Drowning • Billy Hargrove

Chapter 2

Next thing I know he has me up against the bathroom walls. We've been in here for what seems like forever, making out. Billy pulls his shirt off over his head, looking at me as if I should do the same.

"Kate! Kate! Hellooooo?" Billy yells, snapping me out of my daydream and back to reality.
Embarrassed, I quickly sit up straight. "Yeah?" I ask.
Billy chuckles. "Listen, I know I'm something pretty to look at but you don't need to go daydreaming about me!"
I nervously giggle. "Yeah right." I say, confused as to how he knew what I was thinking about.
"Relax Kate. I'm just joking. Anyways, it's time to go out and make sure none of these shitheads die."
I follow him out to the change rooms and change into my bathing suit while Billy did the same.
I shimmy into my tight red bathing suit that showed off all of my curves.
"Damn girl!" Billy says looking me up and down as I come out of my stall. I do a little spin for him, causing both of us to laugh.
"I might purposely fall into the water just so you could give me mouth to mouth." Billy winks.
I let out another giggle. "In your dreams, Billy!"
As we entered the pool deck, immediately everyone started staring at us but mainly at Billy.
"Looking good Billy!" A young women says as she passes us. Billy just winked back in response.
"They love you!" I whisper to Billy.
"Well what's not to love?" He responds with a smirk.
"I'll take the farthest chair and you can take the closest one." Billy says, referring to the lifeguard chairs.
I nod and smile as he walks off.
     
The rest of the day went by pretty smoothly, us only having to blow the whistle twice due to kids running. I did notice Billy glancing over at me multiple times, which was more than flattering.
I slung my bag over my shoulder as I left the change room and walked towards the front door.
"Kate! Wait for me!" I hear Billy yell out.
"Hey!" I say as he catches up to me.
"Hey... I don't normally ask girls out on dates, but um, you seem pretty cool and maybe we could grab a bite to eat at the diner on First Street?" Billy asks, scratching the back of his head. He seemed super nervous.
I was shocked that Billy asked me out on a date. I didn't seem like his type but maybe I was wrong. I just hope he isn't using me.
"I'd love too! I'll see you there at 7:00?"
"Sounds perfect!" He says as I watch him walk off to his car which was a Camaro.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see my dad watching Billy and I like a hawk.
"Hey!" I say as I jump into the passengers seat.
"Who was that boy?" He asks right away.
"Oh he's just another lifeguard I met today." I say.
"Well he looks like trouble so stay away from him." He says in a serious tone.
"But he's really, really nice dad!" I say, pleading.
"I don't want to hear it Kate! I said what I said and I mean it!" He says, raising his voice.
I let out a loud and dramatic sigh, causing him to look at me.

When we arrived home, I greeted El and her boyfriend Mike who were sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn. 
I ran to my room to call my best friend Nancy and fill her in on my day.
"Come on Nance!" I said as the phone rung, but nobody picked it up.
I spent the rest of the time laying in bed, untill a specific photo caught my eye. I walked over to my dresser to see the framed photo of my family. My dad, my mom, my sister and I looked so happy. That was obviously before my little sister Sara died of cancer and before my mom left us cause she couldn't deal with the loss of their daughter, even though she still had another one to care for.
 I feel the urge to cry washing over me but I suck it up. I've cried more over the years than an average person should cry in their whole lifetime.
My sister Sara was a beautiful little girl. She had a heart of gold and she was super strong. I was four years older than her, but we had such a great bond that nobody could ever replace, not even El.
When she was diagnosed with cancer, everybody changed, especially my dad. After everything happened, he went spiraling downhill. It escalated to the point where I had to stay at my grandparents house for a year.
But, he got himself back on track for me and later on, El.
I looked at my alarm clock and it read 6:30. I figured I should start getting ready now so I wouldn't be late. I found a pair of high waisted jeans that hugged my curves so perfectly. I paired that with a tight red tank top. I put my hair up in a ponytail and tied it with a red scrunchie. I applied a little bit of makeup and soon enough I was ready to go.
"Hey dad!" I said walking down the hallway.
"Yeah?"
"Could you maybe give me a ride to the diner on First Street? I'm meeting Nancy there." I lied because I knew he wasn't going to like hearing the truth.
"Right now?" He asks.
"Yeah." I say, nervous of his answer.
"Okay sure let's go."