SAVANNAH
I was zipping up my backpack, slipping my last book inside when I sensed someone stop beside me. I didn’t even have to look up—I could smell him. That faint mix of mint and chlorine always gave Blake away. I glanced up and there he was, towering over me with that unreadable expression. You’d never guess this was the same guy who’d stood up for me in class just this morning.
His eyes didn’t linger. He didn’t smile. No explanation.
“Meet me at the pool,” he said flatly, then walked away like he hadn’t just dropped a mini bomb in my lap.
I blinked. Just like that?
Still, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out the door.
For the first time in what felt like forever, no one stopped me in the hallway. No one muttered nasty comments, no sidelong glances or hidden snickers. It was eerily peaceful. Like the universe had pressed pause on my everyday torment.
I reached the pool and found him already in the water, gliding effortlessly across like a shark that belonged in it. Blake was smooth and focused, his arms cutting through the water with precision. I stood there for a second, watching him. He hadn’t even noticed me.
Good. Maybe I wouldn’t mess anything up by just observing.
I walked to a spot to get changed. By the time I was dne changing, Blake was already swimming, his strokes calm and powerful. I sat at the edge, dipping my legs into the cold water, watching him in silence. I didn’t call out. Eventually, he noticed me.
He came up for air, flicking his hair back, water glistening down his face.
“You’re late,” he said, voice low.
“I wasn’t,” I answered. “You were swimming when I arrived.”
His lips quirked, just slightly, but he masked it with a nod toward the water. “Get in.”
I hesitated for a second but then pushed off the edge, my body awkwardly splashing into the water. The moment I felt the coolness envelop me, strong arms grabbed my waist. My breath hitched as our eyes locked
Everything from yesterday came rushing back—the kiss, the way he had stared at me in this same pool just two days ago. In that second, I felt entirely exposed.
“Careful when you jump,” he murmured. “You’ll hurt yourself.”
His tone was softer now, a complete contrast to the hard grip on my waist.
“I forgot,” I muttered.
He sighed and pushed me gently to the side. “Alright, let’s start from the basics again.”
I nodded, obedient. This was Blake’s world, after all. I was just floating in it.
“Now, show me what I taught you last time,” he ordered.
I paused. Panic crept in. “I… I can’t remember.”
Blake’s brow furrowed. “You think we’re joking here, Savvy? You didn’t remember what I told you just two days ago?”
His words were sharp, but his hands never loosened their careful hold. He guided me through the motions again, not giving me a chance to drown in embarrassment.
We made it to the edge, again and again. Each time he was patient, pushing, correcting. When he finally let go, I felt like I was losing my anchor.
“Now do it alone,” he said.
I pushed off, arms slicing through the water. I wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t drowning either. That felt like a win.
I was starting to enjoy the water, losing myself in the rhythm, when Jennifer’s voice from earlier floated into my head.
“Someone saw poop in the pool this morning.”
My stroke faltered. I glanced around. No floating objects. The water looked clean—clear even—but still, I was paranoid. I dipped beneath the surface just to double-check.
“Savannah?” Blake’s voice called out, annoyed.
I surfaced. “What?”
“What are you looking for down there?”
“Nothing,” I said, quickly.
He stared at me, suspicious but didn’t push.
I wanted to ask him. I wanted to know why he defended me in class today. Why he even bothered to help me swim. But the look on his face was unreadable, pissed,and distant. Like I had ruined something just by existing in his face.
Before I could gather the courage, another voice sliced through the tension.
“Hey, Savannah!”
I turned.
Tyler.
He was standing near the gate, waving. “Can I walk you home today too?”
I smiled, a real one this time. “Sure.”
I climbed out of the pool, droplets trailing down my body. Tyler turned around, giving me privacy without being asked. I found it sweet, and respectful.
Blake, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to murder someone. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing into slits. If looks could kill, Tyler would’ve dropped dead on the pool deck.
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t owe him an explanation. I dried off quickly and got dressed. By the time I stepped out, the clock had already passed the thirty-minute mark.
Class was over.
I turned to Blake, who hadn’t moved from his spot by the pool.
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice calm. “But your physics class will not be holding today. I’ve got to head out.”
He didn’t answer. His lips pressed into a thin, angry line.
I didn’t wait for a response. Tyler turned around just as I walked toward him, and I looped my backpack over my shoulder.
“Let’s go,” I said.
He smiled, stretching out his arm. “Ready when you are.”
I took it. Behind me, I could feel Blake’s eyes burning into the back of my head. But I didn’t turn around.