Taking the Plunge

Jess stood at the edge of the diving board, toes curled around the rough surface, staring down at the water below. It didn’t seem that high from the ground, but now, standing twelve feet up, it looked like a sheer drop into the abyss. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Come on, Jess! You got this!” A voice called from the poolside. It was Emily, a junior on the diving team, her wet hair clinging to her face. She was also a member of Delta Delta Delta, the sorority Jess had been trying to make a decision about for weeks now.

Jess forced a smile and tried to ignore the way her legs trembled. She had always considered herself an athlete—Jason had been a natural at sports—but this was different. Diving required grace, precision, and above all, a willingness to throw yourself into the unknown.

With a deep breath, she bent her knees and pushed off. For a moment, she felt weightless, suspended in the air. Then, panic set in. Her body twisted awkwardly, and she hit the water with a loud, unceremonious splash.

Resurfacing, she gasped for air and swam to the edge of the pool, where Emily was waiting with a grin. “Not bad for a first attempt. We can work on the landing.”

Jess sighed, pulling herself out of the water. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this.”

Emily handed her a towel. “You’re overthinking it. Just let go and trust yourself.”

Jess hesitated. Letting go—that was the hard part. Whether it was diving or her past life as Jason, she was still struggling to accept the unknown.

As she dried off, Emily nudged her playfully. “By the way, have you decided about the sorority yet? We’d love to have you.”

Jess stiffened. “Uh, I’m still thinking about it.”

Emily nodded. “I get it. It’s a big change. But trust me, the sisterhood is worth it.”

Jess gave a noncommittal smile. She appreciated the offer, but moving into the sorority house meant leaving behind the closest friends she had ever had. Could she really do that?

***********************************

That evening, Jess found herself in a cozy classroom surrounded by yarn, knitting needles, and a group of students chatting enthusiastically. Olivia sat beside her, fumbling with a pair of knitting needles as she tried to figure out how to start.

“So, why are we here again?” Olivia asked, eyeing Jess skeptically.

Jess laughed. “Because I need a break from Kevin calling me Grandma.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “He’s never going to let this go, you know.”

Jess shrugged as she clumsily attempted a knit stitch. “Let him tease. I actually like it. It’s… calming.”

Their instructor, an older student with bright pink hair, walked by and gave them both an approving nod. “Great start, ladies. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be making scarves and sweaters.”

Jess looked at her uneven row of stitches and smiled. It wasn’t perfect, but she was learning.

As they walked back to the apartment later that night, Olivia nudged her. “So, what’s the verdict? Are you going full grandma, or are you just here for the snacks?”

Jess laughed. “A little bit of both.”

After the event, Olivia and Jessica returned to the apartment. As they stepped inside, Kevin looked up from the couch. “So, did you knit me a sweater yet, Grandma?”

Jess tossed a ball of yarn at him. “Keep talking, and I’ll make you a pair of socks with extra holes.”

Kevin just grinned. “Love you too.”

Jess smiled, shaking her head as she sat down. Maybe she didn’t have all the answers yet, but she was figuring it out, one stitch at a time.