SPLAT. SPLASH.

Arini Shrivastava

West Woods Elementary, Farmington CT

I walked into the YMCA and showed my membership card. I walked into the changing room and changed into my bathing suit. I walked to the pool area. As I jumped into the warm water, the instructor exclaimed, 

“Time to go to the deep end diving board!” 

That's when I freaked out. In my brain, I was crying like a baby!! Okay, I can do this, promised my brain. I purposely stood in last, but that didn't do anything. Once the other kids had done it, it was my turn.

 I climbed up the ladder as tears of sweat ran down my face.Oh no. Oh no. No!! Cried my brain. I walked up to the edge, and in every step I took, more and more sweat ran down my face. I let my toes get a little further than the edge. Tears started to fall out of my eyes. I looked back down at my dad.

”This is not optional Arini! We will cancel our membership if you don't jump!” My dad yelled in a disapproving face. 

I need to make Mom and Dad feel proud of me. This is my only chance! If I don't, they will be soooo displeased! Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I took a deep breath and jumped off. 

“AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed as loud as I could.

Splat. Splash. I fell on my stomach. I swam up for air, and then to the side.

I. DID. IT. Me. Arini Shrivastava. I. HAD. JUMPED. OFF. A. DIVING. BOARD. FOR. THE. FIRST. TIME.                            

“HOW THE HECK DID I DO THAT??”I asked myself out loud.

That is how I learned to have faith in myself.