Chapter 8

He was ready. Malcolm threw on his new running shoes his father so generously bought him, and his brand new board shorts. He picked up the board and was down to the beach where everyone was waiting. "What took you so long?" asked Garry. "Umm, I was just filling out an application for a new board. Took a few minutes for the computer to load," he said quickly. "Alright, five laps, twenty sets of sit ups and pushups then hit the water. Let's move it," Garry commanded. Malcolm sprinted like never before, pushing himself to do better. Today he actually was ahead of Garrett and Reef and everybody noticed.

"What's gotten into him?" asked Garry. "Guess he finally found some inspiration," Heath said, smugly smiling.

Taylor watched as her brother tried to outdo Reef, digging his feet into the ground, swiveling his head to check his rank. Malcolm was very far ahead which wasn't normal for him. He normally paced himself, always taking his time. Then she noticed something she hadn't before. Malcolm kept looking back at Erin's placing. She was just behind Taylor, but just ahead of Jordan. "Malcolm is eyeing you," Taylor pointed out. "Hadn't noticed," Erin replied. "Sure you didn't," Taylor said running ahead of them. She pushed right through Reef and Garrett and tried to keep up with Malcolm.

"So Erin huh?" she asked. "What about her?" he pretended he didn't know. "Oh don't be so obvious. I know you like her." Malcolm slowed down a bit so Taylor could keep up with him. "Well in that case, think you could put in a good word for me?" he asked slyly. She nodded and then ran ahead of them.

"What's gotten into your sister?" Reef asked Garrett. "I couldn't tell you mate," he replied. They finished the laps and started the sit ups. Malcolm put his hands on Erin's feet as she came up and went back down to the ground. "So I was wondering if you wanted to help me with a little project I organized?" he asked her. "What kind of project?" she asked as she continued to do sit ups. "It's for the shark awareness thing. I read that there are researches trying to find a way to prevent sharks from getting into beaches, without using nets," he explained. "Why would you want to get rid of the nets?" she asked. "Well they kill tons of other creatures like cute little dolphins and turtles. So I need to raise some money to donate to the foundation. You in?" he asked. "Sure why not? Maybe we'll get some extra points," she said.

The swell was huge and Garrett's board dug into the water as he swayed the board back and slightly turning the board left. He looked ahead to see Jordan smiling at him, causing him to lose focus and wipe out. She began to giggle and he couldn't help but let out a chuckle or two. He swam in behind Reef grabbing his feet like a shark. Reef panicked and ran out of the water carrying his board. More laughs came. "Enough dilly dallying get moving!" Garry shouted.

Matt watched from the window, he wanted nothing more than to be out on that break. "Another day Mattie," said Fly. "I don't reckon there will be another day like this," he said and grabbed his board. He couldn't help it. It was like the waves were compelling him and luring him in. "Aren't you suppose to be resting mate?" asked Heath. "I'll be more tired after a little bit of surfing," he said and paddled out. He shot out of the waves, pulling sharp 360s. He came up on the break but it was to strong sending him forward. Immediately hands pulled him up. "I'm not helpless!" he shouted and walked off.

"What was that about?" asked Heath. "I don't know but I intend to find out," said Reef chasing after him. He ran around the corner of the garage and seen Anna on the phone. He stopped and couldn't help but listen. "Yes mama I promise I'll invite you and papa. It's going to be the best day of my life! Joe is excited as well. I love you too. Bye," she said and hung up. Did Reef really just hear Anna making wedding arrangements? He shook his head and continued to search for his brother.

He got to the balcony and saw him sitting in a chair, typing on his laptop with one hand. "What are you doing?" Reef asked. "My book. I started working on it after Solar Blue. It's getting difficult now thought. I reckon I better wait until my other hand isn't so sore," he said closing the laptop. "Where's Bec?" I asked. He pointed down to the beach where she was talking to Heath and Garry. "Guess I better prepare for a lecture," said Matt. Reef nodded and wondered off leaving his brother to think up a speech.

Perri lay in her bed with a chum bucket next to her. "Are you ok?" asked Fly. "No, I feel so sick it isn't even worth joking about," she said before spewing into the bucket. Fly sat next to her on the bed rubbing her back. "You'll feel fine in a day or two." Perri couldn't help but think about the night she spent with Edge. But she couldn't be and the thought wasn't coming back into her head.

"What do you think you're doing surfing with your arm in that condition?" Bec demanded. "Look I'm fine and I'm not a baby," he replied. "Nobody said you were," she pointed out. "Yeah well you all seem to treat me like one. It's my arm not my head. It isn't like I'm going to die or anything." She looked at his pleading eyes and back to his bandaged arm. "You aren't leaving my sight," she ordered. "I don't know if that's a punishment or a reward," Matt taunted. She laughed and sat next to him as they watched the others on the beach below them.