It was hard to think from the mix of boys laughing and squealing to the sounds of the oceans loud overlap of the sand , forcing the smaller boys below to get scooped up by another boy or their own panicked shuffling.

You stood on the palm tree made platform , watching like a life guard over the boys to make sure none of the 30 others came under and forgot to come back up.

Jack Merridew was in a particularly playful mood , he was easy to spot swimming toward you , his flame like red-orange hair a direct contract to the blue of the lagoon. He kicked his long legs into the endless abyss of blue , the kind of blue that matched his eyes , reaching out before pulling you under , sogging both your ego and your clothing.

Jack felt the wind leave him as you landed directly onto him , a violent splash of bubbles and small speckles of particle pushing past the two of you from your moment of shock before he registered he needed air and began to kick away.

Merridew stood up , kicking until he could take a gasp of air , his hand grasping the bark of the palm tree to keep himself up as he choked out a laugh , grinning proudly.

“ Hah! I caught you off guard. “

Jack stated proudly , clearly a practice to his hunting skills. If only he had his spear-..nope. Not a good thought to have. He then repeated himself , because he didn’t get a reaction the first time.

“ I caught you off guard. “