Day 221: The Waterpark

Should be Day 229.  I wanted to write a story practicing incorporating the five senses since I don't think I use them enough.

     Donna heard the dull, splashy thud of Cassie's footsteps behind her.  Her feet slopped to a hault next to her.

     "Um, Donna, you don't actually wanted to go on that ride, do you?  That tube looks like you're supposed to go upside down in it."

     "You're in a tube.  That shouldn't be so bad."

     "But what if you can't turn back around?  It's a drowning hazard!"

     "That's what the life guards are for," Javier piped up as he joined them by the line.  He reeked of chlorine and hot dog.

     "Are you scared?" Matthew teased as he jabbed her arm.

     "No!  I just want to live to see my next birthday."

     Donna sighed.  "You don't have to go if you don't want to."

     "I'm not then.  I'll wait with Molly on the lounge chairs by the pool."

     "Alright.  I'll see you in fifteen minutes."

     Javier laughed, "Try like a half hour.  The line wraps around that pole at the top."

     "Oh boy."

     The trio shuffled up the hard, steaming pavement and slowly made their way up the ladder.  At first, the heat wasn't so bad because they had still been wet from the previous ride, but the sun quickly evaporated the water.  Donna could feel her shoulders sizzling as she stood there.

     "Matt, you're tall.  Stand in front of me so the sun doesn't hit me."

     He scoffed, "What am I, a human tree?  Should I wave some leaf fans by your face too?"

     "Oh never mind," she groaned.  "I just didn't want my shoulders to turn brown."

     Matthew sidestepped in front of her.  "That better?"

     "Much."

     A slight breeze ruffled by their faces a few minutes later, which helped the wait go by.  About ten people were in front of them now.  One woman looked like a dalmatian with her skinny figure and black and white spotted one piece.  The girl she was with was a fuchsia and lemon yellow blur as she danced from side to side to pass the time.  A burly tanned man with hair covering every inch of his upper body sternly instructed her to stop.

     Javier tapped her shoulder, "Look down there by the shack with the shark painted on the sign.  Robert is still surfing."

     "Wow, he's doing pretty good.  With all that jumping and leaning back, it looks like he's on a skateboard."

     "Yeah, and to think he's never been to the ocean before."

     She waved at Molly and Cassie below, who were basking in chairs right near the edge of the pool.

     "You know what I could go for right now?" Matthew asked once they had four people in front of them.  "A watermelon!  Biting into that sweet grainy flesh and letting the juice dribble down your chin.  Mmm!"

     "That's pretty random," Donna giggled.

     "I guess the heat is getting to me."

     "Good news is we're next," Javier smiled and pointed to the slide.

     "Awesome!"  As soon as the lifeguard gave the signal, Matthew lept onto the slide.  The swift water swirled under his calves, and with a yell, he propelled himself through the chute.  It was dark, and the air quickly became constricting.  His ears hummed as he zoomed down, flipping over and around several times as the slide turned.  Suddenly everything became bright as he popped out of the tunnel and splashed into the cool water, getting Cassie and Molly all wet.