New Beginnings

Chapter Two

Chapter 2:

Tobin didn't have class until late the next day so she decided to long board out to the beach and see if there's a surfboard shop near by. She skated down the boardwalk, swerving in and out of students until she saw a promising place. It was a smaller building on the beach that was lined with surfboards and wet suits. Tobin kicked up her board and walked into the shop just to see the prices.

"Good morning," the worker behind the desk said.

Walking up to the counter, Tobin laid her board against it, "Morning, I was wondering how much your boards are to rent and like could I rent one for the school year."

"Ight so you must go to the university just up the road then, right?" She asked while grabbing the price sheet.

Tobin was too busy looking around the shop to fully here the question right away, only when the worker coughed did she realize the question, "Oh yeah I'm a freshman."

"Oh cool, I'm Ashlyn. I'm a junior there too. Anyways the boards start pretty cheap like a basic one you can rent for the whole year for only $200 but I recommending the $500 one if you want to really be able to catch waves."

Tobin weighed her options because she was a pretty good surfer but didn't want to pay an excessive amount. Going on a gut feeling to trust Ashlyn, she pulled out her credit card, "I'll take $500 for the whole school year."

"Sounds good, bro. Go out front and grab whatever one that has a green tag and it's yours." Ashlyn said, swiping the card and handing it back.

Taking the card back, Tobin picked up her long board and began searching for the perfect board. After awhile, she had it narrowed down to three that suited her perfectly.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" A voice asked.

Tobin turned but was blinded by the sun for a second before her eyes focused on the person, "Shouldn't you be?"

Alex was standing in front of her with a soccer bag on one shoulder and a school board on the other giving her a small smirk, "Touché. But I'm actually going to soccer practice so I have an excuse, what's yours?"

"No class," Tobin responded matching her smirk before continuing her look for the perfect board, "so soccer player, what position?"

"Forward."

That made Tobin laugh a little, "Not surprised. You seem like you want to control the game, be the hero type."

"That is not-"

"A-Morgs, come on! We can't be late or else Hope will kill us!" Christen yelled, tapping her watch impatiently.

Alex eyed Tobin who was turned away from her, "Coming, Press!" She yelled before looking one last time at Tobin, "And if I wanted to control the game, I would be a midfielder. And go with the middle one, it fits you best."

Tobin's ears perked up at the name of Press and the mention of midfield so she turned around to see the same girl that got JJ all rattled yesterday, "Bye Alex," she called out as the girl was walking away.

"Bye Tobin, remember the middle one!" Alex replied without turning around and heading off with Christen.

"Found a board you like?" Ashlyn asked appearing in the doorway.

"Yeah I'm taking the middle one."

Ashlyn handed over the board and told Tobin to come visit again.

Class was just getting out for most students so Tobin had to fight some traffic to get back which was hard to do on a long board with a surf board in her hands.

Eventually, Tobin made it back to hers and ARod's room, laying her surfboard against the wall and placing her long board under her bed. It was around lunch time but with ARod gone and not wanting to go alone, Tobin decided to take a nap before her next class.

***

Alex caught up to Press and apologized, "Sorry just talking with a friend."

"Mhm hmm well know we need to run or else where fresh meat," Christen said taking off, making Alex follow closely behind.

They made it just in time and basically went tumbling into the locker room. Alex stopped to catch her breathe against a locker with Christen following suit.

Hope nudged Carli, "Almost late on the first day, not a good start."

Carli finished lacing up her boot while she just shook her head.

Alex found her locker and opened it to find a fresh pair of practice clothes including a shirt, shorts, and socks. Quickly changing into the apparel, she laced up her boots and tied her pink pre wrap around her head.

"Freshman! Come on!" Hope called as the team started heading out.

Scrambling, Christen and Alex grabbed their soccer balls and left in a hurry.

Practice went well for the most part. Alex and Christen started to get to the know their teammates better. Alex couldn't help but secretly laugh when she scored on Hope and Christen gave her a high five which made Hope furious. After about an hour or so, the coach dismissed them since it was still early in the season and he just wanted to see how they worked together.

"You guys looked good out there," Ali said smiling as she packed her bag, "and scoring on Hope was awesome, Alex."

"Thanks. I think she wanted to rip my head off," Alex joked, closing her locker, "Ready, Press?"

Christen threw on her shirt, "Yeah, I'm coming. Ali, wanna go to lunch with us?"

"I would but I have plans with my girlfriend, so I'll see you guys later."

Alex and Christen looked at each other for a split second before Christen mouthed, "Girlfriend?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Alex walked out of the locker room right after Ali and caught her walking away with someone that she didn't recognize.

"Her girlfriend?" Christen asked suddenly appearing behind Alex again.

"Most likely, now come on I'm starving."

The two of them walked to the closest dining hall and began piling their plates with food when Alex felt someone bump into her.

"Hey!" Alex started but stopped when she saw who it was, "oh Kelley, wanna join us for lunch?"

"Of course, I'm Kelley," she said gesturing towards Christen.

"Christen, nice to meet you."

They found an empty table and sat down. Students bustled around them and they ate in silence for the first minute or so.

"So Christen, I'm guessing you're the other freshman that is on the soccer team with Alex?" Kelley asked starting the conversation.

"Yeah. I've known Alex from club soccer though for a few years. I'm guessing you're a freshman too?"

Kelley laughed, "Sadly and I'm also Alex's roommate. What dorm are you in?"

"Oceanside, you guys?"

"Dude that's awesome, we're in that dorm too. We should throw a party." Kelley smirked.

Alex rolled her eyes, "Yeah with all three of us."

"Hey you could invite that girl you were talking to before practice." Christen retaliated.

Kelley gasped in fake shock, "Wait what girl? Alex, are you making friends without me?"

"It's just a girl that I've ran into a couple of times. We aren't BFFs by any means.

"Good cause we're in this together. Your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends. Sound like a plan?" Kelley asked holding her fist out.

Alex pounded it, "Deal."

Kelley then turned to Christen, "You in on this?"

"Yeah why not," she then pounded her fist against Kelley's.