29. Eliana
TWENTY-NINE
The sun dipslow on the horizon, its golden glow spreading over the entire ocean. Griffin and I stand side by side on the beach, our eyes fixed on Maliah and Kairi as they paddle out for their last heat. It’s been a long and exhausting day for us all, but the air still feels charged with anticipation as we’re now reaching the climax of the competition. This heat determines the winner, the person that will join the World Championship Tour.
As I point my camera at them, I observe their exhausted yet determined expressions while they sit up on their boards, gazing toward the horizon. Suddenly, as the first set of waves begin to roll in, an airhorn blows, signaling the start of the final heat.
I snap photos through the whole heat while Mal and Kairi surf with a ferocity that I’ve never seen before. The crowd is astounded as they both execute aerial maneuvers with grace. Their performance is breathtaking and I’m so grateful to be here and capture this moment.
After a long heat, it finally draws to a close, Maliah and Kairi paddling back. I watch as Gabriel meets them at the shore, offering them both towels before guiding them to the team tent to warm up.
“You guys surfed amazing out there, I think it was the best I’ve ever seen.” I say as they approach. They give me an exhausted smile before they burry their butts in the sand beside me, breathing heavily.
Koa, Zale, and Colton make their way to the water with their boards in hand for their final heat. I’ve watched them practice all week and they’ve all improved drastically; I know this heat is going to be intense. I grab my tripod and walk further down the beach, just behind where Gabriel stands, arms crossed.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I watch them paddle out to the lineup. The waves have become bigger, coming more often. When the airhorn blows, I hit record and follow them with the camera as they surf aggressively, pushing their limits.
Koa’s performance is the most shocking to me. He does a combination of aerials on his first wave, leaving the judges and supporters in awe.
“It’s like Poseidon himself carved the perfect wave for this guy.” one of the coaches next to Gabriel says.
Kairi and Maliah join me after they’ve warmed up. “So, are you cheering for Zale or for Colton?” I ask teasingly.
Kairi’s cheeks flush. “I’m actually cheering on Koa, thank you very much.” Maliah and I burst out into a chorus of giggles, Kairi joining in shortly after.
As their heat comes to an end and they paddle in, we huddle in the tent waiting for the judges to prepare the final scores. We don’t wait long before they walk out onto the platform stage, calling all the teams to gather in front of it.
Griffin and I intertwine our fingers as we wait. He had mixed emotions about coming today, not wanting to see what he missed out on, but also wanting to be here to support his team. He obviously decided to support. He pulls my knuckles to his lips and kisses me before leaning down and whispering in my ear.
“What are you wearing under that sundress?”
I smirk before I pull him closer. “I’m not wearing anything, so feel free to slide in whenever you’re ready.”
He rears back and the expression on his face is priceless as he clears his throat and readjusts his shorts, the tips of his ears turning red. I can’t hold back my laughter as he comes to stand behind me, pulling me towards him to try and hide his growing erection.
I lean my head back and wait for them to announce the results. I watch as a slim brunette lady walks out in front of the judges with an envelope in her hand. Camera men streaming this competition for local news and sports channels all squeeze in closer as they focus their cameras on her face.
She clears her throat before tapping the microphone, checking that it works.
“Hello, surfers and coaches,” she says, her Australian accent coming through as she speaks. “Today’s competition was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I think I can speak for the judges when I say amazing job today. You should all be proud of yourselves, regardless of what today’s results will be.”
Gabriel shifts his stance beside me, bringing his knuckles up to his mouth as he waits to hear what she says next.
“In this competition, I’ll only announce the men’s and women’s first place winners as they are the ones who will progress to the Championship Tour,” she glances down at the envelope and slowly pries it open before pulling out two papers.
“In first place for the men’s,” she pauses for dramatic effect. “Is Koa Foster.”
The crowd erupts into a deafening roar of joy as cheers and applause fill the air. I watch as the losing male surfers are embraced by their teammates, while Zale and Colton shake Koa excitedly. Their faces are lit up with smiles of genuine happiness, high fiving him before they escort him to the stage.
I snap pictures of him as he accepts the trophy from the judges, a tentative smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He runs a hand through his tousled hair, the saltwater still clinging to the strands, as he takes his spot-on stage.
“Congratulations, Koa,” she says into the microphone before turning her attention back on the crowd. “And now, for the women’s winner.”
Her three-second pause feels like an eternity, but she brings her red lips to the microphone. “In first place for the women’s is Maliah Cooper.”
Cheers erupt from every corner of the beach, echoing in the distance. I run towards her and wrap my arms around both her and Kairi as we jump in a circle excitedly. The world spins on its axis as the crowd joins in, jumping up and down with unrestrained joy.
Maliah releases us, her eyes sparkling as her lips curve into a serene smile. “I did it.” she whispers, more to herself.
“You did,” I laugh. “Now go get that trophy and accept your spot!”
She runs to the stage, throwing her arms around the Australian announcer, earning a few chuckles from the crowd, before she rushes over to the judges and accepts her spot next to Koa. I snap a few pictures before turning and walking back to Griffin who’s smiling with so much happiness and pride that I can’t resist snapping a sneaky photo of him before I wrap my arms around his mid-section.
“So,” he says low enough that only I hear him, “about sliding in whenever I’m ready? Well, I’m ready.”
“Before any of you leave, we have one more announcement.” The familiar voice has us both turning our heads to the stage. Gabriel stands beside the announcer who’s beaming at him with literal heart eyes.
The judges walk up to stand beside him in support. “This year we’re doing The World Championship Tour a little differently.” The crowd starts to murmur in confusion as they listen to him. “We wanted to challenge the surfers joining the tour this year, so a few things have changed.”
He removes the microphone from the stand and walks toward Koa and Maliah, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. With his back turned to us, we have no choice but to look up at the big screen above the stage where he’s being broadcasted live.
“This year, all aspects of the tour will be filmed by the leading surf streaming platform, Surflix. The competitions, the training, all the behind-the-scenes good stuff.” He pauses, winking at them. “And lastly, surfers will be paired together in groups of two.”
The crowd gasps and claps excitedly. I watch as Maliah’s jaw drops open before she whips her head towards Koa who’s frowning at Gabriel.
“This is not good,” I whisper, watching as Maliah turns a deep shade of red before walking off the stage, Koa following close behind.
“Not good at all,” Griffin agrees, pulling me away from the crowd.
“It’s a good thing you drove.” I giggle as we run to the safety of his jeep before Maliah combusts. “Maybe we can hide out in the trunk.”
He opens his trunk, revealing pillows and blankets. “I have a better idea.”
He pulls me towards him, eyebrows wiggling, and plants a gentle kiss on my lips, eliciting a moan from me. He pulls away slightly and rests his forehead on mine.
“Griffin?” He opens his eyes and pulls away slightly. “I love you.”
It’s the first time I’ve said it to him sober, but I meant it when I was drunk too. The way he looks at me sends a shiver down my spine.
“Say it again,” he whispers, eyes desperate.
I giggle. “I love you.”
His eyes soften. “Sunshine, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you from the minute you ran over my foot with your suitcase.”
The End.