Surf's Up: A Rip Risk

I am Anastasia Annabelle Thomas. A mouthful, hey? So that's why I prefer Stacey Thomas. I am 14 years old and I live in Surf St, Gold Coast, Queensland. Another mouthful. I just say I'm from Gold Coast. I have 3 best friends, Anika, Scarlett and Kristy. And guessing from my street name, we all love to surf. In fact, surfing sort of brought us together.

Me and Kristy have known each other before we were born (literally, our mum's met in relaxation class) but we really knew each other was when we met on the beach when we were 5 and Olivia, Kristy's mum had a boogie board and we both pretended to surf on the sand.

I met Anika when I was 6 ( she grew up in a different neighborhood) and I was watching the teenagers surf and this random looking girl (Anika) came up and sat next to me and copied me.

Now Scarlett is technically Anika's best friend and cousin by marriage. Scarlett grew up in Perth, on the other side of the country and Anika's uncle was in Perth, researching plastic pollution, Scarlett's aunt met him, married him and moved to the Gold Coast when I was 4. Scarlett's mum didn't follow. The sisters had a huge row before Scarlett's aunt left. 

Now Anika didn't even know who Scarlett was so she didn't appreciate the Paige's barging into they're family. Since Scarlett's aunt only had one sister, when they (Scarlett's family) came to live in the Gold Coast, Anika was still angry at the Paige's so she was horrible to Scarlett. 

Now you're probably thinking, how come Scarlett moved to the Gold Coast when the sister's had a huge row? Well when James, Scarlett's brother got expelled, Scarlett's mum had no choice but to ask for Scarlet's aunt's help. 

Now Anika, Kristy and I were a trio but (this is probably going to sound harsh) but I like Kristy more because she was... so easygoing. Anika was stubborn and loud. So I guess Anika didn't like me and Kristy being best friends and Anika had no choice to be nice to Scarlett when they were paired up. 
After Anika accepted Scarlett, we all started surfing together (after Scarlett was introduced to us) when we were 9. 

So Anika and Scarlett are technically best friends and Me and Kristy are best friends. But we still all surf together and in school, is a tight foursome.

Kristy crash-tackled my bedroom door.

I look up, surprised, from where I'm trying to do my history homework," How'd you get in?"

"Your mum let me in, you doofus! Now hurry up, the surf just picked up. They're going ahead with the Woman's competition and I just found out the surprise. They're having a kids one as well!" Kristy babbled.

My eyes lit up, "Well then what are you doing just standing there? Let's go!"

I grabbed my board and leg rope and change so my swimmers are underneath.We run down to the beach (Surf St is the closest street to the beach). Everyone was preparing and they're was an intense vibe - not to mention it was loud!

Kristy ran down the beach and I followed. I spotted Anika and Scarlett with their boards and me and Kristy ran down to join them.

They had nagged front and centre!

"Stace! We though you were going to miss this (motions to the beach). Didn't you hear the news?" Anika asked me.

"No. Dad has been hogging the TV all morning!" I sigh.

"Do you want any food?" Anika motioned to her bag. It was full of lollies, chocolate milk and meat pies. I grab a chocolate milk.

Suddenly, there was a BANG! I jump, startled.

"It's starting!" Scarlett jumped up and down.

We all clapped and cheered. During the break, so the judges could decide the winners, I looked around. I spotted Anna and Annie, the only twins who dresses alike and Robin, the only person who dresses like Robin Hood. But the next discovery almost made me spit out my milk.

"Guys! Keisha Martin is here!" I whisper-yell.

They all turn to me, mouths open,"Seriously?"

I nod and point.

"How come she's here? She hates anything to do with surfing!" Anika frowned as the judges announced Laila McKelley was the winner.

"Including us!" I mutter, not paying attention to the judges.

Keisha Chelsea Martin is the most "popular", snobbiest, meanest and most girly girl in the entire school. She is one of the very few students who hate surfing (If you live in Queensland, let alone Gold Coast, you're meant to surf).

"Calling all participants for the 12-16 race!"

"Break a leg!" Kristy grins at me. She is so dramatic, thanks to the theatre club.

I grin back as I rip off my clothes, leaving only my swimmers on.

We head to the starting line and get ready!

BANG!

We all rush into the water.

I do a graceful dive and is far out before any of the other competitors.

