101: Go Fish

Bryce

     My life is falling down around my ears! I'm going to lose tomorrow to that slimy little bastard! My old waitress refuses to help me on some selfish reason that she can't have Jesse. My current waitress insists that what probably was harassment wasn't. My best friend pisses off my old waitress to the point that I wouldn't doubt she'd lie to exact her revenge. I yell at my daughter, hurting her and pissing off my girlfriend.

     I park Erin's Barbie-pink scooter in front of my house and walk around to the ocean side. Right where I stand, I remove my shirt and shoes, placing my phone on my shoes. That done, I walk to the water.

     I wade out to my waist before pushing myself forward and start swimming. I want to swim out to the barrier island and watch the bigger waves crash. Still in the shallower area, tiny swells rock me as my hands slice through the salt water, and for a moment, all I am is a swimmer visiting an old friend.

 

     As a child and teen, I swam like a fish. I had a knack for finding the kinds of shells crazy tourists would actually buy from me. I must've looked like a wild urchin, barefoot and very dark from being out in the sun every day, salt and sand constantly in my hair.

     Before I know it, I reach the island, surprised at how weary I feel. I guess I'm not fifteen anymore. I thought I was in better shape than that. I also remember helping to carry my new desk up a flight of stairs. It has a gorgeous marble top--that weighs a ton. That probably contributes to my sore muscles.

     I take a deep breath and carefully pick my way through the foliage to the other shore, not wanting to cut my feet on anything. There are no paths; the authorities don't like anyone coming out here because the tide can sometimes catch people off guard. It doesn't always rise that high, but it does occasionally happen. I don't think I'll get discovered. Most tourists can't swim like I can, and they usually leave a boat or something as evidence of their presence.

     Once I reach the other shore, I take a deep breath and watch the waves break. The moon lights up the water and sand, creating a glow to the scene. From where I stand, I can't see anything on the island behind me, not even in my peripheral vision. If I let myself, I could pretend I exist in my own universe, alone.

     I used to love this feeling, this freedom. I'd forgotten. Sixteen did that to me. All of a sudden, there was Ashley taking up my every thought, sleeping or awake. Then, my childhood vanished when I became a father.

     Too bad. I have responsibilities now. I have a daughter, a girlfriend, a business, a house.

     Erin and Adele's faces swim in my vision, and I worry. I worry what losing this court case will do to me financially. I'll have to take out a loan, maybe, depending on what the judge rules. Simon is insane with his 'emotional distress' bit.

     Desmond looks worried. That, more than anything else, scares me. He usually looks so cocky. I need that cocky attitude to make me feel like I won't lose.

    I'm… going to go broke. I haven't had money troubles since my parents died. Before they died, I didn't worry often then either. Now, I have no funds coming in and too much going out.

     So I'll take out a loan against the bar. That's normal; I'm just not used to having to worry about it.

     What if this new bar is a complete disaster? Yes, it looks good, but it doesn't stand out against other places on the island, Hurricane for example. I'm going to be directly competing with them now when before I had a different atmosphere, being open-air like I was.

      This isn't news, Bryce. You knew this going in.

      It's just now I've got more riding on the bar being a success.

     What will I do if it flops? … I can't let myself think that way.

      I sit and watch the waves, resting my arms and coming to grips with what might happen tomorrow. I'm furious with both Jesse and Marie. Being mad at Jesse is nothing new, but anger directed at Marie is new. If she were just my waitress, I could let it go and simply be a bit of an ass at work, but she's now part of my inner circle of friends. I need her help, and she refuses.

     The moon has risen high in the sky before I decide to head back home. My arms still feel weary as I swim back to the island, so I take it easy. I make it back and pick up my shirt and phone before shoving my feet back into my flip-flops.

     I walk into my dining room and close the sliding glass door. The kitchen light is on, so I walk in there to turn it off when I discover Erin standing in the middle of the room with her arms folded and a furious expression on her face. Even though she's angry, her eyes still look me up and down in an appraising way.

      "I went for a swim," I tell her expression. I guess Jesse didn't tell her. Big surprise.

     "So I see. Now. How the hell was I to know that before? I had no idea where you went! I've been going crazy thinking up horrible possibilities! Don't do that to me!" She walks up and shoves me, her beautiful eyes on fire with her rage.

       I toss my shirt with my phone wrapped inside it on the counter and wrap my arms around her. "I needed to think."

     "Bryce! You're all wet!" she protests as she tries to push me away.

     "That's what happens when you go swimming," I tell her with a smirk.

     "I am so pissed off at you! You need to go apologize for yelling at Adele! She has no idea where that came from!" she quietly yells while continuing to fight me off.

     "I know, and I will. But I need to apologize to you too." 

    "Her first. Get away from me," she snaps, and I sigh and let go of her before walking up the stairs to apologize to my daughter.

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I gave up on trying to find a swim pose that matched what I was needing, so I made one. a_mypalsim_swim_1 (not pose list compatible, you have to type it in)
I warn anyone downloading this that it's difficult to use. I used the largest lot and only put a small corner of it on land. Then I posed him. Then I got OMSP set up on the land. Then I raised it by 1cm. Then I put Bryce on it. Then I moved him where I wanted. I lowered him by 1 cm until I couldn't anymore. Once OMSP is in the water, I couldn't do anything with it except delete and get a new one.

Also, boo on the no waves in game thing. I needed some waves! Thank goodness for the picture I found.