Get back up {Frankel}

---

Here I am again, the dead of night, at the beach. As usual, it is due to my mother. I nice row, glass thrown, tables flipped. Really, she calls me the nutcase; she threatened to throw the sink basin at me. So here I am, in my little paradise, the district 4 beach. I will likely spend the night here, it is much more comfortable the sand, than my bed at home.

For once the beach is quite peaceful; I decide to walk along the top, across the sand dunes. The moon shines its precious light on the path in front of me as I follow to wherever it leads. I’ve slept on the beach numerous times before, many by accident. It is much more pleasant, the crashing of the waves rock me into my dreams. Even though I tend to find lots of sand in my knickers, the soft sands are much better than my mattress. There is also no need for a towel or a blanket, even in the night the air is warm.

Watching the ocean, the white horses are stampeding across the water, a few surfers riding them. I have never surfed before, none of my brothers do it, I always wished I tried it. I am strong swimmer; I have balance, just no board to try it out on. I am more talented at throwing shapes on dry land however. I was 8 when I discovered I could bend; do front flips, cart-wheels. I am actually pretty good at it. Regularly practicing on the beach, I hope I can compete in the Olympics in it, my brother’s say I am a professional.

Sitting on the bank above the beach, I’d observe the surfers on the sea, a lot of them have caught a few good waves. Sliding down the bank, I’d land onto the soft sand below it. I want to get a better view of these surfers. As I tread across the beach, a surfer would catch my eye as they fell. “Well shit.” I’d mutter to myself. But before I could worry if they were a goner, they already back to the surface. Wow I could’ve witnessed a death then, how exciting.

Standing at the shore, I’d let the sea attack my toes, as I watched them sink in the wet sand. A white shell catches my eye, so I smuggle it into my pocket. Shells, one of the many beauties the ocean spits out.

---

---

Fortunately enough for me, I had changed into my black bathing suite, before I stormed out of the house. A white short summer dress over the top of it. I knew exactly where I was going to run off too, which is why I changed. Literally there is nowhere else in District 4 as enjoyable as the beach, the Olympic Park is cool, but I can’t hang out there. And I am certainly not hanging out in the town square, like all the losers do, what is fun about the square? It is the place every year, where they tell us two names of people who are likely to die. Nothing fun about that.

Sitting in the sand, on the shoreline, I don’t care about the white dress getting ruined. I am sure my mother will not be impressed, but what is impressive about me? I am a stubborn loud mouth rebellious blonde bitch, who chills out on the beach all day. But at least I gut fish for fun, how commending is that! My mother was quite surprised the day I told her I was going to work with her. I needed a job, I needed money. Nobody was on the beach during working hours, accept the tramps, but the tramps are not entertaining.

Placing my hand in the wet sand, I’d make a pattern of my hand prints. Slowly the waves would erase it every so often. My legs, coated in the wet sand, I can feel my body sinking into it slowly. Pushing myself off the ground, I decided it was a good idea to get up, before I was to drown in the sinking sand.

Looking across the beach, I’d see one of the boarders had stopped surfing. Maybe it was the one who just came off but I couldn’t tell with the darkness. Heading over, I began to grow bored of my loneliness. I’d seek out a friend with this surfer, surfers were quite intriguing, especially the boys. They always had a tale to tell, about their love of the waves, how the waves had touched their soul. It was all bullshit, but it was fun to listen too.

“Hey, you looked great out there!”
I’d say, not actually knowing how well they had done, I’d praise them anyway.

---

---

Staring up at the sky, it was a clear night, the moon in full bloom. No wonder the waves were so amazing. If I was a surfer myself, I would most certainly be riding those waves tonight. I should really get into the sport, I am sure my mother would likely not be amused but at least I am not flinging my ass in boy’s faces; like she says. It looks like an adrenaline fun activity, lots of skill behind it, balance and all that stuff. At least I would be skilled at something extreme, surely she would be proud at me for that?

However there is the whole matter of getting a board and learning. My father doesn’t know how the surf nor do my brothers. Most of the ‘surfer dudes’ I know, always turn away when I ask to be taught, they’d rather focus on themselves. Really I only need to learn the basics and I could pick up on the rest myself. Sure I have some balance; I can balance on my two hands and one for about…5 seconds. My gymnastics may help me get into the swing of things.

"Oh...uh...thanks?"

