Surf: Ride the Wave

Day One

Ezra waited patiently outside the busy airport for his taxi to arrive with a blue lei around his neck.

It smelled like heavenly sweetness, freedom.

He couldn't believe he was finally in Hawaii after getting his transfer accepted seven months ago, he's been saving up for the plane ticket since. Now Mom and Dad won't have much to worry about, he's capable, works hard and proved it. They still loaded Ezra up with a wad of cash he hasn't counted yet and emergency medical kits. His parents will never stop being themselves.

His taxi pull around the corner.

Ezra dreamed while riding in the backseat. Looking out to his new home filled him with awe, it's actually was as beautiful as everybody says. He loved the ocean, surfing with Dad on California vacations while Mom watched, every beach up and down the whole state. It had been a long time since those childhood vacations but Ezra still felt he knew it well and the thought of surfing in Hawaii gave him goosebumps, he was almost there!

The tall sandy haired Ezra stepped out of his taxi taking a look around his new dorm, luggage at his feet, he seemed satisfied at the look of the campus. The taxi sped away and Ezra found his building in the distance. The campus was empty. Not a soul around, but considering it was summer break he wasn't surprised. He quickly found his room and threw his stuff in, had a change of clothes and searched on his phone for surf shops nearby while laying on his new dorm bed. Already, he loved his new college life. His room wasn't much and he clearly had to share it from the look of the messy bed in the corner far from his. Seems his roommate didn't go home for summer break. Hopefully they get along, Ezra would do his best to make sure. He found a shop on his phone named Wave Champions, jumped in his sandals and started walking.

***

The shop had a strong air conditioner blast as Ezra walked in, which felt great after the walk. His wild gold hair still drenched in sweat, he pulled out a bandana from his pocket and wiped himself off. The only other person in the store watched him with interest. He was a big chested man clearly from the area, his shirt was open exposing his hairy chest and many tattoos all over his arms and neck.

"Hang loose bro, welcome to the surf shop." The shopkeeper hailed from a counter not far away.

"Hi, I'm trying to find a board I just moved here-"

"You're a benny bro no problem!" the shopkeep smiled at Ezra.

"A Benny-" Ezra started.

"Check out the shop quiver, one catch ya eye?" the shopkeep motioned towards the wall behind him of surfboards of every kind you could imagine. Ezra walked closer looking at the boards and realized they were hanging all over every wall, the smell of sandalwood got stronger with each step inside. Ezra realized it was the shopkeep himself as he got closer.

He looked into his dark eyes.

"See any you like, bro?" He put his firm hand on Ezra sweaty shoulder and motioned over to a rack of boards. Instantly one jumped out. Every inch was covered in a tapestry of beautiful blue tropical flowers like the ones from his lei.

"How much is that one?" Ezra smiled back at the handsome shopkeep, who still hadn't introduced himself, but he was no longer smiling.

"That was hand painted by my Kupukuna Wahine. That board ain't for jack-dogging and barneys lil' bro." The shopkeep said in a soft tone but had a serious look in his eye as they stared at one another.

His hand still on his shoulder, unwavered.

"Ill sell you this board.. and at a deal, because something... something in your eyes tells me you're a surfer." His smile slowly formed and he shook Ezras shoulder gently " I'm Ty by the way, I own this surf shack lil' bro."