Summer
Chapter 2- Mermaids in the night
Headphones in her ears, duffelbag on her back, Bridgette road down the sidewalk on her Ten speed from the housing docks. The gray lake to her left. Colorful and bright shops, stands, even a themed restaurant or two on her right. At the top of the slope, Bridgette could see one of the hot dog stands sitting there. Its attendant had a familiar green maple leaf on his white shirt.
"Bridge! Bridge, grab for it!" Owen happily yelled as he stuck out his arm in her path, hot dog in hand. The surfer took up the challenge and as she got closer to the stand the surfer held out her hand, ready for the prize. But the second her hand reached Owen's own, she slapped it loose and into the air. Bridgette made one last ditch attempt to grab, but simply knocked it away with nothing but mustard to show for it as she cruised on. "Ohhh, missed it by that much... oh well, no reason to let a good dog go to waste."
Bridgette sighed as she grabbed hold of her handlebar, doing her best to ignore the yellow condiment as she picked up speed from going down hill. While she enjoyed the wind and adrenaline, Bridgette hit the breaks as she neared the stop light. After waiting a bit Bridgette turned and peddled to the other side of the street, making it to the gas station. Looking around, Bridgette saw Courtney tying a large sign for a car wash to a post next to the entrance. Her sister right behind the C.I.T. writing on a clipboard.
"Hey Court, Elly." Bridgette greeted as she kicked her bike's stand out.
"You're late." Courtney greeted back as she finished tying the not, tight.
"Actually," Ellody answered, flipping a few pages on her notepad before looking at her watch. "Bridgette is right on time. A few minutes early in fact."
"Thank you Ellody." Courtney rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry Bridge. Just had a crappy morning."
"What happened?" Bridgette asked, to her surprise her usually talkative friend stayed silent and just squinted off into space before shrugging back. "Okay, now I'm really interested."
"Courtney's breakfast dinner date was canceled." Ellody answered, reading off the chart on the clipboard. The younger sister was oblivious to the glare she was receiving from Courtney.
"You met someone."
"Maybe."
"I'm happy for ya." Bridgette smiled. "But why was it a 'breakfast dinner date'? That's not a thing. Were you nervous about the guy?"
"The 'BDD' was to convince him to run errands for Courtney today while we did the car wash. Specifically because he'd be so sleepy and tired he'd just agree to it without thinking." Ellody answered, thoughtlessly reading off from the paper on the clip board. "The real date was going to be at the party. 1st, after finishing car wash and secure the money, spend at least an hour to look good for the party with the new bikini. 2nd, show up fashionably late but still early enough to make him feel guilty. Third, show off new bikini and how great you look in it. Fourth, spend some time talking to him to get to know him more and push him for why he canceled. Fifth, play party games with him against B and G. Better introducing him to your friends and imply that you want to be a couple with him. Now, sixth-"
"Ellody, please skip to the end." Bridgette blinked. "Don't keep me in suspense."
"Okay,-"
"Ellody." Courtney whispered, biting her lip.
"The last thing on the schedule and the paper is that the last hour of their time at the party, Courtney will take him back to her car and-"
"ELLY SHUT UP!"
In near complete bewilderment, Bridgette turned to her friend and saw her face was almost beat red from blushing as Courtney looked between her frightened sister and Bridgette herself.
"Wow." Bridgette laughed, still bewildered. "Y-you really do write down everything don't you?"
"I-I-I- um," Courtney stammered, her face still red as she twiddled her fingers. "I'm just trying this guy out. Its not serious."
"Courtney, its new." Bridgette smiled. "Its not supposed to be serious. Just have fun. But ah, little piece of advice. Don't put everything on schedules and manipulate him like that. Good way to piss off or scare people away."
Courtney simply sighed as she walked off toward the hoses and buckets behind them. Bridgette shrugged before she tied up her bike to the same post as Courtney's sign. As she did, Bridgette noticed Ellody writing on her clipboard before turning toward her sister.
"Ellody wait." Bridgette pleaded. "Did you do all that to help or just be funny?"
"Bridgette Merrow, while I am quite whimsical, Courtney made me promise to stop putting 'stupid puns and dumb jokes' in the itinerary." Ellody explained. "Besides, aside from deciding the specific type of hoses and soaps its all I'm allowed to do."
"Wait, what about that last part?"
"Oh, I chose the type of soap specifically because of its chemical composition, properties, and affordability." Ellody happily explained. "So now we have the perfect kind of soap for the car wash, allowing for maximum efficiency for multiple types of grime and or buildup."
Bridgette stood on her bike in even more bewilderment than before as the human computer in a gray and white bathing suit walked away to her sister. The blonde surfer shook out of it before tying one last knot on her bike before she slid off it. Unfortunately, Bridgette's sandal got caught on the peddle, pulling her to the ground face first. Rubbing her sore face, Bridgette sighed as she put both her sandals in her duffel, before walking barefoot to her friend.
"So, who else is going to help?" Bridgette asked, as Courtney filled the buckets.
"I asked a bunch of people, but you're the only one to show up."
"I asked a few people as well." Ellody spoke, shifting through her papers. "All said no. Except Mary, but she said she was allergic to the brand of soap I chose. Though we're friends and only now has she mentioned it. I can only surmise that she was lying to get out of the car wash."
"How much time does she spend inside?"
"I almost had to drag her out here." Courtney deadpanned, Bridgette barked out a laugh at her friend.
"Well that's nice, but I'm only gonna be here for a few hours before I have to go to work." Bridgette explained as she handed Courtney another bucket. "You really gonna handle this yourself once I'm gone?"
"Hey guys." Bridgette turned and saw none other than Carrie and Zoey standing at the door to the gas station in matching red hoodies, carrying plastic bags in each hand as they came over. "We got the sponges and snacks."
"Thanks guys." Bridgette nodded as she took some of the candy bars as Courtney took the sponges and tossed them in the buckets. "What are you two doing here?"
