Falling with Caution

Chapter 3

The water was a nice temperature at the indoor athletic center. The smell of chlorine filled the air. Looking around there was a group of about 20 people in bathing suits and holding waterpolo balls.

I'm really doing this.

Joining a team.

Hopefully I make some friends, it'd suck going through college without friends.

I headed towards them and they waved over at me with large smiles.

Thank god.

"Hi! Are you interested in the club waterpolo team?"

"I am! I'm Valeria." They has me sit down within their circle and began discussing the dues and expectations of joining if we wanted to. Scanning the crowd, I wonder if there's any familiar faces.

I saw a curly head and instantly smiled.

Arles!

I smiled at her and was happy when she smiled back. When we broke to get some practice in the water, I rushed over to her and tried to keep the smile off my face.

I don't want to seem like a dork, being happy about having a friend.

"I didn't know you play waterpolo!" I began the conversation and was happy for her to continue it. We went over to the pool side ledge and sat down as the older players described the game. It was called five alive and it was a warm up game where everyone gets in a line and shoots. If they miss the goal, they have to become the goalie and so one. And you have five lives before you die.

It wasn't long before the practice was over and we were walking back to the dorms. It was really cold outside but I wore the only jacket that I have.

"So what's your major?" I asked. Thankfully we were heading in the same direction so I didn't have to walk alone so late at night. Who knows what's out there?

"I'm doubling in journalism and environmental science." She said nodding her head. "It's always been my dream to travel with like I don't know, National Geographic and study with them too. And also work towards animal and environmental conservation."

"Wow, you seem to be like really sure of that. That's really cool! Do you like photography I'm guessing?" I asked while pulling my hair back into a pony trail before it got frizzy. My hair is growing longer already.

"I do! Here, you should check out my insta page." She said pulling out her phone and giving me her handle for her main and the second account. We exchanged information and I looked through her pictures. They were so cool! They were a mixture of black and white and colored photos but all of them seemed to have a very clear message. I loved it.

"I love them." I whispered and looked over at her with a smile. "These are so beautiful. I love this one."

"Yah! It's been my passion for the longest. If you ever want to do a photo sesh, that would be fun." She suggested. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

A photo sesh.

"I don't think I've ever had my photo taken like this." I admitted. "None of my friends were really the type to take pictures so I don't really have any of myself, but I'd be down!"

What's wrong with trying something new? Even if it is getting my photo taken.

"I get that. So what's your major?" She asked as we neared her dorm. The roads were silent this time of night on a Monday. There were some cars and some campus police cars, but surprisingly not a lot of students out.

Classes are going to be picking up soon, so maybe they're just taking notes in advanced like I did coming here.

"It's law and creative writing. I want to be a lawyer and also a writer. That's like my lil dream." I said with a laugh and she smiled as well. Talking to her feels to easy.