Fox in the Deep End

The lifeguard chair stood like a throne above the community pool, and up there sat Fox – actual name Tyler, but nobody called him that. His hair caught the sun like something out of a movie, and I'd been caught staring three times this summer already.

"You gonna float or what?" my best friend Maya called out from where she was tanning.

I treaded water, arms burning. This was embarrassing. Sixteen years old and still afraid of putting my face under. Fox had noticed – of course he'd noticed. Last week he'd asked if I needed help, and I'd practically drowned from panic.

The pool's ancient filter system groaned, its thick black cable snaking along the deck like a sleeping snake. I kept getting tangled in it when I tried to practice laps, which was humiliating enough without Fox watching from above.

"Hey."

I jumped, swallowing water. Fox was at the edge of the pool, shirt off, all lean muscle and easy confidence. "Your technique's all wrong. You're fighting it."

"I'm NOT fighting anything," I said, probably too defensively.

He smirked. "Right. That's why you look like you're wrestling a shark every time you try a lap."

My face burned. I started toward the ladder, but he slid into the water beside me, smooth as anything. "Show me what you got."

"I'd rather not."

"Come on. I won't laugh. Promise."

His eyes were actual golden-brown, like his nickname. I couldn't say no.

I tried to demonstrate my pathetic form, managing three strokes before chaos erupted. My foot caught the cable, I flailed, and went under. Water filled my nose. Something green brushed my face – a clump of spinach from someone's spilled lunch, gross and perfect. I surfaced coughing while Fox doubled over laughing.

"Okay, I said I wouldn't laugh, BUT..." He wiped his eyes. "You need to relax. Water's not your enemy."

"Easy for you to say. You're like, part mermaid."

"Want me to teach you?"

I froze. "What?"

"After hours. Pool closes at eight. I can stay late." He looked almost shy. "If you want."

My heart did something complicated. "Yeah. I mean, if you have time."

"Tomorrow?" He pulled himself out of the water, back muscles shifting. "Don't be late, Fox."

My last name. He knew my last name.

I floated there as he climbed back up to his throne, Maya giving me a massive thumbs-up from her lounge chair. The spinach drifted past in the water like some weird blessing. Maybe terrorizing myself all summer hadn't been for nothing after all.