A/N: wow, theres 900 plus views now.
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You held your chest, feeling your palpitating heart which was abnormally beating very fast. You bit your lip and looked at yourself in the mirror of your locker, scrutinizing your image from head to toe. Your hair was tied up in a high ponytail, leaving some baby hair dangling. You looked at your red shorts and sleeveless white top, showing the curves of your slim body.
It was your first day as an intern. A lifeguard intern. You could swim well and even won several competitions when you were an adolescent. You enjoyed swimming so much that you decided that you want to be a lifeguard to save people's lives. However, out of all the places you were transfered to, it was the Caribbean Bay. A place where expectations are high for their lifeguards. 'Would I do well on my first day?'you thought.
You inhaled and exhaled deep breaths to ease your mind. You closed the locker and clenched your fist. 'I can do it.' You exited the changing room and was greeted by your instructor, Mr Kang. You bowed at him.
"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Y/N."
He nodded his head with folded arms. He looked very stern. "Welcome to your first day. It'll be hard for you but as a potential swimmer, it shouldn't be an excuse for you to slack. I hope you get along with the others,"he said.
You nodded your head and bowed once more. "Follow me."
You then clicked your head up and trailed behind Mr Kang. He then led you to the outdoor pool where people from all ages could swim. Humongous spiral slides was enough to make you dizzy as the spirals never seem to end, the gigantic blue bucket stood out at the children's section and the tall slides could frighten someone who has acrophobia. In a sense, everything looked fun and interesting.
You then saw a group of lifeguards who were playing in the water and some were involved in their own world, chatting away. Your heart started beating extremely fast as you approached closer to them. You got startled when Mr Kang blew his red whistle, catching their attention. In a flash, they all halted their activities and ran to Mr Kang and you, getting into their lines. They were surprisingly synchronized.
However, your heart shattered. Just with one glimpse, you knew you didn't feel welcome. Smug faces were plastered on and murmurs were heard.
"Everyone, meet the new lifeguard who will be joining us starting from today. She obtained several gold awards from swimming competitions and is passionate like all of you. Please introduce yourself,"said Mr Kang as he turned to me.
"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Y/N."
You bowed. You couldn't smile. You didn't want to smile. Their reactions was obvious enough to prove that your existence ruined the atmosphere. Just a while ago, gleeful smiles were crept across their faces but now, you were greeted with frowns.
"Would there be any kind souls out there who would like to volunteer in being Y/N's buddy for one week?"asked Mr Kang.
Everyone averted their gazes on the floor and some exchanged gazes with their friends in disbelief. You felt a lump in your throat seeing how everyone was already hating on you.
"That will leave me no choice but to elect someone,"threatened Mr Kang.
Everyone bit their lips, hoping their names wouldn't slip out of Mr Kang's lip. Mr Kang scanned through the lifeguards, inspecting thoroughly.
"Shownu,"he called out a name.
Everyone clicked their heads to a buff tall guy who has a baby face. His eyes widened upon hearing his name.
"Be her buddy. The rest, you may leave except Shownu,"added Mr Kang.
Everyone sauntered away from there with sighs of relief whereas Shownu stood still. Mr Kang ambled over to Shownu and talked to him. However, you didn't hear. Shownu nodded and watched as Mr Kang went back to where you were. Mr Kang patted your arm and sauntered past you, fixing his cap. You looked down to the ground, already hating your first day.
"Don't get your hopes too high. If you think that you could change our perception, I suggest you quit."
Your head clicked up when Shownu stood before you. In contrast with his gentle face, he was mean.
"Follow me,"he ordered sternly and walked away.
You jogged after him and kept a safe distance with him. He toured you around the venue, making sure you memorised the places. The only time he talked was when he introduced the different stations. Afterwards, awkward silence would engulfed the both of you. It was uncomfortable being with him and the fact that he's your buddy, it would mean that you had to depend on him for one week.
Just then, Shownu halted in his track and so did you. You looked up to him with a creased forehead and furrowed eyebrows.
"Stay in your lane if you don't want to get stepped by the rest. It's clear enough that they won't have a change of heart no matter how much you impress them,"warned Shownu.
You kept your mouth sealed. Throughout, you didn't even speak to him. You heaved a sigh and just nodded your head.
"We're going to have training at 1 pm at where Mr Kang introduced you. You're alone now,"he said and walked past me.
You bowed and watched as he left you alone. You looked back at the water and tears started brimming in your eyes. 'Why does everyone hate me so much?'you thought.
You bit your lip to control your tears from falling and sauntered away from there, going to the changing room.
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"Give me 30 rounds back and forth the water. You have to pass by the big rock to consider it as one round. Get into your lines!"hollered Mr Kang.
All of you stood in one line and as usual, you were pushed to the very far end. There were girls and boys near you but they kept a distance away as if you were like a virus.
