Surf session - chaennie

Surf session

It was a beautiful morning in St. Kilda, relatively warm and bursting with the kind of sunshine that makes a person want to stay outdoors all day. 

Jennie had gotten in an early morning surf session when the waves were hoppin’ and stopped by Quist Coffe late morning for a second pick-me-up. 

She waited in line patiently behind Henry Herman, who ordered his very specific drink and stepped down the counter. 

“Caramel lattice drizzle for you, too?” Jisoo asked with a wink. 

“I’m gonna mix it up. How about a cappuccino, extra foam.” 

“My kind of girl. Any special art on that?” 

“Can you do a peace sign?” 

“You’re insulting my talent.” Jennie laughed. “I’ll let you choose, then.”

Moments later, Jisoo delivered a cappuccino with a startlingly accurate depiction of the Pink Panther created in foam. “ How about the training?”

Jennie rolled her eyes. “Lame training session. All my fault, so I’m yelling at myself in my head.” 

“That sounds terrifying. Maybe let yourself off with a light lecture? Some extra chores?” 

“Nah. Too easy.” Jisoo, with a hand on her growing stomach, slid delicately into the chair across from Jennie. 

“Coffee will make it better, though. It makes everything better.” 

“Thanks,” she mumbled halfheartedly, and thumbed the circular lid. Coffee did help, and she was doing everything she could to see value in the little things, because the larger issues were confusing the hell out of her.

◇◇◇

She could see the ocean over the top of the complex across from her. She watched the waves a moment, a trick that had always calmed her in the past and set her at peace. It wasn’t working. She took out her phone and did something even she couldn’t fathom: she texted Roseanne Park.

Roseanne is the number one ranked female surfer in the world so it’s her rival. But not only in the water, Roseanne has a naturalness that Jennie does not have and that is the presence in front of the cameras. While Jennie didn’t do the whole public speaking thing well. Sucked at it, actually. Roseanne always gave them fantastic stuff, sparkling quotes laced with wit and charm and humor. She was born to play the part of media It girl. 

Even with their differences, the two have been getting closer since the last competition. 

Training today? It was doubtful she’d get a reply. She wasn’t even sure why’d she done it, other than the fact that she was restless and out of sorts and couldn’t help herself. She turned to enter her apartment when her phone chimed. Whoa. Her heart sped up and she clenched one fist before glancing at the readout. 

Morning session complete. What are you up to? 

Panic hit and her mind raced. Not sure what to do, she moved to the railing, then away from it again, and then back. She was tempted to toss the phone over the balcony, the stupid device! What the hell was she supposed to do now? Finally, she took a seat on the top of the stairs and typed a response. 

Wanna join forces this afternoon? She hit Send before logic could interfere. 

Roseanne’s response was faster this time. Well, that could make for an interesting workout. 

The blush hit and although no one was around to see it, the mortification followed anyway. Jennie didn’t casually blush. She was an athlete, and a stoic one at that. She stomped on feelings, ate them for breakfast, and pushed forward to the win at every turn. Who was this new chick taking residence in her body? She started to type that she’d only been kidding when a second message from Roseanne hit.