The Lake

The water was cold. Freezing cold. I was quite stupid frankly, to wake up expecting a nice warm shower at 6:00 in the morning. My long brown hair was sagging on my back. When I was little, I loved seeing my soaking, wet hair. I thought I looked like one of those mermaids, who were perched on a rock in a cove. Now I just saw this drenched wad of hair as a mess, a mess that I needed to clean up in a very limited amount of time. I groaned, and stepped out of the community shower. I wrapped myself in a fuzzy pink towel, and slid on a random t-shirt and some jeans.

I opened the door to my dorm, and there I saw Candace. Candace was my room mate, but also probably the most chic lady on the school campus. Today she was wearing some type of furry sweater, and these velvet pants which looked like some variation of jeans.

Candace smiled, reaching her long, skinny arms out to me, "Briar! You're finally up!"

I grumbled, and returned her with a brisk hug. Candace smirked at me, and flopped a strand of her perfect golden hair to her side, "Is little Briar grumpy today?" She joked, and I sighed, "Cold shower. Early morning. What do you think this adds up to?" I said, before plopping onto my bed.

Candace smiled, "Well, come on! It's spring break, and our big trip is starting soon. Come on Briar, get your backpack."

I knew there was no point resisting Candace when she wanted something, so I hoisted my colossal backpack onto my back, and followed her lead. My friends take spring break much differently than I do. I just want to cuddle up with a nice book, and stay in bed till noon or later, even. Unfortunately, they think of spring break as an adventure. So I got dragged into a trip, not even that, a mystery trip, with them. Only Candace and our other friend Dahlia know where we're going, which meant I had to pack a wide array of clothes and supplies.

I groggily stepped into the van, which was hot and crowded.

Angelica, another friend, grinned, "Oh my god, I'm like, so excited to go on this trip! It's going to be, like, so fun!"

I rolled my eyes, and the van plunged forward.

I don't quite remember the rest of the ride, but I do remember being rudely awakened by Candace tugging on my arm.

"Briar, Briar, Briar, Briar, Briar!" She yelled, as I sleepily turned to my side.

"Hm-" I blurted out.

Candace smiled warmly, "We're here!"

I looked out the window, and saw something I thought, and honestly hoped I'd never have to see again. It was glistening blue, and there were little stones bordering the water and the land. It was our lake. It was our special lake.

Dad chuckled, opening the car door. "We're here, Briar!" My huge seven year old eyes widened, and I squealed excitedly. My Dad had told me about this place, the place where he visited as a kid. It was Lake Stoneyfield, the special lake which held all of our secrets.

Every other weekend Dad and I would drive to this lake, and we would swim, splash around, collect stones, have a picnic, it was just that place where you could relax. At least we thought we could relax there.

We had gone to the lake so many times, we were used to it. So this time, Dad just plunged into the water. I grinned toothily, and giggled a bit. Dad looked so cool in the water, so peaceful. Except today, something was different. Dad was chuckling every so often, but his head kept bobbing down into it. It was like he was being pushed down. I thought he was just playing with me, until I saw him drifting, just drifting farther and farther away from the land. His head was bobbing up and down, and I didn't know what was happening. Could he have been drowning? Nah, I didn't think so, Dad was a phenomenal swimmer. But then- what could it be? I stepped a foot in the water, and felt myself being pulled slightly. Then it clicked. It was a rip current. And Dad was in the middle of it. I screamed helplessly, but there were no lifeguards, barely anybody around, I mean ironically, that's why we liked the place in the first place. I just screamed and wailed until my voice became hoarse, and watched as the guy who was once my Dad slowly sink into the water.

I mean, of course, it went on television, but none of my college friends knew about it, and I intended to keep it that way. Now there were lifeguards, and tons of people were swimming in the lake. I couldn't help but scowl. It was our lake, Dad and I's lake, not their lake. After the story went on the news, the lake became somewhat famous around our parts, and was now a tourist hub. The lake I knew of was demolished, completely.

Candace stared at me, "Briar, you're as pale as a ghost - you alright?"

I snapped back to reality, "Mhm, totally fine."

