Joe

I run down the beach, kicking up the gritty sand to the beat of the rock music playing loudly in my ears.

I am on mile three of four that I need to run in order to keep myself in shape for work.

Life guarding at the Jersey Shore is no easy job. Not everyone can handle it. It requires extreme stamina and you obviously need to be a great swimmer.

I've never actually had to save someone in the water before. My job usually insists of watching the waves and yelling at the dumb kids who stand there and kick the post I sit on top of.

The closest I have ever come to saving someone was last summer. A little girl was stung by a jellyfish and didn't want to stand up. I helped her out of the shallow water and brought her back to her mother.

I rip my headphones out of my ears and stop running. I look around. I could have sworn I heard someone screaming.

More screams erupt from the eerily silent morning. The waves are hardly making any noise against the sand.

I continue running towards the person in peril. Hopefully I can find them and help them with whatever it is that is so terrifying.

I pick up speed as the screams grow louder and more urgent.

Even though the light is dim at this early hour of the morning, I do see the source of the cries. There is a person in the water, trying to swim against the waves.

I think she may be drowning.

I have to save her. This is what I have trained for. This is what I get paid to do. This is what I'm here for.

I act quickly, knowing her life could be over in just moments, ripping my shirt off to expose the suit underneath. I wouldn't want the weight of my shirt to weigh me down as I try to rescue her.

I throw my shirt on to the sand and throw my phone on top of it.

I run in to the water and jump in when it is deep enough to begin swimming.

I fight against the waves and swim towards the drowning girl.

My limbs grow tired very quickly, threatening to give out on me when I need them most.

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I get closer and closer to her. I can get to her on time. I know it. I just have to swim faster. I am the only person out here. I am the only person who can help her. I have to do this.

I can do this.

I latch on to her waist with one hand. "No!" The girl screams as I touch her.

"It's okay! I'm here to help!" I yell over her as she fights against my grip. "Please stop fighting me! Just hold on to me." I instruct her and begin swimming back to the shore.

I lift her over my shoulder and drag my tired feet across the heavy sand.

I lay her on the sand and collapse next to her. That was harder than I ever thought it would be.

I lift myself after regaining most of my breath and stare at the girl I just rescued.

She is curled up in a ball, hugging her knees to her chest. I look away from her as I quickly realize that she is completely naked. I do not want to make her feel uncomfortable.

I grab my shirt and hand it to her.

I take my soaking wet shorts off and hand them to her as well. I have a swimsuit on. I don't need the clothes. She needs them.

"Where are your clothes?" I ask as I help her get the shirt over her head.

"I- I don't- I" she stutters as she struggles to  pull my shorts over her legs. They are a soaking wet ball of mess. I do not blame her for having troubles.

"Is there someone I can call to help you?" I ask, playing my hand on her knee. She flinches as I touch her. I pull my hand away quickly.

"Where am I?" She asks, looking around.

"You are on the Jersey Shore." I reply. Why does she not know where she is?

Has she been kidnapped and dumped here?

The girl screams as soon as the words leave my mouth.

"Shh. Shh. What's wrong?" I ask, confused. Did I say something to upset her?

"I- I don't belong here! I- oh my! Oh no!" She pulls at her hair.

"It's okay. You are safe now. I can help you. You just need to tell me what happened." I try to calm her down.

She shakes her head and stands herself back up, running back towards the water.

Is she crazy?!

She trips and falls forward on to the sand. She sits herself up and begins to cry.

I kneel down next to her. "First time with legs?" I joke, hoping to lighten the situation for her.

"Yes actually. How did you know?" She asks, sounding completely serious.

What?

I ignore the comment, assuming she is just bad at jokes.

"Okay, well, what's your name?" I ask, trying to get more information about this girl and why she is here so early in the morning.

"Arabella." She replies simply.

"Great. I'm Josephine. But most of my friends call me Joe." I smile.

AN: first official chapter!! Let me know what you think!!