Ride the Waves! ((Anybody))

[candygirl]

Terra tapped her chin thoughtfully, thinking hard. Purple, green or blue? The surf boards lay innocently, waiting for her decision. Her mother and father were looking at the different swimming suits the store had in stock. They were only there to wait on Terra. The young girl had heard that this weekend the Atlantic Ocean was going to have really big waves. So, the result was Terra getting a surf board. Although she loved to swim, Terra had never actually surfed before. Choosing the right surf board remained difficult. Not blue, that would blend with the ocean...Green? Nah, too green. I guess that leaves purple then... She sighed heavily and reached out for the purple surf board, which was soft to the touch. She smiled at her parents who headed over to take her back home. "Purple?" Jerry asked, his eyebrows connected together. "Yeah. Can we go to the beach now? Please?" Terra's eyes went wide and she clasped her hand together; the usual begging. Jerry rolled his eyes at his wife, Jennifer, who looked like she was going to laugh. Terra had worn her swimming suit under her clothes, so she was perfectly ready for the ocean. Now all she had to do was to convince her parents to drop her off there. They didn't like to go swimming, but they didn't mind if Terra did, fortunately, she liked it better that way. Jerry sighed as Jennifer nodded her assent. Terra jumped up, hugging the long surf board to her chest. Today was going to be the best!

Sand. Everywhere. Lots of it. Terra's eyes scanned the beach slowly. She hadn't realized the most of it would be sand. Jennifer and explained that it was going to be low tide, but Terra hadn't really listened, so now she was 'down in the dumps'. She had really been looking forward to waves crashing against the shore. Instead, the sand laid resolutely still and the waves were just little ripples in the ocean. "Mum." Terra said angrily, turning on her mother. "Why aren't the waves big? It said they would be huge today!" Jennifer shook her head, her blue eyes looking at the surroundings. "They will get big, honey. You'll just have to wait for high tide. It should be coming up soon.... I don't think it'll get any lower than this." But it did. It did get much lower. The ocean looked like glass, shimmering and shining in the sunlight. Terra sat on her surf board, her parents long gone. There was nothing to do except mess around in the sand and even that wasn't appealing to Terra. She hadn't bought this board for nothing! Hitting the sand in frustration, Terra stood up and grabbed the purple board. Just because there was no waves didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the water. She could float on this board out in the ocean. Terra smiled and pulled off her t-shirt and shorts to reveal her swimming suit. Now, she was ready to actually do something.

The water was warm and enjoyable. Since no waves came to disrupt her, Terra was content laying on the board. It was obligingly comfortable and floated casually on the smooth surface. Terra closed her eyes tightly against the sun, knowing that she was probably becoming burned. After all, she was really pale and the sun-tan lotion would have to wear off sometime. She attempted to roll over on the board but instead landed in the ocean. Sea water doesn't taste very good. she thought as she spat out the water that had entered her mouth in her fall. Her surf board floated a few feet away, moving with the ocean. Terra sighed and swam over to it, resting her arms on top and kicking her feet under the water. Closing her eyes once again, Terra waited for high tide to come.

[xtina]

Elle looked out her hotel window, towards the beach, which her family had decided to vacation at. She smiled serenely, running a hand through her auburn hair, and tying it up.

"Mom!" She yelled, "can I go ahead and go down? You and dad and Katie can take your sweet time but I haven't gone swimming in like, forever!"

After her mom gave the okay, Elle grabbed her towel and water, and rushed downstairs, in her triangle top swimsuit with cherries on it.

Ignoring the looks people were giving her down in the 5-star hotel lobby, she ran out the door and walked the 100 feet to the beach.

Setting her things down, she dived into the water, and then surfaced. That's odd, she said to herself, where are the waves?

Looking around, Elle saw a familiar face. Swimming over to Terra, a fellow ravenclaw, (OOC: let's pretend they know each other, I mean, they should since they're both in Ravenclaw...) to say hello.

Good thing I wore waterproof makeup today, she thought as she swam. After resurfacing a few feet behind Terra, she walked over as quietly as she could.

Elle smiled, and then pulled Terra's purple surfboard out from under her, knowing that she was a good swimmer, and it wouldn't do any harm.

[candygirl]

Terra sloshed some of the water around her. She was terribly bored and could think of nothing to do. She brought her hands out of the water and onto the surf board. They looked oddly water-logged...how long had she been in the ocean? Terra sighed and looked out at the beach. It would be even more boring in the sand, if that was even possible. A small wave come up and lapped Terra on the shoulder. Maybe high tide was coming in soon after all. As if this was soon. But, at least it was going to happen. Terra had been getting the notion that it might not ever come up. She frowned at her distorted image as it was reflected off the water. Suddenly, the surfboard she had been holding on to slipped from her grasp. Terra gasped only to go under water and swallow an enormous amount of water. Kicking off from the ground, she surfaced gasping for air. That had been odd; surf boards didn't usually float away from their owners. Terra looked around for the cause and saw Elle wading there. Terra's eyes widened as she saw her.

