The Waterpark
Chimemerile Amechi
The first time I went into a non-kiddie pool, like any other kid, I was scared. The unfamiliar feeling of my body being submerged in the cool, blue but slightly yellow water and stench of chlorine. When I first went under, it was almost like time stopped. I remember the feeling of my hearing being warped, and the slight burn of my eyes . I didn’t panic; I could still touch.
When I came up for air , the sounds and reality flooded back into me. I couldn’t explain the feeling, but when I went under I felt singular. Like I was the only one in the water. I wanted to stay under forever.
I don’t know why, but I lived for the thrill of seeing how long I could stay under without a breath. Each time, getting better and better.
When I got more comfortable, I ventured over to the deep end. Going from six, to eight, to twelve, and finally fourteen feet. At each one, challenging myself to touch the bottom and swim back up. My ears popped, my eyes stung, and my nose burned. But somehow, it was all made up by the ten or so seconds of bliss.
About an hour later, I had discovered the wave pool and decided to try it out. I went as far as I could before the piercing shriek of the machine went off, signaling that the waves were coming. Somehow, I got stuck. When I came up for air the water pushed me back down, only allowing me to get small breaths while fighting the “current” and struggle to breath. Mouthful by mouthful, I was swallowing the chlorine-ridden water. It instantly made triggered my gag reflex. After what seemed like an eternity, the waves ceased. Thinking about the gallon of dead skin cells, urine, and chlorine I had just drank was enough to make me vomit.
I hadn’t fully left the pool when I felt the familiar feeling of bile rising. It felt like a whole was being seared into the first lining of my trachea. Without hesitation , I violently returned the water I had just engulfed back to where it came from.
They immediately closed the pool for cleaning and mothers , fathers , and children side – eyed me. Their faces told it all, they were disgusted and mad about me ruining their activities. I just stood there, a scared ten year old girl who just threw up all over herself waiting for her mom to get her. She never did.
Ever since that incident, I had been weary of going into pools. I was scared that I would drown again and ruin every ones day again. I couldn’t help but imagine how I felt under the water, hoping to do it again when my strengths outweigh my fears.
When I came up for air , the sounds and reality flooded back into me. I couldn’t explain the feeling, but when I went under I felt singular. Like I was the only one in the water. I wanted to stay under forever.
I don’t know why, but I lived for the thrill of seeing how long I could stay under without a breath. Each time, getting better and better.
When I got more comfortable, I ventured over to the deep end. Going from six, to eight, to twelve, and finally fourteen feet. At each one, challenging myself to touch the bottom and swim back up. My ears popped, my eyes stung, and my nose burned. But somehow, it was all made up by the ten or so seconds of bliss.
About an hour later, I had discovered the wave pool and decided to try it out. I went as far as I could before the piercing shriek of the machine went off, signaling that the waves were coming. Somehow, I got stuck. When I came up for air the water pushed me back down, only allowing me to get small breaths while fighting the “current” and struggle to breath. Mouthful by mouthful, I was swallowing the chlorine-ridden water. It instantly made triggered my gag reflex. After what seemed like an eternity, the waves ceased. Thinking about the gallon of dead skin cells, urine, and chlorine I had just drank was enough to make me vomit.
I hadn’t fully left the pool when I felt the familiar feeling of bile rising. It felt like a whole was being seared into the first lining of my trachea. Without hesitation , I violently returned the water I had just engulfed back to where it came from.
They immediately closed the pool for cleaning and mothers , fathers , and children side – eyed me. Their faces told it all, they were disgusted and mad about me ruining their activities. I just stood there, a scared ten year old girl who just threw up all over herself waiting for her mom to get her. She never did.
Ever since that incident, I had been weary of going into pools. I was scared that I would drown again and ruin every ones day again. I couldn’t help but imagine how I felt under the water, hoping to do it again when my strengths outweigh my fears.
My name is Chimemerile Amechi. I am currently fourteen years old and a freshman at NMMI. I hope to continue my education here until I graduate. My hobbies include long boarding, playing volleyball, and hanging out with friends.