Life Changes

Chapter 2

Hoppo's POV:

My phone buzzed as soon as I stepped into the arrivals terminal at Sydney airport. "Hey uncle Hoppo! I'm here :)" Looking up from my phone, I see a brunette-haired teenage girl standing by the gate with her suitcase and purse in tow. My goodness, she looks exactly like  Darren!  Standing in front of her, she looked up and had the biggest smile on her face! "Uncle Hoppo! It's so good to see you again!" Giving me a big hug, I smiled and returned her hug. "Where's aunt Karen and the girls?" "They're down at the house; they wanted to stay home and make sure everything was spic and span before you came. The girls are so excited to meet you." "I'll bet they are!" Walking back to the car, I took Jessica's suitcase and put it in the trunk. "So Jessica how was your flight?" "It was good! I fell asleep so now I'm wide awake-" Looking over to see why she wasn't talking, I smiled. We passed Bondi Beach, where I work as Head Lifeguard and where she would start working tomorrow.

Passing by the beach, I honked the horn and pulled over. Harrison and Jesse were talking by the lifeguard tower gate, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to introduce Jessica to them. "Hoppo! What are you doing here?" "I came here to introduce my niece Jessica, who flew from the USA today. Jessica, this is Harrison and Jesse, two of the lifeguards who work here." Harrison had the most stupidest smile on his face, and turned red when he introduced himself to Jessica; "Hi, I'm Harrison! Welcome to Bondi and Australia!" "Thanks Harrison. I look forward to working with you guys tomorrow!" "And I'm Jesse; I'm more handsome than Harrison am I right?!" Harrison and Jessica quickly looked away and I could sense some feelings developing between them.

"Ok guys! I'm gonna bring Jessica home before the missus and the girls get upset! See you tomorrow!" "Bye Harrison and Jesse! See you tomorrow!" Driving away, I told myself that I would need to have a pep talk with the boys about Jessica coming and working with all of us.

Harrison's POV:

I couldn't believe the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen is working with us tomorrow! Hoppo has told us that his niece would be coming, but I didn't expect her to be so mature for her age. Knowing Hoppo, he would have a stern talk with all of us, "Harrison, have you been listening to me? Of course you haven't, cause you're in love with Jessica!" "Shut up Jesse! That isn't true!" Deep down, I knew that I was having feelings for her, and whoever thought about love at first sight isn't wrong; I fell in love with her the moment she rolled down her window and said hi to us. "Harrison, you know Hoppo won't be too fond if you go after her; in fact, he'll probably fire you!" "I know. Which is why I've got to get over my feelings for her." It's going to be hard to do so, but in order to keep things professional, I have to put my feelings for Jessica aside.

Jessica's POV:

I love my job already! When uncle Hoppo pulled up to talk to the two boys, Harrison caught my eye immediately. Was I open to a potential long-distance relationship? It would be hard, but if we are both willing to make it work, I'm up for it. Knowing uncle Hoppo, he won't be too pleased if I start going after one of his lifeguards and distract him from his job. I think the best bet is to put my feelings for Harrison aside and work with him in a professional and friendly way; but based on the way he turned red and couldn't stop staring at me, I couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way about me too. Uncle Hoppo broke into my thoughts: "Jessica, did you hear what I said?" "What? Sorry I've been distracted." "Haha! I knew it; you like Harrison don't you?" "What? No! I just think he's a friendly guy and I can't wait to work with ALL of the lifeguards." "Yeah right.. I'm gonna have to remind the boys that if they hurt you, they'll have to answer to me." "Oh uncle Hoppo please don't! Don't embarrass myself or any of the boys on my first day!" Sighing out loud, I couldn't believe that uncle Hoppo would be playing the dad role in my relationships with the lifeguards.

Back at the Bondi Lifeguard Tower, Harrison and Jesse are patrolling the central part of the beach.

Harrison's POV:

"Bondi to central beach; mate you've got a couple in front of you who is struggling against the rip. I think you might need to go in." "Got it; going in! Watch my hand signals in case I need help." Putting down the radio and stripping my shirt off, I grab my board and run into the water. Making my way to the couple, I was met by waves that pushed me off course, but I managed to make my way to them before they drowned. "Grab my hand, face the beach with your head and lay down on your stomach." As I got the one person on my board, the other tried coming on, but because the waves were so strong, I wasn't balanced enough so we all ended up falling off. When I got back up on the board, I put my hand in the air and waved to Jesse to come and help me. After I got the person on the board, I waited until Jesse came to help the other one; after we made our way back to the shore, Jesse and I gave them a stern warning to swim in between the flags from now on. When we were walking back towards the rhino, Jesse brought up the subject of Jessica again. "So Harrison, what did you think of Jessica?" "I think she'll be a great asset to our team and I can't wait to work with her professionally!" Jesse smirked and replied, "Harrison, you have not been able to wipe that smile off your face; you're obviously in love with her and hoping that Hoppo will allow you to see her outside of work." "See who outside of work?" I turned around to see Harries walking up to us with his board in tow. Harries is known as the match-maker of the group, and he would do anything to set his single buddies up. "Ah just someone I met-" "He likes Hoppo's niece Jessica!" Jesse replied with a big smirk on his face, I glared at Jesse which managed to make him not smile anymore. "Hoppo's niece Jessica? You mean, the one who's gonna start working with us tomorrow?" I inwardly groaned, as I knew Harries would be the first one to tell Hoppo that I was interested in her. "Yes, but like I told Jesse, I'm going to work with her in a professional manner and put my feelings at bay" Harries and Jesse looked at each other, knowing that I wouldn't be able to do that. Rolling my eyes, I walked to the tower to relieve Kerrbox from his post.