Our group walked to a nearby motel, and booked some rooms. I stayed with Candace. We ate cheap fries and burgers, and then went to our rooms to relax for the night.

Candace's long figure was perched on her bed, legs in the air, reading a magazine I had no interest in whatsoever. Every once in a while, she'd look up and adjust a clip in her hair, or check to see if her nail polish had chipped. Once she looked up and noticed at me staring at her in boredom.

She couldn't help but chuckle, "Briar," she said in a soft and sympathetic voice, "What's happening? You can tell me, you know."

That voice, it was soothing, and reminded me of honey tea, just like my Dad's voice. I wanted to tell her so badly, but I just couldn't bring the courage too.

I coughed into my elbow, "Allergy season. Always throws me off."

Candace nodded skeptically, "Alright - tell me if you need anything."

I guess I must have gotten really bored, because I had fallen asleep, and when I woke up, I had the most pleasant image of Candace perched over my bed.

"AHH!" I blurted out, kicking her in the stomach.

Candace snickered, and then plopped down onto my bed, "Come on! Today is lake day! We have to leave today night."

I rubbed my eyes, "Who said we needed to?"

"You did! You, missy, insisted we only stay for two days at maximum." Candace said eagerly.

I groaned, and got out of bed, knowing that if I didn't get out myself Candace would physically pull me out. I brushed my teeth and had a shower, and then got into my bathing suit. I didn't know how I could face that lake - I hadn't realized it before, but that lake was my biggest fear. They say you're supposed to face your fears, but I really, and I mean really didn't want to face this one.

All my friends were splashing around in the lake, while I was sitting on one of those patio chairs, wearing a huge sun hat like the two elderly ladies sitting next to me. Half the day went by, and then Candace finally confronted me.

"Come on! What are you waiting for, get in already! Get in! Get in! Get in!" She exclaimed, grinning.

I could feel my blood boil, she didn't understand. I couldn't get in. Unable to control my temper, I screamed something in her face and stomped off. It wasn't pretty - and my face was a hot mess, with a combination of sunscreen and tears. I took refuge in the motel's cafe, and ordered a large caramel macchiato. I sipped it gingerly, my tongue stinging from the heat. Somehow, I could still savor the taste of every sip.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Briar, I worked so hard on making this trip as fun as I could for you, and what you said really hurt me. I know you have a quick tongue and a somewhat short temper, but like, you've never done this before, and hmm, let me think, I don't like it. I've been trying to incorporate fun things for you in this trip, but you just don't seem to-"

And at that moment, I burst into tears again. Not those cute Marilyn Monroe tears, but giant, thick, ugly tears that enveloped my face in water. Candace, was absolutely flabbergasted. She just stood there and stared at me, and I don't blame her. Finally, I managed to mellow down the flow, and tried to speak up between hiccups. However, only little sounds came out, so I had to do something I really didn't want to do. I took out my phone, and showed her the video from the news.

Candace gasped a little, "Oh Briar - I had no idea. I'm so sorry. These past days must have been complete torture. I'm immensely sorry for what I said, and for bringing you here."

I hiccuped, "Y-you didn't know."

She bought me another cup of coffee and let me calm down, and then, she talked to me. A true, heart-felt talk. Man, that girl would be great as a politician. Her speech was - well, I was speechless.

"...and, well, I have an idea. It may make you feel a little better. Don't think about this place about the place where your Dad passed. Think about it as your special place together, and even though it's probably changed over the years, its still your special place. Its one of your biggest connections to him. And I'm sure, he'll be so proud of his daughter, and look upon you at this lake, and think, 'damn, that's my girl'." Candace said, completing her speech.

I smiled a bit, "You know what Candace, I think you might be right. It'll be painful - but it'll be amazing at the same time."

That evening, I went into the lake. I let myself float in the peace, and let the water surround me. I trusted the water now, it took my Dad, but it had done it's damage. I floated there for so long, and I lost track of time. After a while, I hobbled back to the motel, where I found Candace packing up.

"Candace," I said, as she looked up from her bags, "Another week here wouldn't hurt."