"We were going to the beach when we saw these two and asked if they needed help." Zoey explained as she took a bite of her snickers.
"Cool. Cool." Bridgette nodded. "Hey Carrie, are your sisters coming since you're here?"
"Uhhhh, they're kinda busy."
"Uh-huh, well thanks for coming any way." Bridgette smiled. "But B-T-Dubs, I'm only gonna be here for a few hours before I gotta cut out for work."
"Its cool." Carrie nodded back before eating some reese's pieces. "The three of us doing the washing with Ellody handling the money, that should be enough."
"You sure? You guys'll be stuck here all day with Courtney and Ellody. Oh speaking of crazy, Zoey, how's your nutty brother's latest project? Carrie, I'm sure if you asked your sisters, they would've taken you to the Galleria or something." Bridgette suggested. The two younger girls just awkwardly looked at each other for a moment before silently going back to eating their snacks. "I get it, lesser of three evils."
"Coming through!" The trio hopped to the side surprised as a large mud covered pick-up drove up next to them. The driver rolled down the brown grime covered window. "Hey everybody, can a guy get a car wash here?"
"Hey DJ." Bridgette laughed, picking up a wet sponge and tossing it at him.
"Hey Bridge." DJ nodded as he caught the sponge, the water and soap splashed in his face. "Ha, Zoey. Carrie. Whats up?"
"Alright first customer." Courtney hollered as she picked up the hose and started washing off the mud from the bumpers. "I got the front. Zoey, you've got the back. Carrie you've got the passenger's side. Bridge, you've got the drivers."
"Hey Court." The human Brick-house greeted, before the C.I.T. just waved back in response before handing the buckets to the two younger girls. Said two girls got into position before unzipping their red hoodies, revealing matching lime green swim suits as they began washing. "Never gonna change."
"Dee'j, how'd you get your truck all dirty?" Bridgette asked as she began scrubbing his car door.
"Me, Geoff, and Brody just came back from an off road joy-ride." DJ explained. "I came here to get it clean before the big party tonight. The guys are setting it up at the boat house right now."
"Great, I haven't seen you guys in a few days." Bridgette nodded, splashing some water on the door and wiping away the grime. "How you been?"
"Do'n good." DJ answered. "How about the twins, they adjusting?"
"Oh god."
"That bad huh?" DJ laughed. "Well you'll get one night away from'em."
"O-oh yeah." Bridgette laughed back, relief heavy in her voice. "How about your little brother, how's little Cam?"
"Lil Cam's getting better." DJ answered. "If what the doc's say is true, he'll be out of the hospital soon...wow you're business is getting popular."
"What?" Bridgette asked, looking behind them. Only to find that an entire row of cars, trucks, van's and even a boat with wheels had lined up. Bridgette sighed as she picked up the hose and washed down her side of the truck. "Ohhh, we'll talk later."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The seaweed is always greener, in someone else's lake.
The lyrics sang in the surfer's ears as she walked down the stairs. The blonde lifeguard happily hummed to the tune of her childhood as she all but danced step by step to the ground, though always with care and her hand on the railing. Bridgette was carefree but never careless, especially with her two left feet.
You dream about going up there, but that's a big mistake.
Opening her eyes, Bridgette looked around the first deck of the boat house as she adjusted the shoulder strap of her duffel. The surfer could see her friends, familiar faces, and even others she didn't know move, shift, and arrange stuff around the place. The party games were being set up. The plates and cups were on the table along with bags of food. The lifeguard did a double take when she saw the coolers being placed next to it, as she couldn't wait for the happy cold ones she'd pull out of there later that night.
Such wonderful things around you, what more are you looking for?
Bridgette hopped off the final step as she waited for the second verse when she felt someone brush her shoulder. Turning around, Bridgette saw a familiar face as she pulled out her headphones.
"Hey Leshawna."
"Sup girl." Leshawna greeted as the two fist-bumped. "Almost everything is set for the party tonight. DJ's outside working the grill and a couple of guys are bringing their giant speakers. We gotta listen to some of their music, some of it's okay. If you're only into rock."
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Bridgette shrugged as she rolled up her phone before putting it back into her bag. "I would have helped, but I was with Courtney on her latest thing."
"Its cool." Leshawna laughed, rolling her eyes. "What award or whatever is Court after this time?"
"No idea." Bridgette admitted. "I think she's just grabbing as much community service points as she can before school starts. It always looks good. Whatever award she's going for."
"She asked me too. Glad I dodged that bullet." Leshawna chuckled. "If I'm gonna work I'm gonna get something out of it. Like a paycheck. Something. No freebies. Personal motto. But forget all that. I'm bringing my baby sis to the party tonight!"
"Sandy is coming?"
"Yup, bring'n her to her first party." Leshawna smiled with pride. "You bring'n the twins?"
"Noooope." Bridgette laughed in relief. "This is my night. They can come next time. Just me and my friends. No babysitting... and ya know, Geoff."
"Have fun ya crazies." Leshawna jokingly slapped her friend's shoulder. "Just remember to lock the door this time."
"Yeaaaah, sorry about before." Bridgette blushed. "I thought I locked it last time."
"Its cool, you should'a seen the look on Gwen's and Trent's faces when they came down." Leshawna laughed. Bridgette chuckled a bit herself at the thought of those two so flustered. "So what brings you here now? I'm guessing your shift at the beach is gonna start soon."
"I got a minute or two." Bridgette answered. "I wanted to meet up with Geoff first."
"Well, I'll leave you to it." Leshawna shrugged as she pointed behind her. "The pretty boy should be in the next room."
Bridgette gave a final fist-bump to her friend before following her advice. Turning over into the next room, Bridgette saw 'the pretty boy' along with Brody pulling in a ping pong table and hauling it over to the side of the room next to a keg.
"Okay, 1-2-3- down." Geoff announced as he and Brody sat down the thin green table. The funnest man in the world wiped the sweat off his brow when he saw Brody pointing behind him.
"Geoff!" Bridgette happily cheered as she dropped her duffelbag.
