The Walt Way

five o'clock: poor unfortunate souls

five o'clock: poor unfortunate souls

Today was the annual opening of the community pool, and the weather was absolute crap. According to the weatherman, there was an eighty-percent chance of rain, but that wouldn't stop me from going after Chase, the super hunky lifeguard who could give me mouth-to-mouth whenever he pleased. I spent my previous weekend bikini shopping (with Donovan), and as much as I wanted to get a yellow polka-dot bikini, the task at hand required something a little more purple and green. I hated to buy mismatched swimsuits because someone out there would be missing a top or a bottom, but Ariel had a signature look, which unfortunately came with red hair.

So, against all of Donovan's pathetic begging, I picked up a box of red hair dye and actually used it. I had no prior experience with hair dye and would've asked my other friends but knew they would've talked me out of the horrible idea. They didn't understand what it felt like to be lonely. They were in happy relationships, something that I would never experience, or so I felt.

Donovan still snickered whenever I came around, but I knew what I was getting into. If Chase wasn't the one for me, I didn't know who else would find a redhead wannabe attractive. I wasn't even sure if Chase was into redheads, but if he was anything like Prince Eric, it would be a hook, line, and sinker.

It was somewhat cold out, but there were still a couple of crazy children at the pool. Their mothers, dressed in fall clothing, sat on the chairs reading whatever sappy romance novel was popular at the time. Besides Chase and a couple of our other lifeguard classmates, Donovan and I were the only teenagers there.

"You look ridiculous," Donovan said, nudging me.

"You're going to look ridiculous when you put on these claws."

His face dropped and his feet stopped moving. "What are you talking about, Coralie?"

I held up the tote bag and grinned wickedly. "I have presents."

He dragged me over to the nearest pool chaise and sat me down. "What's in the bag? I thought this was going to be a normal day for me."

I smiled innocently and pulled out two inflatable lobster claws. "Here you go, Sebastian."

He buried his face in his hands. "The things I do for you." He lifted his head, grabbed the claws, and muttered, "You owe me big time after all of this."

I knew that he would never go through with his threat for requesting favors, so I just rolled my eyes and pranced over to the ladder. Diving boards scared the living daylights out of me. What if I slipped or I accidentally hit the pool wall? I would be dead and the apparent thrill of freefalling in almost nothing wouldn't be worth it.

"Do a little dance," I said, twirling my finger around.

Donovan shook his head. "I don't dance."

"Oh, c'mon, Donovan. What do you have to lose?"

I loved how much gut he had. He was either out of pride or dignity, or he was desperate to stay on my good side. Why he wanted to continue being my friend was beyond me, but who was I to question it?

I swam over to Donovan, while still sneaking glances at the godly Chase, and whispered, "I need you to do me a favor."

Once I told him what I needed him to do for me, he pulled away from me and shook his head furiously. "I'm not doing that, Coralie. I'm pretty sure that's illegal, not to mention it's incredibly rude."

"But Donovan," I whined. "It's for love."

He rolled his eyes. "Forget about it. I'm not going to do it."