Girl Underwater

Friendly Competition

I woke up slowly in the morning realizing someone was holding my hand and there was something uncomfortable in my arm. Slowly opening my eyes I seen my dad sitting beside me and I was hooked to an IV. Looking at my worried dad noticed that his face looked like it had aged over night wrinkles in his forehead and around his eyes and grey streaks in his black hair. His dark brown eyes lit up when he seen I was now awake. His skin was pale like mine but he had a strong build. I wasn't weak I used to play sports myself soccer and volleyball being my favorite but that was before the "steps."

I looked around and seen I was in my own room but there were a few machines sitting around. I couldn't remember what happened to me so I went to ask my dad. "Da..." I croaked out just now realizing how dry my throat was.

"Shhh calm down Sierra it's okay I'm here," my dad said pushing me back down as I tried to sit up. It was only then that I realized Dillon was in my room to looking worried. With Dillons help my dad pulled me into a sitting position watching to make sure my IV wasn't getting pulled on. My dad brought a cup of water to my lips and a doctor entered while I was drinking the water.

"Oh, look who finally decided to wake up," the young doctor said. She was a short woman with short brown hair and brown eyes her skin was pale probably from always being in an office but still not as light as mine and my dads. "I'm Dr.Lynn I've been treating you since you passed out early Sunday morning do you know what day it is?"

I tried to answer but my voice still wouldn't come so I shook my head no. "That's okay dear well it's Wednesday," she must have noticed my frantic look I had missed half my exams, "Calm down dear your dad already took care of your exams apparently you didn't need to take them miss straight As so you can relax. Your going to need to take your time healing your lucky though waking up now means you'll be fine by Friday for the graduation ceremony isn't that exciting?" I nodded looking down. May be exciting for the rest of the family but not for me especially not with the dreams I've been having. There was no way dad would let me skip Dillons graduation so I'd just have to endure it.

"Anyways I'm gonna have you on bed rest until then, these boys are gonna have to take good care of you while your down, I am gonna give you something to help you sleep as Dillon here said you passed out after having a bad dream. You had a panic attack mixed with the stress of school exams and lack of sleep I believe your body just couldn't handle it but since your awake you can get your own nutrition so that'll be the last IV you'll need there and I can get all this equipment out of your room. You have your notes right dad?" My dad nodded and Dr.Lynn kept going, "Good, you know your a really lucky girl to have these boys who care about you anyways I'm gonna remove the IV and get out of here anyone have any questions?"

The doctor talked so fast and was already removing the IV while I was still trying to process everything I took another drink of water and my throat finally started feeling a little better. My dad was helping some people I didn't know take the equipment out of my room so I decided to try to test my voice again, "dad?" it was quiet but my dad quickly turned around.

"Yeah I'm here whats wrong?" he asked rushing back over to my side. Dillon came over to worry clouding his blue eyes. I had never seen either of them look so worried before and it really surprised me that Dillon was so worried. How badly must I have scared him when I passed out for him to actually care?

"Nothing dad I just, I'm glad you came back," I said. "So uh how long before I can get up and take a bath?" I asked looking down at my arm where the tape from the IV had been pulled of I could tell I needed a bath.

"Tonight first were gonna just get you up and walk you around your room and get some food in you then after you've gotten some more rest you can take a bath before bed. Tomorrow me and Dillon will make sure you can get downstairs and walk outside by yourself and as long as you can do that you can go to Dillons graduation. But no volleyball young lady!" my dad said in his fatherly tone going over the plan him and the doctor obviously went over.

I nodded before Dillon pulled me up to get me walking around the room. I wanted to pretend I was struggling so I wouldn't have to go to the beach but honestly I felt fine. I actually felt better than I had in a long time and Dillon seemed to realize it because he let me walk completely by myself after my dad left to get me food.

"I'm sorry, " Dillon said randomly. I turned looking at him puzzled and he sighed and continued. "I'm sorry for shoving you and insulting you and all the other crap me and my mom and sister have put you through." I nodded and went to speak but he cut me off. " You don't have to forgive me I get it if you don't I know I've been a real jerk and honestly I don't even know why I just kind of followed their lead but I'm done with it they were more upset about having to call your dad and you "dragging" him back then about you fainting it was really screwed up. I guess thats it I just needed to tell you I guess."

Dillon turned to leave and I grabbed his hand stopping him in his place. "Thanks." I said before dropping his hand and Dillon walked out.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful, I ate took a long shower and went to go to bed. I contemplated not taking the medicine to help me sleep but decided it be better to at least try it. It didn't take long before my eyes grew heavy and I passed out. Strangely I didn't dream it was just black not that it was uncomfortable.

I didn't realize just how well I was sleeping until I woke to Dillon lightly shaking me. He stopped when he noticed me glaring at him and grabbed his hand back like I had burned him. "I wouldn't have woke you but your dad sent me it's noon and he wants you to eat something and walk outside."

I grumbled under my breath while sitting up noticing Dillon look away but not before I caught him looking sorry. "Your fine Dillon just not a morning person at all," I told him. Then wondered why my dad hadn't come to wake me himself. "Where is my dad anyways?" I asked Dillon.

"He had to take a business call, otherwise he'd be up here. I'm sure he is already waiting down stairs by now. I tried knocking then came in to make sure you were okay I tried yelling to wake you and when that didn't work I figured I'd poke you but man you were out cold," Dillon told me.

It must of been the medicine. I've never slept so deeply in my life. I started to pull my comforter off and realized Dillon was just standing there staring at me. "Ummm I'll be out in a second?" I say not really knowing what to do Dillon had never been in my room before Sunday morning.