"Bridgette!" Geoff cheered right back before the two both charged that one step between them into a hug. "I missed you Bridger-bear."
"Awww, I missed you too schmoopsie poo." Bridgette cooed as Geoff lifted her up and into the air before the two spun on his right foot like a ballerina.
"Wow, I wonder if someone can get diabetes from watching this?" Leshawna joked as she entered the room and smiled when Brody laughed before she blew the couple a raspberry. "Or just gag. Come on you two. Save it for the honeymoon."
"Sorry, sorry." Bridgette apologized as Geoff set her down.
"Bridge, everything is almost set up. It'll be ready for tonight by the time your shift's done."
"Great!" Bridgette nodded as she held Geoff's hand. "We can open the first bottles of the night together."
"Too late." Brody chimed as he pulled up a chair to sit with one hand, as he spun off the cap to a bottle with his thumb in the other. "Already called dibs."
"Brody, dick move." Leshawna rolled her eyes as she gave the boy a light slap upside the head. "But funny."
"What?" The rancher asked before taking a swig. "I already called dibs."
"And that is, like, his third one."
"Oh its fine." Bridgette shrugged letting go of Geoff's hand, wrapped her arm around his shoulder while she rubbed his belly. "I said first round of the night. Sun's still out. Till then, do you think DJ'll mind if I leave my duffel in his truck until my shift's over?"
"Nah, he'd be cool with it. Later guys."
Bridgette smiled as she walked out the side door and felt the bright noon air rain down on her skin. Bridgette smiled deeper as she felt the cool breeze blow against her, cooling her down. Taking a step forward, enjoying the sweet smell the of the great lake to their side. Of course all that was forgotten when she saw Geoff's famous cowboy hat and open pink shirt as he walked passed her. Her smile shifted into a smirk as Bridgette jumped onto Geoff's back.
"Woooo!" Bridgette cheered as she stuck the landing, with Geoff catching her perfectly with his strong back and muscular arms. Bridgette felt like she was glowing inside when she felt how hot Geoff was underneath her as he spun them around. "Ha-ha. Woooo!"
"Yahooooo!" Geoff cheered himself as he finished his spin and charged forward to their friend's truck in the parking lot. Before he even stopped, Bridgette tossed her duffel into the back of the truck as she slid down Geoff's and hugged.
The two happy blondes were all over each other as their kiss heated up. Geoff's hands were exploring Bridgette as they slid lower and lower until they were right on her firm behind, clad in only a thin bathing-suit and squeezed. Bridgette herself giggled as she was feeling up Geoff's washboard stomach with sheer glee. Of course that quickly changed when the pink clad rancher hoisted up the lifeguard into the air with Bridgette wrapping her legs around Geoff's waist.
"Yee-ha!"
"I missed you all week Bridger-bear." Geoff cooed, kissing her teasingly. The rancher smiled as Bridgette's quiet giggle only encouraged him. "I really like your onsey."
"Don't think I didn't miss you. The only real company I had all week was the twins. The only company." Bridgette answered before she adjusted Geoff's head so she could kiss him again, even harder than before. As she kissed, Bridgette slid her hands down from the rancher's face to his shoulders and slid off his open shirt before she started feeling his pecks and abs again. "Have you been working out Mr. Handsome?."
The two smiled at each other before the two kissed again, with Geoff spinning them one more time before stopping and pressing the surfer girl against the white truck, both moaned into each other. But before either could go any further, the lifeguard's phone alarm went off in her duffel. The two didn't want to stop, they were all but compelled to press on. But the alarm just wouldn't stop.
"I'm sorry schmoopsie poo."
"Its cool Bridger-bear." Geoff cooed as he backed them away from DJ's truck and let her down. "It'll be our reward for the night."
"That's a good way to look at it. A reward. One for us both. But I'll give you one right now," Bridgette smiled, grabbing the rancher's hand and pulled him in for a last kiss. "for being so patient."
"Hey Berny!"
Turning to their side, the young couple found none other than Lindsay waving at them. Not just her, but also Taylor, Jen and the head of their group, Heather. All dressed up in bikini's and ready for the beach, gear in hand. All but Lindsay, who was in a very familiar looking outfit. Bridgette tried not to shake her head as her and Geoff waved back.
"Hey Berny." Lindsay greeted as she walked up to the couple. "Hey Joey."
"Sup Linds." Goeff greeted, high fiveing the girl.
"Lindsay what are you doing here?" Bridgette asked, gesturing to Lindsay's lifeguard uniform she was still wearing. "You're not supposed to leave the beach until someone relieves you. Which is me today."
"Well, Heather called and wanted to meet at the snowcone stand before everyone went to the beach." Lindsay answered as she pointed to her friends as they continued their way to the beach.
"Okay." Bridgette sighed. "Lindsay, you could get in trouble just leaving like that. You could get fired, or worse. Someone could get hurt and there'd be no one there to help them."
"Bridge relax." Geoff padded her back. "When was the last time someone got hurt at the lake."
"Besides, we all know I'll never get fired."
"Linds- Lindsay, just go get changed before someone notices." Bridgette shrugged. "We'll hang-out at the party later."
"Thats cool. I, like, haven't seen you all week. It'll be good to catch up Berny." Lindsay nodded as she waved to the couple before running off to her friends.
"Berny. Connections or not, that girl's gonna get fired. Well, I gotta go see ya-"
Bridgette grabbed Geoff's hand again, but when she was about to pull him in for a final kiss, the lifeguard could see that the rancher was mesmerized and staring at Lindsay's behind as she left. Shaking her head, Bridgette gently slapped the rancher's gut, getting his attention.
"Eyes on the prize schmoopsie poo." Bridgette smiled as she kissed his cheek. "Remember what's waiting for you tonight."
XXXXXXXXXXX
Darling its better. Down where its wetter. Take it from me.
The lyrics sang in the lifeguard's ears as she walked down the beach, the duffel's sling on her shoulders. But the happy tune only helping her mood. Anxious for what was waiting for her that night, Bridgette took a deep breath to try and calm herself down.
