The harsh Georgia sun beat down on me as soon as I stepped out of the airplane. Standing on top of the stairs leading down from the aircraft, I view the area surrounding me. 

A few small trees and the grass, all of which seemed like they were in dire need for water, around the runway swayed in the gentle wind. A lone building stood directly across from the plane. I quickly walked down the ramp, walking along the airports only runway towards the airports only terminal.

A cool rush of air flows towards me as I walk through the automatic doors of the airport building. I made my way through the terminal quickly, grabbing my bag and moving to the front of the building, where my father would be waiting for me.

I know it's him right away. I recognize the blue denim jeans and the Carlton High School football team sweatshirt, he always seems to be wearing But that's natural, he is a football coach after all. As soon as he saw me his face broke into a smile.

''Cara! Here Cara! Hi!'' He shouted, sounding really excited.

I nod back at him, not knowing what to say. He grabs me into a hug, before grabbing my suitcase. I follow him silently to his car. He throws my bags in the back and motions for me to get into the passenger seat. He waits until I put my seatbelt on before zooming out of the parking lot. We sit for a while before he breaks the silence surrounding us.

''So Cara, how are you peach?'' He asks while playing with the radio. 

Flicking through the channels he settles at a country-rock station. I cringe as I hear his selection fill the car. He hums along to the rhythm and taps his fingers on the steering wheel.

''Fine,'' I say, looking out of the window.

''You excited for school?''

''Sure,'' I reply.

''So I got your room ready for you. It'd not decorated really, so how 'bout we drive to the city next weekend and get you some stuff? Maybe some posters and some paint, I don't really know what ya like so I kept the walls white. What d'ya say?'' He asks.

''I guess,'' I say, my voice monotone. I keep looking out of the window, staring at the contrast between the deep blue sky and the vegetation filled ground.

All of a sudden I feel the car pull off from the road. I watch confused, as he guides the car onto the side of the street. He stops the car and turns to me.

''Ok, Cara. I get. You're sad. I get all that teenage stuff you're goin' through. But you listen to me.'' He says, looking me in the eye. ''You can be moody all you want, but you're gonna give me proper answers. Not just these little one-syllable replies. You got that?'' He looks at me expectantly.

I stay quiet, but he waits for my reply. Finally, I say ''Got it, sorry.''

 ''Good, now that that's cleared up, what do you say, dinner? I'm not such a great cook, but there's a real good diner close to the house. Not sure what ya like, but they make a mean burger.'' He suggests as he revs up the car and drives back on the road.

I feel myself smile, but I quickly turn away again, frowning at the glass window.

_'_'_'_'_'_'_'

I curse loudly as I dodge yet another ball. After picking me up from the airport yesterday afternoon, my father suggested I come with him to practice in the morning. Something about meeting a guide he organized to show me around the school. 

Why I couldn't meet him on Monday morning? No answer. But I do suspect that it has something to do with what happened at the pool, and my jump. Probably my mother warning my dad not to leave me alone for too long.

So here I am. I've been waiting half an hour for this 'guide', but since he's yet to show up. As a result of this, I get stuck sitting on the edge of the football field, dodging every ball coming my way. 

When I talked to my dad on the phone, he raved about his football team and their talent, yet considering the number of footballs that didn't even remotely meet their target, and instead flew over my head, I'm thinking they're not as good as he says they are.

''Hey, Coach Wright. Sorry, I'm late!' I look up to see a lanky blond-haired boy making his way over to my dad.

''It's fine Owen, no need to get stressed out.'' He reassured the guy, Owen. He motions to the team to keep on with their drills and walks over to me, Owen following close behind.

''Cara! This is Owen. I asked him to show you around the school.'' He says while nodding to the guy. ''Owen, this is Cara, my daughter.''

''Hey, nice to meet you, Cara.'' He tells me, extending a hand to help me up from my seated position on the ground. I brush off his hand and get up alone.

''Hi,'' I mutter back indifferently.

''Come on then.'' He replies, seemingly unbothered by my brush off. I look at my dad to see him smiling reassuringly. I grab my bag off the ground and follow the annoyingly cheerful guide.

''So you're a swimmer huh?'' He asks after a moment of silence.

''How'd you know that?'' I question suspiciously.

''Your bag.'' I look down at it in confusion. ''It says East Clover High Swim Team.''

''Oh,'' I replied stupidly. I stay silent until I realize that he's still waiting for a reply to his question. ''I am-I used to be.''

''Used to be? Did you quit?'' He inquires.

I frown, bothers by his curiosity. ''I'd rather not talk about it.''

''Ok, that's fine too.'' He says, before starting on a new topic. ''So, what do you like to do then? In your free time, I mean? Cause I doubt that watching your dad coach, while trying to dodge footballs is a hobby.'' He jokes.

''Oh I like-uh,..'' I rack my brain trying to figure out what to say. What other hobbies do I have?

Nothing.

You have nothing else without swimming.

You are nothing else without swimming.

I clutch my head, trying to prevent the voices from causing me to do something I'd regret, like at the pool. Owen sees me and quickly asks. ''You all right Cara?''

''Yeah. All good. Just a headache.'' I lie quickly. I don't need anybody finding out and shipping me off to a physiatrist. He nods, clearly not believing me but not pushing me any further.

''Okay, just if you ever need something, you can talk to me. Ok, Cara?''.

I nod and pledge to myself to be more careful around Owen. I don't need him setting any ideas into my dad's head. He looks like the kind that suggests something like that- one of those, 'Oh I'm here for you' types. And that is something I do not need.

''Then let's go! Let's show you Carlton High School!'' he grins, and sulkily I follow behind him.

Hiii🙋🏼‍♀️,
So what are your thought? So Cara finally met Owen.  What do you think about him?

Please comment, I am always open to any feedback and critique. Please drop a vote and share if you liked it!

~XOXO, Blair✨