🚩

My heart is beating out of my chest as I stumble out of the front door of my house, the bags in my hands swinging recklessly as I rush to Alana's car waiting for me in the driveway. Alana giggles at my state of disarray as she leans over the center console and shoves the door open for me.

"Get your ass in gear, Chicka," she taunts me as I toss my bags to the backseat and clamber up into her car. "You've got a competition to crush, today."

"Aiden was throwing a huge fit," I giggle through my labored breathing, trying to excuse my tardiness. "I had to help Momma convince him that Animal Crossing would still be waiting for him when he got back today."

"Excuses, excuses," she rolls her eyes playfully, jerking the gear shift into drive and speeding us out of the driveway. "So your brother's coming along with your parents to watch you today, after all?"

"Not willingly," I smirk. "Babysitter was sick so the little guy doesn't have a choice."

"Well, he'll have Aunty Alana to keep him occupied," she chuckles, "That should cheer him right up."

And she's absolutely right about that because my little brother is charmed by my best friend, in fact, I'm convinced that if he had the choice to trade us out, he would.

"You know, that's a great plan. And while you're at it, you think you could distract my parents today too?"

Immediately she rolls her eyes, "Why? So you can make out with your boyfriend behind the scenes?"

"Shut up," I cackle, giving her a playful shove.

"I'll do no such thing," she laughs, her inky ringlet curls dancing in the wind as we cruise down the palm tree-lined roads. "You know, I swear your cheeks go through Fifty Shades of Red every time that boy toy of yours is mentioned."

"Whatever," I scoff, trying my damn best to keep my smile hidden, "Not true."

"You're so full of shit. When you going to be a big girl and finally tell your parents about him, huh?"

"Alana," I huff, reprimanding her in an effort to change the topic at hand because we've had this conversation a hundred times before and she already knows the answer to that question. "Do we have to talk about this right now? I've got bigger things to focus on. Like, you know...my damn surfing competition."

"Yeah, you made an excuse like that last time. Brodie's a good guy, quit being scared and just tell them."

"I will," I sigh with vexation, "I just need a little bit more time."

"Will you?" She prods challengingly, her dark, brown eyes inspecting me as if they're trying to gauge whether or not she should trust what I'm saying this time. "Cause I don't know how much I believe that statement."

"You're an asshole, you know that?" I giggle. "Can you just help me keep them separated for today, please? At least until the competition is over."

"Fine," she finally agrees, clicking her tongue. "I'll see what I can do."

"I don't deserve you," I gush over to her, leaning over the center console with my best kissy-face. She scoffs, pretending to be in disgust at the affirmation, but by the upward tilt of the corner of her lips, I can tell she secretly loved to hear that.

"Damn straight, you don't," she jokes.

"Thank you," I smile, nodding and hoping she understands my sincerity. Alana's been here for me since day one of meeting her, and I appreciate her effort in helping me keep Brodie's and my relationship hidden from my parents for the time being. "Seriously, I mean it."

"Always, Chicka." Her fingers reach for the radio dial, spinning and tuning it to The Wave at 97 FM and our ears listen closely as the radio broadcaster spills the events happening on the island today.

"7:31 on The Wave 97 Hawaii music station. Happy Aloha Saturday, everyone. If you're on the phone lines, stay right there, don't go away- we'll get to the phone lines coming up in just a couple of moments. We wanted to take a minute to mention the Winter in North Shore Amateur surfing competition that's taking place on the island today."

Alana and I grip onto each other's hands at the first mention of my competition today, squealing with excitement before tuning our ears back into the radio station again.

"There will be three heats taking place today in four different age divisions. And the exciting thing about today's competition is seeing who makes it out with the highest scores during the heat, as this competition may just give them a leg up in someday competing internationally."

The broadcaster's words sink in, and suddenly my stomach is twisting in knots because I'm reminded exactly what's at stake today- my future. Most of what I've dreamed for and practically worked towards since I was eight years old is riding on the waves that I catch today. On top of that, I'll have all eyes on me: Mom, Aiden's, Uncle Matt's, Alana's, Dad's... Brodie's...

