by Lily Garner

Created on: August 24, 2009

Wednesdays were my favourite day to go to work. That was when she came. Every week, without fail. She would arrive at the pool, her hair pulled back, her swimming costume sticking to her skin. Beautiful.

She would glide through the water, her body moving so effortlessly. She was captivating. It's no wonder I fell in love with her so quickly. Words couldn't describe just how phenomenal she was.

I know she loved me too, I'm sure of it. Why else would she come, week after week, if it wasn't to see me? I could see her glance at me whenever she stopped to catch her breath, her eyes on mine. To her, I knew I was more than just a lifeguard. I was the perfect man, the guy she had been waiting for her whole life. We were everything to each other.

She had the same routine, every week. 64 lengths in the 25 metre pool; a mile. She swam a mile for me. Four lengths breaststroke, then four front crawl. Sometimes I would see her whisper a number to herself as she reached the end of the lane, counting how many lengths she had done.

I knew her better than anybody. I watched her move and knew how she was feeling that day. Some days she was happier than others. On a bad day, her kicks would be more agitated. She wouldn't smile to herself after completing the mile, as she often did. She didn't stop as often, but kept on swimming and swimming, as if it was all she had.

When she was happy, she was slower and more relaxed. She seemed more comfortable and after doing the 64 lengths would float around at the bottom of the pool. I loved to watch her do that. I know she did it for me. She wanted me to see her.

I often wondered what it was that made her so upset at times. Work, possibly? I knew how that felt. Working as a lifeguard can get you down at times. Spending your days on the edge of a pool, watching others enjoying themselves. Being in a room full of happy people, but still constantly alone. No; only when she was there could I truly enjoy my job. Seeing her brightened my week. I didn't feel so alone when she came, because I knew she saw me. I knew she wanted me there.

Or maybe it wasn't work. Maybe it was a partner. I couldn't let myself believe that. I was the only man in her life. I was the only one who could truly make me happy. If she was with me, she would never have reason to be upset. I would hold her, care for her, make sure that she would forget what pain was. I would never let anything hurt her. She would be mine, and I would look after her.

It was hard, sometimes,

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