We'd done it. We got the job a few weeks ago. Billy and I are now lifeguards at Hawkins Public Swimming Pool.
Summer has officially started. Our shifts aren't at the same time. Mine is right after his everyday.
I've developed a very nice tan so far and the summer isn't even close to over yet.
"Shut up, Mike!" Lucas snaps from my backseat. Mike and Lucas continue to bicker about nonsense while El and Max giggle up front with me. Will is complaining about their whining from the backseat as well.
"Hey!" I snap. "Both of you shut the hell up!"
"Thanks, Cass," Will says. I look in the rear view mirror to see him, looking out the window.
"Boys are stupid," Max whispers to Eleven. El giggles and nods.
"El!" Mike whines.
I sigh angrily as I pull into the employee parking lot. I force the kids out of my car, getting out too.
They all run off to the pool with towels. I use my key and go through the back door. I clock in after kicking the door shut.
I find my locker and put my stuff in it, stripping my clothes I have over my one piece. It's a plain red one piece bathing suit.
I use my mini mirror and readjust my curly blonde ponytail. I put my whistle around my neck. After, I apply sunscreen, rubbing it in until you can't tell it's there. As I tidy up the stuff in my locker, it dries a bit. I then put my tanning oil on.
My shift starts in 1 minute, and I'm completely prepared as I slide my red sunglasses on. Hopper gave me these just for work.
I look down at my feet. I paint my toenails white every weekend so they look nice.
I glance at the clock before heading outside. The second I'm through the door, I make eye contact with Billy. He smirks, climbing down his tower.
I have to say, we've glown up this summer. Both of us have amazing tans and our curly hair flows in the light summer breeze.
He removes his sunglasses, staring me down. Also staring me down is another teenage boy maybe a bit older than us. He is climbing onto the pool side from the water. His friend is in the water, watching closely.
"Hey, Sexy. I wanted to know if you're free late-" he isn't able to finish because Billy shoved his chest. This causes him to tumble back into the pool. The water hits my legs.
I try not to laugh as Billy smiles at me.
"Really?" I ask him, shaking my head. I put my sunglasses on the top of my head.
"Yep. He was too close," Billy says. His smile gives away his macho facade. He places one hand on my hip, the other on my cheek and kisses me.
I kiss back before moving away to start my job. Billy's always loved public affection.
"I'll meet you at the ice cream place in the mall," I call out to him as he walks away.
"See you there, Sweetheart," he sends a wink, putting his sunglasses back on.
I move my sunglasses down, looking around. The boy in the pool frowns. I notice the women that sit tanning in chairs frown too. Mrs. Wheeler frowns the hardest.
The women have big crushes on my boyfriend. I don't mind. It's not like he's interested in other people, especially the Wheeler's mom.
He once told me she makes him a little uncomfortable. He said she tries to flirt with him, along with all the other ladies.
Max and Eleven swim up to the pool side, laughing.
"Hey Fou-Cassie," El starts. "Can we get Cola?"
"Of course. Put it on my tab," I tell them.
"We saw what Billy did," Max states.
"It was romanatic," El says with a smile.
"Romantic," I correct lightly with a laugh. I turn away from the girls, climbing up the guard tower.
I lean back, crossing my legs. I watch the kids swim. No one seems distressed which satisfies me. I won't have to get my hair wet.
。。。
I look around at the kids swimming. Lucas dunks Mike under the water. Make splashes around.
"Lucas!" I hiss. "Let Mike go!"
"Sorry, Cassie!" Lucas yells back as Michael resurfaces.
I glance down at my tattoo. I've had people ask me what it was for. I tell them 4 is just my lucky number. They always laugh and tell me what there's is.
"Hey," I look down at the bottom of my tower. There's a boy leaning on it. He's the same boy Billy pushed.
"Yes?" I ask, pushing my sunglasses to the top of my head.
"You sure you want to date a total douche? I mean I could treat you better than that," he smiles. He's attractive. I'll give him that, but his personality ruins it.
I scoff and lower my sunglasses down, returning to looking out for the kids.
"Hey, come on Babe," he continues. "I could rock your world."
"Uh huh. Sure," I say rolling my eyes. I notice the girls staring at me. Eleven is glaring and Max looks plain pissed off.
"You have a key to the pool house? Trust me all I need is a table and we could-" I cut him off by climbing down my tower.
"Listen. I have a boyfriend. We've been together for half a year and I can assure you, you will never be someone I could even consider being interested in," I take a step towards him, he takes a step back. "I'm assuming you've never been with a girl or maybe you've just been with too many, but your ego is far too high to ever get someone with class."
