I woke up alone, staring at my ceiling
I try not to care, but it hurts my feelings
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

For three summers in a row, I took the same summer job, forgetting to remind myself that this generation of kids was absolutely diabolical. Unfiltered and gave no shits about listening to someone that's older than them.

Looking towards the same kid who's been giving me problems for years now, I give him a dead stare—grabbing the whistle that hung from my neck and placing it in my mouth before blowing it loudly.

"Run near the pool again and I'll make sure you aren't allowed back tomorrow" I threaten the ginger-haired boy. Some think since they are younger it's inappropriate to argue with them, but I will sit here and argue with them for as long as I want.

The boy rolls his eyes and groans, walking away to the concession stand. I look away and to the large pool, trying to remember why I took this job again.

The sun beamed down on me and I subconsciously pushed my brows together at the harsh heat. Sunglasses on the bridge of my nose as the smell of sunscreen and chlorine invades me on a daily.

It was nearing the end of summer and though classes already started, the pool was always open until the temperatures started to drop. I couldn't complain, it kept me employed longer and our pay got just a tad bit higher as well if we attended the college nearby.

In the summer I worked here and for the rest of the year, I helped out at a local bakery not too far from campus. I was on scholarship so I didn't have that constant worry of needing to pay for classes, I did however have it when paying my side of the rent.

Now in my junior year of college, I had added stress about what I would be doing or where I'd be going after. I'm told there is still time but the pressure I feel when meeting with advisors made me feel different.

A loud whistle pulls me out of my thoughts, looking toward the other lifeguard I knew as Lloyd—signaling for everyone to get out of the pool. There was this rule here, every hour everyone had to clear the pool and this allowed the lifeguards to get in and cool off since we were the ones out in the sun for hours.

I get up as the pool starts to slowly clear, walking to the concession where Josie smiles at me "Jenson will tell his parents on you again" she brings up the red-headed boy.

I roll my eyes "And again I'll tell them I was only looking out for their sweet little boy" I say sarcastically as she hands me a cold water.

Josie was another lifeguard here along with Lloyd and I, but he's new this summer—Josie's been here just as long as I have. There was a point where things got really awkward between us because we shared this drunken kiss at some random frat party but soon she came out as lesbian so all is well.

But things would be different if she did like me in that way. I would've never come back to this job the summer after and avoided her because one I don't do confrontation and two I don't do relationships.

I put my water down and motioned to the pool "Going in?"

She nods, "You go ahead, I'll meet you guys in there" She looks to the girl who walks up to the concession stand and I chuckles lowly. Poor girl gots a crush.

I walked away and Lloyd was already in the water fully wet and smiling up at me, "Feels great today Ji"

I walk into the water and follow him to the deeper level where he grabs an inflatable ball, tossing it to me. We toss it to each other while sharing casual conversations until Josie joins, the three of us stay in the water until our time is up and we have to get back to work.

Each of us got out of the water and my eyes caught sight of two familiar faces, walking to them as another whistle sounded for everyone to get back in.

The two sit at a table "I don't remember you guys mentioning anything about coming today"

"There's construction going on outside the apartment and we were losing it" Georgia exaggerates, taking her cover-up off.

"I've gained three white hairs in the span of this morning" Jeongin joins in and I shake my head at their antics.

"Good thing my rooms are on the opposite side of yours" I smile at the two who look like they lost sleep over this. Looking over my shoulder to the pool "I got to go"

"Tonight we're going to that street festival, please join us?" I look at Georgia's pleading eyes.

I inhale deeply, "Fine, count me in" I accept before walking away.

"Jisung" I pause at the calling of my name, looking to another table with a group I was also familiar with, sadly. "If we would've known you worked today we wouldn't have invited, you know who"

I swallow harshly and put on a forced smile "I have no clue who you're talking about" I play dumb.

"Still petty, just like we remember," Another boy says and I roll my eyes.

"Last year wasn't that long ago, you must have a really short memory" I bite back, "I have no bad blood with anyone, if they have a problem with me it's one-sided"

"Go back to work Jisung" My eyes meet sharp ones, matching his tone as he doesn't spare me a second glance while walking to his friends.

I scoff and walk away, I don't want to spend another second talking with them. I can't even believe I used to call all of them my friends.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The night air was still warm on my skin and I was actually glad I chose to get out of the apartment. Usually after working a long shift in the sun I was beat and only wanted a long shower and nap afterwards.

Georgia hooked her arm around mine, "I'm going to miss summer" She frowns as I look at her.

"Summer is fun when it isn't summer, when it is—the expectation of it always falls short"

She sighs loudly as we look around the busy streets that have food trucks and games lined up. Music played and everywhere you looked people were in groups and smiling. College towns were always busy when classes started again.

When it came to choosing a college, I chose the furthest thing from where I lived. It wasn't because I had a bad relationship with my parents—well my mom. I only had my mom growing up and I will always be thankful for her and all she tried to provide me but we weren't close and I'm lucky if I got a call from her once a month, if that. I love her, she's my mom.

She's taught me that relying on someone isn't a good thing. At the end of the day it's you who has to pick up yourself and being independent mentally will get you a lot further than needing someone. She made me who I am today and I still wasn't sure if I was thankful for that or resented her a bit because of it.

"Baby!" Georgia pulls away from me in an instant, a large smile on her face as she slips over to her boyfriend.

I shake my head with a soft smile as the two hug, Noticing Jeongin is with him and another male. "Hug too long and I'll throw myself in front of a car," I say playfully and Chan laughs loudly, holding Georgia close to him.

"Go fall in love Ji and you'll understand"

It was my turn to laugh loudly, "I'll pass on that, G"

A phone rings loudly, making Jeongin walk away to take it, "I'm starved" Georgia pulls Chan away, leaving me with the male.

I watch as they disappear into the street of people, "Great" I look to the male I knew as Minho.

"You're looking at me like I'm holding you here"

I ignore him and walk past him, thinking he would get the hint and leave but he doesn't and instead, he catches up with me. Walking beside me.

"You don't have to keep me company" I state.

"What makes you think I'm trying to keep you company?" He asks, "What if I want you to keep me company?"

I halt my steps and turn to him "That would only be the case if you thought I was entertaining" His lips curve up just a bit and I sigh lowly, "But that can't be the case because you are friends with Hyunjin"

His small smile fall "Yeah, I am"

"I rather not associate with anyone from his close circle," I said before walking away again, this time he didn't follow, and a part of me felt guilty but I was not going to go along with whatever Minho was playing at.

I broke his best friend's heart, oh fucking well. That never gave them the right to do what they did to me afterward.

Including Minho, Mr. Sweetheart who everyone knows and loves because he does nothing bad. Out of everyone, I thought maybe he would've stuck up for me but like my mom said, nobody is there for you like yourself.

[Song rec - HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan]