You Can Do It!

Meg hates swimming. She hates the smell of the chlorine, and the taste of it when you accidentally take it in. She hates the slippery tiles, which fail you when you try to touch the ground with your tippy toes. But her mom says, 'You are eleven now, and you HAVE to learn swimming.'

Meg POV

My mom dragged me to the swimming classes. I was not happy at all. I was still stuck in the shallow end of the pool, with floats and armbands. 

'Kick, kick!' Our coach, Sue, instructed.

I started kicking while I tightly held on to the railing. I thought I was doing pretty good, because coach said nothing. Suddenly, something grabbed my leg, and I saw my nightmare again.....

I was on a boat, in the middle of the sea, which seemed like the middle of nowhere. Waves lashed, and a storm started forming. I fell off from my boat, into the deep dark sea, and an octopus grabbed me.....

I kicked hard, and was taken out of my nightmare when I heard a bloodcurdling scream. I looked back, horrified, to see Sue. Blood was flowing down her nose, and her eye was black. She hid her face in her hands.

'What are you doing, Meg?' Steve, our assistant coach, demanded.

'Something grabbed me!' I yelped.

'It was just Sue, trying to help you with your kicks!' Steve huffed.

'Sorry.' I whispered.

Sue hurried to the medical room to get some treatment. I just waited until the class was over. I was feeling so embarrassed, and to make matters worse, children from the class started talking about me.

'That girl kicked our coach!' A girl said.

'She is eleven, but still wears a float!'

'And still has nightmares!'

My eyes prickled with tears. I am NEVER EVER coming to this place again. And I have a full proof plan.

The next day, I am supposed to walk with my big sister, Rachel. She is 14. I am bringing my plan in action. I wore roller skates.

'Are you sure about this?' Rachel asked, 'Skating is not your thing.'

'It's OK.' I said. After a while, I skidded and pretended to fall down. 'WHOAAAAAAAA!'

'I told you!' Rachel said, hurrying to haul me up.

I walked home, taking Rachel's support, and remembering to limp.

*next day*

I cocooned a bandage over my ankle, to make it look swollen. At least I won't have to go to swimming. I hope this swollen thingy looks natural. I cross my fingers and limp downstairs.

'Oh, Meg!' Mom said. 'Your poor ankle!'

'It's worse.' I lie. I cross my fingers, so it doesn't really count as a lie. Does it?

At evening, I, Rachel and Mom are standing outside our house, enjoying the pleasant weather. Swimming cancelled! Hooray!

My friends are playing football. Oh, I love football! I wish I could play with them right now.

Suddenly, the ball came towards me.

'Hey, Meg!' One of my friends called out, 'Chuck the ball!'

I can't resist to kick a football. I simply cannot. Tempted, I kicked the ball hard with my right leg, which was supposed to be hurt. Stupid me. Mom and Rachel stared at me, wide eyed.

I confessed everything. There is no hiding now.

Mom sighed. 'If you don't try, then how will you do it? Observe a baby bird. How does it learn to fly? After many attempts, right? It doesn't say that I will not fly. It tries hard and soars high in the sky.'

I remember those words till now, and after a few months, I was able to swim perfectly.

So, keep trying!