A/N: Okay, soap box time! People piss me off! lol I seriously hate
stupid people. How many of ya'll are sick of people saying that they're
relatives of certain wrestlers and spreading rumors about their personal
lives?! I went into my mailbox earlier today and read one from my Shane
Helms fan club. This chick, I think it was a chick, says that she's a
relative of Shane's so she knows and he's engaged to someone named April.
Now, if you know anything about Shane ya know that he has this thing about
marriage. He was kinda raggin on Shannon and Edge in his Diary for God
sakes! He's so not gonna get married to someone in the near future with
the attitude he has about it! And then she's tells us all that he never
went out with Lisa Moretti, Ivory, that it was just a rumor. Okay, so
maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. He only knows for sure and he's not
sharing with us. Also he's told reporters in the past that he was single.
So say 2 or 3 years ago, he was single. I know for a fact that he had a
girlfriend during September 11th from the Hardy Boyz book, but this chick
says that he and this April girl have been dating for MANY years. What
does she consider many? 2 or 3 years is not many to me. To me, many is
like 5 years. But whatever. That's my rant and soap box for the day.
Okay, I have a new sign of WWE obsession. Whenever I hear The Union
Underground's "Across the Nation" I can see the RAW entrance. Please tell
me I'm not the only one with this problem. I also get that with Marilyn
Manson's "Beautiful People". Those can't be good signs. lol Phew, okay,
on to the story. This is gonna be an interesting one. A VERY interesting
one. Remember the girl and man from the last chapter. They're very
important in this one! Oh, one more side note. I'm not a surfer, only
wish I was. I watch it on ESPN whenever it's on and whenever I go to
Florida and take a trip to the beaches, I'm always watching the surfers
(many of which are absolutely hot! Gotta love surfer guys!) there. I'm
also totally into the show on Mtv about the surfer chicks. I think it's
awesome. Someday I will get there, I will be a surfer! lol And yes, I do
realize that I speak like some tall tan blonde surfer chick, I've been told
that millions of times, but I'm not. So anyways, if there are any surfers
out there reading this, I'm sorry for any mistakes I may make about how the
competitions are done. I'm only going by what I've seen.
*************************
Cinder leaned over the railing of the balcony outside hers and Lizzie's bedroom, sipping the coffee she ran to get at 6 in the morning. She watched the sun rise over the Pacific ocean, reflecting beautiful colors of oranges and reds across the city. The warm Hawaiian morning air blew her hair out of her face as a smile grew on her face. Still dressed in a pair of netted shorts and an athletic tank top that she ran to the Dunkin Doughnuts in, she decided she would get ready for the day. She took one last look out over the beach that the hotel sat on and nodded at the crashing waves on the shore. 'This is my day,' she thought before retreating into the bedroom.
"Oh my God, tell me that this clock is lying and it's later than 6:45," Lizzie groaned as the dawn sun light hit her tired face.
"Sorry, it's telling you the truth," Cinder replied. Lizzie sat up, her eyes barely open as she watched her cousin move around the room.
"What the hell are you doing up?" she asked.
"I dunno. I woke up suddenly and felt like taking a run, so I ran along the beach for a little while and then to Dunkin Doughnuts for some coffee before coming back here. So now I'm getting ready," she answered her cousin as she flopped back down on the bed, throwing the covers up over face. Cinder chuckled at her and walked into the bathroom all 6 of them shared.
She let the luke warm water wash over her body while she planned her short board run for the day. She knew she had a 15 minute heat at 9, then the top three in her category would have a 10 minute one at noon, where if she was in first place after that heat she would move onto a 20 minute heat at 4 against the first place winners from the other two categories in the short board competition. She knew that she was the best at home, but she had no idea how she would measure up against some of these other girls. She just knew she had to go into this doing her best, hoping her ankle would flare up during one of her runs. It was good so far that morning, even during her run on the beach.
"Cinder! Come on!! There are other people in this room!!" Adam yelled pounding on the bathroom door for her to finish.
"Just a freakin minute!" she yelled in return. She rung the water out of her hair and wrapped it up in a towel before wrapping a second towel around her tan body. She opened the door, coming face to face with Adam who looked royally pissed at her for taking too long. She pushed him out of the way and walked into the living room where Jeff and Matt were lounging out, watching tv. She took a seat on the couch next Matt and sighed.
"How's the ankle?" Jeff asked not removing his eyes from the early morning X-Men cartoon.
"It's fine. Even after the run I took this morning," she smiled.
"You are way too chipper. It's only a little bit after 7 and you're already smiling and shit. I can't deal with this happiness this early in the morning," Matt complained.
"Dude, I was up at 6 running on the beach," Cinder laughed as Jeff turned from his seat on the floor to look at her.
"Whoa," he said quietly staring at her as she sat there in her towel.
"Yeah, I know. It's a bit early, but it was good for me. Woke me up for the day. Won't catch me falling asleep on my board today," she nodded at herself as she walked into her room.
"That was so not what I was talking about," Jeff laughed at himself. Matt just rolled his eyes at his little brother after slapping the back of Jeff's colorful head.
