Breathe (Bondi rescue fanfic)

Chapter 18

I swung my legs out of the bed and slid into my wheelchair. Chappo had left for work earlier.
I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror. My skin was in really bad condition, from the intense heat that I certainly wasn't used to. I made a mental note to get after sun moisturiser. I did my makeup and tied my hair into a French braid. I guess I looked alright.

Next was the task of choosing my outfit. I wheeled myself over to the chest of drawers at the foot of the bed. I pulled open the drawer containing my tops. I chose a comfortable, but pretty, blue t shirt. I paired it with some shorts and slipped on a pair of shoes.
I picked up my bag and shoved in a bikini and towel and suncream in just in case.

I realised I was running late so I grabbed a cereal bar and put that in my bag too. I grabbed my water bottle and keys and headed out.

I made it to the tower with 2 minutes to spare. I took a deep breath and opened the door of the tower. "Tiff!" Maxi exclaimed as I was shutting the door behind me. "How are ya?" He asked, as he took over from Deano on tower duty. "Great, you?" I replied as I set my stuff down. "Awesome. You're gonna have a great first day, I can feel it." I nodded and smiled at him as I picked up MY talkie, I got a walkie talkie! I wondered why he had such a strong feeling about that, but I just shrugged it off.

I positioned myself over near the medical area, anxiously awaiting my first patient. To be completely honest, I was scared. I was going to have a lot of responsibility. I knew the guys would be helping out the majority of the time, but when I was on my own, I would worry about messing up.

My first patient hobbled through the door at about 10am. It was a teenage girl, about 15. "Can you help me, please" She asked, and you could hear the pain in her voice. "Of course darlin, hop up on the bed there. What's your name?" I respond, pulling out an ice pack from the freezer. She slid herself onto the bed slowly. "I'm Maddi" She said. "Well hi Maddi, I'm Tiff. What happened?" I wheel myself closer to the bed and examine her foot, which seemed to be the problem. "I don't want anyone to get in trouble." She whispered. "Its ok love, you don't have to name anybody, what happened?" I asked softly. "I was lying on the sand, sunbathing, when the lifeguards rushed by in the rhino, they accidentally rolled over my foot." She answered, very quietly. "Ok, well no one will get into any trouble, maybe just some more driving lessons!" I joke, trying to make her feel better. She smiles weakly. "Well you've dislocated your ankle for sure. Do you have a friend or family member to bring you to hospital or do you want me to call a parent or ambulance?" I say to her. "My mom should be outside somewhere, she knew I was coming up here, she was just trying to find my sister." I mouth ok as I go get the green whistle for her.
Just as I gave her the green whistle her mom showed up, and I had successfully treated my first patient, all by myself.

The rest of the day went by quickly, too many patients to count, dozens of blue bottle stings. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to get home and chill on the couch.

Deano and I were the only two left in the tower. I finished tidying up and we walked out together as he locked the door behind us. Although it was almost 8pm it was still bright out. I looked up, about to take in the astonishing view, when I saw all the lifeguards and Chappo standing on the sand. There was fairy lights all over the place, a lot of tables and chairs and plenty of surfboards around. I wheeled myself down to the edge of the sand and Chappo came and carried me the rest of the way.

"Chappo, I--I mean--this is beautiful" I whisper. "Just like you" Chappo replies, "This is a celebration of how far you've come in your recovery and for competing your first full day working here." The biggest smile grows on my face as I see all the lifeguards who came. They put on some music and all started dancing.

I watched, sitting down on a beach chair, as they all had fun, running around like kids. "Hey tiff! Did you bring your swimsuit?" Jesse yells. "Yeah! I'm wearing it!" I reply. "Ready?" Maxi and Jesse shout to me. I look at Chappo confused, a mischievous grin on his face. I took off my t-shirt and shorts, shivering now I was just in my bikini. I watched as they all lined up, then they began yelling, as they charged towards me.

I screamed, laughing, as they all carried me down to the water. Chappo took me in his arms as the others grabbed their surfboards. Deano handed Chappo his surfboard as he ran by into the water. Chappo put his surfboard down on the water and helped me on. He got on too and paddled out towards all the others. And although there had to be 20 other people in the water, I felt like he and I were the only people in the world. Everything continuing on around us as we were captivated by this moment, and I couldn't have been happier.

***
Thank you so so much for 12k!
Sorry about the long wait, I have been busy recently, but I'm trying to update when I can :)
Also sorry about the bad ending, I had it all written and then by accident I deleted half the chapter and had to try my best to remember what I had typed the first time!
Again thanks for 12k reads!
Please feel free to leave a comment/suggestion or if you see any mistakes please feel free to say so!
-Niamhxoxo