CHAPTER FIVE

Flying lessonS

            A few hours later everyone had managed to stand up on their surfboards and ride at least one wave into shore – even Ron, who had a tendency to slip backwards off his board and fall face-first into the salty ocean.

            As the sun started to set, the group settled on the beach blanket, snacking on sandwiches and soda.  Sirius insisted that Kana joined them.  She obliged and sat on the blanket between Harry and Ginny, telling them stories about crazy tourists and Hawaiian culture, and about herself whenever Harry got up the nerve to ask.

            "No, I've never been to England.  I haven't even left this island before.  It's always been me and my makuahine – I mean, my mom.  We don't have the time or money for vacations," she said quietly.  "I went to school up until this year, but once I turned sixteen I decided to stop and help at the store full-time."

            "Wow, no school," Ron replied.  "Sounds cool."

            "I have a rather silly question," Hermione interjected.  "If you're a native to Hawaii, how come you don't…  Well, you don't look it."

            Kana took a sip of her soda.  "You mean my hair?"  She nodded.  "It's sort of a hidden trait in my family tree, I guess.  I'm part British from someone – I'm not sure who.  Apparently that's where I got the hair from."

            And Harry had to agree that it was very nice hair indeed.

            After the food was gone, everyone sat back on the blanket, enjoying the breath-taking sunset.  The sky was full of color and there was a cool breeze in the air.  The evening was much more comfortable than the afternoon.

            The beach was growing more crowded with locals as they returned from their day jobs for a diversion.  "This is the best time to watch the surfers," Kana said.  "Some of these people really know how to handle a board."

            One man was crouching on the back end of his board with his shaggy black dog sitting calmly on the front as they surfed into the shore.  Harry eyed Sirius curiously, wondering if he'd thought about surfing on four legs now that he'd mastered it on two.  He almost said something, but realized that Kana was there.

            Harry wondered if Kana was a muggle.  He didn't know how to find out.  It wasn't a question someone could ask lightly – and it would really get him in trouble with the Ministry of Magic.  It didn't matter to him whether she was or not; he was just curious to find out.  In all honesty, he thought she was a muggle because she hadn't said anything about his scar or recognized him as the famous Harry Potter.  He liked that.

            He stared past Kana to the shoreline, where two little girls were holding hands as they surfed together on the same board.  "Whoa," Harry said.  "That must take real talent."

            "Two people on the same board?" Kana questioned.  "Nah, it's easy."  She shook her head, her blonde curls were now dry, and the bounced playfully, framing her face.  She stood up from the blanket and brushed the sand off her legs. "C'mon, I'll show you how to do it.  We'll use Sirius's board. "

            Harry stared up at her.  She really was stunning.  She was so animated, so kind and cheerful.  He got up and jogged over to grab Sirius's board that was leaning against a palm tree.  He followed Kana out into the water.

            The ocean seemed warmer than the air outside as the waves silently crashed against his knees, then his waist, until Kana and Harry were up to their necks.

            "How are we going to do this?" Harry asked.

            "Very carefully."  She laughed.  "Don't worry.  It'll be fun.  I'll get on first, and then I'll help you up."  Kana set her palms flat on the surfboard and pulled herself effortlessly out of the water.  She straddled the surfboard backwards, facing Harry.  "Your turn."

            Harry pushed off from the ocean floor, using one arm to heave his weight onto the board.  It tipped on one end and the board nearly flipped.  Kana quickly pulled her weight over to the other side, gripping it, trying to keep it afloat.  Kana held out her free hand and Harry grabbed it, tightly hanging on as she helped pull him onto the surfboard so that they faced each other.

Harry held onto her hand for a moment.  It felt like electricity was racing through her palm.  It wasn't as smooth as he expected – a little rough at the edges from years of work on the island – yet somehow gentle.  Her fingers weren't carefully painted or manicured like Cho's.  The nails were short and dainty and rugged all at the same time.

Kana squeezed his hand, sending another jolt of energy through him.  He quickly let go, then blushed down at Kana.  "Sorry."

            She smiled.  "It's okay.  Now for the hard part.  We have to stand up."

            "Are you sure we can do this?" Harry gulped.

            "Of course.  Just hold on to the board."

            The waves were already dragging them towards shore, but Harry tried to keep the board as steady as possible with his feet in the water.

            Kana moved her legs to a cross-legged position, then leaned forward, so close to Harry he could smell her.  She smelled like the sea on a calm day and spicy like the wild jungle.  She was a contradiction to him.

Kana slipped, and at the last second grabbed Harry's shoulders.  His heart skipped a beat from her touch as she regained her balance.  She slowly made slid her way up to a standing position, and Harry tried to keep himself from staring at body parts and places he shouldn't be looking at.

"Close one."  Kana let out a sigh of relief.  "Now I'll help you up."

Harry pulled his legs up out of the water and managed to get himself into a kneeling position.  Kana put her arms beneath Harry's and gripped his elbows, helping him stand up.

He could feel beads of sweat on his face, but he grinned at Kana.  She smiled back.  Without speaking, she moved her hand to Harry's again, and linked his fingers with hers.

The waves sped up now that Harry's legs weren't in the water, anchoring the board.  They swiftly began to surf closer to shore.  Harry could hear Ron and Hermione shouting and cheering them on.

"Okay, I'm going to turn around now."  She let go of one of Harry's hands and carefully swiveled around, facing the shoreline.  Harry reluctantly let go of Kana's other hand.  Sirius had his camera he'd bought at the muggle shop and was snapping pictures rapidly as they sailed into the beach together.

Kana leaned back into Harry.  He breathed in the scent of her hair as her wet curls tickled at his neck.  Without realizing it, he slipped his arms around waist and cupped his chip at the base of her neck, check brushing against her shoulder blade.

Harry gasped.  It had been so natural.  It was almost automatic.  He kept telling himself, over and over, that he needed to let go of her – that he couldn't hold her that way.  He'd gone too far.  But then Kana seemed to mold into him, and she didn't squirm or object or push him off the board.

            "This is why I love to surf," Kana whispered quietly as they sailed into shore.  "It's like flying."

By & © 2002 spazzoid3@yahoo.com