Beyond Castle Walls - The Princess and the Skater Boy

Soaring High

Sam's POV

This is it. I will bag the trophy and compete at nationals. I was still shocked about Ellie and Lana being sisters. Speaking of Ellie, I tried to squint my eyes to find her. I invited her along. I found her on one of the bleachers wearing my favorite hoodie. I waved and she waved back with a smile. I guess this is it. If I won that trophy, I will confess to her. It is this day or never. I geared up. Helmet, knee and elbow pads. I calibrated my board. I looked at the deck. That was so high.

"Oh my god. Is that Tony Hawk?" Said one of the competitors.

I turned to check if it's true. It is really him. He is one of the famous skateboarder. He is among the judges. The mechanics is elimination process among hundred of participants. Basic and then the finale was about complicated tricks. I am confident about this. Few minutes more and the elimination started. It is basically bar tricks. This is like walking in the park for me. I moved gracefully and carefully with perfection. Even my kicks were calculatedly done. I am very focused on my goal. After the first round, I checked the judges' spot. Some of them are nodding. Even Tony was smiling. I looked at the direction where Ellie was sitting. She was clapping and waving at me.

After an hour, the elimination process came to conclusion. I was one of the top 16. The deck tricks is quite harder and advanced but I practiced for this. I will bag this. It's my turn now I played MXPX Let's Ride. I started low. Put a twist and turn every beat. Jumping up and over the deck. I was like flying. The feeling of freedom. It is like soaring high. Faster I gain momentum. Those Ollie and rolls fit on the rhythm of the song. I love how the wind brush my face. This is a 3 minute routine and I believed I nailed it. Until the song finished I ended it up with a 360 spin up to the top of the deck. Everyone on the audience screamed and clap their hands. It feels good. My heart is still rushing. I went to the bleachers where Ellie was sitting.

"Hey. That was so cool!" She said

"Thanks." I said humbly. She started wiping my face with her handkerchief. I can smell her perfume from the fabric.

"You can do that. You were so amazing."

"Hey, can we talk after this?" I breathe deep. "There is something I wish to tell you."

"Yeah, of course."

Out of the 16 remaining competitors, only 4 were selected. I made it to the finale. One more trick I was saving for this point. I chose The Offsprings' All I want for the song. It was a fast beat. I did my hardest to perfect this routine. And this time I finished the routine with a 720 flip to the top of deck. Again the crowd roar and clapped. It was a beautiful and perfect.

Mr. Tony shook my hands. A legend in skateboarding. I am so flattered.

"You did good, kid. What is your name?"

"Sam. I'm a big fan, Sir."

"I see. I hope you make it, Sam." He said and gave me a tap on my back as he went to the deck to do an exhibition. I am totally in awe. He did the routine like it was nothing. He is litetally flying and flipping and spinning. The dream I want to follow is here in front of me.

After his routine, the announcement came in. I won second place. I didn't bag the championship but I will join the National Skateboarding Competition. I was so happy about it. I received a medal and have my board signed by Mr. Hawk. I went to the bleachers where Ellie was waiting.

"Congratulations!"

"Nah, I didn't won the championship."

"But you still get to compete for nationals right?" What she said is true. Which is really my main purpose.

"Right. Yeah, so this competition made me a little hungry." I said trying to invite her. "So why don't we get ourselves some tacos? I know a shop nearby."

"Totally! I also need to eat by the way."

We arrived at the Taco House.  We ordered some food and drinks.

"Hey, aren't you gonna tell me something?" She asked.

"Right! I mean, yes. Ah, maybe after we eat. I wouldn't wanna spoil your appetite." She agreed and our orders arrived.

After eating half of my tacos, I started talking to her from the first day in school.

"That was Gucci, you know. And that was hella expensive." She said. "I'm kidding. I still get to keep your hoodie at least."

"Ellie, you know." I started to say almost whispering. "T-that day..." and I stared at her, I just froze.

"Hey!"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Look, I have been wanting to tell you that I..." my heart just suddenly beat faster than earlier.

"You..?"

"I like you."

"Y-you." The looks of surprise in her face. "I...Sam, did I hear it correctly?"

"Want me to say it again?" This time I am already looking down the floor.

"Um, thank you. But I don't think I am ready for this."

"I totally understand." This moment I am positive that I was just rejected. "I will go get the bills."

"Hey, we—" she called. "We're still OK, right?"

"Yeah, absolutely." I replied with a big pretentious smile. To be honest, the conversation started to get totally awkward.

The next morning, Ellie went to go by car. We came to school with everybody cheering.

"Hey, Lewis. Congratulations!" Said one random guy.

"Hey, Sam, my man, I heard you won. Congrats, mate!" Said Nate.

"So, I guess you are back at the popular club again." Said my twin.

"You know this is temporary, right?"

"I know. See you at lunch." She said and she headed to her class.

After a while, I felt a hand snaking up my chest. "Hey, handsome." Said the familiar voice of an annoying cheerleader.

"I always knew it's you. Please remove your hand away from me."

"You are still untoucheable. You used to like it."

"No, I didn't."

She was about to touch me again when she was stopped by another girl. "He already said no. Can you back off now, you bimbo?"

"What did you say, Bitch?"

"Jesus, LJ, just stop." I said. I grabbed Lana's hand and drag her to our classroom.

"You could have gotten hurt." I said after getting her inside the room

She just smiled at me. "You could have gotten sexually harassed there, you know."

"Thank you for your concern but I am totally fine."

"Right. Maybe I just can't stand her holding and touching you like that."

"Sorry?"

"Sam, I like you."

And right after she said that, I just realized that everyone in the room has their ears on us, and eyes, too. Including hers.

************************message from the author************************

Sorry, I have been very sick from the first day of the month. It is irritating not able to update and to have this headache whenever having lights strike my eyes and every inch on my body hurts. But I would still update for all my readers, OK.