"The aim is to get the most waves in 10 minutes," I hear the loud speaker say. "On your marks, get set, GO!"

I paddle around until I get a sense of calm and push off. Yes! I caught a wave! I jump off before I could hit the sand.

"And that's a wave to Miss Stacey Thomas,"

I keep on going. Just when I reach my 17th, the 10 minutes is up!

"Contestants, your time is up and it looks like Miss Kristy Smith is our winner by 19!," the loudspeaker cheers. "Second goes to Miss Stacey Thomas for 17 and third is to Miss Anika Thompson for 15 and a half!"

Us 3 drew into a knot and we head up to receive our trophies.

"How come you got a half?" Kristy asks, when we head down again.

I was just pushing off when the person said time's up. It didn't count as a full wave but it did count a little bit so they gave me half. I'm lucky though because if they didn't give me half, there would've been a tie between me and Annie," Anika explained.

"Anyway, I'm really sorry for Scarlett. She only got 11 waves," I say sympathetically.

"Speaking of which, where is Scarlett?" Anika looked around, worried.

"There's someone out there!" a lifeguard pointed and yelled suddenly. It silenced the crowd who was trying to take a photo with us while we talked.

Faintly, we could just glimpse a hand.

Anika's face was pale," O-oh m-my g-goodness! I-it's S-Scarlett. W-what s-should w-we d-do?"

I didn't wait for an answer. I knew what to do. It was a rip and if they didn't do something now, Scarlett would be in big trouble.

I jump into the water and paddle furiously.

"Stacey, STOP!" I hear Kristy cry. I ignore it. My friends life depended on it.

I just make it out to Scarlett before she floats out even further.

"Thank goodness Stacey!" Scarlett's face was streaked with tears and her voice was hoarse. "My leg rope was ripping and I was trying to frantically get my board when the rip sucked me out,"

I heaved her onto my board and we tied the leg ropes together so the boards stuck like a raft. We paddled and paddled and just as we reached shore, the lifeguards were getting ready to rescue us.

The paramedics gave us a thorough check up and the lifeguards gave me a stern talking to.

"Now young lady, I understand she must be your friend-"

"One of my best friends," I interrupt.

"Yes but you put your life at risk to help your best friend,"

"I know but-

He stopped me." I understand how you must be feeling but I am giving you a warning. But you did rescue your friend and good job on the raft," then he walked away.

Anika and Kristy rushed over as soon as the paramedics said it was "all clear" and the lifeguard had finished his talk. They hugged us very tightly.

"Oh My God! We were so worried. Especially when Stacey went out too!"Anika said. "What did he ask you?"

I snort," First he scolds me, then he congratulates me, I was like, make up your mind!"

We grabbed our boards and walked home, chattering away.

At home, Mum hugged me tightly when I told her what had happened. Dad did too as soon as he got home from work. I snuggled into bed with a hot chocolate and marshmallows.

After a deep sleep, I woke up and found the house was empty. Mum had gone shopping and Dad had been called to work even if it was his off day. I decided to read the Put Your Life At Risk Magazine (that was an exciting magazine, unlike the other magazine's, which were boring) and who do I find front and centre? Me, saving Scarlett!

The headline read: An unprofessional girl saves her best friends life while putting her own life at risk! 

I race out and hesitate at Kristy's door. I race along and knock at Scarlett's. She answers and we both exclaim,"You and me are on the Put Your Life At Risk Magazine,"

We laugh and head out to Anika and Kristy.

Surf's Up for a new day... 🏄

THE END

Unique

They say I'm bad,
They say I'm good.
They say I'm different,
You understood?

Don't say I'm mean,
I'm not a freak,
I'm just different...
Much more unique!

No ones perfect,
No one's really the same.
If that was true,
This world would be lame.

Mean or nice,
Forgive, forget.
Everyone's special,
You are too, I bet.

Don't be afraid,
You aren't a freak,
I understand...
YOUR ALL UNIQUE!

Scarlett and the twin sister problem.

“No way! Are you wearing that to the ultimate surfing competition?” asked Avery, my twin sister, glaring at the ‘Cooking Club Shirt’.

“Yeah, what’s the big problem?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. I looked down.

“You know this is the nationals and I don’t want my family to be lame supporters,” said Avery, her arms folded.

“Here comes another tantrum,” I mumbled.

