Stacie's been slowly swimming, playing with her fingers. She tends to do this a lot when she is thinking. Stacie's done it so much, it's become a habit. I think she does it sort of as a stress reliever. Sometimes, I'll even see her pinching her skin and causing pain. I don't know if she knows she's doing this, but I bet she doesn't.

Whenever Stacie snaps out of her trance, she usually looks down at her hands surprised and shocked at the new things that lay there. At school, I can see little bruises and such on her hands. She must try to hide it because they're not that easy to spot. Like most girls, Stacie probably puts make up on it to cover them up.

I've been following Stacie for a while now. I assume we're close, but I don't know exactly. I have been too busy staring at Stacie that I didn't realize where we have been swimming. We could be lost for all I know. I haven't been alone in this part of the city in a couple years. The last time I was here was when I went to middle school. Stacie must have realized we might be lost, too, because she begins to look around worriedly.

After a few seconds, Stacie must have figured out where we are since she begins swimming again. I follow closely behind, but not too close to where I can get caught.

Soon, the bushes and objects I can hide behind fully, without being seen, start to diminish. I try to hide behind things that look as if they might hide me, but as soon as I get there, they only hide half my body or sometimes even a third. The only way I might not get caught is if I lie completely down on the ground behind an object. My mom would kill me if I were to come home with sand on my tail. She prefers me to be clean and spotless. I guess you could say I'm not a boy who was allowed to play outside much when I was little.

Unless I want Stacie seeing me, I'll have to take the punishment, which most likely will be severe.

I lie down on the ground behind a small, rusty, old boat, waiting for Stacie to get far enough away for me to find a new hiding place. The sand feels super gross. I feel as if all sorts of fish and other creatures are on me. If I could see the look on mother's face if she saw me. It would be priceless! But, that still doesn't help me forget about my situation. If only mother allowed me to play outside like other children, I wouldn't be like this. I might actually be good at sports. I might enjoy getting dirty. I might be as athletic as Stacie.

Once I think she is far enough away, I get up from the horrid ground. I wipe away the sand off my precious, green tail. The things I do for love.

Just then, I hear a little shriek. I look up at Stacie to see her swimming speedily away.

Hopefully, she didn't see me. I hope she just saw my figure or something. I mean it is pretty dark around here. It couldn't of happen, could it?

If Stacie did see me, my life is over. I was finally starting to get to know her better. She was getting to know me better. Stacie was learning I wasn't such a bad guy. Now, it's all down the drain.

You really screwed up this time, Alex.