Page 94 of Wallflower

I huffed but did as he asked.

There was a moment of panic when my feet began to slide up from underneath me, my whole body feeling off-balance.

"Relax," Dare said again. "I'm here."

With a deep inhale, I allowed him and the water to take my weight, my legs bobbing up and down ever so slightly. The sky was so blue, the cotton-candy white clouds shifting overhead, and there was Dare. His face gazing down at me as he kept his palm on my back.

"You okay?" he asked after a minute.

"Yeah," I said in surprise. "I'm good."

"Let's see what happens when I take my hand away." My spine stiffened at that, but he laughed. "I'm not going anywhere, Viola. Jeez, have a little faith."

I nodded slightly.

"Okay, here we go."

In the next second, I felt him pull away. The water rushed into the spot where his hand had been, but I tried not to react. A few seconds later, when I knew I wasn't going under, I relaxed.

"This is actually kind of soothing," I said and threw him a smile.

Dare winked. "And the view's not bad either."

His blue eyes were still on me, I realized, and a flush stole up my neck. Gah, why did he have to say things like that?

"Time to try actual swimming," he said after I'd successfully floated for a while.

As he helped me stand up again, I felt pumped.

"Okay, let's do this," I said.

"It may be more difficult, but you'll get it," he assured.

I nodded.

"Bend your knees and extend your arms over the water in front of you. Keep your head up. Think about floating on your front. And remember, flower, try and stay relaxed."

I did what he said, but nearly gasped as my feet left the pool bottom and one of Dare's arms went beneath my ribs, the other across my hips.

"Just supporting you," he said, "until you get the hang of it."

"O-okay," I said, hating that telling stutter.

"Just move your arms and legs in little strokes like you saw Hermione do today."

Remembering how happy Hermione was at the pool, I tried to recreate her movements.

"Good," Dare said. "That's good. Try to smooth it out a bit."

I did what he said, and soon it felt like I was actually swimming.

"I think I'm doing it, Dare!" I said. "Oh my gosh!"

He laughed at my enthusiasm. "Yeah, you're a quick learner. That's for sure."

"You're a great teacher," I replied still unable to believe it. I mean, yes, Dare was still supporting me, and I'd probably go under if he wasn't. But I was swimming for the first time! "If I get a fur baby who can't swim, maybe I'll be able to save them now."

Dare sighed. "I think you'll need a few more lessons for that."

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