Cinder got dressed in a light blue palm tree bikini top and black boy short cut bottoms. She pulled on a white midriff t-shirt that had Roxy written on it in purple. She covered the bottom half of her in a pair of light blue board shorts and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
"Are you sure your ankle is fine?" Adam asked stepping into her room.
"Shhh..............Lizzie is still sleeping," Cinder whispered.
"Not anymore!" Lizzie groaned as she slid out of the bed tiredly and made her way to the bathroom which was being taken up by Jeff. She pounded on the door and yelled at him, but all you could hear was the running of the shower. "Fuck this shit." Adam and Cinder heard her say before the door opened and she walked in. Jeff began yelling obscenities at her as the door shut.
"The ankle is fine. I'm sure I'll have like no probs with it," she smiled. "Because I have my lucky Little Sister necklace on today as well as the hemp woven anklet that Shane bought me for my birthday two years ago."
"Well, sounds like you're all set then," Adam laughed at her while she packed a duffle bag with her wet suit and towels. She threw in some first aid supplies in case of an emergency when the first aid people didn't have the supplies for. "I'm proud of you C. You're such an amazing surfer. I'll know you'll do great. Perhaps even make it on a pro team."
"I can't. I have to be 18 for that. But it's something to think about for the future," she said zipping up her bag after making sure she threw in her board supplies. "Ya know, I think this is something I'd really like to do."
"That doesn't surprise me in the least," Adam hugged Cinder tightly.
"Well, you better get ready. I have to be registered in 15 minutes," Cinder rushed him out of the room causing him to laugh.
"Cinder, why don't you go down there without us? It doesn't look like we'll be ready in time. So, we'll meet you down there," Gil smiled at her. She took a deep breath and grabbed her board. Slipping on her flip flops she waved at him and left for the beach.
The beach was already packed with girls ready to surf. She set her stuff down and walked to the registration table, grabbing a blue Roxy surf shirt. She sat down next to her board and drifted into a surfers' bliss of peace and tranquility. She listened to all the ruckus goin on around her, but mainly focused on the sound of the waves crashing up on the shore. About 15 minutes before her heat began at 9, the others ran to her. She smiled at them as they all wished her good luck. She quickly pulled her Roxy surf shirt over her wet suit just as Adam put on some Rob Zombie on the boom box they had brought with them. She felt content and calm as the devil man's voice seeped into her mind. Lizzie hugged her just as she was called out to the ocean. Paddling out to into the ocean she heard the horn go off, signaling that they had 15 minutes to catch as many waves as possible and score as many points as possible. She looked around at the other girls, most of them catching the smaller waves, looking absolutely nervous on them as they rode them out. Cinder knew she had to wait for the perfect wave, so she sat on her board, passing up many of the waves. By the time the perfect wave came there was 5 minutes left and she was one of 3 girls left out there. Everyone else had either given up, thought they scored high enough, or wiped out. She situated herself on the board as if she were a professional and did high risk maneuvers on the board, feeling absolutely no fear. She heard the horn blow, signaling the end of the heat, and continued to ride out the wave. She swam to the shore and was bum rushed by Adam, Jeff, Matt, and Lizzie. All giving her pats on the back. She smiled, realizing that she had just experienced the best run she'd ever had. She looked at the scores and she was in first place with an 9.5. The second place person was down at 7.5, so that person would have to work her ass off to catch up to Cinder. Cinder was pretty much a shoe in for the finals in the afternoon.
"How'd it feel out there?!" Lizzie asked excitedly.
"Oh my God! I so totally can NOT express how awesome that was. It rocked!" Cinder yelled punching the air.
"And your ankle's good?" Matt asked concerned.
"Oh totally!" Cinder said driving her board into the sand. She pulled the Roxy shirt over her head and pulled her wet suit down a bit.
"Cinder, I must say, this is all very new to me. And I can see why you and Adam love it so much," Gil said hugging Cinder.
"This is just in my blood. I can't imagine not doing it, ya know? It's just like art and music is in Jeff's blood. From what I understand from stories, our father was quite the surfer. So I guess it's like hereditary," Cinder replied.
"The only thing we share in personality with him," Adam muttered angrily.
"Can you do stuff while waiting for the next heat?" Jeff asked.
"I think so, why?" Cinder wondered, raising her eyebrows in question.
"I wanted to draw you on your board out on the water for my next art project. If that's okay?" Jeff said. Cinder nodded and ran off with him after slipping her wet suit all the way off her body. Matt and Adam grabbed their football, as well as Lizzie's hand, and went to an empty space on the beach to toss it around, leaving Gil to watch over their stuff.
The second heat for Cinder was pretty much the same as the first, only the waves weren't as great so she had to take anything she could get, coming out of it with only an 8.0, but that was enough to keep her in first place. Moving her onto the third heat against the first place winners from the 12-15 age category and 9-11 age category. Although she thought it a little unfair, but she decided she'd get the easy win then. She had just come in from a quick swim in the ocean after her heat and before the 12-15 heat and bumped right into the girl she saw at the airport the day before.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Cinder apologized as the girl turned around. Cinder gasped and stumbled backwards after getting a good look at this girl.
