Surfer Girl // A.I (completed)

twenty-three

{ Tatum }

"It's hot" Ashton spoke as we walked through the Honolulu airport,

"No dip. It's Hawaii" I laughed. He chuckled and grabbed my hand.

We collected our luggage and headed to get a rental car. I didn't want to have to rely on my grandpa's car for 10 days.

I was given keys and we went to find our rental. Our rental ended up being a nice black Toyota 4-runner.

"We've got a thirty minute drive to the North Shore. Do you wanna stop and get lunch?" I asked as we settled in the front seats,

"We can do whatever you want babe" Ashton chuckled as he placed a hand on my knee- not grabbing my hand since I was driving,

"We can eat lunch then we will go to my grandpa's house" I decided. Ashton nodded and looked out the window.

****

We finally reached the North Shore and I pulled into one of my favorite places,

"What's this?" Ashton smiled as I parked,

"Hale'iwa Beach House. It's amazing" I told him. He grinned and hopped out of the car, running around and opening my door.

"Thank you" I leaned up and kissed his cheek. Ashton rolled his eyes and took my hand as we walked in.

We got seated and Ashton looked at the menu. I already knew what I was getting,

"I don't know what to get. It all looks good" Ashton laughed, "You pick for me" he sat the menu down.

Once the waiter returned, I ordered for both of us.

Ashton locked our ankles after playing footsie for a while, making me laugh,

"Are you 13?" I joked. He giggled and looked down, but then back up quick,

"Thank you for letting me come with you" he got a little shy but serious,

"I'm glad you're with me. You showed me Australia, now I get to show you Hawaii. But I'm also glad you're with me because I'm gonna need you after all these trial things" I smiled back,

"Hey, I'm always here for you" he gave a soft smile.

When our food arrived, I made Ashton try it first,

"This is good! What is it?" He exclaimed as he kept shoveling it into his mouth,

"It's called Mahi Mahi" I told him as I ate myself,

"Damn Hawaiian foods good" he moaned. I gave him a smirk and he rolled his eyes.

****

As soon as we paid, we got back in the car and I was pretty much speeding to my grandpa's. I couldn't wait to see him, even if I did just see him a month ago.

My grandpa's truck was sitting in the driveway when we got there and my excitement went up higher. I thought he'd be at the surf shop.

I shut the car off as my grandpa walked outside. I was bouncing in my seat,

"Go hug him. I'll get our bags" Ashton pecked my lips.

I flung my door opened and went as fast as I could- with a jacked up knee of course- to my grandpa. He pulled me into a hug and kissed my head,

"Oh Ashton! It's nice to see you son" my grandpa let go of me and shook Ashton's hand- he had just walked up on the porch with our bags.

"You too" Ashton grinned.

I grabbed my bag and led Ashton inside and to my room. I turned around and Ashton was just grinning,

"It's so cute. Just what I imagined high school Tatum's room to look like" he told me. I rolled my eyes and sat my bag to the side,

"So what are plans today?" Ashton wrapped his arms around me and sat me on his lap as he sat on my bed,

"Just hang here. I've got a shit load of stuff to do tomorrow so I thought we'd chill today" I shrugged. He nodded then kissed the side of my neck.

< Monday >

Ashton and I walked into the jail. I was a shaking mess. Ashton was holding my hand, giving me small reassuring squeezes.

I had to see my dad today. It was a requirement. Ashton gets to go with me, which makes me a little more comfortable, but he won't be in the room with me.

"Hey, you're going to be fine" Ashton leaned down and whispered then kissed my head. I nodded and gripped his hand tighter as they did a security check on us. We had to give up our phones and anything else on us.

"Okay. You'll be in there for up to 30 minutes. We will be watching to make sure you're okay. If you need to leave or want to leave you just say it and we get you out" Officer Danny, the one I spoke on the phone too, told me.

I nodded and Ashton hugged me and kissed my lips,

"I'll be right out here" he nodded. I nodded back and followed Officer Danny to the door.

As soon as I walked into the cold concrete room, my heart pounded. Sitting, handcuffed, to the table, was my father. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I turned and looked through the window, seeing Officer Danny, a security guard, and Ashton. Ashton gave me a thumbs up and I nodded.

I slowly approached the table and took a seat opposite my dad,

"Tatum!" he gasped, "Oh my! You're beautiful"

I just kept staring at him,

"How are you?" he then spoke up,

"I'm fine. A lot better without you" I bit back. He hummed,

"Who's the boy you came here with?"

"My boyfriend" I simply answered,

"I, uh, I heard you're a pretty good surfer. You're in the pros?" he coughed,

"I am. Been pro since I was sixteen" I nodded,

"What happened to your leg? I see there's a brace"

"Tore my ACL" I shrugged.

I was so uncomfortable. I wanted to be done.

"Uh, how's your mom?" he awkwardly asked,

"Died after being released two years ago" I told him. He nodded.

"Tatum, look I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I put you through. But, I learned my lesson. I'm a changed man" he spoke with a smile,

"You ruined me. You destroyed me. It took me years to be a normal person again. I don't care if you're sorry" I spit,

"Tatum, you can't let me stay here. I've been here for eleven years. I learned" he begged,

"You don't just get eleven years for selling your kid to men for sex and drugs" I looked down.

I heard my dad sigh then he leaned in,

"You know I have ways of talking to my boys on the outside. I can make sure they ruin your life. Maybe start with that boyfriend of yours" he threatened,

"You can try but the cops have your 'boys'" I smirked. He just laughed and the metal door opened,

"Let's go Miss Kohole" Officer Danny told me. I nodded and stood and began walking out,

"Don't be so sure Tate" my dad hollered, "You've got a lot of my debt to pay. I'd watch your back"

I shuddered but kept walking. I know he's right. Whatever debt he has, is now on me- hell, it's been on me for years now.

I hugged Ashton as soon as I was to him. He hugged me tightly and kept kissing my head,

"You did good baby" he whispered. I didn't respond, but pulled away to look at officer Danny,

"Can I go?" I asked,

"Yes. But I need you back Thursday to identify the people your dad knew" he noted.

Thursday is about to be the worst day of my life.