New Hobby (Stallion and Beck )

With the weather starting to warm up, it's almost time for hitting the beach for a wonderful season of surfing with the trout. My eyes glance across the hall looking at the board sitting against the wall waiting for the moment my feet stand upon it riding the waves high and proud. My feet carry me across the floor through the kitchen picking up a rag off the counter top before moving on to the board. It's important to keep it clean and well buffed so when the moment comes, I can run through the door with my board held high over my head. My parents never missed a day at the beach when the weather was good, and I won't miss a day either. I grab the board from the wall and sit down in the floor rubbing the rag all over the top making sure it's smooth with no blemish or anything. Tomorrow I'll hit the waves. A large grin spreads wide across my face not caring who sees me because my entire life is built on being at the water with the sea animals. The board flops down in my lap moving around gently as my hand runs along all sides of it.

A knock on the door causes me gaze to flow into the sky wondering who could possibly be here right now. It just doesn't make sense, really, because nobody ever comes here when I'm here alone. I scoot the board off my lap before tossing the rag over my shoulder. I run a hand through my hair like I'm brushing it, yet all I'm doing is making it bushier. My eyes glance at my reflection as my feet carry me in front of a window. My white short sleeve shirt is worn nearly stained as it's my cleaning shirt- the only one I'll buff my board in. My shorts sit at the top of my knees showing my well formed legs. I reach the door and look outside and find a guy standing with a cooler. What is he doing here? My chin drops to the ground. I forgot about making an order for a party. I forgot it was supposed to arrive today, and here it is standing before me. "Oh, hi." My voice is quiet not wanting anyone to hear. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting." I place a grin on my face before looking at the cooler, and my stomach growls begging for the fresh seafood.

My hand rubs over top of my stomach in attempt to hide the loud rumbling coming inside. My grin grows from ear to ear. "Well, it's just me for now anyway." I chuckle slightly wondering what's possibly going to happen. Here's a guy standing before me with all kinds of seafood meant for a party, but no party will be happening. This seafood will be kept for a long time giving me time to eat alone, away from everyone. It's a perfect moment knowing what all is possible. "Pretty hungry myself. Been busy this morning eating isn't exactly on my mind." I look around wondering where my family could be. They aren't my biological family, but they are all I have. Ever since I've been young, they've adopted me into the family. It's really truly awesome, but it'll never replace the feeling left inside the moment my parents went away forever. While it's nice to be here, alone without anyone bothering me, it's still nice to know there's someone in my life to care about me. Maybe I can save the food for later and ask them if they want to eat it with me. It's only five of us, but we can have our own little party.

I look at him, and it's like he's looking through me. My head cocks slightly towards the side wondering what he could possibly be staring at- it's rude to stare, at least, that's what my mom always said. "Thanks for bringing all the food. I- I uh, didn't except it this soon." The words aren't much, but it's better than letting him walk away without anything. My hand rummages through my pocket before turning in the direction he's staring. My eyes lock with my surfboard laying neatly on the table, and my grin grows larger. I stand around while people ask me how I can afford such a thing. It was hand crafted by a really good friend. Every year before the first big surf, I always clean it making sure it's ready for use. The last thing I want is to lose my footing and slide into the ocean trapped beneath the weaves. Oh, you surf too?" It's impossible to hide the excitement growing in my voice as my gaze turns back towards him. Oh, I'm Stallion, by the way." I hold out a hand in front of me hoping he won't leave me hanging. "And it's nice to meet you."

One way to gain a reputation is getting something done in a nice and timely manner, and I must hand it to Beck, he's done a fantastic job at making sure my order is prepared. Yeah, I wasn't sure it would be here so soon, but the way it's here now sitting in front of me only causes my stomach to rumble more. Yet the more I look at the food, the more I catch him glaring at my board like it's some piece of art waiting for someone to use. It feels nice when someone shakes my hand in a welcoming manner, but at the same time, the way he's moving makes me suspicious of his motives. It's very rare anyone stares at my board as long as he has- maybe he's planning a way to snatch and run. Then he asks if I could help him learn to surf. My heart leaps inside my chest threatening to bust through the walls. My mom and dad taught me to surf at a young age, but nevertheless, I look at him with a huge grin fighting to keep myself looking good, and strong. "Well, I can try I suppose." I've never taught anyone to surf in my entire life, but it's always worth a shot.

