Frozen upon her realization, Leslie unconsciously hid her face in the crook of Calix's neck. Her ears caught the faint murmurs of the water ripples and his chuckles, alongside something more profound.
Was it the echo of her erratic heartbeat? Or, did the pounding sound belong to him?
Leslie didn't know the answer. She quietly perceived the warmth of Calix's body despite being half-submerged in the cool pool water.
Did his body heat course through her veins with the sole purpose of keeping her warm?
With his right hand under her knees and his left one supporting her back, his posture didn't falter under the additional weight. He remained standing straight on the pool floor, the water barely touched his chest.
The waves gently glided through them, forming ripples. The summer sun beamed through the clear water, casting shimmers and shadows at the same time.
