𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘢

- when you finally gave in to kiara about surfing she was ecstatic

- insisting on teaching you how that weekend

- at first you went surfboard shopping, but she got a little carried away

- "are you sure this is a beginner's board?"

- she paused, thinking to herself for a moment. "you're right. maybe we should start you out with something softer."

- you guys moved to a different section, these new surfboards labeled 'longboards' as it read on the sign in a cool font

- "longboards are easier to use, so you should probably start on one of these. see any you like?"

- you ended up picking a design similar to hers, but they had slight differences so you could tell them apart

- kiara smiled, the apples of her cheeks prominent as she grinned. "you don't have to get one to match mine, y'know."

- "i know!" you began. "but i want to. i think it'd be cute."

- next, it was time to buy matching wetsuits obviously

- with the accent being your favorite color

- kie picked them out because you matched your board with hers, so she wanted to match your wetsuit too

- you loaded up the boards in kiara's jeep and went back to her house

- she opened the garage door, letting light come in as she taught you how to wax your board

- the next morning, she dragged you out of bed and to the beach

- "why are we up this early again?" you questioned, the morning air much cooler than you were used to

- "because you see," she gestured to the empty beach, "there's nobody here. the ocean's all ours baby."

- you smiled at her thoughtfulness, as she knew you probably wouldn't be fond of surfing for the first time in a literal sea full of people

- it was way more comfortable with just kie there

- "let's practice on the sand first." she suggested.

- "fine by me." you muttered, happy that you could buy some time before you actually had to surf a wave

- you repeated her movements and laid down on your stomach on top of the board

- "just paddle first. i know it sounds silly but you'll be using your arms a lot so this'll warm you up too."

- "ok." you giggled, paddling as if you were in the water. "this is easy."

- "then let's practice popping up. it might seem scary on the water but it's not too bad. you just push your body up with your arms, and then tuck your feet under you, like in a squat." she demonstrated.

- she moved over to you, repeating the instructions slower and resting her hands on your shoulders for some guidance

- you practiced a few times, stubbing your toe once or twice

- but as soon as you found your balance, you felt like a pro

- "now i stand up and balance right?" you inquired, figuring it had to be the next step.

- "yep. keep your knees bent, arms out and imagine your feet are glued to the board."

- "like this?" you followed up, doing as she told you

- "that's perfect, love! if you remember all of that then i think you're ready to catch a wave! do you think you're ready?"

- "i guess so." you replied, shrugging. "i have to try at some point right?"

- you both paddled in the water for a few minutes, just so you could take some time to adjust to the new feeling

- "you okay?" kie asked, concern in her eyes as you looked like your head was spinning

- you couldn't lie, you were feeling the nerves and your heart was beating a little faster than normal

- if you weren't in water you probably would've been able to feel your palms sweating

- "yeah." you reassured, nodding your head.

- "hey." kiara started, waiting to finish until she locked eyes with you. "you won't be perfect on your first try. if you wipeout or fall, we'll try again, ok? you'll be fine."

- your confidence went up from her pep talk, your breaths steadying out as you nodded to her thankfully

- "make sure to keep looking where you want to go." kiara reminded you as you stopped paddling, waiting for a wave

- she was just floating, her board closer to shore so she could watch and give advice if you needed it, but close enough to you that she could be next to you in an instant if needed

- you paddled to catch your first wave, but didn't quite make it as the water crashed against your back

- "that's ok! paddle out some more and wait for the next one!" kie shouted.

- taking a deep breath, you paddled and waited for the next one, but to no avail

- you wobbled a bit when you were trying to pop up, causing you to grip the sides of the board and forget about catching the wave that was going to drench you

- "you got it, y/n! feet glued to the board!" kiara called out encouragingly.

- you paddled and waited once again, this time getting a little bit ahead of the wave so you could prepare to balance yourself on the board, determined to make this one work

- kiara's instructions replayed in your head as you let your muscles move in the same ways they did before

- pop up, feet glued to the board, knees bent, arms out

- and before you knew it, you were were surfing the wave

- you were SURFING THE WAVE!

- "that's my girl!" kiara all but screamed, followed by some more cheers as she couldn't stop smiling

- you rode out the wave, finishing strong as the surfboard glided through the water and closer to shore, closer to where kiara was

- "WOOHOO!" kie exclaimed, hands high in the air as you paddled towards her

- "i did it! i surfed!"

- "i know! i'm so proud of you! i feel even more excited than when i surfed my first wave, you did great."

- "well i did have one amazing teacher." you teased, grinning at the curly haired girl in front of you.

- "your words, not mine." kie quipped, returning the smile. "do you wanna go out for waffles to celebrate?!"

- "only if they have strawberries on top." you answered, wiggling your eyebrows. "i'll race you to the car!"

- kiara chuckled as you took off, running onto the sand. "hey! wait up, surfer girl!"