Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 35

Being alone with Kent at home is something I dislike. The atmosphere in the apartment becomes unusually quiet. Since Mark and Kyle left yesterday, we've mostly been confined to our rooms.

I couldn't fathom why it was so challenging for us to get along. We had, to some extent, agreed to give it a shot, but I suspected Kent was still upset about what happened on Thursday. He appeared troubled in my presence, and it made me feel uneasy. I knew we could engage in normal conversation, but I was hesitant to initiate anything.

My day was consumed by work. I had to conduct swim lessons and later serve as a lifeguard for several hours. Today, I had to leave early for an additional swim session to stay in shape before my shift.

As the rain began to fall, I sighed, donned my raincoat, and made my way to the kitchen to fill my water bottle.

Kent emerged from down the hall, and I kept my gaze down, waiting for the water to reach the brim.

"Leaving?" I nodded in response to Kent's inquiry.

"Yeah, I'll be back around seven," I replied casually. I capped my bottle and turned off the faucet. "See you later."

I walked past him, put on my shoes, and slid my water bottle into an outer pocket of my bag.

"I could give you a ride if you'd like."

"No," I muttered to myself as I zipped up my coat.

"Well, what's wrong?"

"This is a lot to handle, Kent," I asserted. "I've had my fill of your peculiar behavior. You have no idea how challenging it is to keep up with you."

"I'm sorry, Julianna, I'm just trying to—"

"Cut it out," I snapped as I pulled up my hood to shield myself from the rain. Shivers ran down my spine as I heard thunder in the distance. I berated myself, muttering, "I'm an idiot." "Don't try so hard to be nice. Since Saturday night, when you suggested we try being friends, you haven't even glanced at me."

"You haven't looked at me either," he retorted, shrugging and leaning against the counter.

"I'm going to be late for work, and this won't help," I informed him, retrieving the key from the lock to open the door. "I have to go, but I'll see you later."

I stepped out into the rain, sighing, and regretted not accepting his offer of a ride. Nonetheless, I wasn't about to give up. I had no intention of quitting, not now or ever.

The journey to work was cold and damp. It was mid-October, and the weather had turned significantly cooler. Upon arrival, I plunged into the pool, not minding the rain-soaked start, and swam my distance.

We had a ten-minute window to complete it. It required swimming faster than usual, but it was manageable. I checked the swimmer's clock and shrugged; I had finished in under ten minutes. Afterward, I hurried back to the office to prepare for class and disembarked from the bus. My responsibilities included supervising toddlers, followed by a group of three-year-olds who were learning to swim, and then lifeguarding.

The babies were absolutely adorable, and our focus was on getting them accustomed to putting their faces in the water. Teaching them was enjoyable, even though they were still not proficient swimmers. It could be challenging, but the rewards were worth it.

The three-year-old swimmers, on the other hand, practiced diving into the deep end. I guided them through sit dives and kneel dives. They had nothing to fear, but in their young minds, it seemed daunting.

Following that, I assumed my lifeguard duty. I put on my pinnie over my swimsuit, grabbed my tube and rescue pack, and monitored the water for several hours. In the morning, swim lessons were held, and we switched to family swims and free swims at 2:00.

These sessions were quite popular, offering parents and youngsters an affordable and enjoyable activity. We moved the lane lines, opened the diving boards, placed toys in the shallow end, and welcomed everyone onto the deck. Michelea was in the office, and there were five of us lifeguards on duty. Despite our numbers, it often felt insufficient. Family swims could be chaotic, and I always exercised great caution due to the numerous potential hazards.

The second family swim session began after the first one. I was growing weary of the noise and the stifling heat. It was astonishing how many people would approach us with seemingly trivial questions. We often directed them to the office to avoid further interruptions.

By 5 p.m., my feet ached, my sandals provided inadequate arch support, and fatigue was setting in. My shift ended at six, but I still had some paperwork to complete and reports to collect from the office. I planned to grab a meal on my way home. Just one more hour to go.

The pool area had now become more serene. Although free swim was still in progress, most people were departing as dinnertime approached.

Glancing at my watch, I noted it was 5:12. I tried to stay composed and cleared my throat. I exchanged positions with the other two guards, placing me in front of the deep end. A group of high school-age individuals was swimming, and at first glance, they all appeared to be strong swimmers.

However, my attention was diverted for only a moment.

I refocused on them when I observed a girl in the water coughing and struggling to breathe. My heart raced, and I grabbed my whistle, blowing it once.

"Is she okay?!" I shouted at the group, and their expressions turned irritated. "Can you swim to the edge?" My calls went unanswered.

I marveled at the bystander effect but didn't have time to dwell on it. Swiftly, I removed my backpack, kicked off my sandals, gave two blasts on my whistle, and leaped into the water.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins. Normally, I preferred swimming with goggles, but this time, I had to keep my eyes open underwater to locate her.

Her friends had moved away, and she struggled to stay afloat. People often say that drowning individuals don't appear distressed. Only her face was visible above water, her legs kicking.

I swam beneath her to prevent her from grabbing me, then I secured my arm around her waist and positioned her on my hip before resurfacing. Still, she coughed and gasped for air, as though she couldn't get enough.

"Are you okay?" I inquired, but she merely shook her head.

I swam back as swiftly as I could, though it wasn't easy. She remained passive, so I was essentially tiring myself out to prevent her from slipping away. I hoisted her out of the pool, grasping her arms against the pool's edge. My heart raced; it had been years since I last assisted in a rescue.

Brendon, another lifeguard, arrived to help us get her out, while the remaining guard on duty sounded his whistle three times. This signal indicated a serious incident, prompting pool closure since no one was overseeing the water.

"What's happening?" he inquired, "Why?" as we pulled her out. I shook my head.

"I'm not certain yet. Go fetch the first aid kit and everything else, just in case," I instructed. He nodded and hurried away.

Her condition was not improving. She now exhibited a rash on her neck and chest, wheezing, and facial swelling. It was apparent she was suffering from an allergic reaction.

"Is there anything you can't eat?" I asked her, and she nodded, flicking her wrist to reveal a medical alert bracelet.

Lauren Duke had anaphylaxis and was allergic to cold temperatures. Retrieve the adrenaline shot and call 911.

I immediately sensed that something was amiss, so I blew my whistle again to signal that I needed assistance.