Sun streamed down on the water,

smacking the side of the boat.
I slid into the water,
feet sweeping the mucky sand.

Kaya shot me a thumbs up, and I smiled in return.
As I fastened the skis, the weight of them pull my feet
deeper into the lake.

Clenched hands wrapped around the rope as the ski tips stretched up
wanting to reach the sky.
The boat roars to life,
but my legs buckle
and I let go.

I fell again
and again
and again.

My body ached,
but I gave it one last chance.
I leaned back as though I were sitting in a chair and not floating
in the chilled lake water.
Water lapped around my shoulders
sending a shiver throughout my body.

The boat jerked forward and I moved with it,
legs bending to a slight angle.
My skis skimmed across the smooth water,
eyes widened in surprise.
I did it!

It felt like minutes before I crashed to the water.
“That was awesome, Maddy!”
Kaya exclaimed from the boat.

I paddled towards the ladder then climbed up.
My hands grasped the soaked handle and pulled myself onto the dry
speed boat.

The boat rumbled once more, sending us in the direction of home.