Out in the sun they slave away.
Exhaling, Bridgette regained composure as she looked around the beach she was assigned to watch over. Bridgette could see it was a beautiful late morning. The clear blue sky above her was high and bright, and the lake loving birds were enoying the open air. Especially over the parking lot, judging from how many were sitting on the lamp posts. Bridgette only guessed they made a game of their bombing the windows of the cars in the parking lot. That thought made her laugh, as Bridgette and the rest of the staff sure did.
Down here all fish is happy.
Bridgette took out her headphones, putting them and her phone back in her duffel. Taking another look, Bridgette saw that the beach was popular today, and not just for the birds. Kids were burying their parents in the sand. Athletes were making their rounds swimming in the public swimming area and in the rented canoes further out. Couples young and old came for some quiet alone time together. Looking back up the slow sloped hill to the boat house sitting on the edge of a man-made cliff, its rear balcony stared back at the surfer as its strong thick pillars held it over the stone laced sand below.
At the top of the hill on the sidewalk, Bridgette saw none other than two familiar goths. The surfer couldn't place their names, but knew she met them once or twice through Gwen. The two most famously photosensitive people she knew were walking along in the bright son, led by a brown haired boy in a blazer she couldn't quite recognize.
The surfer shrugged before she saw her post. Bridgette smiled at the red folding chair on a red towel in the center of the lake, both with a white medical cross. Dropping her duffel, the lifeguard took a seat, happy and content as everyone else as she took deep breaths. Fully enjoying the smell of the lake and the feel of the water on her feet. But this wasn't to last as the surfer heard her phone ringing inside her duffel. Stretching one last time, the lifeguard took out her phone while putting on shades to help her see the caller.
Bridgette began a silent conversation with her gothic best friend. Most of it about their work and complaining about anything they could think of about it. The lifeguard had to admit that Gwen's place of employment was easier to poke fun at given how run down it was. People in it even easier, Gwen included.
Being honest, Bridgette wasn't really there. The lifeguard was tired and wanted to relax in the warm sun with her feet in the cool lake water. Talking to her friend was always fun so it was a nice consolation prize. Then of course the topic of Duncan came up, like it always does with Gwen.
Duncan was Gwen's best friend, well best guy friend, and he had been for the longest time. The two were inseparable. In the times all three had hung out together, Bridgette and anyone else could see the bond. But during all of those times, not once did either of them give so much as a hint of being interested in each other. Doing a quick recall, Bridgette remembered that more often then not, given their similar appearance and personalities, people thought they were actual siblings than friends. But before Bridgette could dwell on it further she heard a scream.
"LIFEGUARD!" Bridgette looked up from her phone and scanned the beach, her face completely blank. "LIFEGUARD UP!"
Bridgette hopped up to her feet and saw the one who needed her help. The young lifeguard ran as fast as she could toward the far end of the public swimming area. About half-way to the roped off buoy markers was someone violently squirming, clearly drowning. Finally making it to that part of the beach, Bridgette jumped into the water and raced toward him with all her might, rescue tube in hand.
Reaching the guy, about a foot below the surface, Bridgette grabbed hold of his arm tight to try and calm him enough to help. It worked as he quickly stopped struggling as Bridgette wrapped the rescue tube around him. After raising him to the surface, the lifeguard swam them both to shore.
Pulling the man a good foot out of the water Bridgette began checking him over. To her terror, she found he wasn't breathing. The lifeguard instantly straightened his head before she opened his mouth and began breathing into him. After each breath the fear in Bridgette grew and grew, luckily for all, the third breath was the trick. The brown haired man opened his eyes and spat up a good lung's worth of water before turning to the side and coughing out the rest.
Seeing this, Bridgette sat down in the wet sand, sighing in relief as the fear and panic faded away. After regaining her composure, Bridgette looked at the man whose life she just saved, specifically that he was wearing a suit jacket on top his brown trucks. Bridgette also found he was handcuffed, with his hands behind his back. While curious, Bridgette couldn't ignore the crowd forming around them. Standing up, Bridgette walked over and padded the coughing guy on the back.
"Okay everybody. He's alive and safe. Nothing to see here." Bridgette ordered, waving them away with one hand, padding the guy's back with the other. Thankfully, they did leave, though the lifeguard knew they wouldn't stop watching them. not much of this kind of excitement happened on a landlocked lake. Sighing, Bridgette looked down and saw that while he was still coughing, he was better. Sitting up and taking deep-ish breaths. "Hey, you okay?"
"Y-yeah, woooo." He quietly cheered, some exhaustion in his voice through the coughing. "Don't wanna do that again."
"If you wanted to do that the first time, you've got problems. Come on." Bridgette said, as gently as she could while she grabbed the guy's left arm and hoisted him to his feet before walking him off to one of the park tables in a patch of shade under a tree. "Sit here. Now, are you sure you're okay?"
"Well, I'm kinda wet."
"Dude, this is serious." Bridgette glared. "You died, or close to it. I'm still kinda freaking out."
"Uhh." The guy sighed. "I'm sorry. And yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for... s-saving my life. My name's Cody."
"Bridgette." The lifeguard answered, reaching her hand out then remembering that Cody couldn't do the same and pulled her hand back. There was then an uncomfortable silence between the two. In that time Bridgette got the first real look at the guy she rescued, and she could tell he was doing the same to her.
The lifeguard saw that the blazer he was wearing was a bit too big for him, and clung to him like wet paper. What parts of his body wasn't hidden by the jacket was pale and clammy. Though that was from nearly drowning. Sitting straight, Bridgette could tell he was shorter than her by an inch or two, probably a bit more if they were standing. Bridgette saw that his chestnut brown hair matched his eyes and the stripes of his trunks but was a mess thanks to the water.
"Sooo-"
"Why are you handcuffed?"
"Me and my buds, we were practicing our routines." Cody explained, a bit of fear on his face. "A good chunk of 'em involve fire. Ergo, we needed to be around water."
