Still Waving Read Online Free

I had to say.
    â€˜I’m sorry Jules, I’m used to getting drunk with my friends and stuff. That’s what we do. It’s our fun, you know, it’s practically all there is to do. Everything else is so boring. I don’t want to give you a hard time.’
    â€˜Well it’s not my idea of a good time, and if that means you don’t want to hang around or go surfing with me that’s fine. I’m cool on my own.’
    â€˜No, no. I want to surf with you and I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re the first person over the age of twelve I’ve met, that doesn’t just want to get wasted. You’ll be good for me. I’ll have to keep it together around you.’ Kate saluted me, which I didn’t like, but I said nothing.
    I didn’t want to be good for her. I didn’t want to keep having to say no about things. I know it was just some alcohol now, but what next, drugs? I thought about Phoebe and Jasmine. They drink and stuff, but they never hassle me. They said I was great to go out with because I always looked after them.
    â€˜Look Kate, you might think I’m totally uncool. AllI really like is surfing and I’m not into parties or stuff. I get bored seeing people out of it. You might want to go out with my friends. They’re into all that stuff.’
    â€˜Yeah, sure, but I’d still like to get to know you. You’re cool for being you. Don’t forget that.’
    I smiled, despite myself. ‘Let’s deal, you don’t hassle me about the drink and drugs stuff, and we’ll be cool. If you hassle me, even once, I’m out of here.’
    â€˜Cool. The mention of alcohol will never pass these lips in your presence, captain.’
    â€˜Don’t call me captain.’
    â€˜Not an issue. It’s a deal. Do you think we should write it down and sign it in blood or earwax or something?’
    I laughed. ‘That’s disgusting.’
    â€˜What, blood?’
    â€˜Earwax, that’s an ugly thought.’
    I felt more comfortable. Laughing did that I reckon. I relaxed and listened as Kate told me about some of the different beaches she’d surfed. I felt a bit light-headed and pleased with the world.
    â€˜Do you want another one?’
    â€˜No thanks, I better go. Maybe we could meet later on this afternoon if the breeze changes. I could ring you.’
    â€˜That’d be great. I’ll give you my number.’
    â€˜I won’t surf with you if you’re drunk, okay.’
    â€˜Chi-i-ill! I don’t surf if I’m drunk. It’s a trip to suicide, not my kind of thing. I won’t have any more now. I don’t drink alone, that’s so desperate, I reckon.’
    I smiled. Kate was different from my other friends. I admired her for being so upfront and saying chill in this cool voice. Maybe our surfing bond made me feel like I’d known her for ages, not that we’d only met a couple of hours ago.
    â€˜I’ll call you with a weather report.’
    Kate grabbed me and gave me a hug. I got such a shock.
    â€˜It’s so good I met you, Jules. I had a feeling something was going to happen, you know. Today felt different. I’m so psychic, I should write personal predictions for a girl-power mag.’
    I laughed, ‘I’ll ring you even if the weather doesn’t change.’
    â€˜Don’t forget.’
    I sort of skipped home not even feeling the surfboard’s weight. A surfing friend, I could share impact zones, floaters and cut-backs with. I felt so good. I wondered how long it would be before I let something slip about my past. That put the anchors on my skips. Sighing, I slowly walked the footpath breathing in that burnt eucalypt smell.

CHAPTER 2
Monday Evening
    Aunt Jean was home. I could hear her in the kitchen.
    â€˜Hi Aunt Jean.’
    â€˜Hi Julie, how was your day?’
    â€˜No surf but I met this cool girl curl.’
    â€˜Girl curl?’