lifeguard//ashton irwin

chapter 10: bikes & books

May's POV

After my talk with Calum I walked back to my house and just awkwardly existed for the next few hours. Moving from the couch to the bean bag downstairs to the porch railing and then back to the bean bag, I tried to relax but my mind took my lethargy as a queue to fly off the handle. The worst feeling in the world is to overthink EVERYTHING yet have no power to fix ANYTHING.

I pulled myself off the bean bag chair and dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing some water on my face. I want to go out again. I remembered from my exploring earlier that I had seen a collection of bikes down in the garage. I guess bikes are one of the many things my dad collects. Heading down there to confirm, I found one that was my size and headed out, after preparing a lunch bag and grabbing my sunglasses.

The peaceful surroundings calmed my turbulent mind almost instantly. I rode to the pier and sat down on one of the benches and stopped my music, taking a second to observe the people around me.

I saw an old couple sitting together in silence. Less than 20 feet from them, I saw Ariana the barista violently making out with some random guy. Typical. My gaze shifted to the ocean, where I saw a group of surfer dudes "shredding some sick waves" or whatever they would say.

I glanced towards the lifeguard stand, where I saw Ashton perched on the ledge, absorbed in the world of whatever book he was reading and completely oblivious to the people he was supposed to be guarding.

My thoughts were rudely interrupted when a seagull landed next to me and squawked loudly.

"What do you want?" I tried to shoo it away but it just stared back at me. I guess I'll be the one moving then. I stood up and walked off the pier, leaving my bike locked to the side. I walked along the beach, splashing my legs in the water before walking back up onto the sand. I grabbed a bag of chips from my side bag and opened them, grabbing a few and tossing them into my mouth. Before I had even finished chewing the first bite, a huge flock of at least 20 seagulls started attacking me. I tried to run, but they kept following me until I heard a loud horn blast from above me, shooing them away. I looked down at my shirt, which was now ruined by the seagull droppings.

"Shit." I muttered under my breath and threw the ruined chips in the bin, ripping off my shirt.

"Yeah, literally shit." Ashton chuckled from above, still holding his air horn.

I turned my head up and groaned, crossing my arms to cover my chest. I felt self-conscious even though the bra I was wearing was less revealing than a bikini.

Ashton was still laughing so I looked up and glared at him. He promptly stopped and cleared his throat. "Umm, I have a few extra shirts up here. Come on up."

I walked up the stairs, glancing at his book on the table. Pride and Prejudice.

"Have you read it?" He walked back out and placed a shirt on the railing next to me.

"No, I prefer movies." I opened to where he had last finished reading. "I'm surprised you're reading it, actually."

"Yeah I guess it's not really the norm," he scratched the back of his neck thoughtfully. "I guess it helps me think. You know, gain perspective."

"I could use some perspective right about now." I sighed and closed the book.

"Are you gonna put the shirt on, or-"

"Oh, yeah sorry," I grabbed the shirt and threw it on.

Neither of us said anything for awhile. I took a deep breath, deciding to take Calum's advice and give Ashton a second chance.