"Yeah, that does not-what?"
"We're aspiring-" Cody answered, confidence in his voice, before he pulled his hands into the air and dropped the handcuffs on the table. "Magicians."
"Uhhh, okay. well, why didn't you do that someplace with a hose or something. A place where you could put out the fire without frick'n drowning?"
"H-ha... yeah, about that?" Cody shrugged as he re-locked the cuffs with a loud snap. "I really wanted to mess with my friends by getting them into the sun. They hate going outside during the day. Besides, I've done that escape trick and fireball stunt more times than I can count. Thought it'd be a snap. Me tripping and falling into the lake like that... Call it karma."
"I-I can't believe what I'm hearing." Bridgette sighed as she rubbed her temple. "Alright, fine. If you're willing to play chicken with Karma, show me a magic trick."
"R-really? Well, since I'm still wet i can't do my signature stuff. So I'm kinda stuck with the lame material. SHAZAM!" Instantly Cody's hand shot forward. Bridgette thought he was going to punch her before she saw the flower bouquet of different kinds of roses in front of her. "For the lovely lady."
"Uhhh, thanks." Bridgette answered, awkwardly grabbing the bouquet. The lifeguard was stunned by the trick, the sheer suddenness through her off. The corniness of the plastic gift didn't help.
"Oooooh, the lovely lady likes surprises. Well I got an even better one for ya."
Cody chimed as he pulled out a large flat circle out of his jacket pocket. Only to flip it in the air and an entire black cylinder to open up, revealing it to be a top hat. He set the extended hat on top of the table, inside facing up, before he reached in and pulled out a rabbit of all things. Bridgette let out a surprised laugh at this, clearly the rabbit was fake, but she thought it was amazing none the less. Cody smiled at this before he dropped the rabbit back into the top hat and swirled his hands over it.
"Bunny begone!"
Cody clapped his hands before he collapsed the top hat to just a thin round strip on the table. No bunny to be seen.
"HA!" Bridgette barked in complete surprise as she picked up the thin strip and try as she might, could not find the rabbit. Bridgette couldn't even get it to open. This time the lifeguard truly was impressed with no corniness or stock surprise to throw her off. "How did you do that?"
"Magic." Cody smiled. "... Can I have that back? its been though a lot today. You can keep the flowers though. Heck, O might even get you some real ones. Least I could do."
"T-thanks." Bridgette laughed, feeling her face heat up, handing him the collapsed top hat. "You don't need to do that though. Just doing my jo-"
"Cody."
"Enny. Crim. Sup?"
"We wanted to make sure you were okay." The lifeguard heard the male goth answer with a smaller female goth right next to him, both umbrella in hand. Bridgette stared at the two. While they looked familiar, it wasn't easy to forget someone wearing that much make up outside of parties and concerts, their monotone voices and blank at best expressions still unnerved the surfer a bit. "We saw you fall into the lake."
"Wait, you saw him fall and you're just now showing up?"
"Who do you think called you, lifeguard?" Crimson answered, pointing to Ennui. "And you're Gwen's sunny friend, right? Bridgette?"
"Yup, that's me." Bridgette nodded, apologetically as she sat down the fake flowers on the table. "...and sorry."
"Thanks for saving Cody's life." Crimson 'blinked' pointing to her fellow magician. "Even though he brought it on himself."
"Yeeeah, i own that. But hey, silver lining, I-we got to meet some nice people."
Bridgette tried to just stare on. Try to ignore that Cody was poorly hiding that he was gesturing to her while he looked at the goths with the biggest grin on his face. But the surfer couldn't, and slipped out a few small laughs. Corny and adorable, sure. But it was funny. Giving up on hiding her notice, Bridgette could see that Cody was just pretending to hide his gesture. Bridgette had no idea what this meant, but she laughed again from it. The goths themselves just stared at him with the same blank expression she always saw them with.
"Sooo, how do you guys know each other?"
"Oh, we're part of the city's 'magic circle'." Cody explained. "Once a week we practice. I'm kinda the fire expert. Enny and Crim are great with animals."
"And we're not up to escape routines yet." Ennui explained, shaking his head.
"Cody, we're out of here." Crimson sighed as her and Ennui turned and walked away. "We won't forget the stunt you pulled today. Next week, we choose the spot for practice. Have fun while you can with sunny girl. Next week is not gonna have much light."
"Ohhh, that'll be fun." Cody laughed, a bit of nervousness in his voice. "So you know those two?"
"Yeah, through my friend Gwen." Bridgette explained. "She's a goth too, but more friendly-ish. But I'm still wrapping my head around that you're friends with'em."
"I like magic, they like magic. Common ground."
"I never knew that about'em. I don't think Gwen knows."
"Don't let their make up and wigs fool ya. They're cool guys. Depressed and creepy attitude and all." Cody nodded. "So how about you?"
"What about me?"
"Oh, sorry. Rude." Cody apologized as he pulled out a deck of cards from his pocket, fresh in plastic. After ripping off the wrapper Cody flung the cards from one hand to the other. "I'm Cody, we did that already. I live in the city. I don't have a job but lots of hobbies and I go to TD high. All AP courses."
"Wow," Bridgette laughed again. "you've made your sale. You can stop trying to impress."
"My practice isn't over. I still need to work on my showmanship and charm in front of an audience." Cody winked as he flung a few more cards around. Bridgette couldn't help but laugh at this, guessing that corniness was part of his act. "Is this your card?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Stepping off the pavement on to the wooden walkway, Bridgette looked at the large beach shack. The surfer smiled as she saw all the lights beaming and shining out of the windows and doors. The loud music booming through the walls and the faint sound of infomercials seeping out the living-room windows. Bridgette licked her lips as she sniffed the faint scent of barbecue in the air. Bridgette smiled one last time, thinking about the good time she knew she was going to have tonight.
