That Girl With The Boy In Blue

Chapter 1

Charlie's POV

I walked into the lifeguard tower, today being my first official patrol since I got the job. I had to update my first aid skills and Hoppo ran through everything that I'd have to do the day before. My dark hair was in two plaits and I wore the lifeguard's baseball hat, the blue shirt and board shorts. Nicola was the only other female lifeguard and I was slightly nervous.

"Charlie! Looking good!" Harries grinned as I walked into the tower.

"Thanks," I smiled. I walked up the steps and sat down on a seat. It was just Kerrbox and I now, scanning the water for people in need of help.

"Do you surf often, Charlie?" Kerrbox asked.

"As often as possible and I love big surf," I smiled. I spotted some swimmers at the south end who were struggling in a rip. I picked up the radio and notified Whippet and Maxi.

"Bondi Central to Bondi Rhino. There's a couple of swimmers struggling in backpackers. They're about a hundred metres off the shore. Over," I stated.

"Bondi Rhino to Bondi Central. Do you want us to go out or give them a little longer?" Maxi replied. Just as Maxi replied a hand went up in the water.

"You're gonna have to go in. One's put their hand up," I explained. Kerrbox looked at me and smirked.

"Good job, Charlie. You doing the iron man challenge this year?" Kerrbox asked.

"I'm not sure. I'll see how I'll go," I replied. The day was quiet. School holidays hadn't begun yet but the beach was still packed. About one o'clock I left the tower to go on my break. As I was walking I heard a voice calling after me. I turned around to see Whippet running up to me.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked with a smile.

"Just on my break," he replied.

"Cool. Know of any good places to get food?" I asked as we walked together. "I've moved back to Bondi a year ago and despite living here before, I'm still unsure of where I'm going."

"Yeah, I was just heading to a cafe anyway. I'll show you," Whippet grinned. I followed him onto Campbell Parade, the street I lived on and then turned onto another street. I followed Whippet into a cafe and we sat down.

"So, when did you move to Bondi? Well, back to Bondi?" Whippet asked after we ordered.

"I moved here a year ago to look after my Nana who recently passed away. Her apartment is on Campbell Parade and she passed it onto me because I took such good care of her. I've been moving in between Adelaide and Sydney since I was twelve," I explained.

"Cool, sorry to hear about your Nana. You're right on the beach," Whippet chuckled.

"Yeah, it's handy. You've lived near Bondi you're entire life, right?" I asked. Whippet nodded with a smile.

"Yeah. I love it here. I love the beach and I love being a lifeguard. When you save someone or resuscitate a person and they wake up, it's a great feeling," Whippet stated.

"I've always loved the beach. I love swimming and surfing. I was in an office job and just before I left, my friend told me to quit my job because I hated it so much and to do what I loved. I loved the beach so I decided I wanted to be a lifeguard," I explained just as our food arrived. We ate our food and talked a bit. Whippet was a pretty cool guy. He made me smile and laugh.

"We better head back. Our break is almost finished," I sighed as we got up from our seat. We left a tip for the waitress and began the walk back. We soon made it back to the tower and Hoppo decided to move me down to the North end of the beach. I was with Deano who seemed like a nice guy.