"Bitch," he says, grabbing my wrist.
"Clearly your mother doesn't have any class either or you would know how to treat women," I finish by grabbing his arm, bending it behind his back and shoving him face first into the pool.
I was taught early on how to defend myself so it wasn't very hard to get him in the state he's in.
When the boy resurfaces, he spits out water. "Crazy Bitch!" He yells.
If everyone wasn't already watching, they sure are now.
"Yep you know me," I lean down closer to him. "Get the fuck out of my pool and go home to your piece of shit parents."
He glares and scrambles out of the pool. He walks right passed me and towards the fence to leave. His friend follows after him.
I glance around. Everyone is looking at me. I take a bow, pushing my sunglasses up my nose. "Shows over, people!"
As I climb back up my tower, I catch Mrs. Wheeler's judging stare.
I take a deep breath, leaning back into my chair. Pool closes in an hour. I can make it.
。。。
When my shift is over, everyone has left but my kids. They are sitting on the pool chairs.
I climb down from my tower. "I'm going to change and then I'll drive the 5 of you to the mall."
In the pool house, I take my clothes into the stall. I strip my swimsuit and put on new undergarments along with my previous clothes. A pair of dark green shorts, a black shirt I had cut shorter, and my favorite brown belt. I top it off with my black converse.
I leave the pool house with my hair still up. The kids are all gathered around my car, their dry clothes already on.
"Who's ready for the mall?" I shout, throwing my hands in the air. They all cheer.
I get into my car and so do the kids. This time Will is in the middle seat, Max next to him.
"Why are you up here?" I whisper as the rest of the kids start to argue.
"Mike wants to be with Eleven," he whispers back. He looks saddened.
I just nod. "That's cool. You're one of my favorites anyways."
"Hey!" Mike and Lucas whine.
"What? Will isn't a little asshole like the two of you. Don't even get me started on how the girls are better than you two. Speaking of girls, El you can not tell Hopper I'm bringing you to the mall," I speed up, trying to get to the mall.
The parking lot is pretty full. Most people left the pool to come here.
I lead the kids inside. I told Billy I'd meet him at Scoops A'hoy. It's a cute little ice cream parlor. Steve said he got a job there, so I can see him too.
I walk through the mall, kids at my heels.
I see Erica, Lucas's little sister. I wave and she waves back.
I turn to see Scoops A'hoy. I also see my boyfriend harassing Steve.
I walk up to them. The kids disperse in pairs, Will trudges behind Mike and El.
"Come on Harrington. You could get any girl you want wearing that," Billy teases. I see the outfit and burst into laughing.
"What the hell are you wearing!" I laugh. Billy throws his arm over my shoulders.
"Shut up, Cass," Steve whines, glaring at me.
"Sailor boy hasn't had much luck getting girls," a new voice says.
I can't help but let out a small squeal. "Robin! I haven't seen you in forever!"
Robin smiles. I see her cheeks go pink.
"Are you going to buy something, Hargrove?" Steve asks, crossing his arms.
"Are you on the menu, Harrington? Because I've been in here 20 minutes and you throw yourself at everyone like you're the daily special." I smack Billy's shoulder trying not to laugh.
"Leave him alone. I want a scoop of mint chocolate chip in a cup pretty please," I smile at Robin.
She looks down, grabbing a small cup.
"I want to sample everything," Billy smirks.
Steve heaves a heavy sigh, throwing his head back. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious, Harrington," Billy grins.
I roll my eyes. "No he isn't. He wants vanilla."
"What if I didn't want that?" He asks me, dropping his arm so I can pay.
I roll my eyes again, moving away to pay for our ice cream. "Then I'd die of shock because that's your favorite flavor because you're boring."
"Woah, I'm not boring," he says defensively. He moves over to me as I give Robin a 5 dollar bill.
She gives me back my change along with our ice cream.
"Thank you, Robin," I smile, handing Billy his vanilla ice cream.
"No problem," she replies, passing me two spoons.
I go over to a table, sliding into the booth connected to it. Billy slides into the booth too.
Two girls walk in and go to the counter.
"Ahoy Ladies," Steve smiles big. The women look at him strangely.
But he keeps fucking going. "Would you like the take a ride on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain, Steve Harrington."
I cover my face in second hand embarrassment. "He did not just do that."
"Oh he did," Billy says, watching in amusement.
"We just, uh, want two rocky roads with cones," one of them says, eyeing Steve.