"Elle! You could have drowned me!" she scolded lightly, knowing that Elle knew that she was a good swimmer. Sighing, she took her surf board back from Elle's grasp. It still looked magnificent to Terra and it seemed to stick out wondrously. Even though there were no waves, it seemed to dance in the sunlight... Maybe I am getting water-logged. In the brain. Terra giggled at the thought before turning her attention back to a waiting Elle. "What brings you here? You don't happen to live around here, do you?" Terra asked, motioning toward the main-land where all the nice houses were located. She grinned at Elle while getting in her floating position on the surf board, awaiting her reply.

[xtina]

Elle laughed, "As if! We both know that you're an awesome swimmer. And I'm afraid that, no, I don't live around here. My family's on vacation because they found some cheap last minute flight tickets."

She pointed at their beachfront hotel, "That's where I'm staying. I decided to come down here by myself because I'm family's taking FOREVER to get ready, and it's all Katie's fault because she's throwing one of those typical 8-year-old temper tantrums. So what are you doing here? Vacation too?"

[maskeddog]

Hilton watched the girls from a distance. They were getting on his nerves. If he weren't afraid that the Ministry would catch him for underage magic, he would pull out his wand right now and curse them all.

But unfotunately, that wasn't an option.

Hilton must think of new plan.
Hilton must. . . .
Hilton has new plan . . .

Hilton waded close to where the girls were bickering loudly. Looking down into the shallow water, he pretended not to notice Terra and bumped into her. He feigned surprise. "I'm so sorry, miss, I didn't even notice you!"

Hilton smiled to himself.
His plan was underway.

[Head Girl Andi]

(( Maskeddog, you need to stop posting until your character has been approved. Also, please stop smiting our members if they haven't done anything wrong. ))

[candygirl]

Terra laughed with Elle. "Yeah, I guess you know me too well." she said jokingly while leaning on the purple surfboard. The glassy water was starting to sport ripples which made some excitement stream through Terra. Maybe the waves would become bigger sooner than she thought. Terra focused her attention back to Elle who was speaking yet again. She smiled attentively. "Where do you live if not around here?" she asked while kicking her feet under the water. She had begun to float away from Elle. She kicked and slowly moved back toward the girl. She loved the ocean so much! "I live in Dublin. You know, Ireland? Anyway, I go here many times for it's just an hour drive about." She grinned.

"No, not vacation. I heard from my seven brothers that the waves were going to be way big today. Maybe the tricked me though." she looked doubtfully back at the shore and felt anger flow through her. If they did.... "So, I bought a surf board to attempt to ride the waves but there's none here! Now, it's just my floating device!" she had managed to keep her words in check but some anger managed to slip through her eyes. Looking away from Elle she looked down at the poor board. It was supposed to be something of action not just a floating tool. Terra wanted action to but she wasn't sure how to get that action. She was terribly pale even though she was in the sun many times. It was like her skin refused to change. She sighed heavily, and felt pain for her surf board, since it couldn't. Where was action when you wanted it? The answer came to Terra as she got another slap on the shoulder from the water. A few hours away.

[xtina]

"Heck yeah, you know, I stalk you!" Elle said, laughing, "No, just kidding. But yeah I live in London, and I love it there, what with all the shopping and stuff. But I guess my accent's not as english as it should be. That's because for the first 6 years of my life I lived in America."

Elle listened to Terra complain about the waves, and she sensed a little impatience in her voice.

"Don't worry," Elle told her, "the waves are already starting to come. Before you know it, they'll be big enough to surf. But I haven't got anything but a boogie board."

[candygirl]

Terra giggled appreciatively at Elle's joke. She was positive that the girl didn't stalk her but it was funny to imagine such a thing. Elle was one year under her but she was fun to hang out with. A bigger waver came up to hit Terra's neck this time and she was struck with a sudden thought. "Do you think we're too far out? I heard when the tide gets high it drags people out to sea...." This proved how much Terra knew about the ocean. She was just taking logical guesses. She was just making sure that she wasn't in immediate danger. She sighed at her own fear of being dragged out to the ocean. It was sad considering she swam all the time. But the ocean was different from the pool. She smirked and turned back to Elle. So, Elle lived in London. Terra hadn't known that, but she knew that London was the home of many wizards. Ireland and Scotland were the only other countries that took Hogwarts students. She perked up when Elle mentioned America.

