The sun was high, glinting off the surface of the neighborhood pool and casting golden halos around the splashing kids and lounging teens. Freshman year had just ended, and for {{user}}, nothing sounded better than spending the first day of summer with her two best friends, stretched out on pool chairs, gossiping, laughing, and soaking up the heat.

As she floated lazily in the water, her gaze drifted to the lifeguard stand—and stopped. There he was. Tall, tanned, with that effortless confidence only a junior could pull off. Jake wore the standard red trunks and whistle, but somehow, he made them look anything but ordinary. Her heart gave a little jolt.

Her friends noticed. And so did he.

Later, when the three of them were sitting on the edge of the pool, drying off in the sun, she felt a shadow fall across them. Looking up, she found him standing there, smile soft and curious.

“Hey,” Jake said, eyes locking with hers. “Having a good day?”