Waterlogged Chap 1

                                      Waterlogged
                                  By Jennifer Lafferty
     
     
                                      Chapter one:
     
      An alarm clock buzzes. It gets louder and louder. As she stretches out her hand, the clock ends up on the floor. A groggy Lorelei heads downstairs in a Silver Moon concert T-shirt and baggy black jeans. The smell of fresh coffee lures her into the kitchen.

"Is there enough coffee for me?" Lorelei asks her dad when yawning. She sits at the table pouring cereal and milk into a bowl.

"Yes, there's plenty," Dad replies. "When did you start drinking coffee?" He pours the steamy black liquid and hands it to his daughter.

"Just now, I'm coming with you to your new job to work in the Water Sports shop this summer; I need to be awake." Lorelei sips from the mug, her eyes shut tightly and her lips pucker.

"I should have warned you," her father chuckles. "Coffee tastes better when you add sugar and milk." Her father looks up at the clock. "Come on kiddo, it's time to go."

Lorelei grabs her denim purse from the chair, and follows her dad to the car. Today marks two weeks since Lorelei and her dad came to Aquarius County, California from Manhattan, New York. All Lorelei can think of is the friends and the city she left behind.

Her dad looks over at Lorelei who is slouching down in her seat. "I know you're unhappy, but this is a great opportunity. I couldn't pass up partnering with Mr. Malone in running the Aquatics Center."

Lorelei's dad places his hand on her shoulder. "I did what I thought was best."
She scoffs and looks out the window. The car pulls into the parking spot close to the Aquatics Center. Lorelei sees the white and orange flowering trees and palm trees too.

The dome-shaped, white stone building is at the center of town. Lorelei and her dad walk through the double glass doors of the Aquatics Center. Her eyes widen at the sight of the iron barracuda fountain, water spilling from its mouth. The receptionist is setting up, turning on computers and placing brochures into a holder.

"Pretty fancy, huh?" her dad comments.

"Yeah, does Mr. Malone really own this place?"

"The whole thing, he's a big name architect." Lorelei follows her dad to the main desk in the lobby. Lorelei sees a woman with light brown hair cut in a pixie style.

"Hi I'm Ms. O'Shea. You must be Mr. Wilmington."

"Yes I am and this is my daughter Lorelei. She'll be working here this summer in the water sports shop. Are the computers functioning?"

"Yes the computer's working fine."

Lorelei walks into the water sports shop where she sees the manager. Her dirty blond hair is put up into a bun.

Lorelei clears her throat to get the woman's attention.

"Hello I'm Ms. Morgan. I expect you to keep the dressing rooms clean and work the register." She looks at the paper in her hand. "You must be Sara."

"I'm Lorelei."

"I guess you can start at that register." Lorelei sees Ms. Morgan is pointing at the register near the stand that houses the goggles.

Lorelei turns when she hears the bell above the door chime. A petite dark skinned girl walks up to Ms. Morgan.

Lorelei hears the girl speak in a cheerful voice. "I'm Sara Erickson I'll be working here for the summer."

Ms. Morgan smiles "great you're both here. Get the registers going and I'll flip the sign to open."

When setting up Sara speaks to Lorelei. "What's your name?"

"Lorelei."

"I haven't seen ya around here."

"I moved here from Manhattan."

"That's so cool. Must've been a big shock coming to a small town like Aquarius County from Manhattan. What's even cooler is that you like Silver Moon. Best band ever!"

Lorelei smiles "At first, But I like warm weather. I also like that everything's walking distance."

Ms. Morgan walks up to the girls. "Are the registers running?" Both girls nod. "Great, everything has to be perfect."

"Why?" Lorelei asks after Sara and her exchange looks.

"I just got the news that Mr. Malone is gonna be stopping in this morning."

Lorelei and Sara gasp. "My dad is partnering with him. He's some kinda big shot architect, isn't he?"

"Yes, and he's the main owner."

During the day Lorelei and Sara work the registers and take care of customer's needs.

"Hey Lor, I think it's your turn to clean the dressing rooms."

"Thanks" She said letting out a sigh. Lorelei enters the changing area and finds bathing suits, hangers, and wet suits scattering the floor, on the benches of the dressing room, and the doors. God these people are slobs. No wonder Sara wanted me to clean. Lorelei grabs as many garments as she can and carries the small pile out. She winds up bumping into someone and spilling the pile. "I'm sorry. How can I help you today?"

The man spoke with a deep voice. "Nothing right now, did you find the registers computer hard to operate?"

Lorelei looks up and sees a tall man with short sandy-blond hair, and a suit that looks like it was made to fit only him.

"No sir, Sara and me had little trouble." This must be Mr. Malone.

Lorelei hears Ms. Morgan shout. "Girl's get back to work, I'm sure Mr. Malone doesn't want employees standing around."  

Sara helps pick up the mess. Lorelei hears Ms. Morgan giggling and agreeing to everything Mr. Malone says. Lorelei looks around the rack of wetsuits to see Ms. Morgan playing with the loose hairs that fell from the bun.

Sara whispers, "we'll talk at lunch."

Lorelei nods.

Mr. Malone clears his throat. "Everything looks to be in order. I'll be here again in three weeks."

Lorelei and Sara wave to Mr. Malone from the clothing racks. Lorelei shouts out, "see you later Mr. Malone."

