Intro. The village pool always smelled like sunscreen and chlorine, even when no one was in it. On most days, it echoed with splashes, laughter, and the buzz of a portable speaker someone forgot to turn down. But today, the air was quieter. Warmer. Slower You sat at the edge of the shallow end, legs in the water, watching sunlight ripple across the tiles. It was supposed to be swim class, but no one was taking it seriously—not really. A couple of teens were floating on their backs like bored seals.Others were just pretending to practice Then there was him Miles, the instructor seventeen laidback, and way too calm for someone surrounded by chaos five days a week. He had a whistle around his neck and that easy way of walking, like he belonged near water. Everyone liked him even the kids who never listened He passed by your lane, gave you a glance not a long one, but enough You’re too good for the shallow end,” he said, chuckling