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The sun beat down on the pool as you treaded the shallow end. Everyone your age was on the other side of the pool, laughing and hanging out in the deep end. Since you had grown up in Kentucky, you never got the chance to learn to swim. When you had turned seventeen, you decided enough was enough. After talking to the manager of the pool about lessons, you were put with Billy as a teacher.
The two of you didn't talk much, which was something you really appreciated. You only had about five lessons, but your confidence in the water was at least growing. While being under the surface still caused you to freak out a bit, treading was getting easier by the day. Looking over to Billy on the lifeguard stand, he nodded towards you before scanning the rest of the pool.
After wading around a bit, the book you had brought to the pool started to call your name. Laying out on the chairs to the side, you pulled out Catcher in the Rye and started flipping through the pages.
"Hey, Y/N," Jason, the newest member of the football team, yelled.
Pulling your attention away from the book, you lazily looked at him as he sauntered over to you. For being a just a freshman, he had more confidence in his pinkie than you had in her whole body.
"Yes?" you asked, putting your book down to give him your attention. After growing up with southern hospitality, you couldn't quite get used to the lack of manners in Indiana.
"You're always hanging out in the baby end. Don't you want to come hang out with us?" he asked, inching towards you.
"I'm good, thank you," your southern accent drawn out as you went to pick up your book again.
Jason slid one arm under your legs and the other under your back before lifting you into the air. Shrieking out, you tried to squirm out of his grip, but he held on tight to your body.
"I think that you think you're too good for us, Y/N," Jason said, walking towards the deep end of the pool.
"Please," you said, your eyes widening with realization.
A whistle cut through the air as all movement stopped at the pool, including Jason who stood over the edge of the pool.
"Put her down," Billy said, now standing on the ground, his eyes not leaving your terrified ones.
Jason smirked, his grip loosening on you.
"Sure thing," he said before you hit the water.
Kicking your feet like Billy had taught you, you reached towards the surface as bubbles formed around you as you continued to struggle. The burning in your throat became too much as you let out a scream before water started to fill your lungs. Crying out, the water muffled everything as the world started to fade around you.
Billy dove into the pool, his heart racing as he reached you. Your hair floated around you as you sank to the bottom of the pool. Lifting you out, all eyes were on the two of you as he climbed out and began CPR.
Putting his lips on yours, he tried to breathe life into the girl in front of him. Billy couldn't think about anything else except getting you to breathe.
"Come on," he grunted as he gave you chest compressions.
Water spilled from your mouth as Billy pushed the water from your lungs. Helping you up, he rubbed your back as the water spilled out of your mouth as you gasped for air. After you were finally able to breath on your own, Billy stood before grabbing Jason by his throat.
Gasps erupted around you like surround sound as Billy tightened his grip on Jason's throat.
"Do that shit again at my pool, and you're banned. Touch her again, and you're dead," he said, his voice deadly.
Jason nodded, his hands gripping Billy's that still had a grip on his throat.
Releasing him, Billy pushed him into the pool. He leaned down and picked you up, bringing you into the locker room of the pool.
"Are you okay?" he asked, setting you down on the bench.
"Yeah," you replied, your voice still hoarse. Every breath you took hurt, but you were just grateful to be breathing.
"I could fucking kill him," he seethed as his fist connected to the lockers, a huge dent being left in it.
"He didn't know," you sighed, leaning your elbows on your knees as you slowly calmed down.
"You're too nice, Peach," he grunted out, setting down next to you.
"Peach?" you asked as you looked over at him.
"I don't know, like a Georgia peach because of your accent," he said, his voice finally calmer.
"I'm from Kentucky, not Georgia, you idiot," you laughed hitting his shoulder.
He didn't say anything as he calmed down, his heart still pounding. Leaning your head on his wet shoulder, you closed your eyes as you also calmed down. The two of you stayed there for a while, using each other's presence to slowly relax.
