CHAPTER THREE: SURFING

The group lost no time and, after the breakfast, they went to the beach. Chase and Beyal were making sand sculptures; Bren was sunbathing to get rid of his milky skin color, while Leo, Dax and Jinja were wearing their wetsuits, ready to master some waves.

Bren was ready to fall asleep and Chase thought it would be a nice opportunity for a prank. He launched his Monsuno. At a blink of an eye his huge polar bear-like Monsuno appeared, making a sandstorm.

"Lock, go to Bren" Chase commanded

The Monsuno run next to Bren with his snout only a few cm away from his face.

Bren, annoyed, moved his hand from side to side

"Chase would you mind moving a little? You are making shade!"

Suddenly, his hand stopped in something fury. He opened his eyes "What the… Aaah! Help!"

Chase and Beyal were laughing so hard that they ended up rolling in the sand.

Bren folded his arms

"Hey! It's not funny! Can you now take this… thing away?"

On the other side of the beach, Leo was surfing with ease. Jinja was excited and impressed with the new sport.

"My turn now!" she stated

Jinja learned something as soon as she saw it, no matter if that was English, Geometry or surfing.

She balanced easily on her board and made many tricks such as cutbacks, floaters, bottom turns and others.

She went out of the sea full of proudness for her achievements.

"Hmm…you ain't bad but no good either" Dax said

Jinja put her hand in her hip

"Oh, so you think you're better?"

"Maybe" Dax challenged her

"Are you ready to go toe-to-toe with me, Lowlander?"

"Let's do this"

The two teens stood by the sea, ready to catch some waves.

Leo would be the referee "So, you know the rules. The one who tries 21 waves first, wins."

The air was now blowing hard. The waves looked huge, but none of the stubborn teens were scared.

"Ready?" Leo asked

Jinja and Dax looked at each other and whispered at the same time: "Absolutely"

"GO!" Leo cried

They both ran in the sea and caught a wave. After many waves, they were even. The one who was going to master another wave would win. Dax was trying to catch his breath when he saw Jinja heading over an enormous wave. She decidedly stepped on her board and surfed under it. The wave was faster though and covered her. A scream followed and Jinja was lost in the sea. Dax swam as fast as he could in the spot where he saw Jinja drown. He dived into the sea and caught her. He lifted her over his strong shoulder and drew her in the coast.

JINJA POV

We were even. Another wave and he would beat me. That shouldn't happen, I couldn't lose. I saw a wave and swam to it. Unfortunately, it was bigger than I thought. It hit me bad in the back and it pushed me under the sea. I couldn't breathe and then, everything turned black. That's all I could remember, before I was magically in the coast.

The boys were around me and helped me get up.

"Are you ok Jin?" Chase asked

"My back hurts a little but I'll be fine. How did I come here?" I asked

"After that wave crushed you, Dax dived into the sea and saved you" Leo said

I turned and looked at Dax

"Really?"

"Well yea, but don't get used to it Princess" he said without looking at me in the eyes

"I've got a first aid kit. Follow me" Leo said and pointed at my back.

I followed him until we arrived at a beautiful wooden gazebo with white curtains and fluffy pillows.

He applied some alcohol in my hurt back and helped me put a bandage.

"You know, you were pretty good out there" Leo said

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes! Have you ever surfed before?"

"No it was my first time."

"Well, it looks like you are a natural talent"

"I just watched your moves and memorized them"

"I wasn't talking about the moves" he told me with a serious look.

I got confused "What do you mean?"

"Surfing isn't only about the waves or the tricks" he explained "No one I know would ever try to surf through a wave as big as that. You are the bravest person I know!"

I blushed. It wasn't difficult for me to take up new adventures everywhere I went. Surfing this wave was a challenge to me, which I couldn't resist.

"I find your personality truly rare" he said hesitantly

"Well I find you a very interesting person, too" I told him and I blinked

"Then," he started "how about going on a date with me tonight?"

I smiled. I'd never thought that someone would ask me out on a date and especially someone like Leo!

"Yes! Yes I'd love to!"

"Great, so I'll pick you up at eight?"

"Sure!"

Suddenly I thought of something.

"Wait-I don't have anything good to wear on out date" I said, embarrassed.

Leo held his chin with his two fingers and thought "Hmm…"

He suddenly snapped his fingers "I have a dress that will look great on you! I will leave it on your bed, ok?"

"Ok, thanks"

"See you later" he said and left

NORMAL POV

Jinja returned to her friends with a HUGE smile on her face.

"Hey, what's with the big grin, Jin?" Chase asked

Jinja looked at them. They wore sunglasses.

"Hey! Did you buy these with my credit card?"

"Don't change the conversation Jinja!" Bren said, curious to hear what happened that made his friend feel so awkward

Jinja blushed. She stroked her auburn hair. "Leo… asked me out" she whispered

"What?!" the boys cried, except Dax. He was way too shocked to speak.

"Ha ha! Look who became a heartthrob! Well done, Jin!" Chase said while smiling

But Jinja didn't care about what Chase thought. She was waiting for Beyal to speak. He walked towards her, placed his palm on her shoulder and smiled to her.

"I'm very happy for you Jinja. I hope you have a pleasant night"

Jinja let a breath go that she didn't realize she held. Now that she knew that Beyal's heart wasn't broken she could really have fun on her date.

Two hours later the five teens went to their room. Jinja found a red box, tied with a white ribbon. When she finally managed to open it she faced a nice dress and one pair of shoes. Just then she heard slow footsteps. It was Beyal.

"This is what you are going to wear on your date?"

"Um, yeah I guess"

"Do you want me to help you get ready?"

Jinja was caught off guard. She definitely didn't expect that kind of reaction from Beyal. She couldn't help but smile at him.

"Sure!"