Out of the Pool

out of the pool 3

Waiting for Wednesday was nerve-wrecking with the anticipation fluttering in his stomach. Jojo excitedly whispering everyday about what he was going to do when the day arrived had him turning into a ball of mush. It wasn't until the day of that he remembered one important detail.

"You ready," Jojo grinned bumping his stiff shoulder. He walked slowly, every step had him excited and full of dread. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"Yes," Sock squeaked turning those big petrified green eyes at her. Oh my God, I can't do this.

Jojo, wearing a blue one-piece swimsuit, furrowed her brows at him. "What's wrong?"

"I can't swim."

"Well duh, that's why we're here." Jojo answered relaxing that that was the only problem. She walked forward a bit before noticing he wasn't following and turned back around. "Sock, come on, that's why we're here. Plus your hottie is going to be teaching you. It's what you wanted."

"No, you don't understand. I can't swim." Sock emphasized gripping her shoulders. "There's a reason I haven't learned all these years. I simply can't swim. I can't."

"Then learn," Jojo answered prying his hands off of her. Grabbing his forearm she pulled him along to the pool with the other students waiting for class to begin. Most of them were little, seven to nine year olds with only a few eleven and twelve year olds. He was the oldest of the bunch, and most likely the worst.

Sock sent her a don't-make-me-do-this look. She only shook her head and lightly pushed him in that direction. She signed that she would be on the other side watching. Sock sat down nervous but defeated. He had to learn eventually. Even if his swimming abilities were equal to that of a rock.

Jonathan walked in through the side door across the pool. He had green swim trunks and no shirt which was a first for Sock who quietly drooled over him. Jonathan wasn't overly ripped but had defining muscles and what looked like faint barely there abs. All the times Sock had watched him from afar Jonathan had been stoic, briefly let feelings show, but today Sock was treated to firsts. There was a smile across his face, polite though it was, but it was a first and Sock fell in love with it. Already secretly promising himself to make him smile for real.

"Good morning everyone, I'm going to be your instructor for today," Jonathan said standing in front of the group, the younger kids' parents sitting in the back. Sock was pretty sure one mom secretly swooned but could he blame her? He was definitely swooning himself.

Sock snapped out of it when Jonathan asked them to get in and eyed the chlorine pool with distrust. Reluctantly Sock got up and immersed himself in waiting for his body to adjust to the temperature change. While listening to directions Sock complied and did as he was told.

It wasn't even fifteen out of the forty-five minute class that he failed. You would think it's easy to float, but it's not. At least not for him.

Sock was floating, doing his best, and holding onto the edge of the pool for support as he felt himself drift. When he got the hang of it he let go—as suggested—that's when it went bad.

With his eyes closed and water lapping him in any direction he had no clue where he was going. Sock heard a whistle, their signal, to come back for the next part. Or well, he thought he heard it. Maybe he shouldn't have let himself adrift for too long, or too far from the edge, especially when he didn't have the basics for swimming. Or maybe he shouldn't've gotten up the way he had, he didn't know, but suddenly Sock's sinking... again!

The four feet Sock was at was nowhere in sight as his feet caught nothing to hold him up. Only managing to catch a gasp of air before going under he slowly sank underwater. Eyes open he saw the ground below but knew he wouldn't make it in time for it to be of use. Everything sounded weird underwater. Isolated and muffled. He heard a distance splash and wondered if that was his rescuer or someone from the other side of the pool jumping in.

Exhaling slowly, Sock closed his eyes hoping he could play dead and float up to the surface. Something pulled his sides and he gasped in pain inhaling water and making him flail around. Sock thought he hit something and felt something grab him before passing out.

\(*.*)/

Coughing water was the first thing he remembered when he came to. He opened his eyes seeing a blurry vision of Jonathan hovering over him. Next to him was Jojo looking worried.

"Damn it, you scared me," Jojo scolded still looking worried. Her hair was wet and was dripping. He took a raspy breath in relieved no more water was being coughed out.

Jojo pulled him up so he was sitting as he looked around him seeing the other students looking curiously on. Jonathan was dry so Sock knew he wasn't the one to rescue him this time around.

"You're something kid," Jonathan said surprised and impressed. "You always somehow find a way to almost die every time." Sock's face turned red from embarrassment. Jonathan shook his head a small smile crossing his face. "You're going to need those swimming lessons. They'll save your life."

Jonathan stood up and ushered the rest of the kids back in the pool. Jojo sat down next to Sock her wet hair dripping on his arm.

"So... that happened." She mentioned bumping his shoulder.

"What do you mean?" Sock asked, voice hoarse.

Her eyes widen with glee. "He gave you mouth-to-mouth." He blushed again getting a thrill up his spine before frowning. I don't remember that.

"Jojo, he just did it to save my life," Sock argued trying to be pessimistic.

Jojo countered, "You got him to smile." Well... there is that. "Tomorrow then?"

"Tomorrow."