M A T I L D A
I WAKE EARLY, UNABLE to sleep another minute. The house, which I've called my home for the past eleven months feels eyrie silent as I float down the stairs. Today is the day. All the training, all the commitment and dedication of the past year comes down to how I perform today. My entire career, and the career of the five other competitors sleeping in this house is essentially riding on this very day. And yet, they remain lifeless, calm and carefree as my brain jumbles into a bigger mess than the aftermath of an earthquake, destroying any trace of stability.
Today is the day I pack my belongings to either join the world tour, or travel back to Byron Bay. What will my future resemble if the outcome of today doesn't go to plan? I suppose I hit Brisbane, to conquer University, but I am here to prove my mother wrong. That is not the path of my future. That is not me. And so today, means everything to me. I can't let this opportunity slip through my fingertips. Those people, sleeping up in that house, they're my competition. They are what stands between me and my perfect future. I want this. I want this bad, and nothing will stop me from chasing my dreams, no one will stand in my way. I'll make sure of it.
The cold sand slides between my toes as I sit. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath of ocean air as I listen to the one thing that determines my success. The crashing of the oceans waves has always been a comforting sound, even today, knowing that in a few short hours, I'll be out there competing for everything I've ever wanted. There is no need to worry or stress, I know I can do this. Milly and Vicky are amazing, but I'm passionate, determined and I am hungry for this. This is what I want to do every day for the rest of my life.
"They're perfect," a voice startles me. I nod at Justin's words, watching the water build into powerful waves. That's what they are, powerful. The conditions of the waves certainly impact of the outcome of the day, but I am powerful too. They waves are insignificant when it comes to the power of the surfer. A good surfer can produce something beautiful out of nothing.
"Here," Justin whispers, passing a steaming mug of coffee in my direction. He take a seat on the sand, positioning me between his legs.
"I... um...," I stammer, passing the mug back to him with a small smile. "Competition routine, sorry."
"Don't be, I forgot," he replies and I nod. Justin places the coffee on the sand, wrapping his arms around my waist and leans his head on my shoulder. With the competition approaching, our relationship has grown a little distant and tense. Ever since the night of the formal, the only thing that has been playing on my mind is the fact that in a few hours, I'll have to say goodbye to my friends, whether I win or not. Since that night, I've been slightly avoiding Justin, not wanting to bring down his mood, but now, I think I'm finally ready to let him in on what's been eating away at my brain all week.
"Justin?" I say. "What happens if only one of us wins?" I ask, my voice shaking as I wait anxiously for his reply.
"That's what you've been worrying about all week, isn't it?" he says and I nod.
"No one else is worrying over it, it's like the thought doesn't matter to them, but I don't know what I'll do if only one of us wins today. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to plant the thought in your head, or anyone else's. I wanted everyone to enjoy our last week together. I tried it ignore it, and cherish our final days here, but I just couldn't," I finish, finally telling the boy I'm in love with how I feel.
"Tilds," he says, moving out from behind me and shuffling around in the sand until he is positioned in front of me. "The thought did go through my mind, but we love each other so I know that no matter how today goes, we're going to be okay," he tells me and I nod, letting his words soothing my stress.
