made waves with some friends i know,
got lost in the ebb and f l o w . . .

🌊🌊🌊

Brody's P.O.V.

Right on time at 5:30 the next morning, the lovable, pain in my ass that is Owen arrived at my house. His rickety, decades-old, but still somehow bright-as-fuck yellow Volkswagen van pulled up, the engine sputtering at the curb as he waited for me.

I picked up my duffle bag and swung it over my shoulder, prying the front door open while my mom emerged from the kitchen in her robe. A tired smile rested on her face when she saw me, and I couldn't help but detect the usual hint of heartbreak in the look. It comes out whenever I leave her for a trip, and it doesn't hurt any less every time I see it.

"Alright Ma, he's here. I'll see you on Monday," I told her.

Her smile widened as she walked over to me, wrapping her small arms around me in a hug. "Have fun, and be safe. Bring me back some medals," she muttered into my chest. I lightly kissed her head, staying in her embrace for a few more seconds, then I collected my bags and marched outside. "Tell Lena and Owen I said hello!" She hollered after me from the front door, waving to Owen.

"I will!" I paused from packing the bags in the van to turn around and flash my mom a smile. In return, she blew me a kiss and went back inside.

Owen jumped out of the drivers seat, a wide grin on his face before he wrapped me in a hug. "You excited, man?" He asked me, taking one of my boards and attaching it to the roof of the van.

"Hell yeah," I grunted as I threw the last bag in and shut the door. "I just don't understand why we had to get up so goddamn early."

"Because, Brody," Owen heaved. He fought with the bungee cord for a few seconds, quiet expletives coming from his mouth every now and then. I watched from the sidewalk with a smirk, my arms crossed over my chest. "Are you driving? Do you want to be sitting in Jersey traffic all morning? Don't get me wrong, I love you, but being stuck in a car with you for longer than I intended isn't on my agenda today. Got it?"

"Aye aye, captain," I mock saluted him. "Just make sure my boards won't come off on the highway in the middle of nowhere New Jersey."

"Yeah, yeah," he scoffed, but then gave me a typical, conceited smirk after.

I've known Owen since I was about eight years old, which is when I really started to get serious with surfing. He's been there with me through all the ups and downs of my life and I say he's like my father, since my real one isn't in the picture anymore.

He's got ridiculously blonde, curly hair, tan skin, and a glowing white smile. The guy is probably one of the nicest people I've ever known. Also, he's an incredible surfer and I wouldn't want anyone else for a trainer, manager, or father figure. Despite our slight age gap with him being about fifteen years older than me, we get along like brothers.

"So, your girl lives in Big Blue, huh?" Owen cooed, slowing up when we came to a stop sign.

"Yup," I breathed with a nod. He didn't need to directions to her house – most people can spot out where the giant, aqua blue structure on the beach is. And if you live in our town, you definitely know of it.

Owen chuckled, taking a second to glance at me. "I gotta say, Brod, you really stepped it up from Crazy Brains," he said teasingly, nudging my shoulder.

I shook my head and laughed, muttering, "Asshole". He just shot me a look that was meant to scold me for cursing.

"Crazy Brains" was the nickname that Owen graced Sky with when things started to go downhill with us. It was way before the breakup that he saw through her bullshit – I was an arrogant kid who was too blinded by love to know what Owen was ever talking about. Turns out, some people never change. She always was off her rocker, and she always will be.

But we're not going to talk about her for now.

When Owen rode down Lena's street, he parked out front of her house and shut the car off. We both got out and walked up the steep staircase to her front door, my goofy trainer in shock as he trailed behind me.

"Never thought I'd see this place up close," Owen spoke more to himself than he did to me, but I still heard him.

"Me neither," I said with a small smile.

I knocked lightly on the front door, taking a step back and sticking my hands in my pockets. I texted Lena to let her know when we were on our way, and when we got here, but she didn't answer. If I knew any better, I'd say she's still sleeping.

Lena's parents stood on the other side of the door when it opened, smiles on both their faces. "Good early morning!" Mrs. Jennings chirped, looking between Owen and I. She seems to be a morning person, from her happy greeting and the fact that it's hardly six AM and she's ready for the day.

"Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings," I grinned politely, stepping inside after she let us in.

I have to admit, I can be a dick sometimes, but I know how to be respectful.

The house was quiet and I didn't see Lena around anywhere. She's definitely sleeping. Then I realized her parents were probably wondering who the stranger is that I brought in their house.

"So uh, this is Owen. He's my trainer and takes care of everything in my life that involves surfing," I introduced him.

"Owen Maddox, at your service," he smiled warmly, reaching out to shake their hands one at a time. "I just want you to know that Lena is in good hands. I look out for this kid like he's my own blood, and I'll do the same for your daughter," Owen clasped a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it a little.

I smiled in agreement, thinking I couldn't have said it any better myself. Mr. Jennings nodded, and his usual harsh stare broke when his mouth turned up. Relief washed over me when I saw that because I knew I had his approval.

From the start, I knew Lena's mother liked me. She made that pretty clear when she invited me over for dinner every night for the rest of my life, whenever I wanted. Her father, on the other hand, seemed a little wary and if I were him, I'd probably feel the same way about me. Luckily, they aren't a couple of kids from our school or people who know me, so they're most likely oblivious to my past and my reputation. But with Lena, I'm looking to forget all of that and start clean. Having her parents approval is step one, and it means the world to me.

"You're so sweet. But yes please, bring our baby home in one piece, that's all I ask," Mrs. Jennings cut through my thoughts with a genial laugh. "Just try to keep her off any surfboards. Or anything that can cause a fall. She should be fine, for the most part."

"We trust you, Brody," Mr. Jennings nodded again, and I did too. "If you want to go wake her up now, you can. We went up there about ten minutes ago but I don't think she moved."

"Alright," I chortled, thinking of my constantly sleepy girlfriend. I left Owen with Lena's parents so they could talk some more, and quietly ascended the stairs to her room.

The door was cracked, but shut for the most part, so I grasped the handle and carefully pushed it open. Lena's still body was lying in her bed, her back to me as she was sound asleep. I smiled as I tiptoed over to her bedside and knelt on the floor, gently shaking her. "Hey Lena, time to get up," I crooned. She emitted a low grumbling sound that I had no idea she had the capability of producing for an answer. I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "Small girl. Big attitude."

"Shut up," she groused into her pillow.

I resorted to the only tactic I could use to get her out of bed. The celebrity crush.

"Come on, Zac Efron is downstairs waiting for you."

At that, she sprung up with her eyes wide open and staring at me. "Do not joke about such a thing," she warned. The solemn look on her face quickly faded into a sleepy smile, as she leaned forward and pecked my lips. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready."

While she skipped to the bathroom to get ready, I collapsed onto her bed with a sigh. I looked around her room in boredom from where I was lounging, smiling to myself at the pictures hanging on her wall. She seems like she hasn't changed much from when she was younger – obviously more mature and all that, but she's pretty much the same. Dirty blonde, wavy hair, big green eyes, and an adorable smile.

The door to her room opened and Lena came waltzing in, dressed with a fresh face beaming at me. Her hair was down in its natural state, and she was wearing little to no makeup. In tiny white shorts and a cropped, light blue t-shirt that read "Seashore Local" on the front, she looked flawless.

"What?" I glanced up to see her cheeks tinged red, a sheepish grin on her face from where she stood.

"Nothing," I smirked, standing up and walking over to her. I snaked my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me, lightly kissing her nose. "Just wondering how someone can be so cute."

"You always say that," she scrunched her nose and smiled.

"Then it must be true," I rasped, my smirk still in place as I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers.

She started giggling into the kiss when I held her tighter, making sure she knew that I didn't want to let her go. "Brody, we have to leave," she mumbled against my mouth, her hands pushing on my chest to try and free herself. With one last kiss I released her, watching as she tried to hide her blushing cheeks and flustered demeanor from me. She glanced up at me, letting out a sigh before sticking out her bottom lip in a pout. "Help me with my bags?"

"Sure," I agreed.

