by Taylor Ball

Created on: July 02, 2009

I stood there at the pool's edge, back turned to the water, and taking in all the attention. I could feel all eyes on me as I prepared to do the amazing back dive from which so many hours of mine were spent on practicing. It was a pleasant feeling to have all my friends gazing upon me, but I was truly concerned about just one pair of eyes that bright summer day and those belonged to a boy named Aaron.

The new kid in town is how people referred to him in conversations He was fresh on the block and happened to occupy the beautiful two-story home next door to mine. Time was passing and I knew I didn't have much time to sweep up this handsome neighbor. Eventually I gathered up enough courage to ask him to my weekend pool party and it was the perfect opportunity to impress him.

Now was my time to shine as I announced my trick was about to take place. My knees bent, elbows in tight, I pushed off of the slippery concrete edge and I was airborne. The perfect landing was executed as I slid into the water with just one problem. My bottoms had fallen off on impact and with nothing else to do, I panicked.

While swimming around the bottom, frantically looking for my bikini bottoms, my eye spotted a flash of hot pink, just barely peeking out of the vacuum cleaner. I pawed at the water as fast as I could and pried my fingers into the machine, praying to God that just this once the laws of physics would reverse and spit out my swimsuit trunks without even a scratch. Seconds later my lungs could take no more. The absence of air was to much and I began the dreaded swim back to the surface.

I emerged from the water peacefully, making sure I didn't draw and unwanted attention. Still half naked, I paddled to the edge and thought to myself, "So far, so good." My positive mindset was interrupted when a friend shouted, "Cannon ball!" I knew that once someone had plunged into the water and beneath the surface I would be completely exposed!

I took off to the edge of the pool like my life depended on it. If that had only been filmed I would have been scouted to the olympics immediately with such a speedy performance. Unfortunately, when I reached the end I hadn't thought about what to do next.

Everyone was now splashing around in the pool without a worry, with the exception of me. I crouched up in the corner of the steps, hopelessly waiting for someone to come to my rescue. The creak of the gate made a sound more peaceful to my ears then ever before. I glanced over my shoulder to admire the hero coming my way and who do I bow down to so thankfully? Who reaches out a helping hand in my time of need?

A fluffy towel is hurled my way and I snatch it like my prey, feeling it's warmth between my fingertips. I plunged it into the water and wrapped it around my waist securely before I gathered enough strength to proceed. Slowly rising from the steps I had all eyes on me, watching the oddly drenched towel I had clung to my hips.

My cheeks were flaming red by the time I made it out of there and believe me, it wasn't from some expensive new blush I recently purchased. It was all thanks to absolute emberrassment, but fortunately that ended shortly. A hand was placed on mine and the tender smile I saw in front of me melted away all of my insecurities. I gathered my breath that was taken away momentarily and managed to whisper, "Thank you neighbor."

Learn more about this author, Taylor Ball.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.