Lifeguard Summer

Maya stood at the edge of the pool, whistle dangling from her neck like a lifeline. Her first day as a lifeguard, and already her stomach was doing backflips. The older kids from the swim team were giving her the side-eye, probably wondering if the new girl could actually handle a rescue or if she'd just freeze up.

Then she saw him. Riley from the baseball team, the one everyone talked about, leaning against the fence near the diving board. Maya's heart did this stupid fluttery thing that made her want to roll her eyes at herself. She'd been crushing on him since freshman year, watching him from across the cafeteria while pretending to be deeply interested in her salad.

"Hey, new lifeguard," Riley called out, sauntering over. "You gonna blow that whistle if I cannonball?"

Maya's brain short-circuited. "I... uh... depends on if you hit anyone."

He laughed, and Maya felt this warm rush through her chest. But then Jordan, the senior lifeguard with the perfect tan and zero patience, yelled from the chair, "Maya! Untangle those cable mess by the filter system before you check anyone out!

Face burning, Maya scrambled toward the pool equipment, all while thinking this was the most embarrassing moment of her life. The swim team girls were definitely giggling. She could feel it.

"Don't let Jordan get to you," said a voice behind her. It was Chloe, the quiet girl from Maya's English class. "She's like a bear with a headache until she gets her morning coffee."

Maya smiled, genuinely grateful. "Thanks. I'm Maya, by the way."

"Chloe. Want help with the cables? I've been working here two summers."

As they worked, Chloe showed Maya the tricks of the trade, and for the first time all day, Maya felt like she might actually survive this summer. They bonded over stupid supervisor stories and agreed that Jordan's attitude was straight-up bull.

By the time Riley wandered over again, Maya felt more confident. He asked if she wanted to grab ice cream after her shift, and instead of stuttering like an idiot, Maya actually said, "Only if you're paying for sprinkles."

He grinned. "Deal."

As Maya watched him walk away, she caught Chloe's eye and they both did this little celebratory dance. Maybe this summer wouldn't be so bad after all.