The drive home was strange, Dad barely said two words to me, focussing on the freeway with a rigid posture.
"If you need to ask me anything, go right ahead. I'll be up front with you." He finally said.
"Maybe you should have tried that years ago." He didn't deserve that, I instantly wanted to snack those cruel words back.
"I deserve that. Your right." He remained staring at the road, his jaw set hard.
"No. You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry." I forced my hand between my knees and hunched my shoulders.
"Everything I have ever done has always been to protect you. I hate the lies, but I didn't know what else to do." He added apologetically.
"It's okay, honestly. It's not your fault, and I appreciate every ounce of strength you have given me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for you. You are all I have left and that is all I have ever known. I wouldn't change a thing Dad."
A hint of a smile crept from his lips.
When we got home Dad ordered takeaway. We ate dinner and sat on the sofa, we talked and talked and talked. Dad told me all that he knew, how he knew Doctor Watkiss from day one, and how he had to report back every now and again to update them on my progress.
Eventually I got so comfortable that I rested my head on his lap, he ran his fingers through my hair, telling me how everything would be okay. I would get all the help I needed, and I could continue to live my life with very little change ahead. Suddenly there was something comforting in returning to my seemingly boring life. What I'd give to go back 48 hours, then again. It was out in the open now, no more secrets.
Monday arrived quicker than the blink of an eye, school again and I'd done little to no revision, let alone homework. I wasn't fully alert today, but as always Monday was the Swimming Team practice session. The school had their own pool on site so a dozen top performing girls would meet here with Mrs Collins. I was one of those top performing swimmers, in fact I was number one. Being the best one around meant I got slot of sneers and jeers from the rich girls who came from well to do two parent families, they had butlers and chauffeurs and well, they all hated me well and truly.
Amber Hargreaves was the most glamorous one of the lot, and second best, which didn't bode well.
All the boys fancied Amber, all the girls wanted to be Amber. Personally I sure as hell didn’t, all that make up must have taken an hour to put on and an hour to take off, who has that kinda time in their lives?
I don't know how long Mrs Collins had been calling out my name, but when she snapped it out loud I jolted to attention.
"Miss Wilson. If you are busy day dreaming I suggest you re-join us next Monday after the State quarter-finals."
"Sorry Mrs Collins, I was just erm-"
"Well can you erm on your own time please Miss Wilson. Now, your are up. I need a time-trial from you, two lengths quick as you can. I want a quicker time than last week, your slipping young lady." Mrs Collins was eager to see me back to my best form from earlier in the year.
"Careful you don't fall asleep in the water Mel, wouldn't want our star swimmer out of the competition, would we?" Amber shot out her insult, I glared at her for all the good it would do
I was after all used to these snide comments and put downs, Amber really didn't like me at all. Not even when competing for the same swimming team.
I shook my arms down and began to walk around to the top end of the pool. Amber have me one of those narrow eyed glared with a stupid grin upon her face. One day someone will slap that smile off her face, hopefully soon.
I was so focused on returning a sarcastic smile in her direction I failed to see her stick out her foot. Tripping me over as I skidded on the wet poolside floor, I grazed my knees and the bones in my hand stung from the impact. Everyone burst out laughing.
"Miss Hargreaves. I saw that, apologise at once."
Obviously Amber threw up her arms in denial. "I didn't touch her Mrs Collins. She is clearly too tired to swim today. Maybe she should not be on the team for this Sunday?"
Something popped, I bolted to my feet and spun Amber around, I locked my hands around her back and squeezed her tight against me. As I leaned backwards, I raised myself onto my tip-toes and lifted Amber right off the ground, angling her towards the water, I had belly to belly suplexed her like some speedy WWE Superstar. She hit the water with a slap, I was on her like a flash diving in began to bear-hug her even as we sank into the pool. The water engulfed us, yet Amber's face was now just inches from mine, I could see the Terror in her eyes, I could feel her rapid heartbeat.
As we to sank, Amber was deep in my clutches, she couldn't move an inch, I was too strong.
She wriggled and screamed when she realised she couldn't escape me, her eyes grew wide and her mouth jammed open, expelling hundreds of bubbles amidst her underwater cries for help. I jolted her from side to side and could feel the sides of my mouth rising with excitement. Amber struggled again kicking her legs as wildly as I would allow, I wrapped my own legs around hers and crossed my ankles as we sank.
I jolted my body weight until we spun, and we both spun one hundred and eighty degrees, then we rolled again, and again and again. There were so many bubbles I couldn't see her face anymore.
I felt a hand wrap around my shoulder, prising me away from the lifeless Amber Hargreaves. I jolted up and breached for air. In a panic I swam for the side and sprung from the water like a frog. I looked back to see Mrs Collins had dived in and was hauling Amber to the side of the pool. Other students quickly helped drag Amber out of the water.
I ran to the changing rooms, I didn't even look back to see of Amber was alive.
I slipped across the wet floor, managing to keep my balance despite my hurried pace. Inside the shower block, I spun the taps until warm water gushed out. I slumped with my back against the tiled wall, pressing my knees to my chest I sat hugging my legs, sitting directly underneath the warm water raining down on me from the shower-head.
I'm not sure how long I was there before I heard the patter of footsteps. Mrs Collins was now propped against the arched doorway of the shower block, her tracksuit dripping wet. She had her arms folded across her chest and a stern look upon her face. Long dark greying hair pulled back into a tight and drenched ponytail.
"Care to explain what that was all about Miss Wilson?" Her tone was hardened but calm.
"She tripped me over." I quietly said.
"Yes I saw that, and I was about to reprimand her, but you attacked Miss Hargreaves out of the blue, that is not like you at all, what is going on Melanie?"
I didn't answer, I continued to stare at the swirling water descending down a large grated plughole. Mesmerised by the flowing water vanishing out of sight.
"Is s-she- you know?" I asked nervously.
"You will be please to hear Miss Hargreaves is fine. A little shaken considering a fellow pupil just tried to drown her in the school's swimming pool."
I shot my gaze up to meet the teachers. "I wasn't trying to- I wasn't going to kill her. I j-just. Wanted to scare her."
Mrs Collins scoffed at my comment. "Oh you did that alright! She came round very quickly and was scared out of her wits. She has calmed down now though."
"I'm sorry Mrs Collins, I really don't know what I was thinking." I said sheepishly.
She pushed herself off the doorway and placed her hand on her hips. "Its not me you need to apologise to. Get yourself dried off and changed, you will need to go to the principles office, and of course your father will need to be called in."
"But Miss, I-"
"Get changed please Miss Wilson. I have to get back to the rest of the team." And with that she was gone from the changing rooms, leaving me to haul myself off the floor and return to my locker.