The Devil is Marvelous

Chapter 1

I stumbled out of the back of my sister's car, towel in hand, goggles dangling loosely around my neck.

"WOOOOO! LET'S DO THIS!" I hollered, taking off in a full on sprint across the parking lot. I heard my sister Melissa shout something about "waiting up", but I ignored her. My legs were going to carry me all the way across the sand, and into the Pacific. Being from Michigan, I had never been to the ocean before, so I was hype.

As I approached the shoreline, I noticed there were tons of people swimming, floating on inner tubes, and splashing around, not to mention the numerous speed boats and wakeboards jetting around in the distance. The way the sun was beaming onto the ocean made it look not like an ocean, but like an endless field of sapphire glitter.

I chucked and slides to an open spot in the sand, and plunged headfirst into the water, which to my surprise was warmer than I'd anticipated. I pulled my goggles around my eyes and started searching for pretty rocks and shells. After a while, I glanced to the shore and located Melissa and her best friend Nancy lounging under a rainbow stripped umbrella a few feet away from a game of beach volleyball.

What really caught my eye though, was a man down the coast holding a surfboard, which reminded me...

Goosebumps sprang up all over my skin as I made my way over to Melissa and Nancy.

"Hows the water?" Melissa and Nancy asked in unison as I approached them.

"Perfect!" I announced with a thumbs up. "Hey, did one of you happen to grab my surfboard out of the car?" I asked. Melissa shook her head. She reached into her beach bag then tossed me her car key with a wink "your board, your responsibility."

I shrugged, darting back to the car. Once I retrieved my new board (a welcome to California gift from Melissa), I headed right back to water. Since I now lived in California, I decided that I would teach myself how to surf. I would become a surfing goddess, even if I had to practice in all my free time, which was looking more and more inevitable...

...because I absolutely sucked.

I would paddle out, turn around, wait for the wave, try to lift myself up, then tumble right off. Again and again. Humiliating. Melissa and Nancy, now in the water, were staring at me from afar. It looked like they were laughing, and I couldn't blame them because I know I looked like a damn fool. After a many tries I decided to give up for the day, because let me tell you, learning to surf is EXHAUSTING.

I made it back to shore, ready to tan. Suddenly, in my peripheral, I saw something flying towards my head. I jumped back right as a volleyball whizzed past me.

"Whoa! My bad!" I locked eyes with a girl running towards me. I retrieved the volleyball and tossed it back to her. "Thanks!" she said, catching the ball.

The first thing I noticed was her smile. It was huge, not to mention pearly white. She was very fit; her turquoise bikini showed off her toned stomach and complimented her tan skin. Her straight, blonde hair hung around her waist.

"I'm so sorry about that! My friend's and I are awful at keeping the ball in the court" she motioned to two other girls hanging around the volleyball net. They were watching us, blank stares on their faces. I felt a bit uneasy, but I smiled back "Don't worry about it, no biggie."

Suddenly her arm snapped out, stretching towards me "I'm Daphne!" she grinned. I grabbed her hand and gave it firm shake. "I'm Ava" I replied.

"You know Ava, if you'd like a surfing lesson, i'll be here again next weekend. I'd be happy to give you some tips."

My cheeks started to burn. Oh my god, she saw that disaster of a surf lesson I tried to give myself. Awesome.

Daphne must have noticed my blush, because she broke out in a fit of laughter "No need to be embarrassed girl, it's not easy. But seriously, show up next Sunday and i'll show you how to catch some waves"

"That'd be great, actually"

"See you then!" she exclaimed, turning to leave.

"Wait!" I called. She glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. I motioned to the volleyball court, "i'm pretty good at that, so if you'd like to learn how to keep the ball going..."

She smirked, placing her free hand on her hip "It's a date."

With that, she was going back to her friends, and I was headed towards Melissa and Nancy, who were packing things up.

I smiled to myself. Did I officially make my first Californian friend? God knows I need one; I can't be dragging my sister around with me every time I want to go somewhere.

I shook the sand off my towel and followed Melissa and Nancy back to the car.

First trip to the ocean: success.

(A few hours later - Monday night)

Around 9pm I was sprawled out on my bed stuffing my face with peanut butter M&Ms while texting my best friend from back home.

Kiana: Are you excited to start at your new California school tomorrow??
Me: Sort of nervous.
Kiana: I'm sure everything will be great! :)
Me: We'll see...

There was soft knock on my door. Melissa poked her head in my room. "Ava, can we talk for a sec?"

I nodded. She came in, and my german shepard, Luffy, followed her in, hopping up onto my bed. Melissa sat down next to him, petting him and taking a deep breath. Hmm.. she looks nervous.

"So..." she started.

"So?"

"School tomorrow. Make sure you set your alarm. I'll be able to drive you in the mornings. If you could find someone to give you a ride home, that'd be fantastic. I don't get off until 5."

"Okay, sure."

"We'll work on getting you a car soon..." her voice trailed off and she bit her lip. "Did you have a good time today?" I studied her face. She looked like she was holding something back from me. "What's up Melissa?"

She sighed "I guess I just want to know how you're doing. I know this was a huge move, and I can't imagine starting at a new high school is all that fun. I just want to make sure you're feeling okay. If you ever need to talk to me about anything -"

I cut her off, "Melissa, i'm fine. Seriously. It's good that i'm here, and i'll get used to it. You don't have to worry so much." I smiled for good measure.

"If you say so..."

"Seriously. I'm good" At least that's what i'm trying to tell myself.

Her uneasy expression didn't change, however she nodded "Okay well... i'll see you in the morning then" she got up to leave but stopped in door frame, turning her head towards me "I'm here for you Ava. Whatever I can do help you settle in and feel comfortable. You're safe here."

"Goodnight Mel."

She left, shutting the door behind her. I fell back and pulled a pillow over my face. I felt Luffy move up closer to me, and I also felt something move near my feet. I glanced down and saw my two cats, Zoro and Sanji, perched at the end of my bed.

"Thank god she let me keep you all" I said to pets.

The truth was, I hadn't been okay in a long time. I knew deep down that I was safe with my sister, and that I was in a much better place now than I had been in my entire life. That knowledge, however, didn't stop the nightmares from returning. It didn't stop anxiety from overtaking me throughout the day, and it didn't stop my grief from losing people who were closest to me. I was so scared to lose anyone else.

"You'll be okay." I whispered to myself.

I will take charge of my life and everything that happens in it, starting now...