By the Lake: Derrick
It was weird trying to explain to his parents why he needed the extra money.
"You're jumping into a lake?"
"Yeah."
"For charity..."
"Well, yeah." He could almost hear them look at each other over the speakerphone conversation he'd been on with them a couple weeks ago. "It's just a fun thing. Like, a dare. Everyone's doing it and--"
"Son, if everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you--"
"I knew you'd say that, dad. And I came prepared. See, you're always trying to encourage me to do things, social things, with other people my age, right? And this is not only with other people my age, but it's school sponsored, they're going to have the nurse on hand - who, bee-tee-double-you, is a for real centaur - and these little pocket warm areas that are spelled with magic or... anyway, yeah and hot chocolate, coffee. They're prepared! There'll be plenty of adults there making sure I don't drown or--"
"Do you even know how to swim?" His mother asked worriedly.
"MOM," Derrick exhaled with exasperation. "It'll be fine! I just need some extra money for my allowance this month so I can nominate my friends."
There was a long pause and Derrick held his breath while his parents looked at each other and communicated silently.
"Alright." His father finally said.
"YIS" Derrick spun around in his room.
"Just be careful honey, okay?"
"Yes, mom. I'll be super careful. Mike will be there too. It'll be great!"
"Have fun." His father was chuckling softly and Derrick felt rather than saw the numbers in his bank account go up as they made the money transfer.
"Thanks dad! Thanks mom! Love you!"
---
What the hell had he been thinking?
Derrick stood on the edge of the wooden structure that had been set up for them to jump from. He was already shivering violently, teeth audibly chattering, and he hadn't even jumped yet.
"Any minute now?" The students behind him asked impatiently.
"Yeah, go ahead. I'm just waiting for someone." Derrick swallowed and stepped out of the way. Derrick was fairly well built for someone of his nerdy stereotype. He stayed pretty active and running was the only way he could really truly disconnect and clear his mind. It kept him in shape and every now and then he joined in on some sports. Just then, however, he was wishing for a couple extra layers to his skin to help insulate him. How was everyone jumping like it was no problem?!
Someone dove in and the water splashed against his bare back. An involuntary sound came out of his throat that sounded like a squeezed bird. He cleared his throat and searched the sky when several students looked at him and chuckled. "Goose, probably."