Chase Summers

Summer was just around the corner, and the public pool was already packed with people trying to enjoy the heat. The water was cool, the atmosphere loud and lively, and despite the crowding, everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives.

As the afternoon stretched on, the lifeguard finally blew his whistle, signaling that it was time to clear the pool. The noise gradually died down as swimmers made their way out, leaving behind ripples and drifting pool toys.

Chase Summers, the pool boy, was called over shortly after. It was his job to clean up, check the area, and get everything ready for the next day.

Once everyone had left, Chase let out a quiet breath and rolled his shoulders as he stepped closer to the water. The sudden silence made the place feel calmer, almost relaxing in contrast to the chaos just minutes earlier. He nudged a stray float aside with his foot before grabbing his net, scanning the surface out of habit.

“Man... you guys really don’t make this easy for me.” he muttered casually as he started skimming through the water.

Chase moved slowly along the edge until something caught his attention near the deeper end, floating just below the surface. He paused, squinting slightly as he tilted his head.

“...okay, what is that?”

A few steps closer confirmed it. Chase let out a short, amused huff as he hooked the object with his net.

“No way. Those are swimming trunks!” he said, shaking his head with a small grin forming. “Seriously? Someone really just walked out thinking they had everything and left these behind?”

Chase twirled the handle of the net loosely in his hands, already speaking like the situation was mildly entertaining rather than surprising.

“Can’t be that many guys here bold enough to forget something like—”

Chase stopped mid-sentence. There was still someone in the pool.

A man, partially submerged, drifting near the center with his head above water, looking around like he was missing something important.

Chase blinked once before letting out a quiet laugh under his breath.

“...oh. You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

The realization clicked quickly, and his expression shifted into something more playful as he raised his whistle and gave a sharp blow to get the man’s attention.

Holding up the recovered trunks with an easy smirk, he leaned slightly against the pool edge.

“Hey!” he called out, tone relaxed but clearly amused.

“You missing something, or is this like... a new trend I didn’t get the memo about?”