Val woke up around 6:30. She was tired, but couldn't fall asleep again. She stretched, reflecting on how much better her arm felt. She got dressed and decided to go for a jog around the neighborhood. Val didn't run as a hobby, just when there was nothing else to do. She tip-toed down to the living room, being careful to lock the front door as she left.

Once outside, Val discovered she didn't need her Donnie Lightning jacket. She tied it around her waist, thinking about him. She was forced to be a stunt girl as Donnie was her first cousin on her father's side. Though her hair was all stuffed under the helmet anyway, the hairdresser had dyed it dark brown. Val cringed at the memory; it hadn't been a pretty sight.

After making sure her shoes were double-knotted, Val set off at an easy jog around the sidewalk. On her second lap, she began to run flat-out. She glanced toward the California Incline. Val felt up for a challenge this morning.

"Hold it steady," she muttered, sprinting down the steep hill, concentrating on not tripping over her feet.

Val got halfway down the hill, then decided to walk back up, or her legs would be worthless for the rest of the day. It took nearly twenty minutes to clear the crest of the hill.

Going down was the easy part, she reflected.

When Val arrived back at the Rockets', she first went upstairs to put on a clean shirt. She was just settling down with a bowl of cereal when the doorbell rang.

"Who is it?" she called.

"You know who it is, Reg," said a deep voice with a slight accent.

Val opened the door and saw Twister and Sam on the doorstep. Both were carrying surfboards; neither were wearing shirts. Val felt herself blushing as Twister's big brown eyes met hers.

"You dye your hair, Reg?" Twister asked casually.

"Are you blind?" questioned Sam. "That's not Reggie."

"Val," she said. "Their cousin."

"Is Otto-man around?" Twister's voice came out strangled, almost girlish.

I HATE it when that happens, he thought angrily.

"Otto!" Val bellowed over her shoulder.

Otto stalked over from the couch, half asleep, with his hair a disaster.

"What?" he grumbled.

"There's an awesome swell down at the beach." Twister explained. "Sam found out on his computer."

"Biggest waves this month," Sam added.

"I'll be down as soon as I get some breakfast." Otto replied.

"Wanna come to my place? Mom's making pancakes."

Otto laughed as Twister's voice cracked in mid-sentence. Val gave him a death glare.

TBC

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