Chapter Image by MarCafeWrites

-Ingrid-

Fifteen more minutes. Then I would officially be done with my new year at this school. And three months away from seeing him again.

Jared Lundquist.

"I think we're all done with this last report, partner." Jared looked up from his laptop at our lab table and nudged my shoulder lightly with his, an amicable smile upon his face.

"Y-Yeah, I think so!"

I was brought out of my rueful daydreaming. I didn't want this class to end.

It was nerdy, I know. But something about having the king of the school and star of the swim team as just a regular, friendly guy for an hour was so comforting. I could escape the fact that I was the new girl with a weird old lady name and few friends.

"I'll print two copies for us," Jared offered.

"Thanks," I called after him as he jogged over to the printer to retrieve our reports. A few ceremonious staples later, and he theatrically set them down on Mrs. Morrison's desk.

"And done early too!" Jared announced pridefully. He solicited a few high fives from the guys up front in the lab.

I sighed and started packing up my book bag. I had everything packed and my bag zipped by the time he made his way back to our station.

"Thanks for your help, McKay. This class was really beating me up..." He flashed me a sheepish grin and started to collect his own belongings.

Despite my old lady name, I always felt like one of the bros when he called me by my last name...

"No problem. Happy to help." I slung my book bag over my shoulder, ready to leave. Might as well end five minutes early on a high note?

"Got any big summer plans?"

I stopped in my tracks and turned around.

Was Jared Lundquist really interested in MY summer plans?

"Uh...not really. Maybe a trip back to see some of my family and friends from my old school up North. You?"

He sighed and zipped up his backpack. "Just training, doing odd jobs for extra money." He turned and flashed me his signature heartbreaker grin. "But hey, I'm a lifeguard at our local pool. Maybe I'll catch you there a few times?"

I stepped back, stunned at the insinuation. Me? In front of him...at the pool?!

"Oh, uh maybe..." I tried to calm my thoughts, fighting the flush growing over my cheeks.

He chuckled and swung his backpack strap over his right shoulder. "Just try to have some fun, ok?" He winked at me.

Yep, now was a good time to leave on a high note.

"Thanks - you too." I managed to squeak out as I nodded and spun on my heels to exit the lab as fast as I could.

- - -

My mom picked me up from school first, then we went to the elementary school to pick up my little brother, Lance. As soon as we got home, I ran up to my room and kneeled down next to my bookshelf to retrieve my diary.

My little brother stole my last one before we moved, so this time, I hid it where he'd never think to look - with actual books.

I sat down at my desk and pulled a light blue pen out of the collection of writing utensils I stored in a decorative pottery mug I made in middle school.

Last day of Junior year. I made it. Classes were mostly boring, and I think I'm off to a good start for getting into a solid friend group this fall.

Jared really surprised me today. He said he hoped he'd see me at the pool where he's a lifeguard. I guess I better ask Mom to take me shopping for a new swimsuit.

"Dinner's going to be ready soon!" My mom called up from the kitchen. I heard the sound of my brother's steps bounding down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Be down soon!" I called back, taking a deep breath and steadying my thoughts to finish my diary entry.

I know probably every girl in this school has a major crush on him. And it's so unlikely...

I touched my cheek, remembering the creeping flush I felt at him wishing me a good summer break earlier.

I can't help but wish with every part of me that he could be mine.

"Lance! Wash your hands!" I heard my mom scold my brother downstairs.

I laughed at my brother's antics and blew lightly across the diary page to dry the ink. Then I locked it up and set it in the back behind my books on display on my bookshelf.

Time for dinner and to ask about that bathing suit.

- - -

A few weeks later and we were finally going to the community pool. I was eager to get out of the house once the summer weather finally kicked in.

My mom was dropping Lance and me off for a few hours while she was running errands. Although the little booger was annoying sometimes - especially when kicking the back of my seat in the car - I was thankful for him today. Without him meeting his friends at the pool and me playing chaperone, I might not have my chance to see Jared.

We pulled into the parking lot, and as soon as my mom put the car in park, she leaned over to sternly remind Lance of who was in charge while she was away.

"Ok mister. I don't want to hear anything about you talking back to your sister, understand?"

He kicked my seat a few times and I winced. "Yeah, yeah."

My mom clicked her tongue and steadied her gaze on him. "I'm serious. If I hear you caused any trouble, we're taking your video game privileges."

