Chapter 2: Swimming Lessons and Little Lies

So for our second date, I took her advice and chose the swimming pool.

I texted Julian, and he sent back a string of nervous emojis. I grinned, already planning how to show off a little.

Julian patted my head. “Coach Savannah, I’m not a great swimmer. You’ll have to teach me.”

He looked so earnest, I couldn’t help but puff up with pride.

“No problem, leave it to me!”

I flexed my arms playfully, making him laugh. I was ready to show him what I could do.

After changing, I checked myself out in the mirror. Long legs, ready to swim like a fish.

I checked my swimsuit in the mirror, smoothing out the sleeves. It wasn’t flashy, but it was built for speed.

“Your swimsuit is... pretty unique,” Julian said when he saw me come out.

He was trying to be polite, but I could see the surprise in his eyes. I grinned and struck a pose.

“Right? It’s my battle suit.” I tugged at the tight sleeves. “See? Tight and easy to move in.”

I did a little spin, showing off how the suit hugged my arms and legs. Function over fashion, always.

Julian met my sincere gaze and laughed, his eyes full of warmth.

His laughter was infectious, and I found myself laughing with him, nerves forgotten.

As I looked at him, my eyes drifted to his waist.

I tried not to stare, but it was impossible not to notice. He looked even better out of his usual button-downs.

Damn, not bad!

Who would’ve thought—he looks slim in clothes, but actually has some muscle. Great figure.

I mentally gave him a ten out of ten. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud.

“Julian, you’re here too?” Chloe’s voice rang out. She was wearing a cute ruffled swimsuit—innocent yet flirty.

She twirled a strand of hair, batting her lashes in Julian’s direction. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little.

“Oh, Savannah, you’re here too? I thought you were a middle schooler, wearing such a conservative swimsuit to swim,” Chloe said, glancing at me.

She gave me a once-over, a little smirk on her lips. I just shrugged.

I looked down at my outfit and replied sincerely, “Trust me, yours isn’t nearly as practical as mine.”

I gave her a thumbs up, trying to keep it light. She looked momentarily flustered.

Chloe paused, pursed her lips, and turned to Julian. “Julian, teach me to swim.”

She pouted, leaning a little closer to him, but Julian just shook his head.

Julian replied, “I can’t. Ask someone else,” and pulled me away.

He didn’t even hesitate, just took my hand and steered me toward the shallow end. I couldn’t help but grin.

“Relax your hands, try kicking and paddling,” I instructed the man clinging to me.

He held onto the edge like his life depended on it, and I had to bite back a laugh.

“Savannah, I can’t,” Julian said, looking up at me, water dripping from his hair down his chin.

He looked so pitiful I almost believed him. Almost.

Damn...

I almost snorted, reached out, and touched Julian’s wet hair. “Actually, if you stand up straight, the water doesn’t even reach you.”

I ruffled his hair, grinning as he sputtered and stood up, the water barely reaching his chest.

Julian was about to reply when a shout came from nearby. “Julian—help!”

We both turned at the same time, scanning the pool.

Turning, I saw Chloe struggling in the water. Since we’d arrived early, there were only a few people in the pool.

She was flailing, her arms splashing wildly. I could tell she was panicking.

“Stand up.” I helped Julian up, then dove over.

I cut through the water in a few quick strokes, reaching Chloe in seconds.

I pulled Chloe up and steadied her, ready to leave, but she clung to me. “Julian, I’m scared.”

She wrapped her arms around me, shivering. I tried to keep my voice calm.

I paused, patted her back. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.”

I spoke softly, hoping to reassure her. Her grip loosened just a little.

Chloe hesitated, let go, and frowned. “Why you?”

She looked at me like I’d ruined her plan. I just shrugged, not in the mood for drama.

I pointed at Julian, who was calmly standing in the water. “Julian can’t swim.”

I tried to keep a straight face, but it was hard not to laugh at the situation.

Chloe’s face changed. “No way! He...”

She stopped herself, biting her lip. I raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t finish.

I was curious what she meant, but she stopped, looked at me with a complicated expression, and said, “Thank you.”

She sounded sincere this time. I nodded, letting her have the last word.

After that, Chloe left.

She wrapped herself in a towel and hurried off, glancing back once before disappearing into the locker room.

I went back to Julian and kept teaching him to swim.

He pretended to struggle, but I could tell he was enjoying the attention. I decided to play along.

Watching his clumsy moves, I suddenly asked, “You really can’t swim?”

I gave him a look, half-serious, half-teasing.

Julian’s expression didn’t change. He blinked at me. “No, why? Savannah, don’t you want to teach me anymore?”

He pouted, looking almost hurt. I had to laugh.

He actually looked kind of hurt.

His lower lip stuck out just a bit. I couldn’t stay mad at him.

Ugh, I can’t believe I doubted him.

I shook my head, determined to trust him. He was too cute to resist.

“No, no, let’s keep going.” I waved my hand and continued the lesson.

I splashed him lightly, grinning as he tried to dodge. We ended up laughing until our sides hurt.

When we finally left, I’d saved Chloe once, and spent the rest of the time teaching Julian.

We were both exhausted but happy, towels draped over our shoulders as we walked to the car.

At home, as my mom sorted my clothes, she pulled out my full-body swimsuit and exclaimed,

She held it up like it was a crime against fashion, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Savannah! Don’t tell me this is what you wore to the pool today.”

Her voice was half-scandalized, half-amused. I just shrugged, not seeing the problem.

I didn’t get her frustration, so I nodded. “Yeah.”

I figured practicality trumped style, but apparently not in her book.

My mom took a deep breath, pointed at me, hand shaking.

She looked like she might faint. My dad stepped in, ready to catch her if she did.

“From neck to ankle, you’re wrapped up so tight! You might as well cover your head and toes too—what are you even showing off?”

She waved the suit in the air, as if it might magically transform into something more revealing.

I blinked, uncertain. “The appeal of being fast in the water?”

I honestly didn’t see the issue. Swimming was about speed, not style, right?

My mom looked like she might faint. My dad quickly helped her sit, tossed my swimsuit in the laundry, then asked, “How did Julian react?”

He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and hope, like he was rooting for me.

I thought about it. “He seemed pretty happy.”

I remembered the way he smiled at me in the pool, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

My dad’s eyes lit up. He gestured at my mom and told me to keep going.

He mouthed, "See?" as if he’d just won an argument.

I continued, “He let me teach him to swim all day. Isn’t that him being won over by my skills?”

I grinned, hoping they’d see it my way.

My mom paused, then asked, “Are you sure he can’t swim?”

She narrowed her eyes, suspicious. I started to wonder myself.

I nodded. “That’s what he said.”

I tried to sound confident, but a little doubt crept in.

She gave me a complicated look, then dragged my dad back to their room, leaving me to watch them go.

I could hear them whispering behind the door, probably plotting my next fashion intervention.

“This kid... she’s a little slow,” I heard her mutter.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but laugh. Parents—what can you do?

Hey! Even if you’re my parents, you can’t say that about me.

I shouted after them, “I heard that!” but they just laughed and shut the door.