Language of Love

Chapter 6 - Surf Date

Once again, Abi woke before the dawn. She jumped in the shower then picked nervously at a croissant whilst wrapped in her bathrobe. Returning to her bedroom, she applied sunscreen and slipped into her black sports bikini and put on her new hibiscus O'Neill wetsuit top. She pulled a pair of light denim shorts over the top and stuffed a change of clothes and towel into her bag along with her water bottle, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Caitlinn emerged from her room.
"I'll braid your hair for you." She yawned, gesturing to a stool. Abi hopped on, and Caitlinn French braided her hair.
"You're good to go. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Making her way down the street towards the beach, Abi felt nauseous. She was sure she'd make a fool of herself today. She could swim well enough in a pool, but the last 2 weeks had shown her she needed more ocean practise. She was also sure that the other lifeguards would be watching.

The flags were already up, but the beach was quiet bar the usual early morning joggers and a few surfers already out the back.

As she got nearer to the tower she saw Troy with his back to her as he talked to Chappo. Troy was in black boardies and had a grey hoodie slung over 1 arm. How had she not considered he'd be topless?! She was going to combust before today was over. She slowed, admiring his broad shoulders as she approached.

Chappo spotted her and nudged Troy. He turned and gave her a soft smile, stepping forward to give her a gentle peck on the cheek.
"Morning. Ready for this?"
"I'm so nervous." Abi confessed.
"You'll be fine. I'll be with you." Troy reassured. "Chaps offered to take
our bags and keep them safe in the tower as he's on shift. You can nip into the tunnel if you need to change."
Abi took up the offer to use the tunnel to slip out of her shorts, stuffing them into her bag and taking out her towel.

She reappeared and passed her bag to Chappo.
"You'll be right with him. He knows what he's doing." Chappo reassured her before grabbing Troy's bag from the sand and running up the steps to the tower.

Troy lifted a green board from the sand. It looked more like the rescue boards than a typical surfboard. Troy spotted Abi looking at it in confusion.
"As you've not been out at all before I thought we'd start with paddling and riding back in together so you can get used to it."

"I've got $10 on you nosediving Gonz." Someone called from above.
"I'd put $10 on you nosediving but not him." Another voice could be heard saying. Abi looked up to see a blonde man and a brown-haired older man leaning over the railing.
Troy introduced Abi to Reidy and Corey.
"What's nosediving?" Abi asked with concern.
Reidy cackled as he went back into the tower.
"Don't let Reidy scare you." Corey said."Troy's not going to take any risks with you on his board." He gave a wave as he also headed for his post.
Troy went to speak as they began to walk down to the water.
"Don't feel you need to apologise for your colleagues again Troy. You're a close lot aren't you?"
"Yeah, we are. They're like a bunch of interfering brothers and Dads."

Before they went in the water Troy taught Abi how to paddle and had her practise on land. Then he had her practise going from lying to kneeling then standing. Then from lying straight to standing. Abi wobbled on her first attempt and Troy quickly steadied her with his hands on her hips. He showed her how to stand to get the best balance. She had more success the second time.
"The hardest part to begin with is paddling out, especially punching through the waves. Ready to give it a try together?"
"Guess so."
"Let's get the board in the water. When you're waist deep get on the board and we'll paddle out together. You've seen how we do rescues, it's just like that."
Abi smiled, his self consciousness seemed to disappear when it came to the water and he was confident and self assured in his instructions.
She followed him in and got herself onto the board. He quickly jumped on behind her.
"Paddle." He reminded gently when she froze at his nearness. "If you need to, hold on to the loops as we punch through the waves."
But Abi knew the lifeguards were watching so she gave it her all and helped paddle through the swell.