Breathe // Bondi Rescue

chapter five

a/n: So, I plan to include interviews from the characters at the beginning of chapters like they do on the show.

Hoppo: "Grace has done really well in her first few weeks. We are all pretty impressed with her abilities. She's a great lifeguard, and she can easily keep up with the boys."

Reidy: "It's been so nice working with Ace. I feel like we have developed a pretty good relationship. I really feel like she's my younger sister. She's just such a sweet girl, you know?" He smirks. "I reckon, at least half the guys are in love with her."

Jethro: "Gracie? Oh mate, she's gorgeous. I can't help it. And she's so sweet too."

//𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎//

I frantically searched for a hair tie for the end of my braid; the other half of my hair was already safely tucked into its braid. Showing up to the photoshoot with only half my hair braided would be awkward, to say the least. I'd been working so much (not that I minded), so I'd neglected unpacking. Unfortunately, this made searching for specific things difficult. The piles of boxes blocked the view of the Bondi Beach ocean from the floor to ceiling windows. Looking out the window, I could see that a small group of lifeguards had already gathered on the south end of the beach. Spotting the hair tie perched on top of the kitchen counter, I quickly used it to finish my braid. Grabbing my bag, I bolted out the door of my apartment, determined to not be late. Living just minutes from Bondi Beach had its benefits.

With the premiere of the newest season of Bondi Rescue coming up, the network wanted some promotional photos of some of us. Being the newest lifeguard, and the only girl, I wasn't given much choice in participating in the "voluntary" photoshoot. I probably should just be thankful that I am considered part of the team and important enough to be in the promotional photos.

I have been officially been a lifeguard for Waverley Council for two weeks, and I was enjoying every second of it. There was just no job that can compare to working on the beach. Working with the boys and was interesting, to say the least. Most of the time, we all got along really well, but sometimes the dynamic could be a little awkward. Like, the other day, I saw Harries in a literal G-string when he was getting a spray tan. Honestly, it was an image I never wanted to think about again. Why they were in the girl's lifeguard change rooms, I had no idea.

One of the more difficult aspects of my job was knowing that I was constantly being filmed. I didn't really want to look bad on national television. Considering that the newest season of Bondi Rescue premiered next week, I was pretty nervous about how viewers would react to me.

⸺ ╳ ⸺

Arriving in Bondi Pavillion, I quickly changed into the lifeguard uniform in the change rooms before making my way to the beach. I waved at Maxi as I pass by the tower. "Lookin' good, Ace," he called out. A lot of the guys flirted with me or complimented me, but not in a romantic way. Still, I always had no idea how to respond, so I shouted an awkward "you too!" over my shoulder. Maxi laughed, but I kept walking toward the group of people, cameras, and off-duty lifeguards.

"Grace!" someone called out. "So glad you could make it." Nia, one of the producers, walked up to me. "We need to get some individual shots of you first, then we will get into the group photos. Luca," she pointed in the general direction of a man, "is our cameraman for the day."

"Awesome, it's great to see you, Nia," I responded. She gave me a distracted nod while grabbing my arm and leading me to a spot on the sand in front of the camera. "Just smile and look pretty, sweetie. Shouldn't be hard for you." Seriously? I let out a small nervous laugh, but Nia ignored me as she tucked my flyaway hair behind my ears. Growing irritated with her primping, I resisted the urge to smack her hand away from my face.

"Nia," a voice called out, "We need to start." Nia rolled her eyes and steps away from me.

"Just smile, Grace," she demanded she walks to stand next to the cameraman. Something about Nia rubbed me the wrong way, but I complied as the camera began to flash.

Several photos later, Nia ordered the guys selected for the photoshoot to join me. She arranged us all by height, and me being the shortest, I was left to stand front and center. Jethro, Reidy, Harrison, Jesse, Whippet, and Corey surrounded me. I wasn't exactly shy, but I was definitely an introverted person, so the attention definitely left me feeling out of my element.

After taking what Nia called the "serious photos," she declared that it was time for the fun photos. "Just do some fun poses," she clarified, "We need them for social media." She clapped her hands together, but she looked completely stressed.

I looked at the guys behind me for a clue as to what kind of "fun poses" we were doing. I make eye contact with Whippet, he just shrugs in confusion. "Come on, guys! Just come up with something fun," Nia whined. I was beginning to realize that this woman was just generally unpleasant to be around.

The guys muttered around me as I observed Nia venting her frustration to the cameraman. I planned to just copy whatever pose they decide on.

I felt two hands settle on my hips. "Love, I'm going to pick you up," a voice whispered, surprisingly close to my ear. Confused, I turned to look back and I find Jethro's face inches from mine. He smiled softly. "There she is," he murmured while squeezing my hips. Another hand grabbed my shoulder and I saw Harries grabbing my legs as I was lifted up.

"Perfect," Nia squealed as the guys hold me horizontal to the sand.

"Aww," Harries whined, standing with his arms holding up my legs, "I wanted to be the one being held." I giggled

"Shut up, Harries. You aren't pretty enough," Whippet snapped back. Everyone went silent, and I worried Harries' feelings were hurt. The guys had always been perfectly nice to me, but I was still unsure of their dynamic. Even the sound of the waves seemed muted as I waited for Harries to respond.

Harries sputtered into laughter, and the others joined in. I breathed a short sigh in relief before joining in the laughter. The camera flashes continued as we all become hysterical.

We took multiple photos in random poses before Nia announced that we could be finished. "Grace," her voice called out before I could make a break for the tower. Trying to maintain a smile on my face, I made my way over to her. "Yes?" I responded.

"I need you to make all of your social media profiles public. We plan to use social media as a way to promote the show. Nothing major needs to be posted. We just want you to be out there. Okay, pumpkin?" Pumpkin? She gave me a fake smile.

I wasn't totally opposed to having my social media on public, but I was starting to get annoyed with all these demands the network was making of me. But, to avoid Nia's ire, I just smiled and nodded before walking off the beach.

As I walked home my phone vibrated with a text from Reidy:

Tonight, Reidy was hosting a get-together for all the lifeguards. Apparently, most of them hung out together on the weekends, but this would be the first time I saw any of them outside of work. I was a little nervous at the thought, but I had definitely developed a good rapport with all the boys.