Sara adds in "have a good day."

"You too girls," from the shops double glass doors.

Ms. Morgan tells Lorelei and Sara to get back to work. Around twelve, the girls grab their purses and go out to lunch.

Sara turns to Lorelei. "How do ya like it so far?"

"It's okay."

"So, what do want for lunch?"

"I'm cravin' pizza. I haven't had any since we left New York."

"I gotta warn you pizza in California is nothing like New York."

"So what do we eat?"

Sara Smiles, "I know just the place." Sara grabs Lorelei's arm and starts running.

"Hey are ya gonna tell me where were goin'?"

"The Burger Palace, they're the best!"

Lorelei follows Sara into the circle-shaped restaurant. She looks around at the booths that lined the walls of windows the tables were a light wood color with seats with dark blue cushions on them. A framed picture catches her eye. It had the picture of what looks to be a swim team made up of both girls and boys. Below the picture, Lorelei reads the words to herself. "Aquarius County Barracudas Are National Champs."

"Earth to Lor, He only have an hour."

"Sorry." The girls order their food and sit at a booth near the framed picture.

"That swim team is awesome. I went to that game."

"They must be to get a framed pic on the wall of a restaurant."

"What school will you be goin' to this fall?"

"Aquarius High, I'll be in ninth grade."

"Me too! We gotta exchange cell numbers."

"Agreed," The girls write their cell numbers down and talk in-between bites. The ketchup oozes from the sides of the seeded bun of Lorelei's cheeseburger. "Darn, I put way too much ketchup." Sara grabs some napkins from the metal dispenser, and hands them to her. "Thanks"

"Welcome."

When wiping the ketchup mess Lorelei sees a group of girls get up and surround a group of boys. Her eyes fixate on the one with the platinum blond hair and a red tank top that had 'lifeguard' in large block letters across the chest. They sat two tables away, the good-looking blond sat where Lorelei can look at him. He saw his eyes are a green color. The gaggle of girls swarms the boys' table. While some of the guys flirt the lightest haired boy looks over the menu.

Sara looks to see where Lorelei is looking. She turns back to Lorelei with a smile "I saw you checkn' out that hot blond lifeguard."

"I-I wasn't," Lorelei chokes on her lemon soda.

Sara giggles. "Sure you weren't. Want me to tell you who he is?"

"No, lets just finish up." Lorelei begins to think about the boy. She places her soda on the table. "What's his name?"

"His name is Aries Malone. He works at the Center as a lifeguard during the summer. He's also a swimmer, a total awesome one, I must add."

Malone? Why does that name sound so familiar?

"Anything else you wanna know about Aries? Everyone around here knows his father.

"Can we drop the subject of. . . ."

"Aries!" Lorelei hears a shrill voice call out. "There you are! She watches as a tall redheaded girl sits in the empty seat next to Aries.

Lorelei can hear every word the redhead says. "Since you started your job, we havn't spent any time together." Lorelei watches as the girl lays her head on Aries' shoulder. "How about you quit that job?"

"I can't Rachael."

"Why?"

"I like the job it gives me something to do when my dad's away on business."

Lorelei giggle because Sara decides to mimic Rachael by mouthing what she says. She bursts out laughing. Lorelei joins in. They stop when they hear the clicking of Rachael's high-heeled shoes approaching their table. The clicking stops. Lorelei and Sara look up to see an annoyed redhead.

"What's so funny?" Rachael leans toward Lorelei. One hand is on the table and the other ends up in Lorelei's coleslaw.

Lorelei answers, "I just told a joke, Sorry to interrupt you and your friend."

"He's more than a friend."

Don't worry. I'm not interested. By the way, your hand is in my slaw."
Rachael lifts her hand out. "Ew gross!" She runs to the bathroom to wash the mess off. Before leaving, Lorelei catches a glimpse of Aries smirking while the other boys in the group laugh at Rachael's coleslaw freak-out.

On the way back to the center, Sara pulls out a flier from her purse and taps Lorelei on the shoulder.

"What's up?"

"Here read this. I picked it up at the Burger Palace."

Lorelei takes the paper an reads, "the Barracuda Swim Club is holding signups for this year's team. Come Join us Friday, June tenth, from three to five PM, at the Aquatics Center in the lobby. Hope to see you there." Lorelei gives the flier back.

"Doesn't it sound like a great idea?"

Lorelei stuffs her hands in her pockets and shrugs her shoulders. "I guess."

"You don't sound excited."

"Swimming isn't my thing."

Sara looks down at the flier and her tone of voice goes to disappointed. "It's just I've always wanted to join the swim club ever since my mom took me to a meet when I was nine, I enjoyed watching the Barracuda Swim Team beat the challengers. Now that I'm fourteen, I can finally join. I also thought you would like to join me. Swimming is fun!"

"I'll come with you to the sign ups, not to sign up, but for moral support. This is what you've wanted, not me."

"I guess you don't want to get to know the hot lifeguard?"

"I remember him. I'm not into guys who look like him. Besides that red-haired witch would probably skin me alive if I even say hi to him."

Sara laughs, "Yeah, she looks like the jealous type. Will you at least think about signing up for the team? It might be a chance to meet more friends."

Lorelei stops in front of the Aquatics Center's entrance. She turns to face Sara. "Okay, I'll consider it."