"Oh, uh yeah sorry I spaced out I'll be outside the door. I know you can get down the stairs yourself but your dad would kill me if I let you without being there," Dillon said his face turning red before running out.

Getting out of bed and heading to my walk in closet I tried to ignore the fact that Dillon was acting really weird. He wasn't that bad normally only when in front of his mom or sister did he actually mess with me. Thinking about it I really thought he ignored me when they weren't around so I couldn't figure out why he completely changed after I passed out.

I sighed who knows probably some sick joke that I didn't want to get involved with. Shaking it off I pulled out a teal blouse, and black pants. Grabbing my teal sneakers and a random pair of socks and underwear I went to the bathroom. I did my morning routine and was out. My green hair was pulled into a high ponytail since I wasn't sure what all dad would want to do today once he realized I was actually fine.

I took one last glance in my long mirror I had set in a corner and then headed to the door. With a deep breath I told myself let's get this over with and stepped out the door. True to his word Dillon was standing outside my door. After his daydreaming in my room he must have been embarrassed because he nodded at me before quickly turning around and walking torwards the stairs.

It didn't take long before we were in the kitchen. My dad was on the phone and we caught him saying I was downstairs and had to go before he walked over to us. "Hey sweetie, how are you feeling sleepy head?" my dad asked me.

"I feel a lot better dad." He gave me an I don't know look so I sighed and said, "come on." I walked outside and my dad followed. I walked back and forth did a twirl and looked at him and he still wasn't convinced. "Okay what do I have to do in order to prove it to you?"

As soon as the words left my lips I regretted it. The smile my dad had on his face was one I was hoping not to see it was his devious smile and meant one thing. "Basketball," me and my dad said at the same time. When I was little I loved basketball till my dad started playing with me he super competitive and way better than me. He nearly had a foot on me though so it was to be expected I'm only five foot two and he's six feet tall it isn't fair.

"Okay, okay, I'll play but only on one condition," I said giving him the same smile back. Dillon was six foot four and played basketball from time to time so since he's being nice I figure I'll take advantage of it.

Dad followed my line of site and noticed Dillon standing behind him. Dillon looked at him then me and then through his hands up as of to surrender. "Oh no, I'm not getting into this the last time you guys played I thought you were gonna kill each other you don't play by the rules!"

I chuckled and started heading to the basketball court yelling "Dillons on my team."

I guessed right Dillon and me were a great team and dad lost big time. Dillon intersepted everytime and the game ended up not lasting long. Dad did nearly knock Dillon down once but took it easy on me compared to normal. After winning twenty to zero though dad admitted that I was definitely way better.

We were going to start another game when my stomach grumbled. "Okay it's definitely lunch time young lady," dad said just now realizing I had managed to skip it. We all raced inside Dillon beat me and dad but me and dad nearly tackled each other getting to the door both yelling "I win!" before bursting out laughing.

I ate a grilled cheese and then Dillon broke out the Wii so we could all play some Mario kart. Before we knew it was dinner time. Walking into the dinning room was like walking into an ice cooler and it was then that I seen Lisa and Felicity staring at me like I had killed someone. What in the world was their problem now?

Dad sat beside Lisa and she smiled. "Hi sweety," she said in her high pitched overly nice and completely fake voice. My dad said hi back and pecked her on the lips completely oblivious of how fake she truly was. "I see you completely better Sierra and suck good timing I guess you will be fine driving Felicity and her friends tomorrow then?" she asked. My dad looked confused between us.

"Hun, I told you I'm renting a limo for tomorrow. Felicity I'm sorry dear but your friends are going to have to find a different ride. We're riding together tomorrow as a family." My dad told all of us not leaving an inch of room for discussion. I swear the room dropped another ten degrees.

The rest of the dinner was fairly quiet. Dillon kept staring at me so I kicked him rewarding me with a funny face and a small uhm. I didn't know what was up with him but I still didn't trust him. My dad told us about how his ship was about to leave when he got the call about me and nearly had to jump off and raced to the airport to get back. We all laughed as he made motions with his hands and sound effects.

It wasn't long till we were all done eating and ready to head our separate ways. I kissed my dad on the cheek and told him I was heading to my room for a shower. Surprising me even more Dillon got up and started following me. He slept in the first floor and with my dad and Lisa so he had no reason to follow me up to the second floor.

"I don't need a body guard you know," I said. Glaring at him.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry it's just me and your dad are still worried about you. You really scared us. I mean I know it was a big part my fault I shouldn't have shoved you so hard Friday I'm really sorry." He said all at once.

"It's good, and I'm fine I'm not gonna break the second you guys stop watching me plus your creeping me out!" I didn't intend to yell but he did creep me out. I just couldn't brush it off anymore something was up.

"Sorry, I know I've been acting weird since you woke up and I'll explain I promise but after the graduation ceremony, okay?" he asked and I could tell he meant it so I nodded.

"I want to know before we leave the beach." was all I said before entering my room and closing the door behind me.

I let out a deep sigh I was exhausted. I quickly stripped out of my clothes and hopped into the shower. I didn't take long and went and grabbed a pair of PJs and underwear. Throwing on my clothes then heading over to the stand with my sleep aid medicine and took one. I jumped in the bed and started praying tomorrow would be a good day.

I didn't even realize I had passed out till I realized I was a mermaid again. The other mermaid that looked like me with the long brown hair started waving for me to follow her. So I did we went around a corner and suddenly there were thousands of mermaids. Then everything went black and I spent the rest of the night in that peaceful darkness.