All In

9

Chapter 9

"Come on Big Boat," my dad laughed, racing past me. 

"Why are we running? How is this helping?" I huffed, stopping and placing my hands on my hips as my dad laughed, stopping a few feet ahead of me. He seemed fine! After running 2 miles, he was unphased!

"Beau, I'm a 40-year-old old guy and I'm not wheezing nearly 1/2 as much as you, and you're a 13-year-old world-renowned surfer," my dad smiled, walking back to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder, smiling as he looked out at the ocean. 

"Billy said I only had to run 1 mile, why are you making me run like, a gazillion?!" I wheezed, breathing heavily as I looked up at my dad. 

"Big Boat, before you become a better surfer, you have to understand the sea. The ocean stirs the heart, it inspires the mind, and it brings eternal joy to the soul. BUT, the ocean breeze puts your mind to ease," he smiled, tapping my head as I just looked up at him strangely. 

"Dad, there's a breeze when I'm sitting on my board in the middle of the ocean, why do I need to run?" I laughed, crossing my arms as my dad let out a loud sigh, shaking his head. 

"Close your eyes and tell me what you hear," he huffed as I nodded, closing my eyes. 

"I hear the ocean and some seagulls," I hissed, quickly opening my eyes again as my dad shook his head in disappointment. 

"When I close my eyes," my dad sighed, closing his eyes, "I hear the waves hitting the shore. There's a wave in the horizion, it's gonna barrel. There is a seagull to my right that's going for a small fish in the white water," I gasped as I watched everything unfold in front of my eyes, my dad smiling as he kept his eyes closed. 

"How did you do that?!" I smiled, looking at my dad as he opened his eyes, smirking softly over at me. 

"I run," he smirked as I just gave him a confused look. "Running, helps you understand your surroundings. You're not focused on anything, and that allows your mind to focus on everything," he smiled as I laughed, nodding softly. 

"Alright old man, I guess I'll keep running with you. I just want to be able to do a magic trick," I giggled, my dad smiling brightly before running down the sand again making me laugh as I followed behind him. 

I breathed heavily as I ran down the street,  coming back to the white house. I plopped down on the stairs, huffing and puffing as I placed my head in my hands. Seven miles. It was the first time I've run since September. This morning was the first morning I didn't wake up hungover. Maybe I'm turning a new leaf, going back to my old ways, or maybe I'm seeking revenge for what the ocean did to my father. Whatever it was, I was a new person. 

I stood up, clearing my throat as I looked at the doors. I had a mission, and I wasn't going to let anyone stop me, especially not myself. I was going to do it, I had to do it. 

It was only 7, so the house was quiet. I walked inside and not a soul was awake. I made my way downstairs to my room, changing out of my shorts and my tank top and into one of my Billabong bikinis, tying my hair up into a messy bun before making my way outside. I stood at the edge of the pool, looking into the crystal blue water, my mind tricking me into seeing the red-stained ocean water I was last in.

"Hi Beau, it's an honor to be able to speak to you," the interviewer smiled as I nodded, looking at the man. 

"You too," I said coldly. I had kicked Billy out of the meeting. He advised me to take my sunglasses off, but I didn't. I kept them on despite being indoors in a press room. 

"First off, I'd like to congratulate you on being selected for the USA Olympic team," the man smiled as I nodded. 

"Thank you, I stated clearly. 

"It's a shame we haven't been able to see you compete at the last 3 competitions in the World Championship Tour. However, despite being unable to compete, you've still managed to remain number 2 in the world. That is an impressive statistic, Ms. Graham," the man smiled as I nodded, smiling softly. 

"Ya, I'm proud of it," I smiled, the man laughing softly. 

"Let's get down to the real reason why you're here: Tokyo 2020," he smirked as I nodded, my smile fading as I cleared my throat, sitting up in my seat. "You have yet to accept your invitation to join the Olympic team and with today being your last day, I'm curious as to what you're planning to do. I guess my question ultimately is, will we get to see Beau 'Big Boat' Graham at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics?" The man smirked as I felt my heart race as I sat up, clearing my throat as I got close to the mic, letting out a deep breath. 

"I, Beau Graham, will be competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics. This is a warning to all my competitors, I will be out for blood. I will make sure that I bring the first-ever surfing Olympic gold medal back to the United States," I smirked, all the producers and the interviewers in the room cheering loudly as if their dreams just came true.

I had to do it. I had to just jump in. I had to do it for myslef. I had to do it for my dad. I had to do it for Josh.