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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Chapter Twenty Eight ~
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~ Blurry Happiness ~
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~ Nineteen-Years-Old ~
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~ Jake's POV ~
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Summer's eyebrows narrow together, "Umm... okay. How do you suppose we do that?"

Summer hates the idea. I can tell. But in order for her to oversee her fear, she needs to face it with something positive. So next time, it is not as scary.

My mouth forms into a playful smile, "Here, pass the kickboard over," I said motioning my hands in front of me, as Summer tosses over the foam board towards me. "You won't be needing it for this lesson but we will next time." I lay the kickboard on the edge of the pool and focus my attention back towards summer.

"O-okay, so what now?" Summer says with curiosity in her deep, sea-green eyes. I used to know someone with those eyes. Whom meant a lot to me and whom I will never see again...

I shake away my uneasy thoughts clouding my head, "let's just have some fun."

There was something in Summer's eyes, hesitation or regret but it was gone as soon as it happened. Summer plays it off, pretending nothing out of the ordinary was occurring. A goofy grin lights up Summer's face, as she floats towards me with a slight tilt in her posture, due to the floating gear she is covered in.

As the sunset dies in the distance and no longer shines from above us. Underneath the skylight, Summer appears... beautiful. What the hell, Jake! What is wrong with you? Why did you just call her beautiful? Now that is over the line of emotionally cheating. You're such an idiot, Jake!

Distracting me from my train of thought, Summer splashes water my way with a priceless smile on her face.

"Is this your idea of fun?" I said in a sarcastic tone of voice.

"Why not," Summer giggles underneath her breath, "You're not 'chicken', are you?"

"Are you daring me, Miss.—" a wild smirk lingers across my face, "Actually, I'm curious. What's your last name?"

Summer goes silent and her response is splashing me with more chlorinated water. Me not wanting to be a 'chicken', I throw a counter-attack and splash Summer with a double splash. I do not want to go overboard with water considering she is terrified of it, but so far so good. Summer is not panicking and instead, she is laughing which is something I have never heard her do. Summer's laugh makes you laugh with her and it is the strangest thing ever... I cannot explain it but I am happy when I am around this girl. Summer is no ordinary girl. I am in deep, deep, deep trouble! That's for sure...

"That is so unfair. You're stronger than me," Summer says with a slight pout and wiping the water out of her face.

"Sorry, I guess I'm a superhero with superhuman strength," I laugh, standing tall in the water and posing like Superman.

Suddenly, I feel like I was experiencing déjà vu. I did this exact same thing with her when we were kids. Why does everything lead back to her? She is gone and you need to forget about her, Jake...

My mind races with thoughts and memories of the past, I decide to dive underneath the water to clear my head of... do not say her name, Jake! Hazel... Damnit!

Clearing my mind under the water and continue to launch another counter-attack on Summer. As I sneak up behind her I notice that she is trying to see where I have gone off to, but to my advantage she cannot catch sight of me due to the floats not allowing her to view below. Underwater, I see Summer's short legs motioning through the thickness of the water, just touching the bottom of the pool and that causes a smile to grow on my face. I break beneath the surface of the water and splash behind Summer in surprise. You can say she was indeed surprised...

"Holy mother of nature," Summer says sending a wave of chlorine water my way.

I duck under the wave and swim back towards the surface, with my hands in the air saying I forfeit. I comb my fingers through my messy mop of wet hair to get it out of my eyes.

"You scared me half to death, Jay," Summer said and freezes still, almost like a statue. "Umm... sorry. Would it be okay if I call you that? Will Chanel be mad?"

I fall silent myself. I do not even let Chanel call me 'Jay' because only she got to call me that, but I let it go because it is time to let her go.

"Yeah, it's cool, and sorry I scared you," I said my back leaning against the pool's concrete wall. "But it's good seeing you carefree."

"It's okay, and your plan worked, I guess," Summer's eyes gaze into mine, "I don't feel as scared anymore, but I think it will take a bit more getting used to."

"The trauma takes some time to disappear, but it will get easier," I tell Summer honestly and change the subject, "Would you like to sit and catch a breather?"

"Thanks, I hope so. And yes, thank you," Summer said moving towards the pool ladder.

I swim ahead of Summer and climb the ladder before she does. "Here, allow me," I bend down and offer a hand towards Summer.

Summer hesitates for a moment, "Uh... sure," she places her hand into my outstretched one, and as soon as her prune hand embraces mine, a sensation scorches throughout my body. Our embrace only lasts for a couple of seconds, then Summer's feet are onto the stone ground and we let go of each other's hands, standing beside each other in complete silence.

Summer breaks the proximity of our closeness and sits upon the metal bench. Summer wiggles out of the lifejacket and all of the floating devices, laying all of the items beneath her feet. I look away before Summer notices me checking her out unintentionally. Well, maybe not unintentionally. I cannot seem to tear my eyes away from hers. Stealing another glance in Summer's direction, her cheeks burn underneath my gaze.

Just now noticing Summer beginning to shiver and hugs herself to stay warm. I head over towards my sports bag and grab two beach towels. I cocoon Summer in the warmth of one of the towels and linger the other towel over my shoulders. I always keep a spare towel in my spots bag.

"Thank you," Summer smiles my way, sending wiry feelings zapping throughout my body. "So, Jake, what kind of person did you used to be," Summer blurts out and her eyes agape as she remembers our last conversation, "I cannot believe I just said that. Sorry, that is your business," Summer shakes her head and stares at her fingers, and bites her lower lip. It is cute when she does that. Quit it, Jake! Look away!

"No, it's cool. So, you know Weston, right?" I said, Summer nods glancing at me as her eyes mesmerize mine as I continue and look away. "Well, he and I used to be close friends and our other buddies used to be bullies of the private school of Seaside High, him more than me. But the worst part is that I didn't do anything about it and that's just as bad as doing it."

"Don't beat yourself up about it and at least you're trying to be better now. That's all that matters and you save lives, so I think that counts as being a better man."

"I guess you're right, but it still doesn't make up for the things that I did. When I was younger, I had a bad childhood separation experience. Throughout the years, I couldn't give up on that one person because I didn't want to believe they were dead... I had to force myself to forget about them so I became the person I feared the most because I let that person down," Jake shakes his head and laughs to himself, "Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you this—"

Summer goes quiet, deep in thought, "No, don't be sorry. Honestly, I don't mind listening and you probably needed to get it off your chest and the weight off your shoulders."

"Thanks, Summer. You're a good listener, and I do feel lighter," I smile at her and Summer returns the gesture.

Summer is a different kind of girl that I have never met before. It is strange but true. Summer listens and not like Chanel, Summer cares. This girl is special and she is growing on me.

"Alright, we can wrap this lesson up. So, you're now free to go," I said gesturing towards the arena's double doors.

"Okay, but do you need help cleaning up? I don't mind helping," Summer offers.

"Don't sweat it, you did great today. But you should rest so you do not overdo yourself," I said with a smile, showcasing my dimples on either side of my flustered cheeks, due to the proximity of Summer.

"Oh, did you want the towel back?" Summer begins removing the towel.

"No, it's okay. You keep it for next time you forget a towel," I said with another smile as I grab my hoodie from the top of my bag.

With one simple nod from Summer she grabs her belongings and escapes for the door. One more glance from her ends the session as she vanishes from my sight.

I never got to find out her last name... I will have to find it out another time. It only makes sense if I know the person completely if I am crushing on them. It makes logical sense if you ask me. Just for safe keeps. Wait... did I just admit I am crushing on Summer? I am in deep, deep, deep trouble...

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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Chapter Twenty Eight? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Chapter Twenty Eight ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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