Sink or Swim

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Well, I guess you could say I don't like to chicken out, and when a good ol' game of Truth or Dare roles around I usually end up in the back seat of a Police Car. The many experiences I have had amount to little in the area as growth as a human being, but entertaining is what I do best. 2

Halloween. Ah, yes, Freshman year of High School, and Halloween. They can only mean one thing, right? Party! I pull my Gothic rendition of a Cub Scout outfit on, and swipe some blood red lipstick across my mouth. Gold eyeliner and silver mascara add that little extra touch everyone is looking for. My fishnets get stuck in the zipper of my black mini skirt, and my boy scout shirt only buttons halfway up, but I am okay with that because it is Halloween, and it is my time to have fun. Lime green stilettos adorn my feet, I can actually walk in them. I have been practicing all week. 3

My two best friends, Michelle and Christie, show up, both looking deliciously skanky. This is the only time of year when you can dress like this and not get branded a slut, so we do. We can't drive (Damn it!) so my mom takes us in the mini-van. Were hot now. That's all right, we've got all night. So we get into this unsupervised "high school" party and we are on the top of the world. Until they break out the oh-so-middle-school truth or dare. This is my time to shine! 4

"Ah...... Katy! Truth or Dare?" 5

Yes! He picked me! 6

"Dare" I shout out at him, I need to appear confident. 7

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The fall air is chilly on my naked body. I am standing outside completely nude (except for my socks, the guy had a fetish or something) in front of half the party. I am feeling pretty good, I have a pretty high level of alcohol in my system. I was on an unexplainable high from adrenaline, that was probably not such a great combination, but no one cared. It was fun, it was funny, good times for all. I cautiously walk around to their neighbors house, aware of every guy's eyes on my rear as I walked, but not caring a single bit. I was terrified, probably to an extent too extreme for the circumstances. I started to unlatch the front gate, but it squeaked. No need to alarm them before I even get into their back yard. I hop over the fence with difficulty, knowing with certainty that I would fail the "walk in a straight line and say your ABC's backwards" test hand down. It makes me giggle a little. There are cat-calls from behind, and my mind isn't even telling me to try being embarrassed. 9

I tip-toe across the dewy grass and walk along the side of their house to get to the back yard. There it is. My destination. The swimming pool. It is full of murky water, leaves covering the top of it, rather disgusting, but I don't care. The motion detector light flickers on and I jump into the pool as quickly as I can, cannon ball. It makes the loudest sound possibly from such a small figure. The water rushes up my nose, I can taste autumn in the back of my throat. I break the surface and hear hollers and cheers from everyone across the street. I feel accomplished. Until the sliding glass door opens and the old man of a neighbor comes out with a baseball bat. 10

I jump out as quickly as I can. He moves with agility not expected of such an old coot and cuts me off at the side yard. He isn't the least bit fazed that a 15 year old girl is naked in his backyard, he just knows he needs to catch me. And catch me he does. 11

All I can remember thinking as I slide my clothes back on at the police station was what a wonderful story this is going to be to tell my grandchildren12