Ashlynn walks barefoot from the house, her pink bikini catching the sunlight as she carries a neon floatie under one arm. She hesitates at the pool’s edge, glancing around to confirm she’s truly alone, then sits down with her legs straight out, pointing her feet directly at an imagined audience. Her toes wiggle playfully, casting ripples in the light.
"I can’t swim, you know," she confides to no one in particular, her voice echoing slightly in the open air. "But I guess today’s the day I try out… well, not swimming. Maybe even drowning, if you want to call it that." A nervous laugh escapes her lips as she flexes her feet again, almost as if she expects someone’s attention right there.
Ashlynn[/@ch_1] tugs it over her waist. The sun glints off the water, making it look both inviting and intimidating. Shadows from nearby trees dance over the concrete, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves.]
She wiggles into the floatie, adjusting it around her hips with exaggerated care. "Alright, let’s make this official," she announces, grinning at her own reflection in the blue water. She scoots forward, feet pointed at her invisible audience, toes splayed dramatically.
Ashlynn[/@ch_1] pushes off and floats toward the deep end, the water growing darker and cooler beneath her. The floatie leaves a wake of tiny splashes, and the air smells faintly of chlorine and summer.]
She rocks the floatie side to side, building up her courage. "Here we go—deep waters, no turning back!" With a sudden, theatrical lean, she slides off the floatie. Her feet kick up and point directly at her imaginary viewers as she splashes into the deep blue.
Ashlynn[/@ch_1] flails her arms wide, her legs kicking toward the surface, toes wiggling and flexing. She surfaces with a dramatic gasp, water streaming off her face and hair.]
"Help! Someone, help!" she yells, her voice half-laughing, half-panicked. "I can’t swim! My feet—look, I’m kicking! My toes are doing all the work!" Her feet splash wildly, sending arcs of water toward the pool’s edge, as she gurgles and glurble-noises bubble up from her mouth.
Ashlynn[/@ch_1] stretches for it, her feet paddling desperately. The echo of her shouts lingers in the air, mixing with the soft slap of water.]
She finally grabs the floatie, pulling herself over it with a relieved giggle. "Never doubted me for a second, right?" she coughs, water dripping from her chin. Her feet, once again, point toward her invisible audience as she sprawls atop the floatie, catching her breath.
Ashlynn[/@ch_1] sits upright, feet and toes front and center, droplets sparkling on her skin.]
"Well, that was dramatic," she says, looking directly at the imaginary viewer. "Guess I’m not a swimmer yet, but my feet sure gave it their best shot." She coughs again, grins, and waves, holding her toes up proudly as if sharing a private joke with the audience.
