Chapter 2

I glanced over my shoulder at the house, knowing I should step away from the threshold, but an inexplicable urge kept me rooted to the spot. What if they call again? What if today's the day they remember? I can almost hear my mother's laughter echoing through the halls—before I succumb to the pull of winter wonderland, a part of me yearns for their presence. Instead, I step outside, crystallized air filling my lungs as I watch the children down the street molding snow into unmistakable shapes of joy—forts, snowmen, and laughter spilling like hot cocoa from a thermos.

Just a few blocks away is the community pool, the one place where I can shed layers of expectation and doubt. For most, swimming is a task or sport, but for me, it's a form of transcendence. I'm not just floating; I become one with the water, losing myself in its rhythm. With each stroke, I carve out a path where I can finally breathe—not just air, but possibility. Merging into the liquid tapestry, I dream of a day when I will fully join the lives of those around me, free from the shadow of disconnection.

As I arrived at the pool and peeled off my winter layers, I couldn't help but notice the transformation that took over me. Dressed in my swimsuit, I feel lighter, like a shimmering snowflake ready to melt into its element. The chlorinated water welcomes me like an old friend, cradling me as I plunge in, letting the surface tension break, and my heart beat in sync with the gentle rhythm. Water whispers secrets, promising acceptance and connection, echoing the belonging I desperately seek on land.

I emerged from the depths, droplets sliding down my shoulders, each one a reminder of my strengths and individuality. The sound of laughter pops into my mind, fighting with the noise of my thoughts—a sharp reminder of my loneliness. But then, in this moment of clarity, I decide to act. As I glide back into the water, I remind myself that while winter may color the world outside in cold shades, inside me there’s an ocean waiting to be discovered.

The water swirled around me like a gentle embrace as I pushed my last lap, my arms slicing through the glassy surface with effortless grace. I could feel the familiar rhythm building in my chest, the rush of pure freedom flooding through my veins. As I made the final turn, the end of the pool loomed ahead like a beacon of triumph. I surged forward, feeling weightless, a snowflake gliding over the deep blue. Just as I broke the surface for a breath, I heard the unmistakable sound of laughter from the edge of the pool.

"Bloody belly comb jelly!" Paul Johnston boasted from his risky perch, sitting at the edge like a sunbathing cat. His dark, tousled hair glinted in the sunlight, and his striking looks seemed to shine even brighter under the fluorescent lighting. He was undeniably a magnet for attention, with every girl on the swim team—except for me—almost swooning at his every smirk. 

I rolled my eyes, holding onto the edge of the pool, trying to seem relaxed despite the irritating familiarity of his taunts. He had been trying to get under my skin since freshman year, and somehow, he thought the name he had come up with—after extensive internet searching, I was sure—would finally upset me. If I had known that "comb jelly" was meant as an insult, I wouldn't have bothered suppressing a laugh. "Real creative, Paul. Did you come up with that all by yourself, or did your buddies help you out?" 

The laughter of his friends echoed like a chorus of birds around the pool, an almost addictive sound of camaraderie that I did my best to ignore. I knew the guy thought he was clever, but something about the way he tried to poke at me felt less like genuine rivalry and more like an irritating little brother. I splashed my hand in the water, sending a fine mist of chlorinated droplets toward him just to prove my point—a tiny act of defiance draped in my oversized moodiness.