Chapter Text
Natalie wiped the sweat from her brow. It was only a week into May and she worked up quite the sweat. It was tiring mowing people’s lawns. Considering most of the cilents had bigger yards. But it was worth it when she got handed the cash. Not much time left till senior year was over.And once it was Natalie planned to hop on a bus headed anywhere.
Today though she had just finished mowing her third yard and contemplated going to the 7-11 to get a drink. Sure she had been mowing in a more upscale neighborhood but none of these uppity folk had even offered her a drink of water. Screw it. She’s gonna spend that hard earned money on something.
So she trudged off towards the north. It was a good idea to wear closed toed shoes when mowing lawns but the way the grass seemed to stick to her brown boots made Nat wish she had another option. A block later she spots the familiar colors of a 7-11.
Once she’s inside she immediately feels a relief in a rush of air conditioning. As the doors shut behind her she stands still for a moment to really soak in the cool air. She puts her foot out to start walking again but she barely gets a full step before bumping into someone.
“Ouch’ the other person reacts. They take a glance over at Natalie to say something but instead..swears they recognize Nat.
Natalie is ready to defend herself but instead is surprised to see the person she bumped into is..Jackie freaking Taylor. Captain of the Wiskayok Yellowjackets. The most decorated team at school.Natalie actually liked soccer. But her folks couldn’t keep up with the necessities needed to play. “Hey Taylor.” Natalie chimes.
“You’re..” Jackie turns around to face Nat fully. Her arms are full with flyers. “The girl caught
smoking behind the bleachers.” remembering a few times in which Coach Ben had to chase someone away.
Natalie lifted a hand to scratch the back of her neck. “Uh yeahh. Anyway I just stopped in to get
a mountain dew or something so..”
“Wait! Are you looking for some work this summer?” Jackie asks almost desperately.
“I’ve mowed a few yards..”Natalie admits.
“Here.” Jackie says shoving a flyer towards Natalie. “My family is looking for someone to help keep our pool clean this summer.”
Of course Jackie Taylor has a pool. Natalie awkwardly reaches a hand up to grab the flyer and read what it says. There’s a crudely drawn picture of a pool. Saying that the Taylor residence is
looking for assistance in keeping their pool clean and maintained over the summer.
Over the summer. That would interfere with Natalie’s plans. But the pay is listed at ten bucks an hour! She could just do a few of those and be more set.
“So..I just gotta use one of those..”Natalie searches for the right word “pool scooper things to keep leaves from getting in?”
“It’s a bit more involved than that.” Jackie clarifies “Also would like someone to check the PH balance and generally help keep it neat. Are you interested?”
“I really dunno about doing it ALL summer. But I would agree to coming over a few times.”
“That’s great!” Jackie smiles “Long as you’re free tomorrow for when we take off the pool cover it’d be great to get the remnants of scum off. Here, turn around!”
Natalie gave Jackie a puzzled look but gave in as Jackie gestured her fingers. After turning around Nat could hear Jackie reach into her purse and take something out. Suddenly Jackie was pressing one of the flyers onto Natalie’s back and jotting something down. “I’m giving you
my address so you can be there at..say 11 a.m.” Jackie clarifies.
“You got it boss.” Natalie jokes.
A minute later Jackie finishes her note and walks around to Natalie’s front to hand her the note. “See you then!” Jackie beams.
Nat nods and takes the flyer. Watching Jackie stuff the pen back in her purse and wave goodbye before exiting the store. In instinct Natalie reaches for her jacket pocket but when she
feels only air she remembers she's just in her red and brown tank top. And her pant pocket is stuffed with cash so carrying the flyer under her right arm would have to do.
Continuing on her mission to get a Mountain Dew she finally makes it to the drink wall and grabs a bottle of the caffeinated beverage that doesn’t quite keep her jolted anymore but she just likes the taste.She quickly goes to the checkout and the moment the transaction is over she’s opening up the bottle and taking a big sip. As she starts her journey home she wonders how hard it’ll be to upkeep the Taylors pool. But a break from doing Lawns is welcomed. Her Mountain dew is empty by the time she reaches home so she tosses it into the garbage can outside.
