Dating : A Stupid Thing I Did For Love In High School

There was only one reason why I wanted to go to Crystal Bayou Waterpark, and that reason was Peter Lennon. I had known Peter since the beginning of high school. He was a star baseball player and the president of every club he was in. The only club I managed to get in was the poetry club, and I was nowhere near the president of that. Social awkwardness did not do me any favors.

However, we were both in advanced classes together, which allowed us to meet and talk. He had looked over my shoulder one day while I was writing my usual rambling poems and said that he really liked it. I told him that I thought he was definitely going to go pro. From there, our conversations picked up, and we became friends.

Then, the school year ended, leaving me miserable at the thought of not seeing him until August. Life felt cruel until I heard that Peter worked at the local waterpark. I realized that was my way of continuing our friendship and possibly making it something more. The only problem with my waterpark plan was that I couldn’t swim good at all.

Once Saturday came, I packed my bag for the waterpark and drove to get there early. After buying my pass and claiming one of the lounge chairs to put my bag down, I changed into my white two-piece swimsuit. I decided to just let my hair flow as I walked along the edge of the pool. The end of the pool was the deepest end, which was twice my height. That was where I’d perform my plan since Peter worked as a lifeguard there. He’d save me, we’d fall in love, and my life would be complete. Hopefully.

“Hey!” I called out with a friendly wave as I approached Peter.

“Anna? Hey! I didn’t think I’d see you for awhile,” Peter replied with a smile.

“Right? It’s good to see you,” I murmured shyly.

Before I could say anything, I was pushed lightly to the side by another lifeguard, who I recognized as Natalie from our high school. I knew for a fact that she liked Peter, and of course she got to work with him.

“Excuse me,” Natalie smirked at me before standing close to Peter’s stand. “Lifeguard business. Shoo,” she told me, waving her hand at me dismissively.

Peter gave me an apologetic look. “I’ll see you later, Anna.”

I nodded, fighting off a sad look as I walked away. I decided to put my plan into action. I saw Peter on the lifeguard stand with his whistle in his mouth and holding a red rescue buoy. Knowing it was time, I stepped up to the edge of the pool at the deep end.

Without much thought, I jumped. I thrashed a little, trying to swim, but I couldn’t. I was struggling hard to keep my head above the water. At that moment, I thought I am going to die! Soon, I heard a splash, a hand grabbing me and dragging me out of the pool. I gasped in air and looked to see Natalie instead of Peter.

“Maybe learn how to swim first, loser,” Natalie scoffed as she stood, leaving me on the concrete.

I looked over to see Peter swimming in the water toward me. He had been on the way to save me, but Natalie had beat him to it. I felt tears fill my eyes, but I tried to hold them back. Not only my stupid plan did not work, I felt embarrassed when there were so many people looking at me.

Peter reached the edge of the pool and leaned on it. He held his hand out to me. “Trust me,” he told me with a smile.

I felt scared, but I trusted him. I took his hand and let him pull me back into the pool. I flailed at first, but he kept his arm around me. Once I got comfortable, he twirled me around in the water and I laughed.

“Now, I saved you,” Peter laughed, holding me close as we floated.

Natalie scowled at us and stomped away.

“Yeah, you did,” I sighed, feeling my heart race as he leaned forward and his lips collided with mine. When we parted, I playfully splashed water at him.

Peter splashed back and we engaged in a splash battle, laughing loud as Natalie glared at us from her lifeguard stand. It was the best summer day of my life.

Although me and Peter did eventually get together, if I could turn back the clock, I will definitely choose a safer plan over the stupid one which I did.