"On your mark, get set..."
"PEEPPP!!"Mr Kang blowed the whistle.
You took a deep breathe and clenched your fist, swinging your arms as you entered the water which was around your calf length. You were taking it slow at first because you knew if you used up too much energy at the beginning, you'll get tired. As you reached halfway through the rounds, a girl with wavy ponytail stopped running through the water and almost collapsed onto the floor. She was out of breath.
Without hesitation, you rushed to her and held her arm to make her stand up.
"Are you okay?"you asked.
When she looked up and met eyes with you, she immediately swung her arm harshly out of your grip.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"she yelled.
You got startled and soon, all eyes were on the both of you. Your mouth was agape and your mind went blank.
"I was just trying to-"
"DON'T TOUCH ME! YOU PUSHED ME DIDN'T YOU?"her blood started boiling.
'What? I didn't even push her?'you thought.
Words couldn't come out from your lip. Mr Kang overheard the commotion and believed you tried to push her.
"Y/N, 40 rounds for you!"ordered Mr Kang.
The girl scoffed and jogged away from where you were. You heaved a sigh and was too fatigued to argue back with her and Mr Kang so you proceeded with his order silently.
Everyone was almost done with their laps except for you. As you made through the water, you caught someone running beside you. To your astonishment, he was Shownu. He was half naked so you looked away and ran by yourself but soon, you realised it was just the both of you running and he was keeping you company, maybe forcefully. You watched as the rest of the lifeguards looked at the both of you, flabbergasted.
You didn't like how the attention was divert to you and now, they might think you were brainwashing Shownu. You halted in your track and so did Shownu. You didn't look at him.
"Go away. People might think differently,"you spoke up for the very first time.
In the end, he stopped running when you were already far away from him. Mr Kang blew the whistle once my lap was done. You gasped for air as you rested your hands on your waist.
"Grab your buoy from the store room now! Run!"ordered Mr Kang.
Everyone pushed you as they ran to the store room. Your shoulders and arms got nudged on and you collapsed to the floor when someone pushed you hard.
"Achk!"you yelped.
You bit your lip and your legs started to turn fatigue. Just then, a hand was extended out to you. You craned your head up to him and saw his face again. You stared at his hand for a moment, contemplating on whether to take his helping hand. You shook your head and pushed yourself up from the floor, neglecting his hand. Your legs could dislocate any moment but you pretended to be strong.
You didn't bother about Shownu and turned your back on him. If he could be cold and mean to you, why can't you?
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You wrapped the white jacket around your petite frame, rubbing your arms to give more heat. It was already night time and you went through various trainings. You had to swim 10 laps back and forth the swimming pool, you had to do basic stretchings worth 30 minutes and there were other vigorous ones. So far, you're relationship with the rest has no improvements.
You walked along the water with your hands tucked in the pocket of your jacket. You halted when a shadow appeared infront of you. You didn't want to look and you knew who he was. You were expecting him to give you a pep talk.
"You're not supposed to be here at night unless you're on patrol duty. You just broke the rules,"mentioned Shownu.
You nodded your head sloppily. "Everything I do is wrong. I'll go back to the dorm,"you muttered.
You bowed to Shownu and walked off. You thought he was gone but just then, water splashed at you. Your eyes bulged opened and your jacket got wet. You clicked to the left and saw Shownu in the water. When you weren't on guard, he splashed water on you once more. Your face was already drenched.
"This is part of your training,"he said.
You wiped your face with the sleeves of your jacket but as soon as your face was dry, it turned wet again. Your jaw dropped to the ground. You splashed water onto Shownu and you were low-key satisfied seeing his drenched face.
Soon, the both of you were involved in a water fight, splashing water consistently. The both of you laughed to see who got drenched the most and obviously, you lost. You ran away from Shownu because when he splashes water, it turns into a wave instead. You tried to run as fast as you could and somehow, the first training you had was beneficial because you got used to the water current.
However, Shownu was quick enough to catch up with you. He wrapped his right arm over your waist and refrained you from running away. You tried to wriggle out of his grasp but to no avail. You punched his left arm multiple times but you bet it wouldn't hurt since it was solid as steel. You tried to turn your body to escape from his arms.
Just then, something strucked you and at the same time, Shownu realised it. The both of you froze and locked gazes with each other. You realised your hands were on Shownu's chest and he was pulling your waist closer to him. 'How in the world did the water fight ended up like this?'you thought.
Immediately, Shownu and you pulled away. He rubbed his nape sheepishly and your cheeks flushed in red. Afterwards, Shownu cleared his throat.
"W-we should dry ourselves,"he stuttered.
You nodded and got out of the water with him.
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A/N: aigoo you and Shownu are already having moments together on the first day. BE BLESSED THAT YOU MET SUCH A DAZZLING LIFEGUARD IN THIS STORY;) PART 2 COMING SOON!!