The next day Natalie gets up at 10 a.m. She gets dressed into a plain black t-shirt and tosses on her black and white checkered pants. Sitting on her bed to put on the brown boots that were older but ones that suited working more. She had put the flyer on her nightstand so she makes sure to grab that so she knows where the hell she’s going. She then makes her way out to the kitchenette area and grabs a granola bar. She needed something. Her mother doesn’t say anything as Natalie scarffs the granola bar down and heads out the door.
Course Jackie’s place isn’t super close but that’s why Nat leaves when she does. One hand on the flyer checking every so often she’s headed the right way. It takes a good bit. But forty five
minutes later she finds the correct address. Or at least the correct one written down. She makes her way up to the front door and knocks on it loudly.
“Okay okay i’m coming.” a voice on the other side calls out. A moment later Natalie is greeted by the sight of Jackie wearing a cute little yellow sundress. “You made it!” Jackie smiles “C’mon the pools this way.” She gets out of the way to let Natalie inside. Jackie leads them through the first floor of her home and over to a set of sliding glass doors that lead outside. Jackie slides them open and steps outside leaving Nat to follow.
And as Natalie does..whoa. It’s like something you see out of tv. A backyard big enough to have a pool and space for hosting a party. A few tables with those big umbrellas. Some folded up pool chairs.The pool tarp is pulled back to reveal the leftover murky water from last season. A few leaves have still managed to find their way in the water.
“My folks said you could start with cleaning off the top of the pool tiles.” Jackie says from somewhere behind Natalie. Jackie walks over to one of the tables and grabs a bucket. She carries it over to Natalie.“There’s some gloves and a scrubber in here. take those out and i’ll fill the bucket with clean water and soap.”
Natalie leans to stare into the bucket and nods. She reaches into the bucket to grab the bright yellow cleaning gloves and a fresh scrubber. Once she has those in hand Jackie wanders inside to fill the bucket up. Natalie strolls to the edge of the pool and sets the scrubber down so she can put the gloves on. They’re big for her hands but better too big than small. She gets down on her knees to examine the pool tile that surronds the top part of the pool. She doesn’t notice the way she really leans in to examine the dirty nature. Thus her ass high in the air.
Jackie sighs as she hoists the bucket from the kitchen sink. Goddamn it’s heavy. She grunts as she carries it outside. “Okayy.” she announces “I’ve got the water and…” she stops for a moment as her eyes catch the sight of Natalie’s ass. She really shouldn’t stare. But Nat’s ass is right there!
“Great.” Natalie says continuing to stay in her bent position “Just set it right there next to me.”
Jackie nods and she wills her feet to move. The heavy bucket splashing water from how full it was. Still Jackie gets the majority of the water over to Nat.
“This could take a while doing it all by hand.” Natalie says.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect.” Jackie says “Just..get the noticeable bits off.”
Nat can work with that. If it’s hourly pay she’ll take her time but certainly doesn’t wanna be here allll damn day.
She leans back up to grab the scrubber and dunk it into the water. Once it’s good and wet she lifts the scrubber up and brings it to the tile to start cleaning. The scum comes out fairly easily.
An hour and a half into scrubbing and Natalie’s barely done with the side she started on. The day’s heating up and she takes a breather to wipe some sweat from her brow. Jackie had taken the time to unfold the pool chairs and open up the table’s umbrellas.
“Whew.” Jackie sighs. Warm from just doing those tasks. “I’m gonna make us some lemonade.”
Natalie doesn’t have time to ask Jackie not to make the lemonade too sweet before Jackie’s rushing off inside the house.Nat takes it as a sign to take a break as she hoists herself up and takes off the yellow cleaning gloves. Tossing em down to the pavement. Taking the time to stretch her back out. Not wanting to sit on a pool chair she wanders over to a table and pushes a chair out to sit down. Ahh. The shade feels nice.
Another few minutes later Jackie makes her way outside with a tray with a pitcher of lemonade and a few glasses. She spots Nat at the table and walks carefully over.