Looking at the front porch of the boat house, Bridgette saw Cody, leaning against the railing with two bottles in his hands waiting for her. Bridgette saw that he hadn't changed, but shrugged as he probably didn't have anything to change into. Though Bridgette noticed that while his blazer was a little wrinkled, it was dry and fitted him much better. As did Cody's now combed hair.
"Cody."
"Hey Bridgette." Cody greeted, offering her one of the bottles. "How's it going?"
"G-good." Bridgette stuttered in light surprise. The surfer had to admit she was a little disappointed at his words. Shrugging off the feeling, Bridgette happily took the cold bottle. "Thanks, sorry for taking so long. The public restroom is a kinda far."
"Its cool."
Cody shrugged, twisting off the cap. Bridgette sat her bottle on the porch railing as she dropped her duffel on the outdoor dining table next to them. Turning back, Bridgette grew a lop sided frown as she saw Cody simply flipping the bottle cap in the air like a coin.
"Hey, you wanna put your jacket in my duffel until after the party?"
"I appreciate it." Cody smiled as he flipped the cap one last time, with it landing in his breast pocket. "But a magician should always keep his gear close when at a party."
"Maybe," Bridgette smiled, shaking her head at Cody's showboating. "But you're not the entertainment and its not that kinda party."
"Meeeeeehhhhh." The magician bit his lip in a sarcastic shrug before he slid off the jacket. "Okay."
"Okay." Bridgette nodded as she opened up her duffel. grabbing the jacket, Bridgette finally got a good look at the magician. The surfer could see that Cody was just as thin and skinny as she thought and now standing, was even shorter than she guessed. All that along with red-ish sunburn he had over his body, reminded Bridgette of a half cooked chicken wing. The lifeguard blinked at the thought, holding back a laugh.
"Bridgette you okay?"
"O-oh, sorry." Bridgette stuttered, embarrassed as she folded the blazer and slid it into the duffel. "Its just that you're kinda... red- Hey, did you have anything to eat today?"
"Just breakfast."
"Well lets find you some food." Bridgette announced as she wrapped the duffel's sling around her shoulder before she walked in the front door. "A lot of food."
After stepping through the door, Bridgette looked around, finding that most of the house was filled with people from all over the beach coming over and having a good time. It was mostly people from the local high school and community college. Bridgette could see there were more than a few tourists and young adults from the families she saw from her lifeguard shift. Bridgette smiled from seeing her friends in the rooms here and there. But the smile soon faded, as there was one person she could not find.
Going to the center of the room, Bridgette got a better look through the hallways and while she still couldn't see Geoff, Bridgette spotted a very familiar face. None other than a certain C.I.T., fresh in a new bikini the surfer had never seen on her, talking to someone with a clear smile on her face. A curious lifeguard grew a smirk as she made her way to her friend.
"Bridgette." The lifeguard turned to her left and was met by none other than the human brickhouse himself, giving her a highfive. "Welcome to the party!"
"Hey, DJ." Bridgette greeted back, fist bumping the human giant. "This place looks great."
"You look great." DJ chuckled like Santa Clause, gesturing to the off-duty lifeguard. "Really pulled out all the stops today didn't ya?"
"What, this o'l thang?"
Bridgette joked, pointing up and down her new bikini. It was a nice and smooth looking light aqua bikini top in a wrap style, complimented by a navy beach skirt. The blonde herself had her hair down in her natural spread curve instead of in a strait pony tail. Really though, the lifeguard was relieved and proud that someone finally noticed having spent so much time and money saving up for it. Not to mention keeping it safe from the twins.
"It looks good on you Bridge." DJ nodded before taking a swig from the cup in his hand. "Who's your friend?"
"Huh? O-oh, oh this is Cody." Bridgette stuttered, gesturing to the magician behind her giving the lifeguard a lop sided grin. Having completely forgotten he was there. "He's a friend of mine. H-he got into a bit of trouble in the lake today. I pulled him out."
"So this is the guy everyone's talking about." DJ asked, reaching his hand out to Cody. "Good to see you're alright."
"Thanks. So much for it being low key."
"Dude." DJ shook his head. "It happened on the beach just outside. A few of us even saw it. Some of us worried, but I didn't. I knew Bridgette could handle it."
"Awww, thanks Deej."
"Honestly man, you're lucky it was Bridge's shift instead of Lindsay. Good chance you both would'a drown." DJ nodded. Bridgette nodded, agreeing. "Oh and hey, if you're looking for Geoff, I saw him around. I could help ya look."
"Thanks Deej, its okay." Bridgette shrugged. "I'm sure he'll turn up."
"Okay," DJ shrugged as he waved to the other room through the hall."I'd challenge you two to a game of darts. Fraid I'm being called."
Turning around, Bridgette could see that Brody was waving back for DJ to come to him. Next to Brody was a couple of guys Bridgette couldn't recognize. But the lifeguard could tell that one was a pudgy dude with fizzled brown hair and next to him was someone much more in-shape wearing a bandanna over his long blond hair. Both were wearing kiss trunks.
"Sorry guys, next time."
"It's cool Deej." Bridgette smiled as she grabbed Cody's hand. "We're gonna hit the food table. Neither of us have eaten since this morning."
"Seriously? You guys are skinny enough." DJ shook his head as he walked down the hall. "Don't starve yourselves."
"So what's your excuse for not eating?" Cody asked as they both made it to the fairly crowded food table.
"I usually eat during my shift," Bridgette answered, scooping up a few sliders. "but I had to save someone from drowning. Then I just kinda talked to the guy until my shift was over."
"Wow, ain't that a coinkydink?" Cody joked, grabbing some pizza. "I almost drowned and spent the day with my rescuer. Any chance you know her? Blonde, super hot, really funny. Loves my magic."
"Oh my god!" Bridgette laughed, her cheeks heating up as she gently slapped his chest. "You're making me blush."
"Bridgette."
"Hey Lashawna, Sanders." Bridgette greeted as the sisters walked up to her. Lashawna was in her dark gray bathing suit while Sanders herself was in a two piece bikini with colors that matched Bridgette's own, though reversed. "How's it going?"
