The Heeler brothers and Pat, following Mel's advice, went to the surf shop she had referred to them and told the owner that she had sent them. It turned out he was a friend of hers and was glad to give them a discount for the rental of the surfboards. After that, they all went to the water to enjoy the waves.
While Rad, Bandit and Pat went to surf, Stripe remained at the beach, watching over their stuffs, what was quite frustrating for him, as he, seeing how much fun the others were having surfing the big waves of the wild ocean. Fortunately to him, Bandit ended up getting out of the water, transporting his surfboard under his board.
"Finally!" Stripe exclaimed, while getting up and taking his surfboard. "I was starting to reckon you three would let me hanged here until lunch time."
"Don't be such a baby and go enjoy the waves" Bandit replied, as he went to shake off the water on him.
"Ah, come on!" Stripe exclaimed, while trying to protect himself from the water his brother was shaking off. "Use a towel!"
"Why are you complaining?" Bandit replied, while taking his towel and proceeding to clean the rest of the water. "You're about to get into the water."
"Ah, I see you're starting to return to your old self" Stripe observed. "I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
Bandit chuckled at that, as Stripe started to go towards the ocean. The middle Heeler brother placed his towel around his waist, while observing his younger brother getting into the water and paddling to get a wave, and then sit down. He went to get his phone, wanting to know if he had some messages, however, he soon noticed the picture that was serving as background: it was a selfie of him with Emily, with her having her head on his shoulder, and both expressing big and happy smiles.
Seeing that picture, Bandit remembered the moment he took it, causing him to remember many other happy memories he had with Emily, what caused him to feel even more pain after remembering those memories wouldn't happen again. He put his phone aside, unable to see that picture anymore, and raised his head with his eyes closed, trying to think of something that could make him forget about the pain he was feeling. It was then that the sound of the waves invaded his brain and it did help him to relieve some of that pain. Opening his eyes, he focused his attention on the way how the waves broke, what allowed him to clear his mind from any bad memory. He didn't know for how long he stayed like that, only that it felt really good…
"Hey there…" a voice said, while a hand was placed on Bandit's shoulder.
He got a little startled and turned around, but calmed himself when he saw that it was Mel who was beside him.
"Sorry, I didn't want to startle you" she said.
"Oh, it's okay, I was just…" Bandit started.
"Having some deep thought?" Mel asked, while sitting beside Bandit.
He chuckled at that question and replied:
"Actually, quite the opposite. I'm trying to clean my mind. I find the breaking of the waves quite… relaxing."
"I know the feeling" Mel replied. "I come here for the same reason."
"But… shouldn't you be at the guesthouse?" Bandit asked. "You may get in trouble for not being at work."
This time, it was Mel's time to chuckle. She replied:
"The guesthouse is a… How do you say it? A family business. It belongs to my parents and, sometimes, I like to give them a hand."
"I see…" Bandit said. "Well, you're very good at your job. I bet you have a full house during high season."
Mel made a slight laugh and replied:
"You're very nice… but serve as a host isn't exactly the career I have in mind for me."
"What is that then?"
"Well, if you really want to know, I am currently at my fourth year of my bachelor's degree in veterinary"
"Wow… that's impressive" Bandit admired.
"Yeah, being a vet has been my dream since a little girl, so I did everything to achieve it" Mel told. "I managed to finish high school early and I study as much as I can to achieve the highest grade I can… What about you? Any dream for the near future?"
"Well, yeah…" Bandit replied. "Archeology. It has been my dream ever since I was a kid… and I'm one year away from becoming one."
"So this trip… is to celebrate?" Mel asked.
"Not exactly…" Bandit told. "My brother Rad was the one to organize this trip. Apparently, it serves to help me cope with my… broken heart."
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear about that" Mel told. "She must have been very special… for you to still be suffering."
"She was everything to me…" Bandit said. "That's why it was hard when she broke up with me."
"I understand the feeling…" Mel confessed, also in a dreamy way that Bandit recognized, as it was how he stayed when talking about Emily.
"You also have a broken heart" he said.
She nodded and then said:
"My broken heart has a different cause, but yes, you can say that."
"So… basically we're just two broken dogs that come together to share their misery?" Bandit asked, playfully.
"It's a little depressing when you put it that way, but… yeah, I guess you can say that" Mel replied.
"You know what?" Bandit asked, smiling. "That is kind of nice…"
"I guess you're right" Mel agreed, smiling him back.
Rad, Stripe and Pat started to get out of the ocean, while discussing their maneuverers.
"Did you see that?" Rad asked. "I could totally rock at surfing tournaments. I would pulverize all the competition."
"Oh, you're dreaming high as always" Pat replied. "Why don't you try to keep your feet at the ground for a change?"
It was then that Stripe noticed Bandit talking with Mel.
"Hey, look!" he said, while pointing.
After seeing them too, Rad commented:
"Look, Bandit is talking with his Portuguese girlfriend…"
At that moment, Pat smacked Rad's head.
"Ouch! Why did you do that?!" he asked.
"Remember what we agreed on?" Pat asked. "We wouldn't tease Bandit about any interaction he may have with any girl."
"Yeah, yeah, I know… but it's not like he's hearing what I just said" Rad commented.
The trio arrived to Bandit and Mel's side and Rad asked:
"So, Mel, came to see the pros rock these waves?"
"Maybe…" she replied, chuckling.
"You know, it would be great to have someone to show us the sights after lunch" Rad said, making a sign to Stripe and Rad, who understood what he was trying to do.
"Yeah… I mean, we won't be able to go to the water while digesting, so strolling around the town would be a great wait to pass the time" Stripe said.
"If you want, I can help you with that" Mel replied. "I know Nazaré like the back of my hand. After lunch, I can give you a tour around."
"Oh, yeah!" Rad, Stripe and Pat exclaimed.
"You don't have to do that, Mel, if you don't want to" Bandit said.
"I know, but at least I can have a little fun" Mel replied. "We can do that after lunch. And by the way, you'll like the special of today. I totally recommend it. Well, see you later."
After saying that, she went away. After she was gone, Bandit turned to his brothers and best friend, who were now drying themselves with their towels, and asked them:
"Okay, what are you planning?"
"Nothing…" they all replied.
"Come on, now, Bandit, we just want to know Nazaré a little better" Pat replied. "It's not like we can do much while digesting."
"And we can take advantage of that to buy something for mum and dad" Stripe replied. "You know they love souvenirs."
"And what perfect way to do that than with the help of a local?" Rad asked.
"And maybe setting me up with Mel?" Bandit asked.
"What?! No!" the three of them replied, playing innocent.
"Yeah… I'll pretend I believe in that…" Bandit said, while getting up and taking his surfboard. "Come, let's return the boards and go back to the houseguest to have some lunch."
And so they went to the surf shop to return the surfboards.
