Chapter 36: Chapter 36

I hate being alone with Kent at home. It's always so strange in the apartment because it's so quiet. We've pretty much been living in our rooms since Mark and Kyle left yesterday.

I didn't know why it was so hard for us to get along. I thought we had at least agreed to try, but I thought he was still mad from Thursday. When he was with me, he looked so bad, which made me feel awful. I knew we could talk normally, but I didn't want to make anything happen.

I had to spend the day at work. I had to give swim lessons and then stand guard for a few hours. I had to leave early today because I also had to go swimming to get in shape before my shift.

As it started to rain, I sighed, put on my raincoat, and went into the kitchen to fill up my water bottle.

Kent came out from down the hall, and I kept my head down and waited for the water to get to the top.

"Leaving?" I say yes when Kent asks.

She said, "Yes, I'll be back around seven." I just shrug, put the cap back on my bottle, and turn off the water in the sink. "I'll see you later."

I walk by him, put my shoes on, and put my water bottle in a pocket on the outside of my bag.

"I could take you if you want."

"No." As I zip up my coat, I talk to myself.

"Well, what?"

"This is a lot of work, Kent." I insist. "I've had enough of all the weird things you do. You have no idea how hard it is to follow you."

"I'm sorry, Julia, I'm just trying to-"

"Quit it." When I pull up my hood to warn people, I hear thunder outside. I get shivers and say to myself, "I'm an idiot." "Don't try so hard to be good. Since Saturday night, when you told me we were going to try to be friends, you haven't even looked at me."

"You haven't looked at me either." He shrugs and leans back against the counter.

"I'm going to be late for work, and this won't help." I tell him to open the door by taking the key out of the lock. "I have to leave, but I'll see you later."

I walk out into the rain and sigh, wishing I had taken him up on the ride. I didn't give up, though. I wouldn't quit until the day I died.

On the way to work, it's cold and rainy. It was the middle of October, and the weather was getting a lot cooler. Then, when I got there, I jumped in the pool, which didn't bother me because I was already wet, and I swam my distance swim.

We had ten minutes to do it. You had to swim faster than you were used to, but it was possible. I shrug as I look at the clock on the swimmer. I was under ten. Then I run back to the office to get ready for class and jump off the bus. I had to watch over toddlers, then a group of three-year-olds who could swim, and then I had to guard.

The babies were so cute, and all we did was work on getting our starfish to put their faces in the water. Because they were so cute, they were my favorite to teach. They didn't know how to swim well yet, so it could be hard, but it was worth it.

All of my three-year-old swimmers practiced diving into the deep end after them. As practice, I had them do sit dives and then kneel dives. All of it was in their heads, and only they thought it was scary.

I then stood watch. I just put my pinnie over my swimsuit, got my tube and my rescue pack, and watched the water for a few hours. In the morning, we had swim lessons. We changed to family swims and free swims at 2:00.

They were popular, and parents or young kids who wanted something to do didn't have to spend much money on them. We moved the lane lines back, opened the diving boards, put toys in the shallow end, and got everyone on deck. Michelea was in the office, and there were five of us. Even so, it didn't feel like enough. There were too many people and it was scary at family swims. I was always very careful around them because too many bad things could happen.

After the first family swim, the second one started. I was getting tired of the noise and the heat. We couldn't believe how many people would just walk up to us and ask dumb questions. We always sent them to the office so that they wouldn't bother us anymore.

By 5 p.m., my feet hurt, my sandals didn't support my arches well, and I was getting tired. I was done at six, but I had to fill out some paperwork and go to the office to get some reports. I was just going to stop on the way home and get something to eat. Only one more hour.

The pool was now more peaceful. Even though free swim was still going on, most people were leaving because it was almost dinner time.

When I look at my watch, it says 5:12. I try to stay calm and clear my throat. I switch places with the other two guards, which puts me in front of the deep end. A group of people who look like they are in high school are swimming. I looked away because they all seemed like strong swimmers.

Only for a second.

I went right back to them when I saw a girl coughing and wheezing in the water. My heart rate was through the roof, so I got my whistle and blew it once.

"Is she all right?!" I yell at the group, and everyone seems angry. "Are you able to swim to land?" When I call, no one picks up.

I think the bystander effect is so cool. I quickly take off my backpack, kick off my sandals, blow twice on my whistle, and jump into the water.

The level of adrenaline in my body was very high. I liked wearing goggles when I swam, but this time I could open my eyes while I was in the water and see where she was.

All of her friends have moved away, and she's trying very hard not to fall in. People often say that drowning people don't look like they are. Only her face is visible, and her legs are moving.

I go under her so she can't grab me, then I wrap my arm around her waist and put her on my hip before swimming to the surface. Still, she coughs and gasps for air as if she can't get enough.

"Are you okay?" When I ask her, she just shakes her head.

To get her back, I swim as fast as I can, but it's not easy. She doesn't do anything, so I'm pretty much drowning myself to keep her from falling in. I jump out of the pool while holding her arms on the edge. My heart is racing because it's been years since I helped save anyone.

Brendon, another guard, comes over to help me get her out, and the only other guard on duty blows his whistle three times. That meant something terrible had happened, and the pool had to be cleaned because no one was watching the water.

"What's going on?" He asks, "Why?" as we pull her out. I'm shaking my head.

"I'm not sure yet. Go get the kit and everything just in case." He nods and runs away when I tell him.

She isn't getting better. She now has a rash on her neck and chest, wheezes, and has a swollen face. She's getting sick because of an allergy.

"Is there anything you can't eat?" I ask her, and she gives me a nod and a wrist flick. A medical alert bracelet is on her wrist.

Lauren Duke has anaphylaxis and is allergic to cold weather.

Find the adrenaline shot and call 911.

I knew right away that something was wrong, so I blew my whistle again to let people know I needed help.