multi-fandom imagines

deep ends and deception: a zach herron imagine

[CHARACTERS: ELLA AND ZACH ]

Zach's point of view;

It had been a long week in the studio with the boys, preparing for the release of our upcoming sophomore album, The Good Times and the Bad Ones. I invited the guys to my house, including their girlfriends and friends and my girlfriend, Ella. Ella and I have been together for a little over two years now, and she's the most important girl in my life. Some would say that I'm a "little" overprotective, but I care about her, and I wouldn't want anyone doing anything to screw her over at all costs.

As Ella and I were setting up my backyard for the evening, I chose to start a little conversation.

"So, my love, are you excited for tonight?" I say, glancing over at my gorgeous girlfriend, wearing a Why Don't We hoodie over her bathing suit top, her bottoms showing.

"Yes! I think it'll be good for you and the boys to relax. You all have been working so hard and deserve this tiny little break," she says, breaking out into a big smile, arranging platters and drinks around the wicker table. I nod in agreement and continue blowing up floats for the pool.

"Listen, are you sure you're going to swim? Not many people know you can't, and I don't want to risk you getting hurt," I say nervously, not wanting to ruin the good vibes.

"I think I'll be fine. As long as I hang around the shallow or stay in a float, it'll be alright," Ella says, without paying attention to me.

<< TIME SKIP, NOW; ELLA'S POINT OF VIEW >>

It had been an hour or two now since the pool party began. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and luckily, the weather held up nicely, too. The sun was shining, music was blasting, and everybody was smiling. A couple of people were even getting good tans on the sunbeds!

I stayed under the deck near the snack table after drying, people-watching as they went by. All of a sudden, Eben approaches me, somewhat concerned.

"Hey, Ella, can you come over near the pool? Something's up with the jet. It's not working," he says, turning his back to me and heading to the pool. I sat up, put my sunglasses on my head, and followed Eben.

"See, look, the jets are supposed to stay on in the pool to radiate the heat, and something's up," he says, bending over to look inside the pool.

"Oh, um, alright. Let me get Za-" I couldn't finish my sentence before I was shoved into the deep end, not at all ready to brace myself or grab a float that might've been nearby. This was one of my worst nightmares, getting pranked in a pool, especially by someone who doesn't know that I can't swim. I take in what feels like gallons of water and try to put my arms up to reach the surface. Once I do, I start coughing up a storm.

Eben was laughing his ass off continuously, pointing at me like some kid in elementary school. Meanwhile, I'm trying to catch my breath and call for help, "Za-Zach?! Where's Zach? Somebody help!"

Zach's point of view;

I heard my name called from the pool about five times. I couldn't exactly see who it was, but then I realized it was... Ella? What the fuck was she doing in the deep end of the pool? She couldn't swim, so she called for help. I dove into the pool, not caring about who got splashed, needing to save her.

"Ella, hey! You're alright. Let's get you out of here. Yo, Jonah, help! I need Ella to get out of the pool!" I called Jonah to help me pull her out.

Once I had Ella laid flat on the cement, she started puking out water, trying hard to get a single breath in. I sit with her and don't lose eye contact, ensuring she's okay. "Slow breaths, babe. In and out, in and out," I said calmly, patting her back to help her calm down.

"What happened?!" I say frantically, grabbing a towel that Corbyn brought over and wrapping it around Ella's shoulders, helping her sit back upright.

"E-Eben asked me to go look at something in the pool. The jets-I don't even know. He said something wasn't working and had me look at it. I was going to get you, but I was interrupted because he shoved me into the pool.

Fucking Eben. Why would he do something like this?

"Oh my god, I'm going to kill him! So he just shoved you in the pool? No mercy?!" I said, getting upset.

"Yeah, pretty much," Ella said, looking down at her hands. "But it's fine, really, Zach. You don't have to make a big deal out of it. I'm just glad that you were there to get me. Thank you," she says, trying to avoid confrontation between Eben and me and laying her head on my shoulder.

"Oh, no doubt, baby girl. I wouldn't just leave you there to drown," I said, making her laugh and spit out more water in the process.

"Good lord, I'm gonna have to call you Spitz," I say, laughing and giving her shoulder a nudge.

"No! One time, that's it. I'm not swimming for the rest of the summer," she pouts.

"Oh, come on. Can I throw you in the shallow end? I'll tie a float to the bottom!" I say, getting up and chasing after her.

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I thought this one was super cute. I hope you enjoyed it!

[ PUBLISHED 07/09/2024 ]