"That's alright. I'm just waiting for my heat," she replied nervously. "Oh my God! You're Cinder Copeland! You're so awesome! I've been watching you so closely today. I can't believe I'm gonna go up against you this afternoon. You're totally gonna smoke me!"
"Well, ya never know," Cinder chuckled. "Well, um, good luck with your heat."
"Thanks! I really appreciate that since it's coming from you! You're definitely the best out there!" the girl exclaimed. "By the way, my name is Crystal Runnels."
"Nice to meet you," Cinder said putting on a fake smile. The tall blonde nodded at Cinder with a large smile on her face before walking away. Cinder watched the girl intently as she stopped to talk to the man that was with her at the airport. She quickly screamed, "ADAM!!"
He rushed to her side laughing. "What's the matter Cin?" he asked.
"Do you see that girl over there?" she breathed heavily.
"The blonde?" Adam asked with a smile. Cinder could only nod as Adam noticed the fear in her eyes. He examined the girl from afar and took a deep breath.
"Adam, why does she look like me?" Cinder asked while he pulled her into his body.
"I don't know Cinder," he answered softly.
"Hey, Dad wants to know if we're goin to lunch or what's up with you two?" Matt asked as he, Jeff, and Lizzie ran to the siblings.
"Nothing, come on, let's get some food," Adam smiled. The others shook their heads and walked off. Adam and Cinder took one last look at the girl and followed the others slowly.
***********************
After being the most quiet, aside from Adam, at lunch, Cinder decided it best to go walk along the beach and possibly sit on a pier to clear her mind. She had just seen a girl who she could practically call her twin in looks. She hadn't gotten a good look at the father of that girl, but she's almost certain his looks were similar to hers or Adam's. As she walked down to the end of the pier, she slipped her headphones on her head and listened to what she considered peaceful rock, in other words the hardest thing she listened to, Otep. As that music blared in her ears, almost to the point where it would make any normal person deaf, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Assuming it was Adam, she looked up and smiled, only to come face to face with the very person she was trying to get away from. Reluctantly, Cinder pulled the headphones down around her neck, not bothering to turn off the CD player, and stood up.
"Thank you so much for wishing me luck earlier. Because of your support I had more belief in myself and made it to first place. Looks like we're going up against each other later," Crystal smiled failing to notice how nervous Cinder was.
"Um, yeah, um, no prob," Cinder replied smiling that fake smile like she had before.
"I can't wait to try and measure up to your ability out there later. I think going up against you is gonna push me to my best," she continued.
"I'm glad. Hhhow ooold are you?" Cinder stuttered through her words.
"13," she said with a perky tone.
"Crystal! Crystal!" a man called for her.
"Over here Dad," she waved her father over. Cinder's breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of this man. He was handsome. His skin was flawless and lightly tanned. His short hair was a natural bleach blonde and wavy, much like Adam's. He was tall and had shared the same crystal blue eyes that the two of them had. She swallowed hard as Crystal hugged the man she called father. "Cinder, I want to introduce you to my father Nick Runnels. Daddy, this is Cinder Copeland. One of the best surfers I've seen."
"Um, it's nice to meet you," he responded distantly.
"Yeah, you too," Cinder replied angrily.
"Copeland is it?" he asked. Cinder nodded her head slowly. "Um, your mother wouldn't be Leeann would she?"
"Yeah, she would be," Cinder clenched her teeth together.
"Um, Crystal, could you go see your mother?" Nick asked a small smile on his face.
"But Dad I was just talking to Cinder," Crystal protested.
"Crystal, go," he said harshly.
"I'll see you during our heat," Crystal smiled. Cinder gave her a slight nod and stared at Nick harshly.
"Cinder? That's a beautiful name," Nick complimented her.
"Thanks. It's all thanks to my mother. You had no part in it since you left!" Cinder cried.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Nick said.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about! I know who you are! You don't think I can't see the resemblance?!" Cinder argued.
"Cinder, honey, calm down."
"You have no right to call me honey or to tell me to calm down for that matter!" she yelled. "You're my father!"
"Now, Cinder, don't go jumping to conclusions," Nick laughed.
"Oh fuck off! You know it!"
"Don't you speak to me like that young lady! I would have hoped your mother would have taught you better than that!" Nick yelled fatherly at her.
"You have no right to yell at me! You left me!"
"Calm down. Let's talk about this rationally sweetie."
"Don't you DARE call me sweetie!"
"Cinder, I understand that you may be upset."
"Upset is the understatement of the year!"
"Let me explain some things to you."
"Like why you walked out? Like why you left my mother to raise two kids? Or why you didn't bother to get in contact with us? Or maybe why you started a new family when you obviously couldn't handle your first one?!" Cinder yelled.
"Cinder, I wasn't ready to be a father at the time," Nick said calmly.
"Than you shouldn't have gotten my mother pregnant," Cinder replied through clenched teeth.