“You know I can’t think of the last time I made lemonade.” Jackie admits “my dad loves the stuff so he usually has it on hand.” She sets the tray down onto the table and grabs a glass. If all those times her moms hosted parties has taught her anything it was to serve one's guests first. So Jackie fills the glass nice and full and reaches over to place the glass in front of Natalie.
“Thanks.” Natalie says, leaning to pick up the glass and take a hearty drink. Ahhh. It actually wasn’t too sweet tasting. She’s got the glass half empty before she comes up for air. “It’s no kool aid but it’s good.”
“You actually like kool aid?” Jackie makes a face as she pours her own glass.
“It’s the best summertime drink.” Natalie says.
“Really? I’ve never liked the stuff myself.” Jackie admits as she pushes the other chair out to sit down.
“Yeah. I would guess someone like you is used to fresh squeezed lemonade every summer
afternoon.” Natalie pokes.
“I’ll have you know this stuff in the pitcher is the powered kind.” Jackie retorts, going to take a sip.
Natalie laughs and simply finishes off her glass. Standing up to grab the pitcher and refil her cup.
“It’s getting really warm out.” Jackie sighs “Whenever you're done with the tiles you could go home for the day.”
“If you say so.” Natalie says. The two of them..don’t say much else to each other. Sipping on their lemonade and Natalie getting back to work after finishing her second glass.
It’s two more hours before she gets the pool tiles in a clean enough position. Jackie strolls around the pool and squints to admire Natalie’s work.
“Pretty good pretty good.” Jackie coos.
“Glad the boss approves.” Natalie chuckles. “So do I get my payment today?”
“Of course. Let me grab my moms wallet.” Jackie says with a smile before rushing off inside.
Natalie stretches out her back some more. It didn’t help being at weird angles all day. Five minutes later Jackie comes back out with cash in hand. “Here’s an even fourty for today's work.” she says shoving two twenty dollar bills over to Nat. Natalie was all too happy to take the cash.
“Are you busy after school Tuesday?” Jackie asks.
“I should be free.”
“Great. Cause we gotta get the leaves and other fallen things out of the water so we can actually use the pool.”
“So be back after school Tuesday. Got it.” Natalie nods.
“I’ll make Shauna give us both a ride to my place.” Jackie says “so meet us after school by the door to the parking lot. And thanks for your work today.” Jackie smiles warmly.
Natalie feels good. Not only did she make good cash but she got a steady job. The following day at school is a Monday and Natalie convinces her friend Kevyn to cut class with her and find someone at the liquor store willing to buy them something. Which is easier now that Nat’s got the cash to pay off someone. It’s even enough to get her and Kevyn a slightly nicer six pack of beer.
“You rob a convenience store or something?” Kevyn asks as they walk towards the alleyway between the liquor store and some laundromat.
“Nahh.” Nat says setting down the six pack onto a trash can. Tearing off a can of beer from the plastic ring holder. “Just found someone paying me to clean their pool.”
Kevyn doesn’tt bother to ask who the person is as he launches into a conversation about the Cure.
Come Tuesday Natalie stands by the set of doors that lead out towards the student parking lot. Standing with her hands in her jacket pockets she hears giggling.Her eyes looking straight ahead and catching the sight of Jackie and Shauna giggling over some likely inside joke. Jackie really did have a nice smile. The few pep rallies Natalie didn’t skip really showed off Jackie’s personality. When Jackie led a cheer goddamn it was impossible not to cheesey smile back.
“Natalie hey!” Jackie calls out. Shauna’s smile meanwhile disappears as they draw closer.
“Hey guys.” Natalie says back.
“I was just reminding Shauna of the pool parties we used to have.” Jackie says. “And! Still want to have once the pool is back in shape.”
“Bet you really threw some wicked ragers.” Natalie jests.
“I do know where my folks keep the really good stuff.” Jackie says with a mischievous tone. “But c’mon let's get going!”
Shauna leads them both outside to where her car is. There’s justtt enough room for Natalie in the back. The whole ride to her place Jackie prattles on about getting a new pink and green swimsuit. Shauna responds but Natalie, not knowing what to say, stays silent in the backseat.
