer conquering her fear, everyone went into the water to play a game of Marco Polo. Later on, the ponies were seen standing on the beach as they watched the sun set from beyond the ocean. After the sun was gone, Summer and her friends packed up their things and boarded the train. As it made its way back to Ponyville, it wasn't long before everyone fell asleep, except for one pony. Summer was reading a book when she turned her head to look at Chary and the others sleeping in their seats. Summer couldn't help but crack a smile as she was glad to have such caring friends. No matter what would come her way, as long as she had her friends to back her up, Summer wasn't afraid. The power of friendship was truly remarkable.