The Lifeguard

Chapter 2

The fresh air has been blowing my hair for hours while the sun completely disappeared and the moon took over. Meanwhile, the noise became quieter and quieter as time went by. Connor and I are still sitting down by the pool. It's been hours since we started talking, and I guess it just went on from there. He started talking about the hotel, and how long he has been working here. He even told stories about his encounters with my father. However, I've been quiet most of the time, listening to him talk.

Connor got up, and I just watch him as he does. I was about to ask where he was going but he just approached my robe, and picked it up. "Here," he says to me, while putting it around me.

"Thanks," I smiled.

He smiled back. "I gotta ask, are you in the swim team or just a great swimmer?" he asked. "Because I was watching you earlier and thought you had proper training."

"Both. I've been taking swimming class since I was little. And yes, I'm also in a swim team. Actually, I've been competiting since junior high," I answered.

Connor looked at me with a surprise look on his face. "Huh. I guess we do have something in common," he smirked.

"What do you mean? Are you also in a swim team? For which school?"

"Oh no. Not anymore," he chuckled. "I may not be part of a swim team anymore, but I still think that I'm a better swimmer than you are."

I rolled my eyes. "You're so full of yourself."

Connor laughed a little. "I'm just stating facts, you know. You're not the only one who went through a proper training. Other than that, I also trained in the ocean."

"In the ocean? That's another level of training," I said, surprised.

"Well. It will help, but a proper training on techniques is more important," he says. "Wait. Don't tell me you never tried training in the ocean?"

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked.

"What is it?"

I moved closer to him. "I've never swam in the ocean," I whispered. "At least not far from the shore."

"Are you joking?" he asked.

I looked at him with blank expression. "Does it look like I'm joking?"

"Your family owns a hotel by the beach," he says. "And you swim."

"I'm terrified of the ocean," I admitted. "When I was little, I fell in the ocean and drowned. If a man didn't see me, I could have died."

"Is that why you took swimming lessons?" he asked. I nodded. "WelI, guess that would give me an advantage and make me the better swimmer. Doesn't it?" he says, lightening the mood.

I pushed him. Without realizing how hard I have pushed him, he already fell in the pool. "Oh. I'm sorry," I started laughing. Out of no where, Connor pulled my hand, making me fall down in the pool with him. I whined, as he started laughing. This time, louder.

"You wanna race?" he asked with confidence.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you challenging me?"

He smirked at me. "I guess I am."

"Alright, Mister."

Connor and I agreed that we will do two laps and obviously, whoever wins get the title of the 'better swimmer.' The both of us swam to the end of the pool, where we will begin our lap. Few seconds later we started. He was leading at first, but I managed to catch up. He is a good swimmer but not a better one. At least, I don't think so. I won many huge competition, a lifeguard cannot beat me now, I thought to myself. By the end of the first lap, I realized that we were barely putting effort to actually win. And when I did, his competitiveness also started. He swam as fast as he can to reach the end. However, he still lost.

"Who's better now?" I teased.

"I was just giving you a chance."

"It's okay to accept defeat," I said, chuckling.

Connor laughed, as he got off the pool. He walked up to the lifeguard stand and reached for his towel. "Here. Dry yourself first," he told me as he offers his towel.

I refused at first, but Connor insisted so I took it from his hands. "Thanks. But you do realize that there's a towel rack there, right?" I said while looking at the towel rack.

He turned his attention to where I was looking. He chuckled. "Don't worry. My towel is clean," he assures me.

I started wiping myself from his towel, and I could feel him staring at me. I ignored him. When I finished wiping myself, I returned the towel to him, and he started drying his hair. I turned around, as I wore my robe. "So," I cleared my throat. I sat down on the edge of the pool again without my legs hanging in the water. "How long have you been working here again?" I asked him.

Connor sat down beside me. "More than a year."

"How about your schooling?" I asked. "How do you manage your time?"

"Well. I don't work full hours when I have school. So it's fine," he smiled.

I nodded, and turned away from him. Right now, I feel very comfortable around him. He does not seem to be the typical boys I meet all the time. Actually, he seems to be way different from all the boys I know. Unlike the boys I have met, he seems to be very independent and responsible. He has a job. And has his priorities straight. Boys I know depend on their family's wealth, like I do. He is also very gentle with his actions. He thinks twice before saying anything. He may be full of himself, but he's fun to be with. I could spend hours and hours with him, and I wouldn't get bored.

Another hour has passed, and we're still sitting down by the pool. He never got tired of talking to me. I don't feel tired talking to him too. As the time drops, more facts about ourselves were shared. Connor learned few things about me. He talked more than I did, and I honestly don't regret listening to him. I told him the reason why my father sent me here. He was laughing the whole time, but I don't blame him.

"It's pretty late," he continued saying. "You should head upstairs." Connor got up, as he offered his hand.

I held his hand, and he gently pulled me. "Thanks." I smiled at him.

"I'll walk you to your room or maybe in the lobby at least?" he offered.

I shook my head. "That won't be necessary."

"Okay," he shrugged.

"Okay." I was about to take a step, and walk on the opposite direction as him, when he held my hand. I faced him, confusedly.

"You know, you're not a bitch like they thought you are," he says with a smile on his face.

"What?"

Connor shrugged, as he forms a smile on his face again. "There were stories going around where people described you as– that. But now, I know you're not."