Through the Swell

Chapter 15 - Miracle Girl

*HARRISON'S POV*

The day was a gloomy one, grey clouds covered the sky and as I pulled up to the beach the amount of swimmers was minimal. It was going to be a quiet day.

Things had been quiet around the hut completely without Liv, 3 weeks had passed and we hadn't heard from her and we were starting to worry. Worry our miracle girl wasn't going to come back okay, or at all.

I was late for work, as per usual recently, the weather was getting worse like my attitude if I'm honest. I opened my car door and pulled myself out, my bag in my other hand.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and slammed the car door shut before I was violently jolted and walloped at full force by a football.

"HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE..." I turned, thinking my head was about to explode with rage when I watched the football roll back to its owner and stop underneath their foot.

It was Liv, stood up, smiling right at me, eyes wide and full of joy. I don't think I'd ever ran so fast in my life as I picked her up in my arms and spun her around before placing her back on her feet.

"LIV! You're okay?? Oh my god you look phenomenal! I'm so glad you're back, the boys, the hut, this whole place has been one big mess without you!" I said as all the words rushed out of my mouth. Liv laughed and blushed as I held her between my hands by her shoulders.

"I'm just glad to be back! It was awful in there, it's nice to see a fresh and friendly face of someone I know!" She laughed and she pulled me back in for another hug.

"Never go away again" I mumbled into her shoulder.

"I won't" she smiled as she pulled back and draped my arm over her shoulder.

"Come on, let's go see these boys" she smiled.

*******

"Boys" I pushed the door of the hut open as the words came out of my mouth.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as I stood by the open door, I didn't say a word as everyone went silent

"Everything okay, Hutz?" Haynes stepped forward to break the silence, everyone was prepared for bad news, I was going to give them the opposite, but they didn't know that.

"Guys, there's something I have to tell you"

"Spit it out mate" Jackson stated, looking scared a hell, and I suddenly couldn't keep a smile off my face.

"What?" Kert looked confused, as did everyone else as I laughed.

"Come on" I turned ushering to Liv as she suddenly jumped into the doorframe.

"SURPRISE!!" We both yelled as everyone looked in disbelief, then it finally settled in.

"LIV!" "OH MY GO YOU'RE WALKING!" "YOU GO GIRL" all cries that echoed around the room as they engulfed the poor girl in all of their arms. There were smiles and cheers and hugs, the atmosphere in the hut had suddenly lifted, it made me realise how much of an impact Liv had on the rest of the boys and I.

Everyone was so happy, it was like everything was back to normal just like that. I watched as she made her way round to everyone one by one once the fuss had died down, but one person who hasn't surfaced and instead disappeared around the back, was Luke.

"Not gonna say hi mate?" I whispered to Luke as he hid away.

"Last time we spoke, it, things weren't great, and I'm nervous, I confessed my love for her" he blushed.

"Be the bigger person and-" I was suddenly interrupted by none other than Liv herself.

"Boys, Hutz, would you mind if I stole Luke?" She laughed as she nudged me in the ribs.

"Never, I'll go" she flashed a warm smile at me as I disappeared away from the pair of them and into the hub of the hut

***LUKE POV***

I couldn't bring myself to look at her, she was so radiant, even more than before.

"You not going to even look at me? Cause I hate to ruin the mood but I think you owe me something" she mumbled. An apology.

And I did, oh god I did owe it to her, I owed her my life because I didn't risk mine when she needed me, and I'll never forget it or forgive myself.

"I'm so-, so sorry Liv" I choked out, I felt like a lost puppy, I was holed up in the corner with my paws covering my eyes because I was afraid. But I'd apologised, and that was all that mattered.

"There we go, that wasn't so hard was it?" She laughed kicking her legs up towards me, I blushed as she watched me.

"Do you still feel the same Luke? Like last time we talked?"

"No" I lied.

"Well that was quick, don't think about it, it's fine" she smiled laughing, the infectious and wonderful laugh.

"I'm sorry" I hesitated twiddling my thumbs and looking down

"Don't be ridiculous" she laughed again, putting her fingers under my chin forcing me to look up at her.

"Don't be a nugget" she giggled and I smiled.

"There he is" she cooed.

"Come on, you know you and I, we can never happen. I'm sorry, but it doesn't mean we can't be friends, is that okay?"

No

"Of course, I know that, if we can't be together then friends is good for me" I murmured shrinking back into my shell as she moved her fingers from my chin.

"Good, I'm glad we've established that, and remember Luke, I'd risk my life for you, hopefully next time you'll do the same" that one stung, but she was right.

"Gee, thanks" I shrugged.

"Hey, I'm just saying" she threw her arm at me and grabbed my hand, my heart leapt into my chest as she jumped off the table.

"Let's join the ruckus that is our co workers yeah?"

No, I like it just you and I

"Yeah, let's"

And like that, we were done, I was no closer to being happier or with the one I liked. But at least we had closure, even if I'd made the worst effort. But I was happy with that.

***LIV***

"3 CHEERS FOR LIV!"

"HIP HIP- HURRAY, HIP HIP- HURRAY, HIP HIP- HURRAY" the boys all chorused as they lifted me up onto Haynes shoulders. I'd never seen the man, or the boys, so happy or laughing so much. My legs were near enough fully healed, although the odd strenuous events may have to wait a week or 2, I was okay with this.

It felt so good to be home and so good to be walking again, kicking a ball around and hopefully surfing again. The hut, this beach was where I belonged. I'm praying Haynes will let me work again, I just had too. Luke and I, we're fine, or so I hope.

Those boys feelings will never be shared between us, and I'm sorry for that, but the fact he didn't help me, I'll always remember it, which is a shame. I watched as my dad leant against the door frame at the entrance to the hut, he looked proud, I smiled at him as he smiled back.

"Go get em'" he mouthed to me

"I will" I shouted back, I felt warm inside as the boys shouted, jeered and cheered.

"Here's to Olivia!" Haynes started, "Our Miracle Girl".

They all cheered as I was passed around the room almost like crowd surfing at a concert. Happy, content. But this was not the end.