The Online Newspaper of Lakewood High School

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

    “No Running on the Pool Deck!” by Esther Dolatowski

    “No Running on the Pool Deck!”

    Arms shivering, legs quivering. A cool breeze gusted upon damp skin creating a dispersion, causing millions of tiny little goosebumps. A place of warm comfort turned into a cool nightmare. I timidly walked up to the queue, my stride began to waver with each step closer to the ladder. A line that went on forever became so close, so near that I could not fathom what would happen when my turn came. As I inched nearer, a bubbling anxiety reached the surface and began to boil over. As I approached the first step I couldn’t do it. I whipped myself around as overwhelming emotions passed through me. I would try for another day.

    A warm afternoon in June was when the “next day” came; I braced myself, making my way to the line, walking slower than imaginable. Right. Left. Right. Left. Dragging one foot after another, (you’d think I would have collapsed on top of myself). Yet, I trudged on. Back in line I waited to face my fears, to face the unknown, to take the leap. I had never been this close…Right. Left. 

    As my left foot touched the rough plastic board I realized what I was about to face. I was afraid. In that instant I turned around, a lump in my throat, my eyes filled with fluid. I pushed past the brave ones, their dripping wet hair drying in the summer sun, puddles surrounding their shadows, symbolizing the trophies to show their accomplishment.

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