"Okay. You get that one and I'll get the rest," she told me, pointing to a large, striped suitcase on the floor. I nodded and grabbed the handle, rolling the bag behind me as we walked to the stairs.

I figured getting this big ass suitcase down to the first floor would be a bit of a struggle. I just didn't realize how much of a struggle it would be until I tried to pick up the bag and almost went tumbling down the stairs with it. Lena stood behind me, attempting to cover up her giggles with not-so-subtle coughs.

"Jesus Christ, what the hell do you have in here? A body?" I heaved as I took the steps one at a time, stopping for a minute on the landing in the middle of the L-shaped staircase. Giving her an anticipated look, she just shrugged her small shoulders.

"No," she said quietly. "I have my clothes and my shower stuff in there."

I raised an eyebrow, jerking my head to the two bags she was holding, "Then what's in those?"

"Shoes," she answered. "And this little backpack is like my purse." I let out a groan as I reached the bottom step, dropping the suitcase down and then cracking my back. Lena must've heard me curse under my breath while we walked to where her parents and Owen were standing, because I received a slap on the arm and an offended scoff from her.

We all walked outside and Owen quickly piled Lena's bags into the van as she said goodbye to her parents. From where I leaned against the car with my arms crossed, the side of my mouth quirked up at the little family in front of me. The three of them were jammed into a group hug, with Lena's mom telling her to call them every night, but to still have fun. Her dad didn't say much, but the smile on his face and the glint in his eyes was enough to show how much her loves her.

I felt a pang of something that resembled jealousy right in my chest at the sight. My jaw clenched at how I was actually thinking about my father, giving him the time of day that he doesn't deserve. But he always manages to squeeze his way into my thoughts at the most inconvenient times.

Owen's voice brought me out of my brooding state, thankfully.

"Alright, we better leave before we hit traffic," Owen announced when it seemed like Lena was done with her goodbyes. "Parents, it was nice meeting you," he went over to them and shook both of their hands.

Mrs. Jennings came to me after she bid Owen goodbye, and surprisingly wrapped me in a hug. "Good luck, Brody. Show 'em what you're made of," she said to me after she pulled away, her hands tightly gripping my shoulders and a warm smile on her face.

"That, and take care of our girl," Mr. Jennings added with a smirk, reaching out his hand for me to shake.

"Dad."

"I will, sir," I chuckled, nodding my head at his request.

Climbing into the van, Owen hopped in the drivers seat while Lena plopped down next to me in the second row. We waved goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings as we rolled down her street at just after 6 o'clock. I know that if we didn't leave on time, Owen would definitely leave me stranded on the highway if we hit traffic on the way.

Speaking of my goofy trainer, he stopped at the red light before we officially left Shellmark, and turned around to look at us. "We will arrive in Jersey at promptly nine o'clock. Are you guys excited?" He grinned, glancing between the two of us quickly and we cheered for a response.

Lena then rested her head on my shoulder with a light, tired laugh, her eyes fluttering shut seconds later. It put me at ease to see her so comfortable with me – the outline of a content smile pulling her lips upward as she slept. It brought a smile onto my own face, softly caressing her hair with my fingers because I just couldn't keep my hands off of her.

We were stopped at another red light when I picked my head up to see out the window. Owen caught my attention when he spun around again, looking at me for a second before his eyes went over to Lena, and then back to me. He crookedly smirked at me, nodded his head, and began driving again when the light changed.

Lena's P.O.V.

"Hey."

Something was stroking my scalp.

"Wake up, sleepy head."

Whatever was on my head went to my shoulder and started gently shaking me. All I could do was groan for an answer.

Brody's chuckle from somewhere above had me opening my eyes, furrowing my brows at my location. I had my head on his lap, my face against his stomach, and my body curled up into a ball.

"Well this is comfortable," I retorted in a grated voice. Without crushing Brody's thighs, I sat up, tiredly whimpering to myself. The side of my face was imprinted with the material of Brody's athletic shorts as I tried to rub it away.

"You were sound asleep for most of the car ride in that position, so it must have been a little comfy," Brody teased.