I heard Lance sit upright in his seat. She had his attention now.

"Ok. I'll be good," he promised.

My mom looked at me apologetically as I put on my sunglasses. "Call me if you need anything."

I patted my beach bag, my cell phone, a towel, and a book safely inside. "I'm sure we'll be fine, right, bud?"

"Yeah!" My brother exclaimed eagerly, unbuckling his seatbelt. "I see Travis - let's go!"

"Bye Mom, see you later!" I called out to her and followed suit. I waved back to her as I hopped out of the mini van to follow him.

We showed our community pool passes that my mom bought last week at the front booth and made our way in. My brother charged ahead to find his friends and I started to scope out a good reading spot.

That is until I spotted Jared at the lifeguard's lookout.

Toned abs, arms, and legs fully on display. A protective, but soft gaze as he watched all the children play. I felt my breath catch in my throat, spying him from behind a lounge chair.

"Out of the way!" 

My brother ran behind me and shoved me into the lounge chair, running to chase his friend, breaking me out of my trance.

A shrill whistle blew immediately.

"Hey! No running!"

I could have died of embarrassment. Jared was scolding my brother. Of course.

He looked up at Jared, shocked, but he abided by the warning. His friend caught up behind them and they started laughing wildly. Ugh, boys.

I finally decided to claim this chair as my own, opening my towel and spreading it across it. I set my bag down and climbed out of my tank top and shorts, revealing my new tropical print bikini.

Hugging my midsection in embarrassment, I decided to be brave and at least say hi to Jared. Then, when it went poorly, I could hide my shame in my summer reading list.

I made my way over to the lookout, dodging and weaving through the traffic of little kids and parents before making my way to him. The pool waves reflected hypnotically in his sunglass lenses.

"Hey, Jared. How's your summer going so far?" I asked timidly up to him.

He moved his head to look one more time across the length of the pool, then climbed down to me.

"McKay, you made it!" He playfully smacked my arm and lifted up his sunglasses to rest on his head.

His eyes skimmed up and down my body. I could feel them trail back down and linger. "Great swimsuit, by the way."

"Oh, thank you." I turned my gaze away shyly.

"I can't complain about my summer so far. What brings you by?"

"I...uh..." I wracked my brain for cohesive words, trying not to be short-circuited by his attractiveness, both inside and out. I spied my brother in the pool splashing a few girls with Travis. "Wanted to apologize in advance for my idiot brother..." I pointed at him in the pool. "Thanks for trying to keep him in line for me."

I giggled as his eyes widened in recognition.

"Hey, nothing I can't handle. I've seen worse." Jared shrugged and laughed. "So I work until 4 PM. Are you doing anything later?"

Whoa. This was going much better than I anticipated.

"Um, probably just dinner with my parents. But I am open to other things."

He flashed me a grin and replaced his sunglasses over his eyes. "I'm thinking burgers and smoothies if you'd wanna join me?"

Of course I would. My parents would be ecstatic for me to leave the house and make more friends. "That sounds great," I agreed, trying to contain the excitement in my voice.

"Cool. You know the diner down the street from school?"

I nodded, too stunned to say any more words.

"Let's meet there at 5 PM. I'll warn you though - I have a crazy appetite when I get off of work."

Something in his explanation was just so entrancing and seductive to me. I'd rather watch him shove his face with food than my 10 year old brother...

"I'll bet." I laughed in reply.

A shrill scream broke us out of our chat.

"Sorry, back to work," he apologized, a torn look on his face. Duty called. "See you later, McKay."

He blew his whistle and pointed to a few kids up to no good to his right.

I turned and started to walk back to my lounge chair, feeling like I was floating on air. My crush, the best thing to happen to me since moving here - he asked ME out? I really couldn't believe it.

I rounded the corner of the pool, my reading spot within view. Time to spend a few hours reading and sunbathing, as well as daydreaming what to wear on our date...

"Out of the way!"

My brother scrambled out of the pool, taking off into a run right past me, leaving puddles of water with each step.

"Lance, come on!" I groaned in exasperation.

A few other boys scrambled past me, bumping into me on either side with their slippery arms and legs.

"Get back here, right now-"

Another kid bumped into me. I flailed my arms as I felt my balance slip on a slick patch of the concrete.

And then everything was black.