"There are many reasons for doing what I did. Many reasons you wouldn't understand!" Nick exclaimed.
"Then make me understand! I grew up without a father! I shouldn't have had to!" Cinder yelled.
"Is your brother here with you?" Nick asked.
"He has a name ya know! He's not known as my brother. He's known by his real name!" Cinder snapped.
"ADAM!" Nick snapped back before calmly repeating, "Adam."
"Not that it's truly any of your business, but yes, he is," Cinder answered crossing her arms.
Nick cleared his voice and asked, "What about your mother? Is Leeann here?"
"No, unfortunately she had to stay at home to work so she could provide for me and Adam," Cinder said.
"Why don't you and your brother and your step-father come to dinner with us before the heat?" Nick asked.
"First off, I don't have a step-father. Mom never remarried, although she's seriously involved with my best friend's father. And he's being nice enough to chaperon us. Second, why the hell would we want to eat with you?!" she exclaimed as Adam ran up to her.
"Hey, Gil wants to know if we want to eat before or after the heat," Adam said before looking at her face or who she was arguing with. Cinder didn't answer or look at him. He instantly knew something wasn't right with his little sister and realized that there was someone else there. He looked over and saw Nick, his father, for the first time. "What's goin on here?"
"Adam, I'd like you to meet our father, Nick Runnels. Nick, I'd like you to meet your son, Adam Copeland," Cinder smiled sarcastically.
"Cinder, let's go," Adam scowled as he took her hand.
"Adam, wait. I want to see you both together," Nick requested.
"Why should we do anything for you? You've done nothing for us in the 17 years almost 18 years I've been alive," Adam said.
"Whether you like it or not, you're still my kids," Nick said.
"Thankfully only by blood," Adam growled.
"From the looks of things, I'd say you both picked up a few of my looks and personality traits. Like surfing, or football. That's right, I know you played football Adam. I've been to every game possible and every surfing competition possible. I've watched you grow up, even though you didn't know. I have been a part of your life in some way."
"Asshole," Adam growled. "Stay away from me and Cinder. We don't need you in our lives!"
"Dude, what's taking so long? Our Dad is goin nuts!" Jeff laughed as he ran up to them. Crystal slowly made her way up to the group of them and stood next to her father.
"Jeff, this is Nick Runnels," Adam said taking a long dramatic pause. "Our father."
"Whoa........" Jeff said. "I'll just leave then."
"No, Jeff, stay. For me?" Cinder requested. Jeff nodded and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Father? But no. Daddy, what's goin on?" Crystal asked curiously.
"I told you to be with your mother," Nick said harshly.
"I know, but Mom wanted to know what was taking so long," Crystal said.
"Crystal, I'm your half-sister. And this is your half-brother Adam. Your Dad is our Dad who walked out on our Mom before I was born," Cinder said hurtfully.
"I don't understand," Crystal shook her head.
"Honey, years ago I met this woman and she had a baby boy, Adam. About a year later she informed me that she was pregnant again with Cinder. I left and 3 years later I met Mom and we got married, had you, and are living the perfect life," Nick explained with a smile.
"You're such a slimy pathetic asshole," Adam shot at him.
"I know that you both hate me, but I'd really like for you all to have dinner with me and my family, so I can get to know you two. And by all of you, I mean whoever came with you on this trip," Nick said.
"We don't have the money for this," Cinder said.
"It's on me," Nick replied.
"We don't need your charity!" Adam exclaimed.
"This isn't charity. It's a request. A request to finally get peace into all our lives," Nick said.
"Fine," Adam and Cinder agreed.
"Then it's settled. We'll meet at the hotel restaurant for dinner at 3," Nick smiled. Adam walked off ahead of Cinder as she grabbed Jeff's hand tightly.
"That was your father?" Jeff whispered.
"Yeah," Cinder choked back tears. Jeff wrapped his arm around her tightly and they walked behind Adam back to the hotel.
***********************
Reluctantly, they had all met Nick at the restaurant for dinner. And through many minutes of silence, he finally got a conversation going about what was going on in Cinder and Adam's lives. Unfortunately, the dinner ended in a massive fight, with Cinder getting up in a huff and leaving. Adam of course ran after her after yelling some choice words to Nick. The dinner didn't go well, and Gil had a feeling it wouldn't. By the time they had finished, Cinder had enough time to through on her shirt and grab her board. She left her wet suit in her room and ran down to the beach. She got there just as they called everyone into the water for the finals. She paddled out and settled on her board as the horn blew. The first wave was bigger than she had ever seen and she knew immediately she had to take it. She glanced over at Crystal and Crystal just smirked at her. Cinder knew she couldn't let her win. This was her thing, not Crystal's, and no one was gonna take this away from her. Especially the daughter of the man that was her father. Her concentration was gone and she had no stability on the board. She knew she was riding the wave well, but something told her to stop and look where she was headed. As her clouded up mind cleared, she saw jagged rocks coming her way, or rather she was going their way. She panicked causing her to wipe out. She could just picture the proud smirk on Crystal's face just as she was rammed against the rocks. She screamed out in pain as an smaller wave washed over her. Her board floated to the surface, the tail being cracked in half. Blood trickled down her shoulder and calf as medics rushed out into the water. She was brought back to the beach, her surf board being dragged behind her, and brought into the first aid tent where she met up with everyone.
