I noticed my hands were gripping the arm rests of my seat, so I tried to feign relaxation as panic rose in my chest.
How much time did I have left on my shift?? It was only 11:43, my shift ends at twelve. Only 17 minutes until I could take a break…
I watched the seconds tick by.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFeIBIBJkr
Longest 17 minutes of my life...282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H5ccdRavv
I had sunglasses and a visor on, and he hasn't seen me in a swimsuit before, so I was praying he hadn't recognized me.
5 minutes..282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h2iT13jLr
Finally!! My good friend Lucy came to take my place. I tried not to sprint into the break room. I caught my breath as a million thoughts went through my head.
Did he see me? Did I look cool? Cute, even? What if he starts talking to me? What if he thinks lifeguards are weird??
Stop, calm down. I took some deep breaths and chilled on the bench there for a few minutes.
I was definitely more calm as I ate my lunch in silence, then remembered I had to run the snack bar.
I slid on my lifeguard sweatshirt, knowing how cold it got I'm there. I took another deep breath and stepped into the snack bar.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTEMlvvcwb
Racks of chips and candy lined the small space, along with a cooler for ice cream and a drink dispenser. The air was cool in here, the only heat coming from the store window. I slid it open and started selling food. The ice cream was most popular, along with soda. I saw Cory and his friends walk my way... Oh crap I thought. Be cool.
I leaned against the counter and tried to act nonchalant. I suddenly felt very self conscious about myself in my red sweatshirt and black shorts with my sunglasses on the top of my braided hair. Here we go...
I put on a relaxed smile as one of Cory's friends ordered for the group. His name was Luke, and we’d been pretty good friends during elementary school. We parted ways, sort of on accident, when we just became too busy with life.
"Hi, can I get five root beer floats please?" He said distracted with his wallet.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXFNw5itSx
"'No problem," I replied in a perfect store person tone.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RqSfNMT5t
"Than- he started to say when he recognized me. "Hey, Cleo? Wow it's been so long! Barely recognized you," he said leaning on the other side of the counter.
“Oh, yeah hi," I said with a chuckle. "I wasn't gonna say anything unless you noticed first."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvhJKRkuXz
I was getting flirty vibes from Luke, and I didn't really know what to do with them. So far, Cory hasn't said anything. He was busy talking with one of the other guys there.
I quickly finished the foamy drinks and set them on the counter, breaking the space between us.
"There you go, five ice cold root beer floats.” 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIWRJmGZt9
"Thanks Cleo," he said while slipping a piece of paper with his number on it towards me along with the money.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F8R7aVBH0
“Ohh-uh thanks, II keep it touch, I guess.”282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SaFSiPngn
He was being super obvious. Not helping my nerves. Each guy came and got their drinks, even Cory, who didn't even look at me.
Wow. Was I hurt? Or disappointed? Happy? I didn't really know..
What I did know was that I needed a bathroom break. I put the "be back soon!" sign out by the window and slipped out the door. The bathrooms were around a corner to keep it private, but that meant that I lost sight of Cory... not that I was watching him.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupj5j1yAGP
I relieved myself and came out of the girls bathroom to see non other than Luke standing by the guys bathroom.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUuEFs23fT
"Hey Cleo, just the girl I was lookin for." He said coming a little too close for comfort. 282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL33r1nN7E
He put his hand on the wall by my head.
The exit was blocked.
Being a lifeguard meant I was trained for many situations, I even took a few self defense classes in case of this kinda thing happening.
"You know, we really should hang out some time," he said eyeing me.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ddcpXb436
I froze, not knowing what to say or do. I could use self defense, but it's Luke. Do I really want to kick him in the nuts?282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4cXhMqri6
He started to lean in, and my eyes widened with shock. Suddenly, before I could even think about what to do he was shoved off.
It was Cory again…282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOapoG2Cnzj