I'm not just proving to myself that I can do this. I'm proving to my parents that I can do this, too; that my dreams aren't as unrealistic as they probably think they are.

My best friend must sense the anxiety suddenly jumbling my thoughts and faltering the excitement I felt only moments ago because she quickly slams off the radio and cocks her head my way.

But what if I screw this up? What if I don't prove them wrong today?

"No ma'am," she shakes her head at me, knowing all too well the doubtful thoughts starting to seep into my head. "We are not doing this, this morning. You are a confident bitch. Win or lose- even though we both know it'll definitely be a win- this competition doesn't define you as a surfer. Sure, winning can give you a leg up in moving towards the big leagues, but it's not the end-all, be-all."

"You're right, you're right," I breathe out, trying to blow off my growing anxiety. "Not the end all be all."

"They throw these competitions every year. So get your shit together and put your focus on catching the right waves today, m'kay?"

"M'kay," I chuckle.

"Repeat after me: I am a confident, bad-ass bitch."

Alana's enthusiasm has me giggling, immediately settling my reckless nerves. "I am a confident, bad-ass bitch."

"Damn right, you are," she shouts back, pressing harder on the gas pedal as she speeds us towards the horizon of the beach ahead.

"And now that you got that through that thick skull of your's," she jokes, nudging me with her elbow, "Let's go show these whores just how amazing of a surfer Lelani Kahale really is!"

༄༄༄

The salty and warm ocean water rushes against my skin as I float against the waves on top of my surfboard. My body is hot from the adrenaline of the last two heats, and the pressure of the last round of the competition only makes my blood grow hotter.

"Come on, Lelani," I whisper to myself, paddling my arms through the water beneath my board as I propel myself further out with my other two components.

Today hasn't been an easy competition with both of them not even half a point behind my own score, but I keep my eyes focused on the line where the sky meets the sea ahead of me. Carefully, I study the swells of water I can see working their way towards us. I smile to myself knowing that if I can manage to catch at least one of the next three waves coming in and execute my surf well on them, I have a chance of pulling out a score high enough to really win this thing after all.

"Last heat, this is it." My eyes take a quick glance back to the judges' pavilion behind me, squinting as they take in the time remaining on the clock; 5:55. "Let's show them what I've got."

My bounding pulse is ringing in my ears, and while I know the beach behind me is absolutely crowded with watching eyes and the busy chattering of the hundreds of people who made it out to North Shore today, the only thing I can manage to hear is the movement of the ocean all around me. The sun scorches my skin from the cloudless blue sky hanging above me, and I cherish the coolness of the water as it dampens my sunburned body.

A wave begins to build in front of me, swelling higher and higher as it moves towards the shore.

This is the one. This is my chance.

Quickly, I take to my board, swiveling it around and paddling as hard as I can through the water to catch it before the other two girls. I can hear them moving in behind me, the three of us giving it our all in a race to see which one of us is lucky enough to catch it first.

"It's mine, Kahale," I hear one of them growl beside me, but my arms don't stop moving, her voice only making them work faster because I've waited far too long to just hand off the moment I've dreamed of for years to her.

I can feel the wave right behind me, and I push my arms through the water one last time, glancing my eyes over to my blonde-haired opponent as the tip of my board advances just enough ahead of her's that I can claim this wave as my own. Planting my hands against the waxed surface beneath me, I push myself up from my surfboard and swing my legs up through my arms. The tip of the wave meets against the tail of my surfboard as I bring myself to my feet, rising just in time as I start to take my plummet down the crest of the wave.

The sun begins to fade as the darkness of the blue waters grows higher and begins to shape around me and my surfboard. The feeling is exhilarating and I keep my muscles firm and my hips engaged as I twist and maneuver along the wave carrying me closer to the shore.