I just sent him a playful glare and shook my head, unable to come up with a verbal response due to my sleepy state. Cracking my back and stretching my arms, I was doing anything I could to wake myself up a little more.

When I looked out my window, I quickly realized we were definitely not in Maryland anymore. Even though it's still a beach town that's sort of similar to home, everything seems so different – bigger, brighter, and louder. Nothing like the tranquility of Shellmark. But from the first impression, I think it's different in a good way.

Owen drove for about ten more minutes before he turned into a long driveway, rolling around the horseshoe shape until we stopped at the front doors of what looked to be a ritzy hotel. My mouth opened in shock at the valet boys waiting patiently outside the car in polo shirts and khakis, as one pulled open the door for Brody and I to get out.

The hot air hit me as soon as I jumped out onto the sidewalk, making me forget that it was still the beginning of August. No amount of air-conditioning in the van could deny that. I grabbed the tie off my wrist and pulled my hair up into a ponytail, then took my bags when the valet emptied the van for us. Owen talked with him for a minute about driving the van and keeping it safe, so he waved for us to head inside and wait for him.

"You did not say that we were going to be staying at a place like this," I mused to Brody, dragging my suitcase behind me as we walked through spinning glass doors together.

"Well, we could always go somewhere cheaper with a broken waterbed," he said sarcastically with a shrug. "I just figured that a free room here would be a little nicer." I rolled my eyes and elbowed his chest instead of replying.

Blonde curls we recognized as Owen's came prancing through the hotel, towering over all the teenagers that were swarming the lobby. I could only assume that they were here for the competition too, since nearly all of them were holding some type of surfboard. He came over to us and held Brody's board up against him, running his fingers through his hair as he glanced around.

"So we can't check into our rooms until three, but we can give them our bags to hold in the meantime. Which means we have plenty of time to practice, right Brod?" Owen shot a smirk at Brody, whose shoulders sagged at the mention of surfing already.

"Yes, Owen," he answered in a mundane voice, slapping a plastic grin on his face.

"Great," Owen nodded firmly. He waved for us to follow him to the front desk, so we got in line between the twisting velvet ropes and impatiently waited until we got to the front. Once we checked in and had our bags taken away, all that was left was to change into some bathing suits and head to the ocean. My safe haven, just in a different location this time.

🌊🌊🌊

From the moment we left the hotel to a little before 3 o'clock, the three of us were on the beach. Since the competition was all day tomorrow and about half of the day on Sunday, Brody needed as much practice time as he could get. So, while Owen tried his best to perfect Brody's routine, I watched them from where I was sprawled out on my towel, soaking up the sunshine.

Personally, I don't know much about surfing other than if you fall, that's bad. When Owen and Brody go back and forth with surf lingo, I might as well have a big question mark painted on my forehead. In Brody's case, he rarely falls while he's coasting across the water. Like I've said before, it comes naturally to him and he makes it look so easy.

My stomach started whining with hunger, and I was hoping we wouldn't be here for too much longer because I'd probably faint from lack of food. I tried occupying myself with my phone as Brody went over one trick time and time again, unable to nail it. Supposedly it's one of the hardest moves in his set that he's performing tomorrow, so he has to get it right. Even though I couldn't hear him or Owen from where I was, I could tell that he was getting fed up with himself.

I saw Owen pat Brody's shoulder and jerk his head over to me, then they both made their way over to my spot – Brody dragging a bit more than Owen. He threw his board down next to my towel and dropped himself in the sand with a grumble.

"You did really good," I attempted to console him, smiling small and rubbing my hand along his wet back.

"That fucking floater is killing me," he swore under his breath. He tugged at his hair in frustration, and I didn't really know what else to say. I looked up at Owen with an uneasy smile now, and he nodded his head.

"Why don't we get something to eat? We can head back, get our rooms situated and change, then go out. My treat," Owen sang the last two words, trying to entice us.

Brody didn't move for a few seconds, until he finally picked up his head and slowly nodded. I tried not to jump up too quickly at the thought of eating, so I controlled myself enough to stand up and reach my hand out for my sulking boyfriend. He gladly