"Doing great and looking great as always." Leshawna smirked. "Looking good yourself girl. Where'd you find that thing?"
"From a site Courtney showed me."
"Courtney? You sure it was her?" Leshawna asked. "Because that girl's usual look screams 'preppy reject.' Not buying it."
"Come on lash, don't be mean."
"Fine, this night isn't about that girl and the pole up her butt." Leshawna rolled her eyes before she gently pushed Sanders in front of her. "Instead its about my baby sister going to her first big girl party."
"Thanks Lash."
"So Sanders," Bridgette asked, taking a bite of her slider. "how are you liking your first 'big girl party'?"
Sanders simply smirked, placed her hands on her hips and blew a raspberry at the older girls. Bridgette and Leshawna couldn't help laugh at her.
"Alright, alright, alright fine. No more kid stuff. Big girl game." Leshawna announced, pointing to the empty pool table at the end of the room. Right in front of the open window that oversaw the lake and the park next to it. "Two on two. We each toss in a ten. Winner take all. You guys in? Stringbean look'n at you."
"Huh?" Cody asked, halfway through biting off a chunk of pizza before nodding with a shrug.
"Okay, we're in." Bridgette nodded as she led the group to the empty pool table. "But I'm raising the stakes. twenty bucks each."
"You're on." Sanders agreed, challenging victory in her voice as she set up the table.
"I'm going first." Leshawna announced, grabbing a pool cue from the wall and setting up her shot. "You guys walked into a hustle. Dad took us to his favorite bar whenever he had to babysit us."
"And while I listened to the vet's stories, the regulars let Leshawna and Steph win." Sanders joked, poking the side of the table with her own cue. "So my sisters know how to use a pole."
"Ohhhh, shots fired." Cody laughed, finishing up his plate.
"Okay, I'm taking your half when we win." Lashawna snapped back as she broke the triangle, spreading the balls around the table with no clear pattern. But not one managed to fall into a hole. "Damn."
"Guess I'll go next." Bridgette shrugged as she lined up her shot, aiming for the 9-ball, the side pocket right behind it. But the second her cue hit the cue-ball, it shot up into the air, bounced right off the spot it was sitting before and jumped off the side of the table with a large bang. "Whoops."
"That counts." Sanders decreed as she picked up the cue-ball from the floor and set it less than an inch from the same ball. Sanders easily knocked it into the socket, the cue- ball had enough momentum and power to push back into the crowd of other balls. Knocking them into another random pattern, but managing to tip another ball into a back pocket. This time a solid. "Okay, stripes for us. Solids for you. Make it count. You're behind."
"You knocked one in for us." Cody replied as he set up his shot, aiming the cue-ball to 3-ball across the width of the table. The magician made his mark, shooting the ball and knocking his target into the pocket before bouncing to the triad of other balls at the side pocket up the table. Knocking another solid in and pushing the other two away. Which knocked a few other solids close to the pockets. "Well, look at that."
"Lucky shot."
"Maybe." Cody smirked, taking his shot and knocking two more solids into pockets while setting up easier targets. "Its all about the fingers. And mine, ladies, magic."
"Oh god." Bridgette chuckled, barely holding back a giggling fit, if not at Cody's bravado than by the sisters reactions. Leshawna slapped her hand over her face and groaned while Sanders rolled her eyes before growing a smirk herself.
"Okay, fingers." Leshawna rolled her eyes. "I'm calling bull."
"A magician never reveals his secrets." Cody answered, knocking another ball into a bottom pocket. "Oh, FYI, I'm a magician."
"Well, magician." Leshawna replied, annoyance in her voice as she grabbed the cue-ball as Cody lines up his shot. "That's your last round. My turn."
"Fine, whatever." Cody shrugged, taking a swig from his bottle.
Leshawna herself shook her head as lined up her shot, aiming for the a group of balls in the bottom left. But, the second the cue hit the cue-ball, it shot right up into the air. Unlike Bridgette's misfire, Leshawna's made a B-line for the open window at the side, flying out of it into parts unknown.
"Really?" Bridgette asked, the lifeguard shaking her head at her friend. "You really didn't want to lose that twenty did you? Come on Cody, lets go get it."
"I never said that."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So," Cody began as he finished his bottle. "how long do you think they waited before they bolted?"
"Oh they probably left the second we went out the door." Bridgette explained as walked down the stairs attached to the boat house built on the port side slope leading to the sandy tip of the beach below.
Making it to the stretched waiting gap, Bridgette looked out to the beach before her. The lifeguard couldn't help but think it looked even more beautiful now than it did during the day, what with the silver full-moon standing overhead like a glowing crown. Its light shining against the waves of the black pool. But what really got the lifeguard's attention was the beach at its edge, and how empty it was. Specifically the volleyball court right behind the boat house. Taking out her phone, Bridgette saw how relatively early it still was and shrugged.
"But we have to come down here and get the ball. Its park property. Same as the house." Bridgette sighed. "I work for the park and I was last seen playing with it."
"Okay, than why didn't we make them get it?"
"Because, they'd just find someway to weasel out of it." Bridgette shrugged as she continued her walk down the stairs. "Leshawna hates losing- hold on... you hear that?"
Standing still half way down the lower half of the stairs, Bridgette heard the faint sound of people talking, but they weren't coming from the boat house above them. Even with all the music and sounds from the park owned emergency shack, the lifeguard could hear someone and she could tell where it was coming from. Crouching down and gesturing for Cody to do the same, Bridgette gently folded up her beach skirt and silently tip-toed down the stairs.
Once finally at the bottom, hiding behind the large desk sized decorative stones half burried into the ground, Bridgette peaked and saw a familiar face. Covering her mouth in surprise, Bridgette found none other than Courtney talking to Duncan of all people. Having a better look than before, Bridgette could see that Courtney's new bikini was actually a pair of gray booty shorts with a matching sports bra, her hair tied back into a pony tail.
