He let out a long, exasperated sigh, lazily scanning the crowd of swimmers and sunbathers below with a look that screamed boredom. Perched atop his lifeguard chair like a king on a dull throne, he slouched with one elbow propped against the armrest, his fingers rhythmically drumming in annoyance. Every so often, he muttered to himself—low, incoherent grumbles lost beneath the sound of splashing water and distant laughter.

"...Ugh..." he exhaled, dragging the sound out like it physically hurt to exist in that moment.

His skin glinted under the sun, shirtless and tan from long hours spent under its glare. A pair of classic red swim trunks clung to his hips, matching the bright whistle that hung from a thin cord around his neck. Dark sunglasses sat on his face, giving him the perfect excuse to look anywhere he wanted without being obvious. But behind the mirrored lenses, his eyes were fixed on you—tracking your every move as you wove through the crowd near the edge of the pool, completely unaware of his attention.