"Cin, are you alright?" Lizzie worried.
"This kills," Cinder cringed as the medics rushed to get her fixed up. "GOD! I can't believe this happened. I was supposed to win! Now that bitch is gonna get first!"
"Cinder, just be happy that you're not seriously hurt," Gil said.
"But this is my dream. This is my life and it was stolen from me once again because of that asshole!" Cinder yelped in pain as some antiseptic was placed on her deep wounds.
"I'm sorry C. I'm sorry one more thing about your life had to be ruined because of him," Adam apologized as he gripped her hand.
"It's not your fault. I'll just have to hope for next year, I guess," she said as her chin quivered slightly.
"Is there anything we can do?" Matt asked.
"Get me some ice cream?" Cinder smiled innocently.
"We can do that," Matt nodded as he ran off.
*************************
Cinder leaned over the railing of the balcony outside hers and Lizzie's bedroom, sipping the coffee she ran to get at 6 in the morning. She watched the sun rise over the Pacific ocean, reflecting beautiful colors of oranges and reds across the city. The warm Hawaiian morning air blew her hair out of her face as a smile grew on her face. Still dressed in a pair of netted shorts and an athletic tank top that she ran to the Dunkin Doughnuts in, she decided she would get ready for the day. She took one last look out over the beach that the hotel sat on and nodded at the crashing waves on the shore. 'This is my day,' she thought before retreating into the bedroom.
"Oh my God, tell me that this clock is lying and it's later than 6:45," Lizzie groaned as the dawn sun light hit her tired face.
"Sorry, it's telling you the truth," Cinder replied. Lizzie sat up, her eyes barely open as she watched her cousin move around the room.
"What the hell are you doing up?" she asked.
"I dunno. I woke up suddenly and felt like taking a run, so I ran along the beach for a little while and then to Dunkin Doughnuts for some coffee before coming back here. So now I'm getting ready," she answered her cousin as she flopped back down on the bed, throwing the covers up over face. Cinder chuckled at her and walked into the bathroom all 6 of them shared.
She let the luke warm water wash over her body while she planned her short board run for the day. She knew she had a 15 minute heat at 9, then the top three in her category would have a 10 minute one at noon, where if she was in first place after that heat she would move onto a 20 minute heat at 4 against the first place winners from the other two categories in the short board competition. She knew that she was the best at home, but she had no idea how she would measure up against some of these other girls. She just knew she had to go into this doing her best, hoping her ankle would flare up during one of her runs. It was good so far that morning, even during her run on the beach.
"Cinder! Come on!! There are other people in this room!!" Adam yelled pounding on the bathroom door for her to finish.
"Just a freakin minute!" she yelled in return. She rung the water out of her hair and wrapped it up in a towel before wrapping a second towel around her tan body. She opened the door, coming face to face with Adam who looked royally pissed at her for taking too long. She pushed him out of the way and walked into the living room where Jeff and Matt were lounging out, watching tv. She took a seat on the couch next Matt and sighed.
"How's the ankle?" Jeff asked not removing his eyes from the early morning X-Men cartoon.
"It's fine. Even after the run I took this morning," she smiled.
"You are way too chipper. It's only a little bit after 7 and you're already smiling and shit. I can't deal with this happiness this early in the morning," Matt complained.
"Dude, I was up at 6 running on the beach," Cinder laughed as Jeff turned from his seat on the floor to look at her.
"Whoa," he said quietly staring at her as she sat there in her towel.
"Yeah, I know. It's a bit early, but it was good for me. Woke me up for the day. Won't catch me falling asleep on my board today," she nodded at herself as she walked into her room.
"That was so not what I was talking about," Jeff laughed at himself. Matt just rolled his eyes at his little brother after slapping the back of Jeff's colorful head.
Cinder got dressed in a light blue palm tree bikini top and black boy short cut bottoms. She pulled on a white midriff t-shirt that had Roxy written on it in purple. She covered the bottom half of her in a pair of light blue board shorts and pulled her hair up into a ponytail.
"Are you sure your ankle is fine?" Adam asked stepping into her room.
"Shhh..............Lizzie is still sleeping," Cinder whispered.
"Not anymore!" Lizzie groaned as she slid out of the bed tiredly and made her way to the bathroom which was being taken up by Jeff. She pounded on the door and yelled at him, but all you could hear was the running of the shower. "Fuck this shit." Adam and Cinder heard her say before the door opened and she walked in. Jeff began yelling obscenities at her as the door shut.
"The ankle is fine. I'm sure I'll have like no probs with it," she smiled. "Because I have my lucky Little Sister necklace on today as well as the hemp woven anklet that Shane bought me for my birthday two years ago."