Eventually they’re at Jackie’s place. “See you tomorrow Shauna!” Jackie says quickly getting out of the passengers side. Natalie follows suit and opens the back door to escape. As they walk up to the front door Natalie can hear Jackie ask her something. Natalie just assumes Jackie’s offering her an after school snack so she gives an audible “mhm.”
But the second they're inside the house Jackie grabs Natalie’s hand as she leads them upstairs. “Whoa where are we going?” Natalie asks, confused.
“My new swimsuit. Remember I just asked if you wanted to see it?” Jackie giggles.
Shit. Is she taking Nat to her room? That seems to be the case as Natalie is pulled along into a brightly colored bedroom.
“You can sit on the bed while I change.” Jackie instructs as she strolls away into her private bathroom on the right side of her room. The door shuts leaving Natalie alone. She does wander over to Jackie’s bed and sits down. Squinting at all the random things in Jackie’s room. How bright it seemed compared to Nat’s darkly decoreded room.
Natalie is just about lay down on the bed from how long Jackie’s taking but before she can fully the bathroom door slams open and out comes Jackie. Donning a..pink top and green bottom bikini.
Holy shit. Sure Jackie is an athlete but..somehow Nat didn’t think Jackie would be THIS toned.
“Do you like it?” Jackie asks.
“It looks great on you.” Nat says fully heartedly “you..picked a good one.”
“Thanks! I liked how it looked when I tried it on but that was a few weeks ago. I’m just excited for pool season.”
“Uh huh” Nat chimed in trying not to get caught staring at Jackie’s chest.Jesus it wasn’t like Natalie’s never seen a girl in a swimsuit before. But hardly this close to one.
“I’m gonna wear it outside today and see if I can’t get a little tan.” Jackie says “while you work on the pool.”
Ah right, the pool. The thing Natalie was actually here for. “Yeah sure.” Natalie was quick to stand up and exit the room.
“Eager to get started?” Jackie asks following Nat.
“Something like that.” Natalie says.She’s faster at getting outside.Not bothering to ask Jackie where the pool skimmer is as she scans the area and finds the skimmer hanging from some sort of supply shed. Natalie waddles over to pick it up and carry it over to the pool. At the poolside she glances at the murky water and just hopes she doesn’t have to replace the water or anything like that. She hoists the skimmer around to place the basket into the water and start to scoop up leaves and dead bugs.
She’s at that task for all about five minutes before she catches Jackie walk out of the house with sunglasses on and a towel and sun lotion in hand. Nat goes back to work while Jackie places her stuff on the ground next to a pool chair.
Jackie sighs as she sits down. Bending down to grab the bottle of sun lotion.popping the bottle open and squeezing out a pea size amount of lotion. Leaning back a little to reach down to apply the lotion on her abdomen.
Natalie fishes out a gnarly mess of leaves and this time happens to look over at Jackie.Opening her mouth to ask where she should toss the trash when her eyes are greeted with the sight of Jackie lotioning up. Caught up in the sight and having to remember her words. “Uh..where do you want the..trash?”
Jackie looks up from her task.Grinning as she catches the way Nat looks. “There should be a trash bag behind the shed. Just toss it in there.” Her abdomen promptly lotioned up and she reached for more lotion. It feels nice and cool on her body. Though she wonders. If it’d feel better with someone else rubbing it in.
Natalie finally tears her eyes away and awkwardly brings the skimmer back to the shed and find said trash can. The rest of Nat’s work goes smoothly. Taking about an hour. She only occasionally glances at a sun bathing Jackie.She manages to get the pool cleared of leaves so she goes to hang the skimmer back up and wander over to Jackie.
“I got the leaves out.”
“Perfect.” Jackie coos. “Then I’ll get your payment.” Wasting no further time in getting up and going into the house. Even faster this time Jackie comes back with some cash.
Natalie wasn’t sure about going home just yet. “You sure there’s nothing else I can do today?”
“For today that’s enough” Jackie says “And believe me..” she pushes herself closer to Natalie’s front “if there’s anything else I need I’ll be sure to tell you.”