THE SLOWEST BURN ~ wally clark x oc

~ pool ~

WALLY

As much as I try to relax, I keep glancing at the clock. I got here over an hour ago because I wanted to crank up the heater on the pool. The school uses it just enough to keep the chill off, so it's normally not very warm. Reaching down to feel the water, I'm relieved to know it's a lot more comfortable. Which hopefully means she'll stay in longer with me.

Before I died, most of my swimming experience was hanging around CJ's pool, but a while back, I started watching swim practices for tips. Now I'm decent, actually. I've gotten pretty good at all kinds of hobbies over the past several years, because what the hell else am I supposed to do? Other than fall for a hot theater girl and follow her around, of course.

I have no idea if Kaitlyn likes swimming, but the pool ranges from four feet in the lap area to twelve feet by the diving board. So I figure we can just stand around the shallow end if she can't swim. Or like... she can hold onto me if it's too deep. God, I wish.

"I feel like I'm in a movie."

My head whips around and there she is, in her tshirt and shorts. I can't help myself from beaming at the sight of her. I have no idea why I thought she might not come.

"Hey! You're here," I say. Way to go, Captain Obvious.

"Of course I'm here," she laughs. "I'm not going to stand you up. Besides, I'm bored as hell, and my schedule isn't too packed. Shocking, right?"

"All good points." I grin at her. "So, you up for this? I have a surprise for you."

"Okay..." she says, giving me a wary look.

"It's not a big deal. Whatever, I'll just tell you: I know where the heater controls are, so the water's a lot warmer than usual."

"I've actually never been in the pool, so I'm not sure what's normal," she says with a shrug. "P.E. is only required in 9th grade here, and I didn't start in person until 10th, so luckily I didn't have to do a swim unit in the middle of a school day. Cancer privilege, I guess." She smirks, but then is quick to add, "But thank you! I really do appreciate that." She gives me one of her heart melting smiles. Shit, she has me feeling kind of nervous.

"Sooo..." I begin, before I can overthink things.

"Sooo...? You wanna get in?" Kaitlyn kicks off her shoes.

"Wait- where's your swimsuit?" I ask.

"I don't have one."

"Just borrow one from someone on the swim team," I suggest. "There has to be someone your size."

"Ew! I'm not going to wear someone else's swimsuit." She looks at me like I'm crazy for even saying it.

"You wear other people's clothes," I point out. "The ones you're wearing right now, actually." The torturous little tshirt and shorts, damn you. But mentioning them gives me an excuse to check her out. She's standing there, her hands on her hips, still giving me a look that's somewhere between skeptical and disgusted.

"Well yeah, but my best friend's t-shirt touching my skin is way different than some random girl's swimsuit riding up my crotch."

My mind has permanently saved an audio clip of Kaitlyn saying the phrase "touching my skin" to be used out of context in future fantasies. And okay I admit... I'm adding "riding up my crotch" for use during the, uh, dirtier ones.

"....And besides, you're wearing regular clothes to swim in." She gestures to my shorts. "So why can't I?" I unsuccessfully try to come up with a good response, but the girl has a point.