And it's moments like these that make me so absolutely sure that this is what I want to do with my life. Moments when my hair is soaked with the sea and the breeze rushes against my skin while my fingers trail into the wall of water enclosing around me. Moments where my veins are coursing with so much adrenaline, excitement, and passion that it makes me wish the wave would never end.

And I let the blissful feeling propel me the rest of the way through the barrel closing around me, ripples of applause from the beach cutting through the humid air as I break through the white, foamy cylinder. Putting in one final effort to pull out as many points from the judges that I can manage, I use every muscle in my body to twist my board one last time. My board whips against the crest of the wave, and I snap it back, spraying seawater through the air as I end my ride.

Once again I can breathe as I fall back down onto my board, my lungs burning for air as I allow my racing heart to settle. I begin to paddle the rest of the way towards the shore. The more shallow the water gets, the more my eyes can make out the judges' pavilion and the clock with now only 5 seconds remaining. In sync, the people covering nearly every inch of the beach start to count down the last few seconds together.

"Three... two...one!"

An air horn rips through the sound of their claps and cheers, and I wait in anticipation for the announcer's voice to boom through the speakers.

"Pulling out the highest score of any of the heats we've seen today, with an incredible score of 8.25, Miss Leilani Kahale of O'ahu is the winner of Winter in North Shore Amateur surfing competition!"

My legs are beginning to tread out of the water just as the victory is declared and suddenly my whole body feels numb, my muscles going weak and my ears ringing with the commotion going on all around me.

I won. I really just won.

Before I'm even aware of what's happening, hands are at both of my sides, clutching onto my thighs and hoisting me onto a pair of shoulders, lifting me into the air. As I rise higher, my eyes begin to cut through the enclosure of bodies all around me, their shouts and applause making me smile like a fool and proving to me that I'm not dreaming- I really did win.

"We're so proud of you, sweetie!" My ears somehow hear through all of the racket, immediately recognizing Momma's voice.

She stares up at me with the most heartwarming smile, Aiden slung across her hip and grinning just as big as her. Somehow their praises sound the loudest out of everyone here on this beach. My stare falls beside her and my brother onto Alana, Uncle, Robbie, and Dad, who congratulates me, "You did it!"

"I did it!" I shout back, even though I know good and well they can't hear me over all the uproar that surrounds us.

"That's my girl!" My eyes make out as I read his lips. "I am very proud of you!"

My heart swells with the gratification of this moment because within a single wave, I've accomplished a win that I've spent years dreaming about, and the people I love the most were here to see it come true. My Mom, Dad, Aiden, Uncle Robbie, Alana, and...

Brodie.

Immediately my eyes skim the crowd, searching frantically for my handsome Marine. I know he's got to be around here somewhere and I want nothing more than to share this moment with him because he knows, almost better than anyone, how much I've wanted this. Finally, my stare locks onto a set of familiar brown eyes farther back in the crowd, making my smile grow so big that it hurts.

I know he notices my eyes on him because his grin grows bigger too, and suddenly it feels like it's just the two of us on this beach. I keep my gaze on him, watching closely as he mouths, "Congratulations, wild thing."

Butterflies swarm my stomach, and already I can feel myself blushing but I know my attention can't stay on Brodie for long because that might draw unwanted attention. Quickly, I untuck the golden, pendant necklace he bought for me out of the purple rash guard that sticks to my torso like a second skin. My lips place a quick kiss against it, sending a subtle nod in his direction as a thank you and I know he's gotten the message as he sends me back a charming wink.

"Meet me at the car," he insists with a boyish smirk, cocking his head back in the direction of the parking lot before disappearing into the maze of bodies around him.

༄༄༄

After spending 30 minutes in front of cameras and having conversations with various potential sponsors, I'm finally able to change into a pair of dry clothes and make my way over to Brodie. My phone rings in the back pocket of my shorts and I pull it out, reading the text displayed across the screen as I walk towards the parking lot that still buzzes with long lines of cars waiting to get out.

🔵:

⚪😉

I type back with excitement, my mind trying to sort through all the possibilities that could be waiting for me behind the door of Malia's Cafe. It's not even another minute before she texts me back.

