By the time she and Twister had ridden just about every ride, the temperature had definitely risen. It was now uncomfortably sticky. Val suggested heading to Rocket Beach for a surf session. She changed into a palm-tree tankini and a pair of powder blue boardshorts. The shorts looked exactly like the ones Twister wore, only Val's didn't have white flames on the side. Around her neck was the shark's tooth that had once belonged to Twister.
The beach was fairly deserted; the water warm for December. While waiting for the perfect wave, Val and Twister amused themselves by having a water fight.
"Here comes a wave," Val said suddenly.
"Ladies first," said Twister.
Val paddled hard to catch up with the wave, rising gracefully to her feet. She did a series of kickturns up the face of the wave at an incredible speed. Then up in the air for a sit 360. Twister applauded. Her skills were on par with Otto's, their styles strangely similar.
When the next wave came, Val paddled to the right, Twister went left. They zoomed all over the wave, matching the other's pace.
"Eat my spray!" Val called playfully when she got a few feet ahead of him.
The monster of a wave was beginning to fold. She looked over her shoulder, yelling at Twister to kick out. Val tried to adjust her weight, but her board wobbled beneath her. She steeled herself for impact. The wave knocked her off her feet, slamming her underwater. She soon surfaced, slightly shaken.
"Look!" a male voice said loudly. "It's the amazing performing porpoise twins!"
The voice belonged to a tanned teenager with long brown hair and a missing front tooth, who wore a pair of yellow trunks. Val guessed it might be the Lars she'd heard so much about. She clambered astride her surfboard again. Lars paddled by, looking her up and down.
"This is one fine chica, baby bro." he commented. "I'd hang onto her."
Val gave no response to the older Rodriguez sibling's comment, except to start paddling toward shore.
"Catch you later, hot stuff!" Lars yelled.
0-0-0
"Sorry about that," mumbled Twister.
Val shrugged. "Don't be. I've seen worse guys than Lars. Remember, I'm a city girl."
They seated themselves side-by-side at the Shore Shack counter. A sprig of artificial mistletoe was dangling on a red ribbon just over their heads. Twister blushed deep red. Val seemed unperturbed by it.
"Where's my Tito?" screeched a voice.
They turned. A large woman wearing a pineapple-print mumu had entered the restaurant, followed by a short boy dressed in shorts, flip-flops, and a Hawaiian shirt.
"Mommi! Keoni!" bellowed Tito, racing to greet them.
Mommi flung her arms open to hug Tito. As she did so, her heavy suitcase flew backwards, hitting Keoni in the stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of him, causing him to fall on his backside. Val clamped a hand over her mouth, which wasn't very effective at disguising her snickering.
Tito went into the kitchen to prepare food for the guests. He found Ray muttering angrily that the fryer was broken. Tito sighed, rolling his eyes. Ray had forgotten to turn it on. He flicked the switch; the fryer began to bubble.
"IT'S ALIIIIVE!" Ray screamed happily.
Keoni gingerly got off the floor, seating himself on the other side of Val. Introductions were made. Keoni gazed at Val, a strange expression on his face. Val shifted nervously.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked.
"You got mistletoe in your hair, cuz," Keoni said slowly.
Twister gently untangled Val's hair, freeing the decoration. Ray nearly dropped the tray of hula burgers when he saw Twister running his hand through his niece's hair. He was slightly upset until he heard Twister say, "I think I got all of it out."
"Muchas gracias." said Val.
"De nada." said Twister.
0-0-0
Later that evening, Twister stood on the Rockets' doorstep, having just walked Val home.
"I had a really good time today," he said.
"Me too," said Val with a small smile. "I don't think I've ever had that much fun with a guy before." She turned to go inside. "See you in the morning, Twister."
"Good night, Val."