Surfers Paradise

Chapter 5: The Deal

I was sick and tired of this. Miranda had pushed me off the edge, no more of this nice crap. I tried to take Ryan's advice and stay chill, but that was out of the window now. When Brody, Alana, and Bethany saw me paddling they gave me big smiles and cheers. Miranda smirked at the rest of her friends and I wanted to hit her with my board so badly, but then again it would mess up my board. I made it to my friends and just glared at her while sitting up tall with my legs wrapped around my board.

As we sat around waiting for a decent wave to come, I noticed one in the distance. I had this sick sense of knowing which minor waves would become the best ones once fully formed. This wave was going to be a good one, but it seemed like no one else — even Miranda, the cocky surfer — had noticed so I started paddling toward it quickly. At first, none of them realized what I was doing because there were only calm waves, but then the wave I spotted began to gain better form. Miranda started paddling and we were in a full-on battle to make it to the inside.

I stood upright as Miranda was about to get up and caught the wave. It was probably the best wave I had seen out there all day and it was amazing. I was even able to go into the pipe, which was the best feeling. It was indescribable but addicting. Right as I got out of the pipe, I landed an awesome 360 to rub it in even more. I even sprayed Miranda in the face when I passed by her just to put her overconfidence to shame right as I finished my amazing ride that trumped Jared's by 101 percent.

My friends high-fived me for my awesome ride as I got back. Miranda's face had a deep scowl while I grinned at her.

Soon afterward, we both saw another nice wave forming. I started paddling harder than I ever had before.

This was going to end now, I thought.

My arms cried in agony, but I made them keep paddling. Miranda was right beside me knowing this moment was going to define it all. As the wave was cresting, Miranda stood up on her board. She thought she had won, but I came down right next to her.

Miranda was on my right, our boards almost touching and we all wanted to see who could secure a good ride out of this. Miranda had the advantage because she was blocking me, but neither of us wanted to try anything for fear of toppling off our boards so we both kept our ground. Miranda shot me one of her devious look who's a better surfer smiles.

I was done. All the anger I had suppressed toward her with surfing was rising to the surface and it couldn't be contained any longer.

Chill, Hannah, chill. Don't do this. You'll end up regretting it later, I repeated to myself.

I had settled down until she gave Ryan a flirty wink. First our surfing spot, then the competition, now my best friend? She should've seen this one coming.

~

I slammed my body into hers with all the force I had from the anger boiling inside of me. We both toppled off our boards and into the ocean. I could tell Miranda definitely hadn't seen it coming because she did nothing to push me away. When we resurfaced she was brushing a piece of hair out of her face and then she saw me. I smiled innocently back at her. Her eyes filled with anger and she looked like she was going to slap me before she started swimming in my direction.

"Oh shit," I said, taking a big gulp of air and going back under to swim away from her.

I opened my eyes underwater and could see her swimming in my direction. I found a wave and bodysurfed my way back to shore. Once I hit the sand, I stood up. I couldn't believe I had actually done that. I wanted to do that for so long and it felt so great. Then I remembered Miranda wanted to kill me when I saw her get out of the ocean and fling her board angrily onto the beach. Her jaw was clenched and her eyes were filled with menace. She stalked toward me with her hands balled into fists.