🔵:

Carefully, I weave my way through the parking lot, having to walk on the tips of my toes as I try to spot Brodie's car. It doesn't take me too long of searching to finally spot the Range Rover and the freckled and pale ginger tailgating out of the backside of its trunk. Alana and Delk join his company, perched and standing at the backside of the car in their own conversation.

"There she is in all her glory," Murphy loudly announces my arrival, taking a few deep swigs against the amber-colored beer bottle in one of his hands. "LANI! LANI! LANI! LANI!"

"Would you hush?" I reprimand him with giggles, "You're drawing too much attention!"

"No, I ain't. I'm drawing just the right amount."

"Murph, shut the fuck up," Delk chuckles, whacking him right upside his drunken head. "Congratulations, Lelani."

"Thank you," I smile.

Immediately, I check in with Alana, "Parents?"

"Should be gone," she nods back.

The corner of my eyes catches Brodie as he clambers out of the driver's side door, a smile already lighting up his face as he hurries over to me. "Get over here, gorgeous thing."

My arms immediately wrap around his shoulders as his arms envelop my waist, pulling me up from off the ground and spinning me around like we're kids again.

"You were a badass out there today, you know that?"

"I'm happy you came to see me," I smirk, placing a quick kiss against his lips.

"I wouldn't miss it," he affirms.

"Where we celebrating tonight, people?" Murphy asks, stumbling over our way.

Brodie catches him right before he trips. "If you don't sober up, we're not going to be celebrating anywhere, Ginger Snap."

"Y'all are just a bunch of fucking party poopers," he whines back.

"Oh, I'm a party pooper, huh?" I taunt him, jerking the bottle out of his hand and swigging the rest of his alcohol down before he has a chance to drink anymore.

"That was just damn hateful."

I gulp down the foamy liquid, "It's called taking preventive measures."

The five of us are in a fit of laughter before we're abruptly interrupted by the sound of music blasting from one of the cars passing by. The tall, lifted truck stops in the lane right beside us, blocked from going forward by the line of vehicles in front of it. It's full of men, most likely Marines judging by the high and tight haircuts on the two backseat passengers.

"Well, would you look at this fella's?" My ears register from the driver's seat and all too soon I'm aware of whose voice it is. Brown eyes, so dark they almost look black focus on me. "You looked good out there, Kahale."

I see Brodie flinch beside me, but he fights hard to keep his composure as his arms draw me in closer to him.

"Aww, that's sweet," I bite back insincerely. "Did you come just to see me? One rejection, not enough?"

The passengers in the truck laugh at the dig, and Hammond's jaw tightens but he's smart to keep his composure as he spits back, "I wouldn't call the night that you had your tongue down my throat a rejection, but if that what makes you sleep better at night-"

Brodie's muscles grow tenser and I can see him about to take a step towards the truck, but Delk stops him before he's able to move an inch. "One chance left, Dawson. Leave it alone."

My eyes squint, trying to piece together what the hell that cryptic statement meant.

"What is he talking about?" I whisper over to Brodie, but I don't even get the chance of getting an answer as Murphy's voice cuts me off.

"Dude, you literally look so pathetic right now. Go home and fuck your pillow or something."

"Hey Lelani, I'm curious," Hammond unpromptedly speaks out again, ignoring Murphy's insult, "How many Marines have you screwed without your Daddy knowing?"

"What the hell did you just say to her?" Alana hisses, starting to advance in his direction only to be stopped by Delk's hand.

Hammond cocks his head back to his friends in the backseat, "I'd guess a solid nine at the least."

"I'm so sorry, baby," Brodie says under his breath. "Don't listen to him, alright? He's a prick."

"You bastard," Murphy's voice hollers, drawing all of our attention just as he pulls a beer bottle from the cooler in the back of the Range Rover and hurls it right at the black truck.

The bottle shatters as it collides against the driver's side door, sending shards of glass and splashes of beer onto Hammond's lap.