Nani's Beach Day

The waves moved gracefully beneath my board, the ocean breeze whipped through my hair. I extended my arms outward, and took a deep breath of ocean air. Then I was going upwards – further and further until I was surfing the stars. My board skidded along Orion's bow, and I landed in the Big Dipper. I reached into the bowl, and tossed up a handful of stars.

Then I looked down towards Earth. There were... three tiny shapes. On the Island of Hawai'i. They grew larger and larger – my parents and Lilo. Then my mother began to speak. Words escaped her lips indistinguishable at first, then morphing into something I could understand.

"Nani! Time to wake up, it's 9 o'clock!"

My eyes blinked open to see my mother standing in the doorway to my bedroom, wearing a purple sundress, brow raised and foot tapping.

"It's Saturday," I grumbled.

"Hmm," Mom approached the bed and sat down with a flop. I groaned, pulling the pillow onto my head.

"Nani," Mom said gently, "Don't you have a surfing competition coming up next weekend?"

"I'm ready," I mumbled.

"Don't you want to be sure?" Mom asked.

I did. I was just too lazy to leave my bed for the beach right now.

"Dear one, sometimes you have to put hard work before creature comforts, especially when it's something this important," Mom said, patting the pillow, "Don't you dream about being a surfing star?"

Well, last night, I was dreaming of surfing among the stars. But she was right.

I pushed the pillow away and rolled to a sitting position.

Mom leaned over and kissed my head, "That's my girl," she said. She walked back to the doorway. "I polished your board, it's waiting for you by the doorway."

"Thanks, Mom," I said gratefully.

"Your welcome, baby," Mom said, closing the door with a soft click.

Okay, now that I was awake the reality of the situation came rushing back to me. Mom was right – the statewide surfing competition was coming up very soon. And I did want to win. I wanted to win every competition – from the Hawaiian beaches to the world stage.

After brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a sleek ponytail, I bounded down the stairs.

"Nani!" Dad called from the kitchen. I ducked inside to see him pulling a batch of sweets from the oven Lilo was on the floor, scribbling with her crayons, looking like a little sunflower in her bright yellow top and orange shorts. Dad in contrast was shaded like leaves, in his green and white striped top and green shorts. He reached out with a pastry.

"Yum," I said, popping it in my mouth and swallowing the whole thing in almost a single bite. "What is that?"

"Strawberry cream pastry," Dad said proudly.

"I really wish I had your food skills," I said, making for the door and hoisting the surfing board onto my shoulder.

"Your talent is surfing," Dad laughed. "So go on!"

"Bye Dad. Bye Lilo!" I ducked out the door and dashed for the beach.

David was already there, and his face lit up when he saw me. "Howzit, Nani?" he asked with a crooked grin.