Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Three. The beginning of the end.

The day our paths crossed was the first day I started at the Country Club as a lifeguard. I have wanted this job so badly for so long, that I applied months earlier to guarantee that I would have a spot. I let my nervousness get the best of me and I couldn't sleep the night before. I arrived 30 minutes before my orientation, yet I felt so out of sorts. I felt so distracted and stressed that I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. As I was running to get to the orientation class on time, I collided with Miles.

I was so preoccupied that at first, I didn't realize it was Miles I ran into. As I bent to pick up my stuff, I heard the voice and it shocked me. I recognized his voice immediately. His strong masculine voice echoed in my ears as he said, "Hey, newbie, you okay? Let me help you with that."

As I heard his voice, I asked myself, "Was Miles De Blanc actually talking to me and concerned if I was okay?" I completely panicked and scrambled to get my stuff and whatever dignity I had left off the ground. I just wanted to disappear as quickly as I could. Could the most popular boy at school actually be talking to me? I was so starstruck that I couldn't even think what to say. The only words that escaped my lips were, "OMG!!!! I'm such a klutz!!!! Sorry, sorry, sorry!!!!"

As Miles bent down to help me, our eyes met. Those big blue eyes just melted my stress away as he said, "Slow down newbie, I gotcha ya. You must be the new girl that my supervisor told me about?" The sad part was I was caught off guard by how giddy and excited I was, because Miley actually acknowledged my existence. I thought to myself, "Was Miles De Blanc really interested in my well-being?" I didn't even know he worked there and was shocked to run into him.

Of course, it would be the day that I lack sleep, I'm acting like an airhead, and my hair and makeup are not up to par. As I bent down, I ran my hand through my unruly hair and straightened out my new uniform. I kept thinking, why didn't I apply that coat of lipstick I had planned to put on? As if a coat of lipstick would make a difference?!? I hate being so insecure!!!

But, Miles kept talking to me as he helped me pick up my belongings. While his words soothed my stress and tension, I instantly felt a connection with him. His smile and his mannerisms made me feel more at ease and less awkward, to the point that I started asking him questions.

I found myself brave enough to ask him, "How do you know I am a newbie? Miley smiled and said, because of the color of your uniform shirt. All newbies wear teal. It's the color all our new trainees wear." Can you imagine my embarrassment when I realized the obvious? Miles could tell I felt stupid and instead of making fun of me, he changed the conversation. That's the moment I realized he was different from the others, or so I thought.

After Miles helped me pick up my belongings and pride from the ground, he asked me if he could walk me to the new trainee orientation. I felt so comfortable with him that I accepted. As we walked over, Miles asked me, "You look familiar but I can't put my finger where I might know you from?" Was he kidding me? We have had so many classes together and yet he doesn't remember me! Talk about being crushed! I tried so hard to hide my disappointment and be in the moment.

His voice was like music to my ears. Hearing him call me Newbie made my heart skip. I thought to myself, "Why would that make my heart race?!?" It's not like we had made this special connection in ten minutes. I often dreamt of the moment we would connect and Miles would realize I was the girl he was dreaming of. I got to stop daydreaming and be in the moment. Such fantasies are so unrealistic.

As we arrived at the new trainee orientation, so many girls circled around Miles. They talked over themselves, "Oh, Miles, look how handsome and strong you are!! Oh, Miles, can you help me carry my stuff? Oh, Miles, you need to hang out with me tonight! Oh, Miles, your arms are so defined and you have the tightest ass."

Oh, Miles this. Oh, Miles that. How the girls fought for his attention and the more they did, the more I faded into the background. As more and more girls came over to greet him, the more I felt insignificant. I took my pride and found a chair on the opposite side of the room. Miles's groupie kept him so entertained, that he never noticed I left. Or so, I thought, until he found me at the meet and greet afterward. That's where things took a strange turn. Not that I mind it, but it felt unusual. As if I was being punked.