Eli, tall and lanky with a mop of unruly brown hair, grins as he surveys the sparkling surface. Max, shorter and freckled, tugs at his straps, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Bet you won't jump in like this," Eli teases, gesturing at their clothes.

"You know I will," Max fires back, his voice full of bravado. He kicks off his shoes and wades in, denim heavy and cumbersome, but determination etched on his face. Eli follows, boots and all, each step sending up muddy swirls beneath the clear water.

"You feel like a sea monster yet?" Eli shouts, half-giggling, as he tries to paddle. Max thrashes beside him, arms flailing, laughter bubbling up as he nearly loses his balance. "More like a drowning scarecrow!" he yells back.

Eli surfaces, triumphant, holding a pebble above his head. Max splutters up beside him, water streaming from his hair. "Next time, let's bring swim trunks," he says, a wide grin on his face.

"Best idea we've had all summer," Eli muses, watching clouds drift lazily by. Max nods, arms folded behind his head, content in the fading warmth. "Yeah. Even if Mom's gonna think we're nuts."

Eli swings an arm over Max's shoulder, both boys grinning at their shared adventure. The pond behind them is still once more, holding the memory of laughter and the ripples of a summer day well spent.