The surfer had to admit, Courtney looked good. Duncan himself was just in his regular cargo jean shorts, but all his muscles and physique were open for all to see. Bridgette couldn't help but stare for a moment or two at the bad boy's abs. Both were facing each other, leaning against the thick pillars holding up the boat house.
"Why are you so uptight all the time?"
"I am not uptight." Courtney spat back, her arms folded, eyes closed with her nose in the air. Bridgette sighed at her friend's usual snobbery.
"Phtt." Duncan chuckled. "You always follow the rules."
"W-well you always have to break them." Courtney stuttered, pointing at Duncan's pierced face.
"Only the ones I want to." Duncan teased, winking at the C.I.T. Bridgette blinked at this, hardly believing what was in front of her.
"Okay," Courtney turned to her side, her shoulder now leaning against the pillar as she started playing with her ponytail a bit. "so I guess that makes me a big uptight loser in your books right?"
"Maybe."
"Ugh!"
"So," Duncan chuckled again, confidence dripping in his voice. "why do you follow them?"
"Because not fallowing them gets you thrown under the bus." Courtney spat, tossing a brown band harmlessly against his chest, releasing hear rich mocha hair from the ponytail.
"But I'm under this bus with you, aren't I?" Duncan asked teasingly, handing Courtney back her hair band.
Bridgette tilted her head as she saw her friend grow a rebellious smile. But then everything stopped, the upbeat music booming through the floors of the boat house above them vanished for a moment and was switched out with an almost lazy lyrical tune. Obviously a slow song. A romantic, slow song. Bridgette bit her nails in suspense as she saw the duo below her look up at the boat house above them for a moment, both of their faces blank. The two looked back down at each other, the C.I.T.'s face still blank, but the delinquent grew his famous smirk.
"Okay, if you're not uptight prove it." Duncan challenged, gently reaching his hand to her. "Dance with me."
"You're joking?" Courtney laughed in disbelief.
"Well, if its too wild for you-"
"Fine." Courtney spat out as she took his hand, but sounded more like a giggle. The first giggle that Bridgette had ever heard from her friend.
The lifeguard practically kicked herself for not bringing popcorn as she saw the two people she knew couldn't be more different in the world come together and dance. Really they were just shifting weight from one foot to the other, giving the appearance that they were moving, but that wasn't really the take away.
Courtney had her free hand placed on-top of Duncan's chest, over his heart. Duncan had his arm wrapped around Courtney's waist reaching to her lower back. Their remaining hands were grabbing each-other, as far as Bridgette could tell, as tenderly as if they were grabbing an egg. Duncan was looking down at Courtney, his smirk morphed into a gentle smile. Courtney herself was looking up at Duncan with a smile that belonged in a dream.
Looking at all this, Bridgette couldn't help but remember her meeting with Geoff earlier that afternoon. How happy and lovey-dubby she was with him, and how all of that seemed tame compared to this. Bridgette had to silently slap her hand over her mouth to hold in a laugh at the thought.
The two continued this for another song, neither one changing a single inch in their routine. But once that song stopped, replaced with upbeat booming like before, the two stood still for a moment. After what had to be at least a minute, the two finally broke apart from each other. Though Bridgette could see their hands were still together
"Sooooo... Any chance I get that kiss you owe me?"
"Heh," Courtney laughed, rubbing her free hand against his cheek. "you're still not my type."
"Fine." Duncan smiled, grabbing hold of her hand and holding it like he was the other one. "Enjoy having a peanut-butterless life."
"Thanks." Courtney smiled back, sliding her hands out of his grip. "Enjoy prison."
"I will." Duncan joked.
The moment- the millisecond he finished Bridgette saw Courtney grab Duncan's face with both her hands and pulled him down for a kiss. Duncan was surprised and frozen still for a moment, Bridgette laughed into her hand as she saw the local 'tough guy' melt where he stood like warm ice-cream. But all too soon, Courtney broke the kiss and silently strutted away. Strutting right toward the stairs Bridgette and Cody were in front of.
Bridgette quickly turned to her side and saw Cody hiding behind one of the pillars, his phone out in front of him facing where the couple had been. Grabbing his wrist, Bridgette pulled him with her as she crouched down on all fours and crawled under the stairs as quietly as she could.
Apparently, it was just in time. As when Courtney walked where they had been, she gave no sign she knew they were there. The C.I.T. just kept strutting, until she got to the top of the stairs. Bridgette laughed into her hand again as she saw Courtney slap her hand over her own mouth as she jumped up and down a few times before running off into the night. Turning back around, Bridgette saw Duncan still slumped over with a sloppy smile before he stood up and walked off the other way. Once Duncan was out of her sight, Bridgette slid out from from under the stairs with Cody right behind her.
"Well, what do ya know?" Bridgette asked jokingly, a proud smile on her face. "How much of that did you get?"
"Pretty much all of it."
"Keep it. I wanna show it to Courtney later." Bridgette nodded, pointing at Cody's phone. "If they last, it'll make a good anniversary gift. if not, Courtney'll love deleting it."
"Alright. You want me to text this to you or something?"
"Yeah, let me give you my numb-" The lifeguard was stopped as she pulled her phone out, vibrating in her hand. Bridgette looked at the screen and giggled with excitement. But before doing anything, Bridgette took a deep breath and answered as calmly as she could.
"Courtney, hey. How are you- wow. Wow, Courtney. Slow down. What happened? Take a deep breath or something. I've never heard you this jittery... Sorry Cody, I kinda have to take this. We'll talk later."
Bridgette reluctantly told her new friend, her hand over her phone so Courtney wouldn't hear. Cody simply shrugged and held out his hand. Bridgette reached to shake it, only to find it had the queen of hearts. Bridgette smiled as she took it. Cody nodded at her before he walked off into the night. Bridgette smiled at the skinny sunburnt magician as he walked up the stairs. Though the lifeguard's smile shifted to an embarrassed smirk as her gaze lowered from the back of his head to his behind as he faded into the dark. Bridgette shook her head at herself as she went back to her phone.