The Other Shore

Chapter 3

The next day was stormy, and I woke up feeling miserable. My dad had woken me up for school extremely early, telling me about all the things we had to do once I got back from school for the day. We were going to start researching colleges that suit me, but honestly college was the last thing I wanted to be a part of.

I wanted to work with Tanner and Ryder at the surf shop- just like I did every summer- until I saved enough money to travel the world. It was a pretty basic and unrealistic plan, but Tanner and I had already started saving.

After school I didn't even speak to my dad before tugging a wetsuit on under my clothes. He knew that if he made me mad I would take off for the ocean quicker than lightning.

He stopped me at the door and said, "Hollis, we have to talk."

"No, we don't actually. But I do have to surf. There's a competition coming up."

"There's also college coming up. You have to focus on that, Hollis. Surfing can wait. Now, I took off work so we could sit down and talk about this. Please, baby."

"Don't 'baby' me, Dad."

"Sit down."

I sighed dramatically before jerking a chair out from under the table, huffing as I plopped down.

"You've not applied to any colleges. Hollis, you should've already been thinking about what you want to do when you get out of high school. You should already have an acceptance letter in your hand, but you have put nothing towards the future."

"I've been surfing. That's my future."

"You can't surf forever Hollis. It's just not happening. You won't be surfing again after Monday anyhow."

I jumped quickly out of my seat, and beat my hands against the table.

"What?! No surfing?!"

"I said it clearly. No more surfing. You're leaving for a college program Tuesday morning."

"But Dad, the surf competition is next Saturday and I have to practice every day! I can't miss this!"

"I don't care. You're going to be in New York next Saturday. That's final."

"You can't make me go to a college program. You can't control my future. It's mine; not yours."

"But, legally, you're sixteen. I can make you do whatever I see fit."

"Ha. You got me there dad. Good luck fishing my dead body out of the ocean and sending me to a program. We'll see how that goes."

"Hollis I-"

I stormed out of the house, not caring what he had to say. I headed to the shed in search of my board, only to find it gone. I let the tears go that had slowly begun to build up. I heard footsteps behind me, but they were too light to be my father's.

"Hollis, what's up?" Ryder asked me.

I looked up and met Ryder's worried gaze. He ran a hand through his auburn hair before kneeling down next to me.

"Come here." He held his arms out for me and I crawled into them, hugging my best friend tightly.

"My dad is sending me away to New York. I'm leaving Tuesday."

"He can't make you do that. You can stay right here and surf and help us run the shop, just like we always planned."

"No, I can't actually. He still has the right to control my life apparently. I'm going to New York and I can't touch a surfboard for God knows how long."

"Baby, I'm sorry, how can I help?"

"Help me find my board."

"You don't need to go surfing right now, Hollis. It's about to storm and the waves are extremely choppy."

"You think I care how choppy the freaking waves are?"

"I'll run and get your board, but if I were you I wouldn't go surfing. I know you're upset but it's pretty bad out there. Not your kind of stuff."

"You know where my board is?"

"Yeah, it's at the top of the driveway. That's why I came down here: to make sure everything was okay."

"Well it's not."

"I can see that."

"Please, will you get my board?"

He sighed.

"I suppose."

"Thank you so much Ryder. I owe you one.

"I'll be back soon."

"Meet me at the beach?"

"Fine."

Ryder hopped up and took off down the sandy driveway. I stood up slowly and dried my tears. I closed the door to the shed and started towards the beach.

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Hope you all enjoyed!

xoxo,

Carson