Out of the Pool

Out of the Pool 4

Sock was impatient for his next lesson. Sure he wanted to see Jonathan again even if he had to go back to that vile pool. Jojo tagged along wearing her swimsuit and shorts. "Gotta keep you alive," she teased when he asked her why she was going.

The pool was the same. Evil in its way of wanting to kill him. Jojo snickered at his expression but patted his shoulder trying to convey support. She wordlessly signal that she was going to be off to the side in case he needed something. Like saving him again.

Sock nodded and smiled. Her blue eyes twinkled in mischief. "Go get 'em tiger."

Sock boomed with laughter lightening his mood when he temporary forgot the task at hand. Turning around his mood shifted as trepidation set in. Will I almost drown today? Or will no one get to me in time, this time around? More unease settled in his stomach as he sat down waiting for class to beginning.

There were new kids here, Sock maybe recognized only one from the other day. But they were all still younger than him. Sock glanced up when he heard the door across the pool open up and Jonathan, all tan skin glorious, walked into the room.

Sock felt his heart pick up and his breaths shallowed out just staring at him. Curling his hands on the fabric for his swim shorts he resisted looking like a complete dork. Jonathan wasn't smiling this time and only pressed his lips tightly getting down to business. He welcomed everyone for showing up and instructed everyone to enter the pool.

Sock got up, already resigning himself at another dance with death when Jonathan placed his hand on his right shoulder.

Holy crap! This is NOT a drill. I repeat, this is NOT A DRILL. Jonathan is TOUCHING ME!!

"Hey, can you come with me for a sec?" Jonathan asked.

Sock stuttered out, "S-sure."

Nodding Jonathan let go of his shoulder and began walking toward where he had come from. Sock sent a panic look at Jojo asking what he should do. She was animated and kept waving her arms for him to go! Scrambling on suddenly two left feet Sock crossed the distance from his idol until they were walking side by side.

Before reaching the door Jonathan stopped and bend to pick something up. Sock's heart kept stuttering in his chest at the close proximity of him and the fact that Jonathan asked him to follow him. That he actually noticed him! "You should put this on."

It took Sock a few seconds to understand what Jonathan had in his hands, his mind still couldn't accept the reality for Jonathan talking to him. In the older teen's hand was a green lifejacket. "F-for me?!" he squeaked surprised.

Jonathan furrowed his eyebrows confused by the question. "Yeah, for you. Based on your history this will most definitely come in handy."

"Oh..." Sock said glumly grabbing the jacket, "um, thanks."

"No problem," he replied already looking above his head at the pool. "Don't take too long," he said absentminded as he patted his shoulder again, walked around him, and back to surveilling the pool.

Sock fumbled with the clasps before slipping inside and closing it shut. He felt a little ridiculous wearing this while the little kids didn't but he would take that to sinking underwater again. When he was in sight again he looked for Jojo who quickly put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Sending her a withering look Sock jumped into the pool and was surprised how buoyant he was.

Am I going to need to wear a lifejacket anytime I'm beside a body of water? Sock had a sinking feeling that that just might be the case. But luckily he wouldn't be sinking this time around.

~*~

"Okay, that's it for today. I'll see you guys next week." Jonathan announced forty minutes later. Sock was surprised he managed to hold out that long without a single incident. As he dog paddled to safety he pulled himself out and heaved a long breath in relief. Jojo sat next to him dangling her feet into the water.

"Well that was interesting."

"What was?" Sock asked.

"You... and not tanking to the bottom of the pool." She teased hitting his green jacket. "Must be because Jonathan got this thinking about you."

The blood rushed up to Sock's face. Jojo had a point that was true. "Do you think I have a chance?"

"Definite— ly." Jojo frowned. "...oh."

"What, what is it?" Sock asked by her sudden mood change. Turning his head in the direction she was looking he saw a crushing sight. A gorgeous girl around the same age as Jonathan stood there beside him. Her purple hair pulled up into a high ponytail showing her clear brown eyes and a dazzling smile. Her brown skin was blemish free in a way that had skin care companies wishing she was their model. In a loose tee and mid-thigh shorts she tilted her head to press her lips against his. It was casual, nothing flashy, if anything that seemed to hurt more. They were comfortable with each other that they didn't need to show off to the world.

Sock slumped in defeat. "Oh."

"Well that certainly puts a damper on our plans." Jojo replied still looking at the happy couple. Sock didn't say anything to that. "What do you plan to do now?"

"I don't know."