A week passed rather uneventfully for Fiona.
Nothing really could compare to reviving that girl. Even if she had brushed it off, it kept coming back to her. When she was zoning out watching TV, or listening to music, at home. Even when she was supposed to be watching the beach goers for any other possible injuries, or near drowning. She would catch herself thinking about it.
Surprisingly none of the details shifted in her brain like they usually did when you kept examining a memory. She was specifically grateful that the girls face stayed crystal clear in her mind.
The former socialite remembered quite clearly the feel of the other girls cold skin, and the sand rough against her knees. How nothing else had seemed to be there around them until she was sure the girl was going to stay alive.
It made her job seem less pointless. Even if she hadn't done anything close to as life changing since.
It was another one of those moments when she was zoned out. Her brain, despite itself, couldn't stop attempting to put a name with the girl's face. She knew she had heard it from the emo guy. But couldn't remember it really at all.
She was sitting at a wooden table at the concession stand. On break, with a Coke forgotten in her hands as she thought.
If she hadn't been so deep in thought she would have been able to get up and inconspicuously leave when one of her least liked co-workers entered the shaded eating area.
Shirtless, and wearing his red uniform trunks with pride. While Fiona had a v-neck shirt hiding most of her own uniform. Mike Dallas seemed to think the red shorts gave him some kind of license to be a complete dick. That or he thought simply being a guy was enough.
Fiona was drawn from her thoughts in time to see him flop down across from her at the small table she was seated at. Running her gaze over her like she was a piece of meat.
"Mike, I'm on break.." She all but groaned. Really there wasn't anything very relaxing, or break-like about having to deal with Mike Dallas.
"Yeah, and so am I. So why don't we keep each other company?" The dark-skinned boy suggested, a stupid grin on his features. Fiona wondered how any girls could ever like when guys did this. The stupid pick up lines, and obvious vulgar insinuations. Sometimes Fiona was amazed herself by just how gay she was.
"I'm fine with my own company." She deadpanned. Taking a sip of her forgotten soda when a bead of condensation slid down the cup to inch down her hand. Frowning more so when she realized how warm it had gotten.
"Aw, don't be that way. You know you want a piece of Dallas." He slid his forearms up onto picnic table lazily, and drew his fists up to rest his chin on.
Fiona hated the way boys took up so much space. Sprawling themselves out like they could take all that was available and more. Even if it encroached on her own personal bubble.
"I really don't think you have the..." She looked him up and down with a grimace. "Pieces, I'm looking for."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He looked like he was still trying hard to be playful. But was genuinely confused underneath it.
Fiona just rolled her eyes and smiled sweetly as she stood. Dropping her warm soda in the trashcan before heading off to fill the rest of her break before she had to go back on duty with Mike Dallas-less-ness.
Later that same day Imogen Moreno was skipping down an aisle of the grocery store. She was there for marshmallows for the bonfire she was to be attending.
When something made her stop in her tracks. Well actually, it was more like a somebody, than a something.
She half sat, half crouched in front of the rack that Imogen needed. Cut-off jean shorts riding up, and the cotton-y purple shirt she was wearing spilling out of the waistline of them to brush the floor. Her dark curls spilled over one shoulder. Making a deep contrast with her fair skin. She had something in one hand captured against her knee. A purse trapped under one arm, and she was scrutinizing the shelf in front of her like it was some piece of art and she was a critic.
She had features that Imogen was sure no matter what face you pulled them into she would still be some sort of beautiful, and Imogen thought that she had every right to have thought this girl was an angel.
Then the girl's gaze shifted from whatever had had her so focused, and she seemed to notice Imogen hovering. "Oh, I'm sorry did you need some... thing.." As she spoke she stood, and cleared the way in front of the sweets. Finally looking up to meet Imogen's eyes as she finished, and she didn't seem to be able to.
"Yeah, I did." Imogen slid into the spot the angelic girl had just vacated. Breaking eye contact just briefly, before looking back up to them. Struck for a second by how they seemed just as blue under the fluorescent lights as they had in the bright sun, beneath the blue sky.
"I'm Imogen Moreno by the way. You saved my life." Imogen threw in a great big smile. Something that came as naturally to her as squealing.
"I did, didn't I..." The taller brunette replied. (Or at least she seemed taller, what with her being in heels, and Imogen just in her Chucks. She couldn't be sure, and she had the feeling now wasn't the best time for measuring.) "I'm Fiona Coyne." She added, and Imogen wondered if she always sounded this far off.
"I'm glad we ran into each other like this. I wanted to thank you, like for real, for that." The girl, Fiona, then seemed to come to earth. Some thoughts swirling under the cover of her blue eyes.
"You already did, and there's really no need. I mean it's my job, and it's not like I would have just let you drown." Fiona attempted to wave her off, an amused look on her face.
"Well I was still kind of wondering what was going on when I thanked you before, and when I went to first aid they said if it had been a few seconds longer I could have had brain damage. So I wanted to thank you for your prompt-ness in saving my life." The darker-skinned brunette replied. Pausing for a brief second, before going on.
"Thank you Fiona Coyne, for so promptly saving my life. I am forever in your debt." Fiona couldn't beat down a smile at that statement, and the slight bow Imogen gave at the end. A thought that maybe they had been wrong at the first aid center about the brain damage rolled through her head.
"Your welcome Im-" Fiona pauses suddenly, her heart rushing in her ears with a wave of nerves. As she fumbled with the girls name in her mouth.
"Im-oh-jin." The other girl led her through it. Over enunciating the sounds and as Fiona tried to burn the sounds into her brain she couldn't help but notice the way her lips rubbed together when she hummed out the 'm'.
"You're very welcome Imogen." Fiona repeated, finishing this time with her own slight bow. Which confused her for a second, because that was so not something she would do in the middle of a grocery store. That wasn't really something Fiona would do anywhere.
But there was something about this girl. Some vibe she gave off, that just made Fiona feel like it really didn't matter. Who saw her, or what she did.
The girl had to have been feeling that vibe one hundred fold herself to be wearing a cat eared headband and overalls at her age as if it was the most normal thing ever.
"Well it was great we ran into each other like this. Now I have a name to start my list of lives saved this summer, with." Fiona stated, giving a small laugh. Just to make sure that Imogen knew she was joking. She would hate for this girl to get the idea that she was a lifeguard like Mike Dallas.
"Yep. Just perfect." Imogen gave Fiona a final smile. Scooping up her bag of marshmallows off the shelf, and heading off.
It made Fiona's stomach do a funny flip flop to see her walking away like that. Then Imogen turned around. Continuing to walk, but backwards, and stated.
"I hope we meet again, Fiona Coyne."