"I've got it. Don't mind him. He doesn't get out much," Robin says, fixing their ice cream.
Steve scoffs, going into the back.
I can't help but giggle to myself. "Where are the kids?" Billy asks, taking a big spoonful of his ice cream.
I shrug, setting my spoon into my cup. "They went their own ways. I feel so bad for Will. He's always being left out."
Billy nods, leaning back. "It happens."
I roll my eyes. "Have you ever been left out in a group of teens?"
"Hell no. I'm the center of attention everywhere," he laughs. I glance up as he does, noticing the two girls eyeing him and giggling to themselves.
"Yeah. I'm familiar," I say, looking down at my ice cream. Billy catches what I'm saying and looks up. He then looks back at me.
"Hey," he forces me to look at him by holding my chin. "You're the only one I want." He plants a kiss on my cheek.
I can't help but smile, happy with who I'm dating.
"I love you," I tell him as I pick my ice cream back up.
"I love you more, Cass."
。。。
I drive Mike and El to my house so Mike can hang out for a little while and get his bike.
Billy is already there when we pull up.
When we go inside, Hopper is in his chair. Mike and El go to her room.
"3 inches!" Hopper yells out, sipping his beer.
Eleven doesn't say anything back; Just walks into her room with Mike, leaving the door cracked 3 inches.
I roll my eyes, looking at Billy. He sits on the couch, watching tv with Hopper.
Billy stands up when I look at him. I grab his hand, leading him into my room.
"You too, Cassidy!" Hopper shouts.
"Yeah. Yeah, three inches," I sass, throwing myself on my bed. My door sits at about 3 inches.
Billy lays next to me. "Easy shift?"
"Um well," I start, staring into his ocean blue eyes. He frowns at me.
"That guy you had pushed tried to make a move on me again, but I embarrassed him and told him to leave," I say, purposefully not saying what the guy had said to me.
"I'll kick his ass," Billy mumbles, snarling.
I grab his face. "Don't worry about it. I'm not worried about it so you aren't worried about it. I made it clear that I already have everything that I need."
Billy glances at my lips. I can't help but steal a glance at his.
I sit up and so does he. I reach forward, tucking a curl behind his ear. His hands move to my hips, moving me into his lap. The kiss starts light and peppered, but it slowly gets longer and more passionate.
"Hey!" Hopper yells out, jumping from his chair.
I move my hand and the door slams shut.
"Hey! Hey! Open this door, Cassidy!" Hopper yells, pounding on the wood.
I pull away from Billy, laughing. He scoots to the far side of the bed and I lean against the head board. He grabs a fashion magazine, opening it.
I let the door open, wiping my nose quickly.
"What's wrong, Hop?" Billy asks with an innocent smile. He bats his eyelashes at my dad. My boyfriend then flashes the magazine at him. "I think you'd look great in this dress."
"You're a little punk you know that," Hopper points, leaving the door all the way open before sitting in his chair.
I roll my eyes with a small giggle.
I roll off of the bed turning on my mini radio.
Head over Heels by Tears for Fears plays. I grin.
"I wanted to be with you alone," I sing to Billy. Dancing around dramatically.
"And talk about the weather," Billy sings back. He stands up and wraps his arms around me. He moves one hand to spin me in a circle.
All I can do is giggle in pure bliss.
I hear music for El's room. It's followed by Mike singing and pretending to play the drums along with the song.
Billy and I share a glance, before laughing.
El is telling him to stop.
"Hey!" I hear Hopper yell again. This time it isn't us. The door next to mine slams shut.
Billy and I move to the door to see what Mike and Eleven are going to do. I peak my head out of my room, Billy looking above me.
"Three inch minimum!" Hopper yells out as the door slams all the way closed.
"I think they were making out," I whisper to Billy, watching Hop bang on El's door.
"El!" Hopper slaps the door with his palm. "Open the door!"
Finally Hopper gets in, falling forward.
"What's wrong?" I hear Mike ask. I look over to Billy with a smile.
"They're just like us," I state, turning back to look at Hopper.
Billy scoffs. "We're better." His hands wrap around my waist, moving up my shirt and staying on my stomach.
"Both of you punks out! It's 9! You know the rules!" Hopper shouts from the living room.
"Bye, Billy," I say in a pouty voice.
"Bye, Sweetheart," Billy says before placing a kiss on my neck.
I giggle, turning around. I kiss his lips before pushing him out the door.
"Be safe," I say as he leaves.
"Always am, Babe," he sends me a wink before him and Mike are out the door.
Eleven and I look at each other before retreating into our rooms for the night.