I take a deep breath looking around before looking back at coolers holding the yummy seafood waiting to be devoured falling into my stomach forever. "I see you looking at my board. Tomorrow's a good first surf day of the season. I always take a day before the surf to polish it, and clean it. Gotta make sure it's safe." It's hard to believe that the surf season is in place. It seems like forever since my parents taught me how to surf, and they taught me everything I know about the water, well, not everything, but a lot. If it wasn't for the Costello's, I wouldn't be here. He offers to help carry the food indoors, and seeing as there appears to be a lot of seafood placed before me, it wouldn't be beneficial to decline. "Yeah, I can use some help. Just be careful inside as it's not my house. I don't want to mess anything up." I lean forward picking up one of the coolers before pointing my hand leading towards the kitchen. "Just set it down on the counters, and I can always put it up later." My feet carry me through the door before turning quickly keeping him in my site as he is a stranger in my eyes.

Living here is my home- I've known nothing else. My hands move around carrying the cooler into the house as my eyes continue following the guy as he stares constantly at my board. Yeah, surfing is more than a hobby for me; it's a way to keep my parents alive. The first moment my feet stood on the board without falling head first into the waves was one of the best days of my life. "I did it mommy! I did it daddy! I did it! I did it! I did it!" It's truly amazing remembering how they looked at me with joy in their eyes. Everything was perfect, and I believe if they would have let me go to the beach with them on that horrible day, that I wouldn't be here today with a person wanting me to teach him to surf.

I'm about to place the food on a counter when he speaks up saying it would be best to put the food in the refrigerator, and he's right. I hadn't thought about how long he'd been outside using the same cooling pack until now, and it's obvious he doesn't want me to lose all the seafood he's brought here. "Yeah, I never thought about that." My hand reaches towards the refrigerator door opening it slowly before looking at all the food sitting inside that'll probably never be eaten. "Uh, yeah, just sit the stuff on the bottom shelf. It'll keep them cold until I'm ready for dinner." I slowly start placing the oysters one by one on the shelf. Mom liked these. Dad liked these. I just hope they last forever. I look over at him wondering why he's wanting to surf, but it's something I'll never know as surfing is all I know.

"So you're interested in surfing?" I ask trying to keep a conversation going. It's been a while since I've stopped and talked to anyone especially about something I enjoy, surfing. Nobody ever really pays attention to my odd hobbies because I surf with the intentions of one day finding my parents. It's been so long since they left, but some part of me hopes they're alive. They're dead. It's been too long since the accident. They're gone. I take a deep breath before turning away momentarily looking at the board. "I'm sure we can find you a board somewhere for starters. This one belonged to my father. It hold a very special place in my heart."

With all the food in the refrigerator, I can finally rest a bit. It's been a long day, and it's just growing longer. All I wanted was to spend the day making sure my board was ready for the surf tomorrow. I take a deep breath before looking around. The house is so empty today, I have no idea where Magnus or anyone is really. Maybe I could spend the day swimming towards the reef where my parents were last seen alive, but it wouldn't do anything. It wouldn't bring them back- they're gone, gone forever. I sigh looking around the house wiping my hands off on my shorts. "Thanks for the help." It's few words, but this guy is making me nervous. The way he keeps staring at my board, and then looking at me; something's up, and I'm not sure I like it.

It's fun having hobbies, yet surfing is more than a hobby. It's a masterpiece waiting for performance. The audience glares at the waves wondering what each surfer will do. Sometimes, I watch as many beginners fall into the water head first as they haven't had much training, and others are extremely awesome making the waves look like nothing. I love thinking that I'm one of the better ones as I've been surfing since the age of four. I'm usually one of those falling face first into the water when I was younger, but not that I'm older, surfing is easy. It's natural running through my veins. "Yeah, it's nice having hobbies. I find it a nice stress reliever while riding the waves." That's when he laughs about not having a board and jumping too far ahead.

