Annihilators

New Arrival

Greg was impressed by the skatepark and all of its glory; the site was massive. It was made up of grey concrete and had different ramps, ledges, and, bowls areas to skate in or on. On the insides of the ramps were series of graffiti and stickers. The ground had metal screws on it at every ten-feet, and most of the trash cans were filled to the brim with water bottles and energy drinks.
The atmosphere of the area screamed 'skateboarders live here'.
Greg never really went to skateparks before. They had one in his hometown, but he was always uninterested in going. He always thought that the elaborate tricks they performed were too much for him. Even now with his new 'skill set', as he had come to call it, he still didn't want to risk falling on his face.
The place wasn't very crowded, but it had much life within it. There were about ten skaters there already, and they all looked like professionals. They were pulling off stunts and moves that most of the group had only seen online. Seeing it up lose impressed them even more-so.
Only Greg, Irvin, Sanai, and Ahmir had gone to the park. The rest of the group decided it was best to stay at the hotel. Lance said that incase one group spotted any trouble, they would report back to the other immediately.

"I wish we had some boards to ride on, would make this a bit more interesting", Ahmir said, as he monitored the surrounding skaters and their boards.

"I'd bust my ass on these ramps anyway", Sanai said.

"Same", Greg agreed.

"I just wanted to watch people skate, and observe", Irvin stated. He was watching the skaters intensely; his eyes darted side-to-side as he watched every trick that was performed.

Apparently the groups watchful eyes caught they attention of one skater as when he spotted them, he rode towards them and said, "You guys new around here?".

He was a tall, muscular young man; he wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts, and on his head was a backwards cap. His face had a slightly stern, yet playful expression, and he had very high cheekbones. He was light-skin and had hazel eyes.

"We just came to check out the spot real quick", Ronald said to the man.

The young man asked them, "Do any of you skate?".

"Nah, but I'm interested in it", Irvin said with enthusiasm.

"Why not start today?", the man said with a smile.

Peanut looked back at him and said, "Bet!".

"Anybody else wanna try?", he asked the group.

"I'd like to try roller skating", Sanai started to him.

"Cool, I actually have roller skates and an extra board in my car; my name's Brandon by the way", the young man said.

The group all introduced themselves to the polite gentleman. He then skated off towards the parking lot to retrieve his items.
A minute or-so later, he came back with another skateboard in one arm and roller skates tied around his neck.
He handed them to Irvin and Sanai respectively.
The shoes didn't quite fit Sanai, they were too lose around her feet. Every time she tried to push off, she would lose her balance.
One attempt actually caused her to fall, but Greg was there to catch her.
She thanked him for the save, but didn't look him in the eyes.

"You okay?", Greg asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine", she responded with a smile, but Greg could tell she was forcing it.

He wondered what he had done to her.
Irvin was taking instructions from Brandon, watching every trick the skater landed.
Brandon was performing a series of kick flips and ollies on the pavement. Brandon then went down the ramp and performed another series of elaborate movements.
Irvin was absorbing the information with every movement.
That's when Irvin decided to try the tricks for himself.
Irvin went to the ramp that Brandon stationed himself at to perform his skills.
The ramp wasn't too high, only about five feet in the air.

"Keep your balance, and space your feet out properly", Brandon called out to him. "And don't feel bad if you fall".

Irvin modded his head, and with a deep breath, he went down the ramp. Irvin didn't fall, he did everything but fall.
Irvin's comfortability on the board was incredible. He performed a kick flip on the way down, and ollied onto down into a bowl once he exited the ramp. From there, Irvin went wild.
He performed tricks that were almost impossible for someone who seemingly just started skating.
The group marveled at him, as he performed nose-grinds on the edge of the bowls. He flew so high in the air, at times they would wonder if he would land safely.
He moved with such speed and precision, that even the other skaters stopped to admire him. Everyone in the park was impressed.
At one point, he flew into the air out of one bowl, and landed in another. All the surrounding skaters cheered and pounded their boards against the pavement in a show of approval.
Once he was finished, he rode back over to Brandon and the others.
Sanai stared him, mouth agape; the rest of them felt the same amount of shock.

"Dude, there's no way you haven't skated before", Brandon said, with a large grin on his face.

Irvin shrugged his shoulders at the boy.

"And you don't have a board?", Brandon asked.

"Not at all", Irvin replied

Brandon pointed down at his board and said, "Keep it".

Irvin looked at him in shock and said, "Bro, there's no way I cou-".

"Dude, a skater of your talent should never be without a board", Brandon said to him. "Take it".

Peanut looked at him, shook his hand and said, "Thank-you, man".

After that, Brandon states that he had to leave. Sanai gave him his roller skates back, and Brandon greeted everyone goodbye. The group decided to head back to the hotel, as they were getting hungry.

While they walked back to their temporary residence Greg asked Irvin, "Where'd you learn how to skate like that?".

Irvin replied, "By watching the skaters at the park".