Chapter 4

I felt nervous when it came around to lunchtime. Matt and Kale were giving me the evil eye from across the lunchroom. I paid for my can of juice and then walked outside, sitting down on the lawn of the front school. It was hot out under the California sun. I'm glad that I decided to surf after school, I guess it would calm my mind, Jay would probably be out there if I didn't get roughed up by TA and his group. I swallowed hard; this day had gone from all right to worse in a matter of only minutes. I hated it when Kale and Matt weren't talking to me. They were getting worked up over something stupid like a tattoo. Its not like the lords were like this hardcore group of gangsters. It was just skating. I shook my head, how could I be so stupid to think that I could hide it for long. Skaters and BMX-ers just didn't mix; it was like a Romeo and Juliet type thing. But no matter how hard I tried, I cant deny that my roots are in skating, no matter how good of a BMX pro I become, I will always have my background in skating. Even if I wanted to change it I couldn't. The rest of the day, up until English class, people left me alone. I liked it better that way most of the time. I came into English class to find Matt and Kale in my seat talking, not even letting up to let me sit down. The only other seat left was behind CJ. I sat down as he came in. He gave me a smile before turning in his seat to talk to me.

"They're starting to be real big jerks. I can crack heads if you want?"

I smiled and laughed. CJ was a pretty funny guy.

"Thanks but no thanks. I'd like to live to see the shit get pounded out of me when I go surfing."

CJ's eyebrows disappeared into his dirty blond bangs.

"Well you're just a regular renaissance kid aint ya? Surfing, BMX-ing and skating, sounds like a handful."

"I only surf when I'm angry or sad, I surf out at Venice beach."

CJ gave me a questioning look of both surprised and confused.

"Why there? The place is shit."

"I was born there, the ghetto by the sea. Its my home spot, I'd just as soon move back there then stay in the hills."

CJ looked at me in disbelief.

"How can you say that? Its like saying you don't want to be a millionaire! That's just fucking crazy."

"I'd rather live back there then in the hills where everywhere you turn and look the fake people are there, trying to get you to be something you're not. I cant live like that."

CJ looked down at the floor for a moment, and the silence drifted between us. It wasn't one of those uncomfortable silences, but one where it was like we knew what each other was thinking. I had never had a moment like that with Matt and Kale. It was mostly me being a third wheel to the two of them.

"You know even if you're from dogtown, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be down there alone."

CJ finally said with a big grin on his face. I smirked, catching on quickly to what he was saying.

"And would you happen to know anyone who would be willing to go with me?"

I said batting my eyelashes at him. CJ smirked.

"I'll do it, if her highness will consent."

"Then you can come good sir knight."

I said with a laugh as the bell rang. I went down to the bike rack with CJ. I stopped as I forgot that I left my surfing stuff in my locker and told him that I'd be right back. I ran back to my locker, twisting the combination to open it up.

"I don't know how low you can get."

I saw Matt standing beside me. I frowned as I continued to pull out my stuff.

"First you betray the bikers by being a skater and then you hang out with the emo boy? You're more hopeless then I thought."

"As Far as CJ goes, he a hell of a lot better as a friend then you are. And the skating, Fuck you, if you don't like my roots then piss off."

I growled before heading into the girl's locker room to change. The other girls frowned at me as I changed. I know they don't like me but I don't fucking care. I met CJ out back by the bikes; he gave me a smile as we pedaled off towards the beach. We locked our bikes in the rack and took our stuff down to the shore. Set my surfboard in the sand and spread out a towel for CJ to sit on. I heard a voice behind me and I groaned, I so didn't want to have to deal with another asshole today.

"Well well look what the cat drug in."

I turned to face TA. I raised an eyebrow and returned the stare back at him defiantly. I don't care if he was older then me.

" And look what the sparrow coughed up. If you came here to mess with me forget it asshole, I just want to surf."

"Not on my beach, didn't your parents ever teach you respect?"

"They probably would've if I had parents. Go suck a squid geezer."

I snorted as I headed down towards the water. I paddled out to the line up. I was surprised to be the only one out here other then having TA hassle me from shore with his gay ass friends. So much for peace and quite. I rode a wave out and waded back to shore. CJ tossed me a towel as the other guys were laughing about my surfing. I know I'm not pro grade surfer but I only surf when I'm not feeling so hot.

"You're such a noob! Go back to the valley biker scrag!"

TA laughed. I pushed him out of the way and he fell down into the sand, his Alva Skates hat scattering into the sand as well.

"Do you even fucking know who I am kid?"

"Only the biggest fucking asshole in the entire beach."

I snorted as I packed up my stuff. TA jerked me up by my collar, snorting and huffing all in my face.

"Woah woah woah! TA, put her down! You don't want to do that!"

Jay Adams came running down the beach, sand flying everywhere. TA cast an irritated glance in his direction with a raised eyebrow.

"Why the fuck not? Tell me Jay, why shouldn't I pound this kid into the surf?"

"Because it's called child abuse! You don't want to fucking kill your own daughter!"

"Daughter!"

TA and I questioned at the same time, we both looked at Jay like he was crazy.

"Daughter? Don't make me laugh Jay, all that weeds gotten to your brain finally. I haven't seen my daughter since she was five..."

"Yeah Jay, My dad's probably long gone by now. My mom said he wasn't anything but a useless skater."

I felt TA's grip on my collar tighten as the words slipped out of my mouth.

"Besides, my little girl..."

"Your little girl is all grown up now TA, I swear on Sid's grave that she is your daughter."

I frowned.

"Leave Sid out of this, Its probably his fault Sid died in the first place..."

My words were cut of smartly as TA smacked me across the face. My cheek burned from where he had hit me.

"Don't you fucking talk about Sid like you know him..."

"I know he used to be my friend until he died. Right after that my good for nothing dad left my mom for some skanky whore!"

"I'm not gonna tolerate your fucking mouth! You're such a fucking little..."

At that point I had enough of TA's smart assed comments. I don't care if he is old enough to be my father. I head butted him right in the chest, causing him to drop me.

"Shit girl, you just fucking did a Zidane on Tony fucking Alva! Are you out of your fucking mind?"

CJ exclaimed as he grabbed me by my hand and pulled me up to the boardwalk where our bikes were. I frowned as I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had a huge headache brewing right there that could only mean one thing other then major stress, a huge ass storm. Out towards the ocean, I could see the dark clouds billowing over the horizon line.

"Come on to my house, you look like you could use a cool down."

"Alright."

I mumbled, rubbing the spot on my forehead that I used to head butt TA in the chest. I know he couldn't be my father, Jay was just all hyped up on some Acid or weed or something. I held my breath as CJ pulled me into his backyard. I knew this house. I grew up here; I let out a slow breath as I placed a hand on the smooth wood of the doorframe.

"I know this place."

I whispered.