“You seriously need to get a grip, Scarlett or you will be totally out of hand when you’re a teenager,” said Avery. “Anyway, I’m off, Kiera’s waiting for me.” As soon as Avery left, I slumped down on my bed…

Ever since I quit surfing, me and Avery have drifted apart. We used to hang out together, have the same interests, and laugh at the popular kids. We used to be Twin Sisters. After I started doing different things, Avery acted snobby. She acted as the popular kids were royalty. We didn’t have the same interests. We hardly even talked to each other at school, let alone play together. I wish we could be the twin sisters we used to be. I shook away my thoughts and stood up. I had to figure out a solution, it needed to be stopped…

I trundled downstairs, to find a solution but to find Mum yelling on the phone.

All I could hear was ‘Ave, no surfing, get a grip,'

Ave was what my Mum called Avery. She calls me Carly.

“We’ll work something out,” yelled Mum, before slamming her phone on the table. She turned around.

“Hey Carly, didn’t see you there, Avery’s surfing comp got put on hold because the lifeguards had an accident and we need to help raise money,” said Mum.

‘Oh great, another problem’ I thought.

“And…” hesitated Mum. “I thought it will be a lovely opportunity for you and Avery to make a bond,” she said.

“But that won’t work,” I practically scream in my head.

"But it won't work," I say calmly, but on the inside I was fuming. 

"Remember Sisters are sisters through thick and thin, remember, you might have lost each other once, but you're still twin sisters,"Mum reminds me. It was what Mum used to tell me and Avery when we had mini-fights like who got the last chocolate bar.

But the idea of my Mum’s ‘fundraising’ idea was worse than I thought.…

“Why are you getting your hands dirty?” asked Avery, wrinkling her nose.

“That’s what you’re supposed to do,” I said, mixing the dough. I couldn’t believe Mum said I had to cook with Avery.

“Why are you so mean,?” said Avery, sticking out her tongue.  

“Sorry, but I’m not a mature buffoon like you.” I replied, putting the dough in the oven.

“Look, I’m sorry about how I acted since high school, I was just stupid,” said Avery, staring out to the distance.

“What, like always?” I say but I stop when I see Avery, arms folded, “Sorry, it’s been a long time since you didn’t be mean.” I said.

“I’d thought you’d never forgive me,” said Avery hugging me. “Ewwww, dough alert,” said Avery stepping back and laughing. 
“Sisters are sisters through thick and thin, remember, we might have lost each other once, but we’re still twin sisters,” I said, smiling at the joke Mum told me.

“Gee, I wonder where you heard that,” teased Avery.

Then we laughed, we were back to normal.

Review- Kensy and Max: Disappearing Act

The second book of Kensy and Max, written by Jacqueline Harvey, was exciting because they got to go on their very first mission with Autumn and Carlos. I wish I had a watch like them. Every time they decode a new message, I'm always so excited about what it's going to say! I think Max's is right about Uncle Rupert. He's uncanny. At the start of the book when they did that maze competition, I would not want to get hit by those bullets. I love all the gadgets that they use. The most useful one for me would probably be the hairclip that Kensy wears. Useful for picking locks. The most exciting moment would be the chasing and running away from the people in the orphanage. I still can't believe that they met their mum and dad again even if it was for a few minutes. I still don't understand how Lola's mother doesn't know that Lola's father is a... Diavolo. Wait, does she know? Out of Kensy and Max's gifts, I like Max's better. I love code-cracking. I don't have a photographic memory for anything, but I have an uncanny thing where I can remember book conversations. Like out of nowhere, I can remember things from other books that I've read like 2 months ago.

A thing I didn't like was on Chapter 2 when they were split in 2's and had to find their own way to Dame Spencer's country estate in North Yorkshire, it didn't say anything about how they managed to get there.

When Mr Nutting said 'Your lucky I'm not in the mood for blood tonight, girls,' did he actually mean blood? When Misha left Lola, it said Lola attached herself to Hattie. Is Hattie, Harriet? Are all the next books going to have that case note that Fitz wrote? In the case note it said Kensy and Max were admitted Agents-In-Training at eleven years and one month. Does that mean they had their birthday one month ago? Did their parents disappear in that one month? It said they they were entered in formal training on 17 November, how long was that before they were admitted agents in training?

Overall, I think this book is Awesome and a great book for kids to read. I think it would be suitable for kids age 9+. I love this book so much, I give it ⭐⭐⭐🌟/ 5 stars.