Fellow lifeguards: Evak

New addition to the learning

I can't believe it was summer again. Finally it was time to go back to lifeguard training. My friends and I have been coming here for the past 3 years. Now we're 17, so we we're officially allowed to be part of the action for real!

"Isak? Are you coming?" Jonas yelled from outside the car. I went out of the car with all my stuff, but first I thanked Mahdi's dad for driving us. 

"Hurry up!" Magnus was screaming, running to the shore. 

"Thanks dad. See you in a few weeks!" Mahdi greeted his dad.

Mahdi and I walked slowly to the shore, carrying all the bags; including Jonas's and Magnus's. They were too busy running along the beach. When Mahdi and I reached the shore we sat on the sand. It was perfect weather. My eyes were following Magnus and Jonas running back and forth, until something caught my eye. It was a guy. I had never seen this person before. Usually new people start when they're 15. He was definitely not 15. Then I saw more people running towards him. Like 3 other people who also looked older. I only realised I was staring at the guy when he turned around and our gazes met. I looked down and shook my head. 

"Who the hell are they?" Mahdi asked.

"I have no idea" I replied in confusion.

That's when Magnus and Jonas finally ran out of energy and sat beside us.

"Look at that girl!" Magnus said while fanning himself with his hand, "She's beautiful!"

"Which one?" Jonas asked him.

"The little blonde one."

"Yeah she's cute I guess."

There were 2 girls and 2 guys. They all look like they came out a movie. Especially the first guy I saw, he's really attractive if I say so myself. Over the last 2 weeks I had come to terms with the fact that I was gay. I have yet to tell anyone, but I'm planning on doing so to my friends at training this year. I'm sure they're going to accept me.

The good-looking guy kept glancing over at my friends and I. Every time I'd look down, and when I was sure he wasn't looking, I'd stare at him some more. I sound like a creep, but I couldn't help myself from looking at him.

"FWEET!" The coach blew his whistle, which meant everyone had to gather around. 

We ran straight to the coach. We were so excited to start this year. Yes lifeguard training was hard, but it was also really fun. We basically got to spend 5 weeks at an island, practicing how to save people for the first 2 weeks, then working at the water park 10 minutes away for the remaining 3 weeks. Plus, this year we're 17, which means we get to work and not just observe!

"Welcome to lifeguard training! I'm so glad I see some new young faces! If you're new here you probably already know all about this, but if you have any questions just ask me later. This year we will doing things differently." the coach continued, "These 4 wonderful people will be mentors. There are a lot more people this year than ever, and I can't handle it alone. They will be helping you guys and assisting me. Think of it as a new addition to your learning trainees. Introduce yourselves!" the coach pointed at the 4 new people.

They all waved. The guy I had been eyeing talked first.

"Hey everyone. I'm Even." he said carelessly with a little chuckle.

"Hello, my name's Vilde!" said the little blonde Magnus liked. He smirked when she talked.

"I'm Noora!" said the other girl.

"Sup, I'm William." said the last guy.

Coach looked proud of them. He clapped, "They're all 18 by the way! So they are the oldest people here I think. Valtersen? Are you 18 or 17?"

I cringed when I heard coach say my last name. I was nervous to talk in front of Even. For some reason it felt like a first impression I needed to be good at. After way too long of a silence and many arm nudges from the boys telling me to answer, I answered.

"Um I'm 17. Yep." I said awkwardly. Everyone laughed a little bit at me but it was ok because I laughed too.

"We will be sleeping in the guest room in the little hut beside the practice pool. There's only one room and no beds, so I really hope you all remembered a sleeping bag." the girl, Noora, said. She seemed friendly. They all did.

We had the rest of the day to get to know each other. The boys and I set our stuff beside the entrance to the hut. We put on swimming trunks and went down to the beach. Out of the corner of my eye I kept on seeing a girl staring at me. She looked a lot like Natalie Portman. Suddenly she came towards me and the boys. 

"Hey Isak. I'm Emma. Um it's my first year here, I'm 15, so maybe one day you could show me around?" she was blushing and giggling. I saw her friends looking at her like she was a hero. 

"Um sure, why not." I smiled at her. I really hope she's not interested.