Adriana Sousa lives for surfing. So, when she gets onto the State team she won't let anyone or anything distract her. Baxter Radic is an excellent distraction, one Adriana can't seem to stay away from. Drawn to him like she is to the ocean, she has...
The water is calm as it laps at the edges of my board, tinged orange from the sun just peaking over the horizon. A salty breeze dances in my wet hair. There is nothing more perfect than this moment. Being out here where no one can reach you. Droplets from a gentle wave sprays me in the face and I suck in a breath as it washes over me. The sound of the rolling water, and the waves crashing in the distance has been my morning song for years. Glancing at the sun, which is particularly beautiful today - some days it's a dull yellow that barely reflects off the water, others, a muted pink which is lovely in its own right - it's so powerfully vibrant now, my favourite kind of morning sun rise. Burning across the sky and scattering across the salty currents. I let the waves do most of the work, occasionally threading my fingers through the water, to carry me to shore. Hair is plastered to my face, the taste of the water sits on my lips when I can finally stand. I loop my board under my arm, my feet sinking in the sandy ground, the ocean pulsing around my legs. Running a hand down my wet face, I brush the last of the beads of water still clinging to my lashes. Warm sand sticks to my feet and flicks up behind me as I trudge across the beach, struggling to unzip my wetsuit. Peeling it off my shoulders finally, I let it hang at my waist and prop my board against a railing that threatens to give out. Tying my hair off my face, I rinse myself and my board, happy to be rid of the sand.
"Adrianna."
Poppy stands smiling, her skin glowing in the morning light. When I first moved to Shorehaven, it was just me and my brother for months. Then, like a perfect wave, Poppy came crashing into our lives. Marlon had found it easy from then on, fitting himself into their group. For me, it would only ever be Poppy. I was content with that. I had other things to focus on. Marlon and Poppy were all I needed as far as friends go.
"Poppy." I grin. Some mornings we'd go out together, but the morning before a comp, I prefer my own company. She always respects that.
"How are you feeling?" She asks, shuffling towards me with her wetsuit half off.
"Much better now, the waters lovely. Couldn't catch anything good, though." I sigh, pushing my board into its bag and zipping it up around it. "How are you?" I squint up at her.
"The usual. Nervous, but so unbelievably excited. I'm not sure which is worse." Poppy laughs. Helping me haul my board into the back of her camper.
"Your gonna rip it Pops, you always do." She looks down, a sad expression playing on her face. She doesn't speak of her mum very often, neither do her brothers, but every day, they surf for her. They win for her. It just adds to the pressure for Poppy to do well for her mum.
"Come on, I'm driving." Poppy swings her own board into the back and climbs into the driver's seat. "We have to pick up Manu on the way." The camper sputters to life and jolts as she pulls away. I laugh at her, the wind whipping my drying hair around my face as we look at each other. The waves crashing in the background, heading to state try-outs together.
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