From the light of the moon, I could see his figure quite clearly but it was all in black and white. His stammered words would alarm me, most surfer dudes I’ve met before are quite…well…over the top with what they say. Really, most of them are so enthusiastic and the main topic of conversation is of course the waves.

"Uh...I'm Teagan."

Squinting my eyes, I’d try and pick up the guys appearance. The light was terrible, it didn’t help with my horrible eyesight either. So he is called Teagan, I am sure I have met a lot of girls with that name before. However most of Panem have the most random names, at least he isn’t called Wave McSurf. I know a lot of Districts call their kids after their industry.

”Hey Teagan!” I’d say quite other enthusiastically, ”My name is Mina!”

Running my toes across the wet sand, I’d look to the ocean, figures still riding the waves. It was so fascinating; it was if they all just belonged there on the sea, I want a way of life like this.

”The waves are pretty good tonight!” I’d say, trying to move on the conversation.

---

---

Speaking to people was probably my main skill. I don’t care if they’re old, degenerate, a bitch or a stunning young man, I will converse with them. The world would be boring if everyone just ignored each other, silent as well. My mother used to tell me ”Don’t talk to strangers.” How would you make new friends if you never spoke to a stranger? My father must’ve been a stranger to her and she ended up marrying him! We’re all humans stuck in this messed up world, we need to get through it together, no matter our differences.

I’ve never met Teagan before, he is a stranger to me right now but hopefully soon enough he won’t be. The first thing you’ve to do with a stranger is of course, share your name and well that has already been done. Then you conjured up a topic of conversation, which is at the moment about the waves. A great conversation, something pretty much original than the ever so famous The weather is nice today. Slowly enough, you learn about each other and maybe, just maybe you may meet again and have some more conversations. Then you’ve made a friend.

"Yeah, the waves are amazing." They really were, waves were quite magical. According to my mother, the moon controlled them, which is obviously why they’re so good tonight under the full moon. She told me that if the Moon was ever taken away, the world would flood. That is unlikely to happen although I bet a Capitolite is eager to place the Moon in their home, just for decoration.

At the moment, the only thing I know about Teagan is his name and that he surfs. I just need to find out more and get the conversation rolling forwards. "Well, Mina, it's nice to meet you." Teagan would extend his hand and I would accept it. My hands were quite callused from work, so quickly shook it and moved it away. "You here to catch some waves or...?"

Me on the waves, what a funny joke. ”No, just getting out of the hectic house you know…” I presume that all families are as chaotic as my own. ”I’ve never surfed before so…” Hoping he’d spring up the suggestion of maybe joining him on the waves, I hope the hint would work.

---

---

Talking was my best trait, my only good trait. I can talk to anyone about anything. I have no idea why, most likely because of my brothers. My mother is shy, she only tends to talk to people she is close too. While my brothers, they just get alone with anyone. The only thing I really inherited from my mother are my eyes, nothing personality wise, if I did then I’d rather be dead. Such a glum boring life I would live if I was like her, she probably only gets through life because of all of us. I am sure I was adopted.

Tonight I didn’t really expect to meet anyone, I got away from the house to be a lone but I am not regretting meeting Teagan. It is nice to talk to a new face now and then; it does get very repetitive talking to the same person over and over. A surfer boy as well, I could be learning a new skill tonight, surfing. Now I didn’t predict that to happen, what was I to tell my brothers in the morning? Guess what guys, I went surfing last night! Now they would be intrigued. I am sure my mother wouldn’t. Extreme activities like this are not in her agenda.

Glancing over to the ocean, waves were still attacking the shore. It was a real good night to surf; I chose a good day to bump into a surfer. I am all for the extreme, I wouldn’t want to start off on the baby waves; I’d rather go on the daddy’s. How are you to learn if you don’t get battered around a bit? It is the same for everything else. You’ve to learn from mistakes and failures, otherwise you’ll be stuck on the same level forever.

"Uh, do you want to surf?"

My hinting has worked, Teagan has asked to go surfing and everything was going to plan. Finally I’ll be on a board, riding those waves and with a strapping lad too.

"I only have this board, but..uh..I can share it?"

I wouldn’t really mind sharing; at least if I did fall in and nearly drown, he will be easily able to catch me. ”Yes please!” I’d say with quite enthusiasm, ”I don’t mind sharing.” Rubbing my foot on the ground, it would create a deep imprint of the surface of my sole, I’d be quite eager to get out and surf.

