Young Writers Society

Chapter One

   I sit at the edge of the rugged pier, my white tank top contrasting with my black swimming shorts. It's summertime, my favorite time of the year. The water droplets on my skin warm underneath the sun's evening rays as the slip down my bare arms, waves splashes up on my feet with a cool sensation. I close my eyes, listening intently to the waves lapping the white lake sand, the sound of the song birds chirping in the nearby tree line: silver and rose pink. I take up my canvas and oils, painting with an absract flair. The subtle undertones of rose pink and mellow beige contrast greatly with the metallic glare that I'm getting from cool silver and bronze strokes I've already added. Laughs sound behind me with the light padding of barefeet. I take my brush and paint bold strokes of magenta and Cadet blue on the top of my canvas. Once I'm done I place everything back in the case and turn to see my friends, Allison and Tyler running down the pier and headed straight for me. Quickly I jump out of the way and grab my things.

"I'm going to beat you!" Tyler yells as he whips past me and does an impressive cannon ball straight into the clear water. Allison screams and dives in after him, making me shake my head and laugh. I carry my canvas carefully in my hand with my paint case underneath my arm and head back to the lakehouse. I was here with my Allison's family for the summer, for a senior trip before graduation. It is the perfect place to wind down. As my bare toes hit the cool grass I can see a figure exiting the glass french doors. It's Andrew, my best friend since fifth grade.

"Paint anything new, KitKat?" He asks as he comes closer, flicking by damp pony tail over my shoulder. I nod and carefully show him my unfinished painting. He grins.

"What do you think?" I ask.

"It's amazing! I really think you should enter it in the Art Contest after spring break is over." He replies. I shrug.

"Maybe. I just don't know if it's good enough."

He pats my back, continuing his trek to the lake. " I think it's more than good enough." He says with a wink. " Go and put your stuff up and come back." I nod with a smile and trot back to the house. When I'm inside I go up to Allison's room and place my things on my bunk. I can hear their laughs as they dive and splash into the crystal clear water, I smile. It's a beautiful sound. I look back at my painting and note that I need some canary yellow and turquoise. 

                                                                 ~~~~

We spend the rest of the day in the water until Mrs. Ann calls us into for dinner. As we walk barefoot along the sandy shore, I link my arm with Andrew's as a cool breeze grazes are still wet skin. In the dim porch light he looks down at me and smiles, I look up at him and his hazel eyes. They're dancing. I chuckle," What's that face for, Andy?" I ask.

He shrugs. " I'm just thinking about how gorgeous my best friend is." He replies. I laugh and stop walking, Allison and Tyler are already way ahead of us. He turns to me and I shove him playfully.

"Oh stop it." I laugh, walking into the water and looking up at the crescent moon in the navy blue sky. The crickets' chirps ringing in my ear drums: pine green and light gray.

"Why?" He asks, walking towards me," It's true! You just never believe me. You never have." I watch him kick at the soaked sand as his toes leave imprints underneath the gentle lapping lake waves. I shake my head with a small smile. "See! There you go with the little ' I don't believe' smile. I swear, Kitkat. " He chuckles.

"You're such a flirt." I tell him and run through the water. He grows jokingly and races after me. We run in circles in the knee deep water. Our laughs ringing through the night sky: sky blue and rose pink. His lanky arms envelop me as his deep laugh tickles my ear and I struggle to get away, enjoying this little wrestling match. The gravel and sand underneath my feet is covered in algae and my toes grip for a firm surface. The water on his arms drip onto my damp shirt. I break free and laugh as he rolls his eyes when I say:" You can't catch me!" Knowing there's a small drop off a few feet from where I am, I dive into the deeper water.

I hear a scream, it sounds like mine and a sharp pain in my temples. A flash of white seering light burn my eyes and a dull throb erupts in my neck and I groan, but my mouth fills with water and I can't move. My vision blurs and I shut my eyes, every sound is muffled. I don't know if it was because of the water or something else. The pain my head is unbearable as I feel something warm hit the back of my throat. My lungs expel the rest of the air that they have as I hit the bottom of the ledge. I feel a surge of terror. I'm going to die. I think to myself, but I can't move. I just lay there as my lungs scream for air. I feel myself drifiting off and I close my eyes as a light hits them. My body swaying with the gentle currents of the lake water.