"Well, sounds like you're all set then," Adam laughed at her while she packed a duffle bag with her wet suit and towels. She threw in some first aid supplies in case of an emergency when the first aid people didn't have the supplies for. "I'm proud of you C. You're such an amazing surfer. I'll know you'll do great. Perhaps even make it on a pro team."
"I can't. I have to be 18 for that. But it's something to think about for the future," she said zipping up her bag after making sure she threw in her board supplies. "Ya know, I think this is something I'd really like to do."
"That doesn't surprise me in the least," Adam hugged Cinder tightly.
"Well, you better get ready. I have to be registered in 15 minutes," Cinder rushed him out of the room causing him to laugh.
"Cinder, why don't you go down there without us? It doesn't look like we'll be ready in time. So, we'll meet you down there," Gil smiled at her. She took a deep breath and grabbed her board. Slipping on her flip flops she waved at him and left for the beach.
The beach was already packed with girls ready to surf. She set her stuff down and walked to the registration table, grabbing a blue Roxy surf shirt. She sat down next to her board and drifted into a surfers' bliss of peace and tranquility. She listened to all the ruckus goin on around her, but mainly focused on the sound of the waves crashing up on the shore. About 15 minutes before her heat began at 9, the others ran to her. She smiled at them as they all wished her good luck. She quickly pulled her Roxy surf shirt over her wet suit just as Adam put on some Rob Zombie on the boom box they had brought with them. She felt content and calm as the devil man's voice seeped into her mind. Lizzie hugged her just as she was called out to the ocean. Paddling out to into the ocean she heard the horn go off, signaling that they had 15 minutes to catch as many waves as possible and score as many points as possible. She looked around at the other girls, most of them catching the smaller waves, looking absolutely nervous on them as they rode them out. Cinder knew she had to wait for the perfect wave, so she sat on her board, passing up many of the waves. By the time the perfect wave came there was 5 minutes left and she was one of 3 girls left out there. Everyone else had either given up, thought they scored high enough, or wiped out. She situated herself on the board as if she were a professional and did high risk maneuvers on the board, feeling absolutely no fear. She heard the horn blow, signaling the end of the heat, and continued to ride out the wave. She swam to the shore and was bum rushed by Adam, Jeff, Matt, and Lizzie. All giving her pats on the back. She smiled, realizing that she had just experienced the best run she'd ever had. She looked at the scores and she was in first place with an 9.5. The second place person was down at 7.5, so that person would have to work her ass off to catch up to Cinder. Cinder was pretty much a shoe in for the finals in the afternoon.
"How'd it feel out there?!" Lizzie asked excitedly.
"Oh my God! I so totally can NOT express how awesome that was. It rocked!" Cinder yelled punching the air.
"And your ankle's good?" Matt asked concerned.
"Oh totally!" Cinder said driving her board into the sand. She pulled the Roxy shirt over her head and pulled her wet suit down a bit.
"Cinder, I must say, this is all very new to me. And I can see why you and Adam love it so much," Gil said hugging Cinder.
"This is just in my blood. I can't imagine not doing it, ya know? It's just like art and music is in Jeff's blood. From what I understand from stories, our father was quite the surfer. So I guess it's like hereditary," Cinder replied.
"The only thing we share in personality with him," Adam muttered angrily.
"Can you do stuff while waiting for the next heat?" Jeff asked.
"I think so, why?" Cinder wondered, raising her eyebrows in question.
"I wanted to draw you on your board out on the water for my next art project. If that's okay?" Jeff said. Cinder nodded and ran off with him after slipping her wet suit all the way off her body. Matt and Adam grabbed their football, as well as Lizzie's hand, and went to an empty space on the beach to toss it around, leaving Gil to watch over their stuff.
The second heat for Cinder was pretty much the same as the first, only the waves weren't as great so she had to take anything she could get, coming out of it with only an 8.0, but that was enough to keep her in first place. Moving her onto the third heat against the first place winners from the 12-15 age category and 9-11 age category. Although she thought it a little unfair, but she decided she'd get the easy win then. She had just come in from a quick swim in the ocean after her heat and before the 12-15 heat and bumped right into the girl she saw at the airport the day before.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Cinder apologized as the girl turned around. Cinder gasped and stumbled backwards after getting a good look at this girl.
"That's alright. I'm just waiting for my heat," she replied nervously. "Oh my God! You're Cinder Copeland! You're so awesome! I've been watching you so closely today. I can't believe I'm gonna go up against you this afternoon. You're totally gonna smoke me!"
"Well, ya never know," Cinder chuckled. "Well, um, good luck with your heat."
"Thanks! I really appreciate that since it's coming from you! You're definitely the best out there!" the girl exclaimed. "By the way, my name is Crystal Runnels."
"Nice to meet you," Cinder said putting on a fake smile. The tall blonde nodded at Cinder with a large smile on her face before walking away. Cinder watched the girl intently as she stopped to talk to the man that was with her at the airport. She quickly screamed, "ADAM!!"
He rushed to her side laughing. "What's the matter Cin?" he asked.
"Do you see that girl over there?" she breathed heavily.
