Addicted to waves

Free as a bird

A little island was now on the horizon as the boat sailed towards the long wooden dock. As Robert and Charlie moved around getting things ready, the boat bobbed on the waves as they slowly grew bigger, making Alex a little on edge. Robert shouted orders at Charlie as she ran around doing as her father asked, yelling when it was done and shouting "aye, sir!" before carrying it out. Alex relaxed a little as the boat reached the wooden dock and a strong hand grasped his shoulder.

"Relax kid, we know what we're doing," Robert said as he helped Charlie set the anchor and tie the boat down. Alex began to haul the box out, leaving out the ones that needed to stay on board. Walking down the dock he reached the beech, slipping his shoes and socks off he moved onto the burning sand. It felt good, the light yet warm breeze on his skin, the sand between his toes. It reminded him of his first time on the beach with Brendon.

He missed him, even if sometimes he would look at him with those sceptical eyes and that annoyed sigh followed by the eye roll, but that's what Alex missed the most, because that was Bren. Alex was going to call him tonight for some of Brens famous - and much needed - mental prep, as he will be starting school tomorrow and  he would need it before then. Alex sighed at that he never did like school, just because it was easy.

Alex is a straight a student and he liked it:
1, Because every time he talks in class or just doesn't bother showing up, his teachers can't say jack squat because he passes everything with flying colours.
And 2, girls dig brains, something that most of the guys that hung around with him didn't possess... Well apart from Bren.

Turning Alex saw Charlie begin up the beach, a bag of coal in her hands. When she reached the sand she plonked it down, pulling a disgusted face she looked at her black covered hand making Alex laugh. Charlie looked up at him, a devilish grin spread across her face as she began moving in his direction. Confuse at her intensions he began to move back slowly stumbling slightly.

"Charlie... Charlie no! No! Charlie!" He shouted as she launched herself at him. Straddling him she pushed her knees into his shoulders and began giving him war paint. He sighed before looking up at her, watching her glistening blue eyes light up as she began laughing. Standing up she began to pull her top off, exposing her tanned toned stomach and a white bikini. Alex's eyes began to wander over her body as he propped himself up on his elbows. They slowly made their way to her face which made him kick himself. She was smirking hand on hip and her perfect eyebrow raised.

"You can look but not touch, oh and please  stop drooling, you're making me blush." She said she jokingly fanned herself with her hand. Alex rolled his eyes as he got up, secretly checking if he did have drool on his face. Laughing Robert made his way down with a surf board under each arm, stabbing them into the ground he removed his top.

"Dad can I?" Said Charlie directing her gaze to the board. When she looked at it Alex almost felt jealous, she stared at it with such intensity such emotion that he thought she may break down if Robert said no.

"Yeah sure I'm staying here with Alex to make breakfast... Well lunch now." He said smiling as he moved the coal into the small barbecue. Charlie grabbed the board and began paddling to the waves, when she reached the wave she slowly began to stand. Weaving up the wave she ran her hand through the water, her eyes watching the water rising over her head. With a swift flick to the side she fell off plunging into the blue water. Alex marvelled at the sight in front of him as he sat on the sand next to Robert as he cooked the meat.

"Wow,"

"It's something else isn't it?" Said Robert as he looked at his daughter who was paddling back out again. Alex turned to Robert surprised before he realised he had actually spoken out loud. Turning he went back to watching Charlie, a hint of something else but happiness in his smile and eyes.

"Yeah it is."

"You know when you're out there on the waves, you're free. Like a bird riding the wind. It's all in that moment, everything is about that moment. Your mind wanders and you're down, you concentrate to much you lose it. It's more addictive than drugs mate." He said flipping the meat over before watching Charlie once again. "Besides you will understand when you try."

"What?"

"Oh Charlie's gonna teach you how to surf, it will stop you from wanting the-" with his hand he made a tipping motion to his lips with a whistle, as if he was downing a drink. Alex huffed a laugh shaking his head as he directed his gaze to the ground.

"How are you doing with that anyway?" Robert asked as he replaced the ready meat with more raw. Before looking at Alex.

"Fine, I'm not an alcoholic."

"That's funny cause most of the alcoholics that we get say that too." Robert said making a face that Alex couldn't help but laugh at.

"I just don't like being alone." At that Robert turned to Alex who was drawing things in the sand. Robert had noticed that every time Alex was left to his own thoughts he would draw things with his fingers.

"Well you're not anymore," Alex looked up at him eyes sparkling as he smiled kindly. This boy want like the others, Robert was surprised he was here at all. People with weak personalities where as common as mud, but Alex had a strong one, something that was rare. That made Robert think though, why was he here then? A cry for help?

"Thanks Robert."

"No problem." He said lightly turning round before shouting, "Charlie! Get your butt over here it's ready!" Making Alex jump and wonder if Robert was bipolar or just a little eccentric.