Surfer Penguin Outsiders
by: Terrell James
Chapter 1: Whale Ride
It's a sunny day in San Diego and 4 penguins were walking across the beach, just hanging out for a while. Josiah, rockhopper penguin, 19, with hazel eyes and a little taller, laid down on the beach looking at the sky, thinking about his mom in that incident 4 years ago. Josiah sighed and said, "I wish mom didn't leave us."
Another penguin named Phoenix said, "Mom is watching over us in heaven. I thought you're over that." Phoenix is a rockhopper penguin, 17, kinda taller than Josiah and brown eyes.
Josiah said, "Dude, it still hurts. I'm trying to get over that, but it's just complicated to accept the fact that she's gone and she's not coming back."
"One day when we're older, we'll join them. Just be positive and be a little friendly. You've been in isolation mode for 3 years." said Phoenix.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." said Josiah.
Two fraternal twin penguins, Keiko and Shiloh, nicknamed "Shia" or "Shi", caught some waves when they got in the water. Keiko is 16, rockhopper penguin, blue eyes, spiky hair, and a little shorter than Phoenix. Shiloh is 15, rockhopper penguin, green eyes, and taller than Josiah. Keiko made a ginormous air wave and jumped in front of the wave. Then, he did a little flip move and lands in the water. Shiloh cheered him on and said, "You okay, dude?"
Keiko paddled his board and swam around the water and said, "Yep. I'm cool."
"That was awesome!" exclaimed Shiloh.
"I know."
Shiloh and Keiko paddled back to shore and saw Josiah and Phoenix hanging out and decided to walk up and see what they're up to. A few minutes later, one of the foster caretakers came up to the boys and said, "Boys, I have gotten through some letters and calls from anyone who's gonna adopt you four. One letter is from a little place called Pen Gu Island. Read this."
Josiah read the letter and reads: This is coming from Pen Gu Island. Your foster caretaker, Audrey, has accepted the four of you to live in Pen Gu Island to be your caretakers. In Pen Gu, you always find other penguins like yourselves and surf the waves. It has everything; sun, sand, surf just like other beaches. The whale ride will take you to Pen Gu on later Friday morning. It's been taking care of. All the penguins will be excited for you to live there. It's a spectacular place. Just look for a tall grey whale named Gomez. It'll take you to from California to Pen Gu. Looking forward to seeing you. Signed, Mike Abromowitz.
After reading the letter, the boys were really excited about going to Pen Gu and Audrey smiled at the boys and said, "What do you guys think?"
"I think it's awesome!" explained Keiko.
"I've always wanted to go to Pen Gu! It's all surfing, all the time." said Phoenix.
"Josiah, what do you think?" asked Audrey.
He looked a little uncomfortable about this at first, but thought about going to Pen Gu and then, he smiled and said, "I think that would be awesome to go. I hear it's a very cool place."
"Just a cool place? Dude, the island is ginormously awesome to the max!" said Shiloh.
"What about you, Audrey?" asked Keiko.
"Don't worry about me. I have other penguins who need some care. I've cared for you guys for 4 years and I always knew that you guys are gonna need to special care and treatment. Josiah, try to be a little outgoing and be happy for once in your life." said Audrey.
"Yeah, man. You've always been a little moody and depressed every year and lost interest. When you're surfing, you're always into it. So, you don't have to be a loner. Just make some friends here and see what happens." said Phoenix.
Josiah sighed and said, "I'll try."
"Okay. You guys leave first thing tomorrow morning." said Audrey.
The boys left the beach and went back to the foster home. A few hours later, Phoenix and Keiko were getting ready to leave for their new home. Shiloh was counting his surfboards and Josiah was sitting around wondering what's it gonna be like. Phoenix walked to Josiah's room and said, "What are you thinking about?"
"Dude, what's Pen Gu Island really like?" asked Josiah.
"It's a good place and they have surfing all the time. Still thinking about mom, aren't you?" said Phoenix.
Josiah nodded his head and said, "Being the oldest when mom's not around is so complicated and so hard. Everytime I think about her, I start to feel a little lonely and feel as if I should've done something about it."
"Dude, whatever happened has happened. The past is in the past and this is now. You're almost 20 and you need to let it go, man. It's okay to think about mom, but you need to let go of the past and be a little happy. You need to be a little laid-back and easygoing and just have a great time." said Phoenix.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just need time to get used to it. I'm gonna miss the awesome time with you guys in San Diego. It's the 4 years of my life here in California. I never really realized how much fun it is with you guys having a big family in a foster home." said Josiah.
"Pen Gu is gonna be amazing. So, we leave tomorrow and try to be okay with it." said Phoenix.
As Phoenix walked out of the room, Josiah brought out his guitar and played a song for 3 minutes. Then, he brought in his surfboards and guitar to bring for the ride. A few hours later, Josiah walked outside and looked at the stars and the moon for a last look before he leaves. The next morning, the boys were already on the harbor of the beach and saw the big whale named Gomez. They got in the whale and it sailed away to Pen Gu Island. Josiah brung out his guitar and played a little tune to entertain himself. Phoenix heard the tune Josiah was playing in and hums along to it.