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𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡. The day that the people of Hawkins looked forward to most each year. Traditionally, the day was marked for the declaration of Independence, but it also marked the start of a new season, and the warmer weather that came with it. Preparations for the annual fair had started, and the town's first mall, Starcourt, had recently opened, only adding to the buzz of the season.
The days were becoming increasingly hotter, almost to the point where it was becoming unbearable. For Lily, who had been working as a lifeguard at Hawkins Pool since finishing high school, the warmer weather had brought a surge of kids to the pool, much to her dismay.
It was the last Saturday of June, and there was only a few minutes until Lily was due to finish for the day. She was sat in her usual spot by the pool, loosely keeping an eye on the crowd gathered around the open space, while shielding herself from the sun with her hand. The rays had been glaring down on her all afternoon and she had forgotten her sunglasses, making her shift much worse.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Heather, one the girls she worked with, waving to her from the other side of the pool. On the days they worked together, Lily relied on Heather to let her know when they were finished, as she never brought a watch.
Feeling relieved, Lily climbed down from the lifeguard chair and made her way around the pool towards Heather. She passed the loungers that lined the edge of the pool, one of which was occupied by Mrs Wheeler.
"Lily!" Came the older woman's voice and, already knowing what she wanted, Lily begrudgingly went to her.
"Hi Mrs Wheeler!" She smiled, "Are you okay?"
"Yes thanks sweetie" Mrs Wheeler replied, "I just wanted to ask, who's taking over from you now?"
"It's Saturday, so it'll be Billy" She said, fighting the urge to laugh. Mrs Wheeler and a handful of other Moms were always hanging around the pool on the days Billy was working. The older woman knew Billy's shifts like the back of her hand, but every week without fail, she asked.
"Okay, thank you darling" Mrs Wheeler grinned.
Lily struggled to stop herself from raising her eyebrow, "No problem. Have a nice afternoon Mrs Wheeler" She replied. Then, smiling to herself, she walked over to Heather, who was waiting in a patch of shade for her.
"Sorry. Let's go" She sighed, once she'd reached her.
"Let me guess, they were asking whether Billy's working today?" Heather chuckled.
"Of course they were" Lily scoffed, "I mean, Mrs Wheeler's like a second mom to me, but you'd think she'd lay it off. She's married with kids for Christ sake".