"There's many places around to find a board. Some or cheap, and others are quite expensive. It really depends on what you're looking for. This surfboard belonged my father as I mentioned before. Nothing in the world would ever buy this board. It's priceless. There's a couple shops that sell them, or you can always craft your own- which I don't recommend as it takes a lot of work." It's nice knowing about something other people want to know about. I could stand here for hours boring Beck with history of how this surfboard is amazing, and how some are better than others. People I've met, don't seem to realize that though, so I just let it slide.

With a quick motion, I shut the door to the refrigerator. I don't want anything getting ruined by keeping the door open so long since he desperately wanted me to put the food in so it wouldn't ruin outside. I've never been one asking for help, but he offered. I prefer doing things by myself because it makes life go smoother if you ask me. Slowly, my feet carry me towards my board with a huge grin plastered against my face spreading from ear to ear. I'm living in my father's footsteps because it's all he knew. He taught me, and I'm going to teach someone else. I look through the hall my eyes bouncing from door to door wondering if it's a good idea to give this person I just met a board of my own. I've gone through many boards before finally returning to my father's home where this one was. I figured he'd want me to have it since I'm his only child and will always be his only child.

My eyes stop on the door belonging to my room where many surfboards rest in my closet from all the use. I've never dreamed of giving them away, but it's the least I can do for the guy for all the help he's given me when he didn't have to. I run my hand along my chin before looking back at him with a huge grin. "Just start small. Not too small, of course, but nothing too big." It's the words my father always told me. He loved teaching me, and I'm going to pass my love for surfing onto another dude. He'll be a cool surfer dude like me one day. "Hey, I'll be right back. Just, stay here and don't touch anything." My eyes glance at my surf board wondering if he understands what I mean. "I'll only be gone a moment, I promise." My eyes look around wondering when the others will return home as I'm not sure if they'd be pleased I've invited a guy into the house.

I turn away from the table before walking down the hall. My hand pushes the door to my room open before closing it behind me. My feet carry me over towards my closet where my clothes should be, but I've placed everyone of my boards there. I look through them before grabbing one I think Beck would like. I move over to my drawers and grab a long black sheet out from inside and cover the board with it- just like a present. If he's got any sense about him, he'll figure out what it is before I give it to him. I walk out of my room and walk back into the kitchen with the board, covered, hidden behind my back. My grin spreads larger than it's been in such a while. It'll be nice giving to someone ask my father gave to me. I take a deep breath before moving to the center of the kitchen. I hold the board out in front of me. "Here, for you."

It seems people don't understand my intentions at time especially looking at a nearly full refrigerator with hardly anything touched. I'm usually out so eating at home is a rarity, yet sometimes it does happen. Most of the time my feet carry me along the piers watching for the perfect waves during the late nights, or sitting with my feet in the water yearning for the return of my parents. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to them, and the thought haunts my every dream, but life goes on, and it's up to me to live my life in a way it would bring honor and respect to them. It's what they would want, and it's how I try to live; however, a day doesn't go by without them on my mind as I constantly think about what I could have done differently to keep them alive.

It's nice doing something for people, for example, Beck bringing me all this food. I only eat a bite every now and then, but people will understand eventually. I live here with my family- they aren't really my family, but they are my family as I've lived with them for so long they've literally become my family, and the moment I see his facial expression about the board my eyes widen with excitement. There's nothing really special about the board, and it's been sitting in the closet for a long time as dust caked the surface. But he says he can't take it, and my eyes drop to the floor. My heart leaps out of my chest dropping into my stomach like a ton of bricks just fell on top of me. Most boards aren't cheap, but this one wasn't nothing much. It was a cheap board I bought when my father's was in the shop being fixed after it was broken.

I turn my gaze back up towards him contemplating a word or anything to tell him. I know it's weird offering a board to him, but maybe he can just borrow it. A grin spreads wide across my face as a light turns on inside my skull. "You don't have to keep it. You can just use it until you find one of your own." It's not the best board around, but it's definitely done it's time over and over again. It's allowed me the chance to live life on the waves when my other board wouldn't allow it. "Surf season starts tomorrow, and it's hard to find a board in the shops the first few days of the season as it's swarming with avid surfers. It'll die down in about a week."