"Really? America? Wow! What's it like in America? Is it like London or does it have more space? Are there more people?" Terra asked quickly, making some of her words jump over each other. She was in a very talkative mood today, unlike her usual self. Maybe this Terra was better than the quiet one. She wasn't sure which she liked better but she just decided to play them to their advantages. She nodded when Elle told her to just wait. "Yeah. The only problem with surfing, though, is I don't know how. My parents despise the ocean. So I have to teach myself. I'm quite use to that. My family is very independent." Terra stated, her last sentence filled with pride. She knew some families leaned on each other for support but the Carlson's were very different.

"Do you know how to surf, Elle? I don't even know how to boogie board. Is that the same thing?" she frowned in confusion as she looked around. She had only heard of a boogie board a few times and she had seen some at the shop. They were shorter than surf boards but why, Terra didn't know. She flicked her red hair out of her eyes before turning her attention on Elle.

[xtina]

Elle looked around, taking in her surroundings, "Naw, I think we're fine, as long as we are both strong swimmers, but if you're worried we can always move back a little.

As for America...well...It is a little more spaced out than London. You know, the houses aren't as expensive because the land is cheaper, except in California, Florida, and Louisiana. I guess they have more malls, and you don't walk to places or take public commute as much. I mean, most people have their own cars."

Seeing the waves coming on, Elle put her boogie board down on the water, "Well I don't know how to surf, but boogie boarding is easy. You just lay on in, and if you get the hang of it, you can sit a little, but I kinda suck at it so I stick to laying, and hanging on tightly."

As the waves came more and more often, and got bigger and bigger, Elle decided to start up, and rode the waves nicely. Terra sure is nice, she thought, enjoying the older girl's company.

"It can't be that hard to surf", she said, "I'm sure you'll learn quickly."

[candygirl]

Terra nodded. "I just don't want to get dragged out to sea. Even though I'm a good swimmer, it still wouldn't be pretty." she laughed and pulled her legs up and over the surf-board she she was sitting on it. It only took a few seconds for Terra to tip over and fall into the water. Breaking the surface, Terra gasped for breath before she started to laugh again. "I'm dead clumsy! I don't know what I'm doing trying to learn how to surf!" Yes, I must be going mad if I thought for one tiny instant that I could actually surf! She sighed with complete resignation before getting up and trying again while listening to Elle talk about America. It was hard to do, considering that the waves were getting bigger and bigger each passing moment. Terra smirked Elle's way when she said the land was cheaper.

"That's because our land is better!" Terra said happily, while consuming some fresh giggles. She would much rather live in Ireland than anywhere else for that matter. She was happy to hear that the land was cheaper. She was, however, curious about this California that Elle had mentioned. "Have you ever been to California?" she asked while sticking out her arms to create some balance. It was fun testing this out even though the salt water didn't taste very good. Terra watched enviously as the younger girl rode a few waves with apparent ease. When she returned, Terra was trying to stand up on the board. This proved to be near disaster. She toppled into the water, creating a big splash that probably got Elle as well.

"Sorry!" Terra gasped when she had reached the surface. She smiled innocently at Elle before trying again. This time, she managed somehow to get into a standing position without falling but the wave that came in happened to be strong enough to push Terra off. Great! Turning toward Elle, she eyed the boogie-board. It had looked easy enough. "Hey, um..Elle? Could we trade? Maybe it'll be easier for me to learn if I start out easy." she smiled and waited to see what Elle's thought were on the matter.

[xtina]

"Yeah," Elle said, "That would be pretty terrifying. Have you heard about the recent shark attacks that have occured in the US? The people were only about 100 meters out into the water, and a hungry shark still tore them to pieces! That's what I'm most worried about."

Elle eyes darted around a bit, to make sure it was safe, and then continued, "Yes I've been to California once, though I was quite small and I don't believe I remember much. I think I was around four and a half when I went, and I just remember going to the zoo, and crying when the ice cream ran down my hand and melted."

Elle giggled as Terra fell into the water, "No, I don't mind the splash at all. I mean, it's just water, and seeing as we're surrounded by it..."

When she asked to trade, Elle replied, "Sure, but I don't know how to surf either. True, boogie boarding is a lot easier, and I'm probably just as clumsy, if not more than you."

Elle's first time of the surf board was a failure. Right when she stood up, she was knocked down by a wave. Sighing, she decided it would be better to take it easy first and sit on the surfboard. This suited her rather well, and with a little bit of concentration, she could stay on and still talk to Terra.

"So how are you doing with the boogie board?" she asked, still not taking her eyes off the water in front of her.