Lifeguard

Chapter 7

That morning I woke up extra early. I wasn't sure why, I woke up at least twenty minutes before my alarm went off. And even when it actually did, I was in the shower and my mom came screaming into the bathroom yelling at me to turn it off. As if I could've heard it! I ate a bagel and hurried into my car, determined to get there on time despite my moms lack of love this morning.

She didn't even look at me.

Chad gave me his usual: "Top of the mornin'." Which I always hate because he says it in this stupid British accent. He from Kentucky. I didn't even get a chance to brush my teeth, I was trying so hard to just get out of there.

I got held back on so many red lights I swore my mother called someone to make me late. I thought about that for a while and afterwards it seemed really silly, I mean, who's she going to call to make the traffic lights turn red just for me?

As I pulled into the parking lot I could tell that Nate was undoubtedly already here by the shiny, red convertible BMW that was parked terribly in the corner, I smirked.

It looked like a car Regina George would drive.

I quickly parked my car and tried my best to park as well as I could; determined to make Nate look like a slob. I checked the time: 9:48. 'Okay, you're fine.' I told myself.

I strode into the lobby and gave Marie a quick 'Hello'. I walked out into the pool area and immediately was engulfed in a cloud of cigarette smoke. "What the...?"

I whirled around to find Nye sitting on a stack of chairs probably on his third cigarette by now judging by the two stubs on the ground. "Nye! You know you can't smoke here!" I said, stepping on his two others on the ground to ensure they were out. I wrinkled my nose, "And why so early?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes dramatically, "I can smoke whenever I damn well please." He said grouchily. I glared at him. "Well you're obviously not a morning person." I replied. He ignored me and took another drag and blew it in my face. I grimaced, "Your parents know you smoke?" I thought about what my mom would do if I did as much as he did. I smoked a little with my friend Henry but I didn't crave it as much as Nye did I guess. "Nah, how could they?" He said a little sadly. My eyes flicked over to the pool, not quite knowing how to answer Nye's-hopefully-rhetorical question. I looked back towards him and found a pair of scary blue eyes looking at me.

Now I know why they call it eye contact.

I felt myself blush slightly. My brother said I blushed over everything and it annoyed me so much. "So what should we do?" He asked me. I looked around then my eyes fell upon his cigarette. I reached up and plucked it from his surprised mouth. "Getting rid of this first..." I said, but not before taking a long drag. Nye's lips parted, "Hey...!" I raised my eyebrows and blew a thin stream of smoke in his tan face, "I can smoke whenever I damn well please." I said, with a mock brooding expression on my face.

He bit his lip and slid off the chairs. I took a step backwards. He studied me for a second then walked up to me until he was probably a centimeter away from my face. I could smell his Old Spice deodorant and his yummy laundry detergent. I looked up, the cigarette still between my fingers. I raised my hand up to take another drag but Nye was quicker-he snatched it from me and inserted back in between his lips. "You're right. I can." He said. And with that, he pushed me into the pool.

Now I was not expecting this. At all. So when he pushed my body into the cold, chlorine filled pool, I reacted as any person would. I pulled him in with me. Immediately, his body crashed into mine and let me tell you it was not the best experience. But it was definitely worth it.

I came up laughing stupidly, wiping my messy hair out of my eyes, my flip flops floating up to the surface. Nye surfaced right in front of me, a look of fury etched upon his face. I laughed again, knowing this would only get him angrier. "You...You...!" I stuck my bottom lip out, "What? Did the pretty rich boy get pushed into the pool?" I mocked. He picked up his cigarette floating a few feet away. "You're gonna pay for that!" He declared. I rolled my eyes, "Bring it on Rich Boy."

His whole body froze, "Don't call me that." He said in an emotionless voice. I looked at him, realizing I might've actually hurt his feelings. I bit my tongue, "Then don't call me Rodney." I replied. He shot me a look, "What you just referred to me as was meant as an insult. I only call you Rodney because my friends do." I looked down and swam over to the side of the pool, pulling myself up. I stripped out of my life guard shirt and i couldn't help but feel Nye's eyes on me as I did. I blushed, my body was so....boring. I should be thankful. I am perfectly healthy and strong, but I can't help but feel so plain.

Flat chested, no curves what so ever, and barely any hips. I have to wear belts with all my jeans in order for them to stay up. So to have a teenage boy looking at my body and probably judging it in his stupid mind, makes me feel vulnerable. Extremely. I cleared my throat, "Your friends call me Rodney?" I ask, desperately trying to take his gaze off my chest. "Uh, yeah..." He said, still looking at me. I clenched my fists and swatted his arm. His eyes flew up to mine, "What was that for?" He said, not even wincing. I glanced around moodily and combed my fingers through my (now wet) hair. "Nothing." I mumbled.