Smiling to Teagan, I’d turn to the waves, watching as the figures rode the white horses beneath the Moon’s light. 

---

---

Standing in total darkness and having a lack of great vision, I can’t really make out Teagan’s appearance but he sounds great. I feel he is a genuine guy, not one of those stuck up ones I usually bump into. After all, he is being so kind to me right now and we haven’t gotten onto the topic on how he works out, how much he’d like to invite me to his bed or how his little friend wants to visit me.

Conversing with guys is a regular thing for me, that is why I usually get tagged as being a slut. Why am I a slut if I am just talking to them? I am not waving my knickers in their faces am I? Really, I have never gone down that route with anyone before, I am just not so tight up that I don’t talk to anyone, it is not my fault all the guys are attracted to me.

Smiling away at Teagan, I’d be really eager to get out onto those waves. Feeling a rush of adrenaline enter my body, I’d just want to get on the board and go now. Trying out different things was a part of life and being in a District such as Four it was easy to do. The ocean is a big game, there are a lot of things you can do to play around with it. From casual swimming to riding the waves, it is all different. I love the ocean, it has a great mind of its own and it is never the same. Sometimes it can be calm and other times rough as anything, a bit like me really. The ocean is a majestic beautiful blue beast, which tastes bitter when you accidentally swallow it.

"Okay! Great!" So it is all confirmed, I am going to share the board with Teagan. I barely know the guy and if my mother finds out that I’ve been surfing with a stranger during the night, there will be more than flipped tables in the kitchen. "So, I've never tried sharing a board before. It shall be fun." I’ve never been on a board before but I trust him, what could really happen to us?

“I’ve never been on a board before, so either way this will be fun.” I’d giggle to myself, a lot of enthusiasm still in my words. ”If I fall off, please save me.”

Sounding like a lost damsel, I’d follow Teagan to the ocean. Seeing as he runs, I’d pick up speed behind him, a rush of excitement entering my body. Picking my feet up elegantly as I ran, the soles of my feet would hit the soft sands, dodging any loose rocks which could impale my foot.

”I am sorry if I am shit, I’ve never done this before.” Laughing again as I spoke, I’d call out to Teagan, loosely following behind him.

---

---

During my time with my mother, she has never really praised me for anything; I rarely get praised by anyone. I work all day gutting fish for the Capitol, yet I never get praised for it? My mother complains I do nothing, yet every day I stand beside her, removing eyes from haddocks. I’ve never had the chance to do anything else; my mother didn’t want me to go on the trawlers with my brothers because she wanted company at home. I bet she wishes she sent me off now, I’d rather be alone than be in the company of her, she likely thinks the same way.

Imagining falling into the ocean, I’d wonder if she cared even I drowned. I am sure my brothers and father would be devastated but would she shed a tear? I doubt it, she’d likely act like she is mourning so that the rest of my family don’t suspect she despises me. Loving, caring, mothering; she is none of those, yet she had four children. Thankfully none of ended up like her, my father is such a kind man, how did he end up with such a brute like her? Although if he didn’t, I wouldn’t have been born and I pretty much love this world despite my mother.

Allowing the tide to tackle my toes, I’d watch Teagan with his board. Excitement still ran through my body, I can feel my heart pounding, likely to tear through my ribs. Is there a slight rush of nervousness running through my body? No Mina, you can’t worry.He said he’d save you. Biting my lip slightly, I’d try to hide the sudden rush of fear in my body I shouldn’t worry, Mina isn’t scared of anything.

Fighting hard to hide any signs of the fear inside of me, I’d take the leash that Teagan hands to me. Bending down, I’d wrap the strap to my ankle, making it tight enough to stay on and not too tight to cut any circulation. ”Like this?” I’d ask him making sure.

"And don't worry. You'll be fine. But I need you to know that if you fall off the board, I will probably fall off as well. It's all about balance. Sometimes that's hard, but just focus on something else, and maybe it'll all come naturally." Balance, I am sure I have balance, how am I to stand on two hands without balance? But this is different; I am on a piece of thin board in the water. The waves, the waves tonight are huge.

Shaking my mind, I’d try to eradicate the nervous consciousness, Mina Knudsen is not afraid of surfing. I’ve grown up next to the waves, nothing has happened, why am I having this sudden hit of fear?

Exhaling out air, I’d wait for us to enter the water, spreading a smile on my face; I’d look at Teagan. ”I can’t wait!”

---