#MissedMilestones: A Little Misunderstanding

A Little Misunderstanding

Ella raced down the hot sands to the clear blue water of the ocean. Her long red hair flowing behind her in the wind. She dove head first into the water, and was hit with an overpowering feeling of refreshment. The water felt amazing on her body from lying in the sun most of the day. 

Ella resurfaced with a gasp, and flopped onto her back, floating atop the water. She closed her eyes, and just let the relaxation take over her sun-tired body. 

She heard yelling, and splashing as someone came racing into the water. Ella didn't open her eyes, and just ignored them, assuming it was just someone enjoying the beach. Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms grab her, and begin running back into shore with her. She began to panic. Slowly opening her eyes, she squinted from the blaring sunlight. The man holding her had a whistle around his neck and she sighed as he collapsed onto the sand, dropping her onto the ground, and kneeling beside her. 

"Ma'am." She heard his deep voice, and fully opened her eyes, sitting up. "Woah. slow down." He said, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "Are you alright?" She looked into his green eyes and smiled. 

"Yes, sir. I'm fine, I just fell asleep." He nodded. 

"Well that's good. I'm sorry. I'm a lifeguard, and you looked-"

"I can only assume, considering you raced into the water and carried me out in your arms." She laughed, and the man flushed a deep red.

"I'm so sorry to have disturbed you." Ella laughed again, leaning back on her elbows in the sand to look at him. His deep-tanned skin was glistening in the sun as water droplets fell down his torso and onto the sand. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair and smiled sheepishly at her. 

"No, truly. It's alright. I was in there way too long. I look like a prune now." She held up her hands and the man laughed as she showed him her wrinkled fingertips. He stood up, and held out a hand to her. Ella smiled, and took it, and he pulled her up off the ground. She dusted the sand off of her bikini before turning back to the  lifeguard. "Thank you-"

"Trent. Trent Reed." Ella nodded.

"Well thank you Trent for accidentally not saving my life I guess." They both laughed, and Trent rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. Ella could tell he was about to apologize for the third time so she laughed, and held up her hand. "You don't need to apologize, I should probably have gotten out of the water anyways or I would've burned." She gestured down her body and his eyes followed.  

"Yeah." She picked up her towel, and slung her tote over her shoulder. 

"Well Trent, I guess this is farewell." He nodded. 

After she got back to her room, she  found a slip of paper in her tote with 10 digits on it and a little note that said 'call me :) - Trent'. She smiled. That was one of  the best days she'd had in a while, and it was all thanks to a little misunderstanding.