Free What I've Done by Jen Naumann Page B

care is really proving to be the best thing that could have happened to us.
    “I’m glad,” Gabe says. “Whatever it takes to see you smile like that is good with me.” He pushes on my leg with his own and grins. We watch the gray clouds roll by and I wonder if they are about to open and dump on us. “Since your sister ended stayed home with your parents, I thought maybe today I could give you some of those surf lessons I promised, if you’re up for it. These clouds should be moving out before long.”
    There is a break of clouds off to the left, but his reminder that we are finally alone gives me an idea. I can almost feel an actual light bulb flickering on somewhere in my mind. “Actually, I was hoping to go job hunting this afternoon. My parents said I need the responsibility or something like that. Do you know of anywhere that may possibly be hiring or where any of the better jobs may be?”
    I don’t know if Svetlana will even allow me to have a job, but I am going to have to figure out a way to make it work.
    “My buddy owns a surf shop just down the beach. I’m guessing there is some kind of opening for you there. You can pick out a board to use there, too.”
    His eyes dance with mischief as he waits for me to answer. I have never once dreamed I would be learning to surf. I didn’t even think I would ever see the ocean in my lifetime. For whatever reason my mother had chosen to bring us to California, I would be eternally grateful to her. Her final decision to move us again hadn’t been so horrific in the end.
    “I may have to take a rain check on surfing lessons for today. I have to be back in a couple of hours since we have school tomorrow and everything.”
    “Another time then.”
    He springs onto his feet and holds his hand out for me. I take it shyly, anticipating the jolt that I will feel when we touch and I am pleased when it shoots through me. He pulls me up in one swift movement and we stand looking at each other for a minute, our hands still together. I take my hand from his when I become flustered.
    We see many surf shops of different sizes on our journey, but Gabe leads me to a very large, unique store standing between a small record store and cheap looking souvenir shop. A sign painted in whimsical, rainbow-colored letters reads “Tropical Pipedream.” We step inside and I am instantly drawn to a large wall filled from top to bottom with brightly colored surf boards. It is so striking it can almost be considered a work of art.
    “Gabe!” a woman’s voice that is warm and soft calls out in greeting. “ Aloha !”
    I jerk my attention away from the wall in time to see Gabe embrace a curvaceous, dark-haired young woman. She wears an ill-fitting pair of cut-off jean shorts that show off her long, tanned legs and a bright blue bikini top that leaves very little to the imagination. Her round and soft face is framed by her dark curls falling all around it. Her bright smile and the sparkle in her eyes make her appear to be quite friendly, but I am disappointed when Gabe kisses her cheek.
    “Kalia, this is my friend Tasha,” he tells the woman, beaming at me as if he is proud of himself for finding me.
    “ Aloha , Tasha! It is so nice to finally meet you,” she says to me.
    I feel dwarfed standing next to the exquisite woman who is equal to Gabe in height. I take her slender hand when she offers it. Her smile is equally as dazzling as Gabe’s.
    “Since Tasha just moved to town I promised her I would give her surfing lessons,” Gabe explains. “I thought you wouldn’t mind if we borrowed one of your boards some afternoon.”
    “You know you’re welcome to use my boards anytime,” she tells him, bumping his hip with her own. Gabe puts his arm around her little waist that is likely half the size of my own. I wonder just how friendly Gabe and this woman are. By the way they are touching I fear my chances of any kind of relationship with him have just plummeted.
    “Tasha is looking for