Dorm Pool, Friday Evening

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley had made arrangements with Penelope, for a sort of date this evening. She'd never been swimming, so it seemed like a good idea to get her acclimated to the idea. Hurley was already in the water, just sort of floating. He wasn't much of a swimmer, himself. But he could manage.

[ooc: Expecting the date, but open pool!]

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[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope found the pool easy enough, but it was evident in expression and in the hesitant way she approached, that she was nervous.

She was also wrapped from throat to ankle in her coat.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley waved from the pool. "Hey," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Hi, Hurley," she said, hand clutched at her throat. "How's the water?"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"It's fine," Hurley said. "You... okay?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I'm a little nervous," she confessed.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley nodded. "If you don't want to, that's okay," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"No, I do, I'm just nervous."

And turning slightly away, she undid her coat and set it aside. Then, flushed from head to foot, she tested the water with her toes.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley tried not to stare. He failed, terribly.

"...wow," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She blinked at him, pausing in her step down into the water. And her blush deepened considerabbly.

"I bought a bikini," she stated dumbly.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley nodded as his brain finally rebooted. "It looks great," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Hurley," she said.

Stepping in further, the water came to her waist.

"I... don't even know what to do now."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Really, you just sort of... relax," Hurley said. "You just sort of float, naturally, that way."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She waved her hands around in the water and stepped in further. She was not about to lose her footing yet.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"You ever seen a dog in the water?" Hurley asked.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope shook her head. "No."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Oh," Hurley said. Explaining the doggy paddle would be hard, then. "You just sort of... kick your feet, so you can stay up."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She bit her lip, considered that. Then she moved back to sit on the pool steps.

"I'm scared, Hurley," she admitted in a soft voice.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"It'll be okay," Hurley assured her. "I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She was quiet, her brow creased with worry and concern.

But she could brave this, couldn't she?

Taking a deep breath, she stood and walked down into the water again, further and further until the water was at her chin. She was breathing hard through her nose and looking at him.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Okay, breathe," Hurley said. "Don't panic, okay?" He swam over so he was closer to her. "It'll be just fine. Try kicking your feet, like... riding a bike, but smaller."

Hurley did not have a future as a swim instructor.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I used to ride a tricycle in my room when I was a little girl," she said, trying to calm her breathing.

Then she did it, she kicked up her feet and instantly went under water, flailing.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley's eyes bugged, and he went to pull her up. Meaning... he had to put his arms around her to do so.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She sputtered and pushed hair out of her face, and clung to him, blinking rapidly.

"I'm sorry!"

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley thought. "Maybe we should try starting with floating," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "Okay, okay, tell me how again?" She was afraid to let go of him.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Let's move to the more shallow water, first," Hurley said. "Just so I don't... worry too much."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

That sounded fine with her and as soon as she could, she planted her feet on the floor of the pool, letting go of him. "I'm sorry, again."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I got a hug out of it," Hurley joked. "The trick is to just relax, and lie back."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She grinned, shyly. "Lie back? Just... let go?" How was she going to do that?

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Hurley said. "I'll be right here, to help you."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Taking a deep breath, she began to lean back in the water, arms out, and bringing her feet up. But she was straining her neck some. "I'm going to fall under..."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"I won't let you," Hurley said, pressing his arms under her back.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Her lashes were long and dark and spikey, and she blinked, looking from him to the ceiling above and nodded.

And then, trusting him completely, she let herself relax.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley was there, to make sure she didn't sink.

"See, it's easy," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope grinned a little. "You are right here with me."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"That's where I like to be," Hurley said. "I'm gonna... let go, see if you got this, okay?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She sucked in a small breath of air. But nodded. "Okay..."

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

Hurley moved his arms, letting her go. "Here goes," he said.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

And she floated!

Penelope grinned and closed her eyes, afraid to move. "I'm doing it," she whispered.

[likes-chicken.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, you are," Hurley said, smiling at her. "I knew you could."