"The blonde?" Adam asked with a smile. Cinder could only nod as Adam noticed the fear in her eyes. He examined the girl from afar and took a deep breath.
"Adam, why does she look like me?" Cinder asked while he pulled her into his body.
"I don't know Cinder," he answered softly.
"Hey, Dad wants to know if we're goin to lunch or what's up with you two?" Matt asked as he, Jeff, and Lizzie ran to the siblings.
"Nothing, come on, let's get some food," Adam smiled. The others shook their heads and walked off. Adam and Cinder took one last look at the girl and followed the others slowly.
***********************
After being the most quiet, aside from Adam, at lunch, Cinder decided it best to go walk along the beach and possibly sit on a pier to clear her mind. She had just seen a girl who she could practically call her twin in looks. She hadn't gotten a good look at the father of that girl, but she's almost certain his looks were similar to hers or Adam's. As she walked down to the end of the pier, she slipped her headphones on her head and listened to what she considered peaceful rock, in other words the hardest thing she listened to, Otep. As that music blared in her ears, almost to the point where it would make any normal person deaf, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Assuming it was Adam, she looked up and smiled, only to come face to face with the very person she was trying to get away from. Reluctantly, Cinder pulled the headphones down around her neck, not bothering to turn off the CD player, and stood up.
"Thank you so much for wishing me luck earlier. Because of your support I had more belief in myself and made it to first place. Looks like we're going up against each other later," Crystal smiled failing to notice how nervous Cinder was.
"Um, yeah, um, no prob," Cinder replied smiling that fake smile like she had before.
"I can't wait to try and measure up to your ability out there later. I think going up against you is gonna push me to my best," she continued.
"I'm glad. Hhhow ooold are you?" Cinder stuttered through her words.
"13," she said with a perky tone.
"Crystal! Crystal!" a man called for her.
"Over here Dad," she waved her father over. Cinder's breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of this man. He was handsome. His skin was flawless and lightly tanned. His short hair was a natural bleach blonde and wavy, much like Adam's. He was tall and had shared the same crystal blue eyes that the two of them had. She swallowed hard as Crystal hugged the man she called father. "Cinder, I want to introduce you to my father Nick Runnels. Daddy, this is Cinder Copeland. One of the best surfers I've seen."
"Um, it's nice to meet you," he responded distantly.
"Yeah, you too," Cinder replied angrily.
"Copeland is it?" he asked. Cinder nodded her head slowly. "Um, your mother wouldn't be Leeann would she?"
"Yeah, she would be," Cinder clenched her teeth together.
"Um, Crystal, could you go see your mother?" Nick asked a small smile on his face.
"But Dad I was just talking to Cinder," Crystal protested.
"Crystal, go," he said harshly.
"I'll see you during our heat," Crystal smiled. Cinder gave her a slight nod and stared at Nick harshly.
"Cinder? That's a beautiful name," Nick complimented her.
"Thanks. It's all thanks to my mother. You had no part in it since you left!" Cinder cried.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Nick said.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about! I know who you are! You don't think I can't see the resemblance?!" Cinder argued.
"Cinder, honey, calm down."
"You have no right to call me honey or to tell me to calm down for that matter!" she yelled. "You're my father!"
"Now, Cinder, don't go jumping to conclusions," Nick laughed.
"Oh fuck off! You know it!"
"Don't you speak to me like that young lady! I would have hoped your mother would have taught you better than that!" Nick yelled fatherly at her.
"You have no right to yell at me! You left me!"
"Calm down. Let's talk about this rationally sweetie."
"Don't you DARE call me sweetie!"
"Cinder, I understand that you may be upset."
"Upset is the understatement of the year!"
"Let me explain some things to you."
"Like why you walked out? Like why you left my mother to raise two kids? Or why you didn't bother to get in contact with us? Or maybe why you started a new family when you obviously couldn't handle your first one?!" Cinder yelled.
"Cinder, I wasn't ready to be a father at the time," Nick said calmly.
"Than you shouldn't have gotten my mother pregnant," Cinder replied through clenched teeth.
"There are many reasons for doing what I did. Many reasons you wouldn't understand!" Nick exclaimed.
"Then make me understand! I grew up without a father! I shouldn't have had to!" Cinder yelled.
"Is your brother here with you?" Nick asked.
"He has a name ya know! He's not known as my brother. He's known by his real name!" Cinder snapped.
"ADAM!" Nick snapped back before calmly repeating, "Adam."
"Not that it's truly any of your business, but yes, he is," Cinder answered crossing her arms.
Nick cleared his voice and asked, "What about your mother? Is Leeann here?"
"No, unfortunately she had to stay at home to work so she could provide for me and Adam," Cinder said.
"Why don't you and your brother and your step-father come to dinner with us before the heat?" Nick asked.
"First off, I don't have a step-father. Mom never remarried, although she's seriously involved with my best friend's father. And he's being nice enough to chaperon us. Second, why the hell would we want to eat with you?!" she exclaimed as Adam ran up to her.
