Lost and Insecure

Chapter 2

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Clarke pulled her jeep into the parking lot of the country club just as they were beginning to unlock the doors. She always clocked in at 6:30, with 15 minutes to spare before her shift started. It was now 7:00 and she was sure her boss was going to have her head. She'd never been late before and she would have been nervous, if it hadn't been for the unusual alibi she had this morning.

"By all means, Miss Griffin, take your time. It's not like there's a pool that needs guarding" her boss called from outside the women's locker room where Clarke was changing. "I'm so sorry, Thelonious, but you are never going to believe my excuse!" Clarke replied as she walked quickly out of the locker room to stand in front of the man. She shifted uncomfortably under the twisted straps of her bathing suit. She'd only had a few minutes to change and she would have to find time to fix those later.

The broad, burly man in front of her tapped his shoe on the floor and his index finger against his lips in rhythm as he gave her a questioning look. "Try me" he said.

Clarke took in a deep breath before continuing to describe the events of that morning to her boss. She only managed to embarrass herself a tiny bit when describing Lexa's appearance, but Jaha didn't seem to notice how her eyes glazed over a bit when she spoke of the mysterious savior in the leather jacket. She did, however, leave out the part about how Lexa seemed bring color to Clarke's fair skin and made her feel a bit breathless with a simple glance.

Clarke rocked back and forth on her heels nervously as Thelonious considered her story. "Alright Clarke, that seems to be too well thought up to be a lie, so I'll let it slide. This time. Besides, you are my best-and dare I say favorite-employee for many different reasons. You're free to go Clarke." She looked at him and smiled warmly, noting the conveyed message behind his words.

It was true, she was his best employee. But their families were also very close, and she had been best friends with Jaha's son, Wells, before he was stationed over seas. The thought of him made her eyes sting and she longed for him to come home. "Clarke? I said you're free to go. As in please report to your station now?" Thelonious broke Clarke's dazed state. She shook her head lightly, "Right, of course. Right away, sir " she responded offering him a playful salute of her hand as she hurried past him on her way to the pool.
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The morning shift was slow, as always. After all, not many people swim in the morning, with the exception of a couple dedicated athletes who show up early to get a few laps in before the boisterous kids and complaining housewives arrived. For Clarke, these a.m. hours were the perfect opportunity to get a little extra sleep.

As Clarke climbed up into her chair, the faint morning breeze raked its way across her body. It was abnormally cold for May in California, but she wasn't complaining. She happened to love a slight breeze. Once situated at her post, she nodded over to Lincoln, the other lifeguard with whom she shared the morning shift. He smiled back at her from across the pool.

"Hey, Linc, do you mind if I take a quick nap? I promise I won't be long" she called over the steady lap of water. Clarke could hear him chuckle slightly before answering "You ask me that every morning, Clarke. Even if I were to say no, I don't think that would stop you anyway. Just don't blame me if Jaha catches you." Clarke didn't respond, but instead waved her hand in the air as if swatting his words away from her.

Then she flicked her shades from atop her head to fall down onto the bridge of her nose. She rested one elbow on the arm of the wooden chair and supported the weight of her head against her hand. She'd had a long morning, and it was barely even 8:00. This day could not be over soon enough. She sighed deeply, feeling herself drift off into sleep.
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