birds // hs

0.2

I didn't sleep all night because I was too scared of waking up late and disappointing the only friend I had made. So I did what I always did when I couldn't sleep: go for a walk.

I rolled out of bed around five thirty and found Pops already gone, probably out on his little sailboat. He always asked me if I wanted to go with him, but I was terrified of a boat that tiny. What's to keep it from sinking? What if there was a swarm of sharks? All you have for protection is a flimsy piece of wood and some sail! It's ridiculous.

I walked along the seashore for a little while before I spotted an empty lifeguard tower and decided to climb it, my heart already racing with the thought of doing something I wasn't supposed to be.

I carefully approached the stand and placed my foot on the first rung, my hands gripping the chipping paint of the side as I slowly climbed upwards.

By the time I reached the top, the sky was beginning to lighten and a few other people were starting to wander onto the sandy shoreline. Even the chilly air was finally warming.

"Rachel!" I heard a familiar voice call. Even though it was only Niall's voice, I still startled a little and nearly fell off the narrow platform.

"Easy, easy," he laughed, placing his tanned hands on either side of the base. "You're not in trouble, I just wanted to make sure it was you."

I nodded. "I couldn't sleep."

"Too excited about seeing me again?" He grinned, offering me his hand to climb down. "Yeah, lots of girls say that."

"Whatever," I scoffed, nudging him with my shoulder. He wasn't wearing a shirt today and I had to admit, his body was not something I would complain about.

"You know I should probably tell you that you'll be the only girl lifeguard," he chuckled as I helped him set up some chairs and umbrellas. They were too heavy for me to carry so I was in charge of dusting the sand off each one, which I was pretty darn good at. "It's me and four other guys."

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Interesting."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

I laughed. "Is this an interview question?"

"Maybe," he smirked.

"Well no, I don't have a boyfriend."

"Interesting," he repeated my response from earlier and we both laughed.

We finished the chairs in our section and I met two of the other lifeguards, Liam and Louis, but Niall insisted on me meeting the head lifeguard before the crowd really thickened.

"He's only head lifeguard because he's been here the longest," Niall rolled his eyes. "But he's great, I think you'll really like him."

"What's his name again?"

"Technically it's Harry but we all call him Styles or Haz."

"But I should call him...?"

"Probably Harry."

"Cool."

He swung open the door of the small lifeguard building and flipped on the light, laughing to himself as he gestured towards the couch in the corner.

"Wake him up, would you?"

"I don't know him!" I protested quietly. "How do I-"

"Just shake his shoulder, I'm getting his clothes," he called as he walked out of the building again.

I walked slowly over to the couch, shoving my hands into the pockets of my faded denim shorts as the boy came into view. He was young, really young, and he was...hot?

His curly hair was an absolute mess and he was missing a shirt just like every other person in this town, but his face was just stunning. His muscular arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his lips pulled into a smile while he slept.

I knelt down and carefully touched his shoulder, biting my lip as he stirred slightly. What was I supposed to say? What was I supposed to do?

His eyes opened suddenly but then shut a second later, his smile growing even bigger. "Rachel, right?"

I stood up. "How do you know who I am?"

"It's not often that a girl like you comes around here," he chuckled thickly. "Word gets around real fast."

"Oh." I smiled and he sat up, running two huge hands over his face and through his hair. "And you're Harry?"

"Yeah, did Niall bring you here?"

"Yes, I think he's-"

"Is he up?" Niall's voice rang through the small room. "Harry, get your lazy ass up."

"I am up!" Harry shouted indignantly. "And fûck you for waking me up this early."

Niall tossed a red swimsuit at me and I held it up, my jaw nearly dropping as I saw how tiny it was.

Harry whistled. "Well now I have something to look forward to today."

"Shut up," I laughed as I began to unbutton my shorts. I didn't mind changing in front of these boys because after all, I would be working with them all summer and they would be seeing me nearly naked every day.

"Jesus Christ!" Niall scowled as he walked back in. I turned slightly to see Harry undressing, his back towards me so I was seeing way too much of his butt. "It's like a freaking strip show in here!"

"Sorry," I smiled as I pulled my shirt on over my suit. Even though it was small, it was actually really comfortable. "Ready?"

"Yeah, you're going with Harry until ten, that's when my shift at the stand starts. See you then, Rachel."

"Bye," I waved, watching him jog down the sand and out of sight. I felt Harry's arm touch the doorframe on either side of me and I rolled my eyes, my back pressing into his hard chest.

"Ready for your first day?"