"Hey, Gil wants to know if we want to eat before or after the heat," Adam said before looking at her face or who she was arguing with. Cinder didn't answer or look at him. He instantly knew something wasn't right with his little sister and realized that there was someone else there. He looked over and saw Nick, his father, for the first time. "What's goin on here?"
"Adam, I'd like you to meet our father, Nick Runnels. Nick, I'd like you to meet your son, Adam Copeland," Cinder smiled sarcastically.
"Cinder, let's go," Adam scowled as he took her hand.
"Adam, wait. I want to see you both together," Nick requested.
"Why should we do anything for you? You've done nothing for us in the 17 years almost 18 years I've been alive," Adam said.
"Whether you like it or not, you're still my kids," Nick said.
"Thankfully only by blood," Adam growled.
"From the looks of things, I'd say you both picked up a few of my looks and personality traits. Like surfing, or football. That's right, I know you played football Adam. I've been to every game possible and every surfing competition possible. I've watched you grow up, even though you didn't know. I have been a part of your life in some way."
"Asshole," Adam growled. "Stay away from me and Cinder. We don't need you in our lives!"
"Dude, what's taking so long? Our Dad is goin nuts!" Jeff laughed as he ran up to them. Crystal slowly made her way up to the group of them and stood next to her father.
"Jeff, this is Nick Runnels," Adam said taking a long dramatic pause. "Our father."
"Whoa........" Jeff said. "I'll just leave then."
"No, Jeff, stay. For me?" Cinder requested. Jeff nodded and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Father? But no. Daddy, what's goin on?" Crystal asked curiously.
"I told you to be with your mother," Nick said harshly.
"I know, but Mom wanted to know what was taking so long," Crystal said.
"Crystal, I'm your half-sister. And this is your half-brother Adam. Your Dad is our Dad who walked out on our Mom before I was born," Cinder said hurtfully.
"I don't understand," Crystal shook her head.
"Honey, years ago I met this woman and she had a baby boy, Adam. About a year later she informed me that she was pregnant again with Cinder. I left and 3 years later I met Mom and we got married, had you, and are living the perfect life," Nick explained with a smile.
"You're such a slimy pathetic asshole," Adam shot at him.
"I know that you both hate me, but I'd really like for you all to have dinner with me and my family, so I can get to know you two. And by all of you, I mean whoever came with you on this trip," Nick said.
"We don't have the money for this," Cinder said.
"It's on me," Nick replied.
"We don't need your charity!" Adam exclaimed.
"This isn't charity. It's a request. A request to finally get peace into all our lives," Nick said.
"Fine," Adam and Cinder agreed.
"Then it's settled. We'll meet at the hotel restaurant for dinner at 3," Nick smiled. Adam walked off ahead of Cinder as she grabbed Jeff's hand tightly.
"That was your father?" Jeff whispered.
"Yeah," Cinder choked back tears. Jeff wrapped his arm around her tightly and they walked behind Adam back to the hotel.
***********************
Reluctantly, they had all met Nick at the restaurant for dinner. And through many minutes of silence, he finally got a conversation going about what was going on in Cinder and Adam's lives. Unfortunately, the dinner ended in a massive fight, with Cinder getting up in a huff and leaving. Adam of course ran after her after yelling some choice words to Nick. The dinner didn't go well, and Gil had a feeling it wouldn't. By the time they had finished, Cinder had enough time to through on her shirt and grab her board. She left her wet suit in her room and ran down to the beach. She got there just as they called everyone into the water for the finals. She paddled out and settled on her board as the horn blew. The first wave was bigger than she had ever seen and she knew immediately she had to take it. She glanced over at Crystal and Crystal just smirked at her. Cinder knew she couldn't let her win. This was her thing, not Crystal's, and no one was gonna take this away from her. Especially the daughter of the man that was her father. Her concentration was gone and she had no stability on the board. She knew she was riding the wave well, but something told her to stop and look where she was headed. As her clouded up mind cleared, she saw jagged rocks coming her way, or rather she was going their way. She panicked causing her to wipe out. She could just picture the proud smirk on Crystal's face just as she was rammed against the rocks. She screamed out in pain as an smaller wave washed over her. Her board floated to the surface, the tail being cracked in half. Blood trickled down her shoulder and calf as medics rushed out into the water. She was brought back to the beach, her surf board being dragged behind her, and brought into the first aid tent where she met up with everyone.
"Cin, are you alright?" Lizzie worried.
"This kills," Cinder cringed as the medics rushed to get her fixed up. "GOD! I can't believe this happened. I was supposed to win! Now that bitch is gonna get first!"
"Cinder, just be happy that you're not seriously hurt," Gil said.
"But this is my dream. This is my life and it was stolen from me once again because of that asshole!" Cinder yelped in pain as some antiseptic was placed on her deep wounds.
"I'm sorry C. I'm sorry one more thing about your life had to be ruined because of him," Adam apologized as he gripped her hand.
"It's not your fault. I'll just have to hope for next year, I guess," she said as her chin quivered slightly.
"Is there anything we can do?" Matt asked.
"Get me some ice cream?" Cinder smiled innocently.
"We can do that," Matt nodded as he ran off.