𝓲𝓲𝓲. Dead Girl Surfing

「 ♯  summer 2019, the present .ᐟ.ᐟ 」

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST boomed through the the speakers, the excited chatter of Pogues and Kooks alike muffled over the music. The sun was warm and welcoming to the fresh summer breeze, the month of June greeting the anticipated teenagers with sun-burns and tan lines. The waves were perfect for the occasion, reckless and challenging before simmering down to kiss the bare feet of awaiting teens at the shoreline of the sandy beach. Stood with a microphone in hand, Joseph Bricks━the annual host of the Kildare Surf Competiton━cleared his throat, the distant squeal of the microphone capturing the attention of the crowd.

"Welcome!" His gruff voice greeted the vast audience. "Today takes place the annual Kildare Surf Competition, however, this year is slightly different..." Joseph trailed off to create tension, watching as the crowd grew restless with unease. "This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Competition!"

The crowd cheered and applauded, the sheer volume overpowering the music as they howled and whistled in exhilaration. It was a sight to see━what could be considered No Man's Land, the strip of sand where Kooks didn't look down at Pogues with disgust and they in return did not launch at them with danger. Up in the air was being thrown JJ Maybank by his friends, infamous Pogue who took part in the yearly competitions, betting his talents to earn him the reward money.

"Due to this special occasion, we've decided to add a twist to this years competition." Joseph informed the cheering crowd, a river of questions and intrigue flowing across the bodies. "The winner of this year's Kildare Surf Competition will win two-hundred US dollars."

No difference in social hierarchy or wealth could determine which class of the island was more excited, Pogues and Kooks alike beaming with excitement as their eyes grew wide with hunger.

"JJ," John Booker Routledge turned to his best-friend, his face falling serious. JJ's grin faltered, confusion weighing down his furrowed brows. "Two-hundred dollars ━ you gotta' get that, bro."

JJ brushed his best-friend off with a causal shrug, rolling his eyes cooly as he exhaled. "John B, have you any faith in me? I won last year. I'll win again this year."

This time, it was Pope Heyward who spoke up. Ever the intelligent boy, Pope's voice was laced with all-knowing truth. "That's because Margot Jiao didn't take part last year. What about the year before that? And every other one."

JJ laughed, shaking his blonde mop of hair in the brisk breeze. He looked between his two friends, sensing their primary concern as they shared a discreet glance. "Guys, I'm serious." Said JJ firmly, throwing his arms over their shoulders. "Margot Jiao won't show up━She hasn't been seen for months, why would she suddenly appear here for all places?"

"Because she's the best surfer on this island, JJ," Pope deadpanned, shrugging JJ off as he turned to face him fully. "You heard the rumours, her name was on the sign up board. That's why half the island is here, to see if she's really alive."

John B nodded in agreement, his eyes drifting between his two best-friends with worry. "And Arlo isn't here. Where else would he be? Every other year he's been supporting his sister at this competition, only last year when she didn't compete was when he rooted for you."

JJ hesitated, their conspiracies deceiving his ideas as the questioned Arlo's whereabouts. "Pope, where's Arlo?"

Pope stilled. Then, he shrugged unknowingly. "I haven't spoken to him today," he said unconvincingly. "But put the pieces together, JJ, it's obvious. Her name on the sign up sheet; Arlo's not here; half of the island here━You've got bigger competition this year and it's more than fifty bucks on the line today."

Suddenly, Joseph's voice echoed over the muffled conversations. "May find their position by the shore and stand beside their opponent! Just like every year, we'll start from youngest to eldest."

John B patted JJ firmly on the shoulder, sending a rush of adrenaline coursing through his body as he jumped to fuel his body with energy. "You got this," John B reassured him strongly. Pope glanced between them, unconvinced. "Pope, give him some motivation."

"Those are big waves today," Pope muttered as he glanced over to the restless waves, eyes narrowed deep in thought. "Don't push yourself too hard to start with, wait till finals, that's when you're up against the big fish."

JJ exhaled sharply, pursing his lips. "Catch you on the flip side, brothers!" The blonde boy shouted as he dashed off towards the line of opponents, his board heavy under his arms.

He scanned the queue, taking note that the presence of Margot Jiao was undetected. JJ swallowed thickly, though his nerves calmed slightly at the reassurance that he wasn't up against her. But then the conspiracies started to filter in━Her name on the sign up sheet; Arlo's absence; the restless rumours...JJ's mind was full of untamed thoughts that he didn't realise his name was being called until Kitty Hunter, a thirteen year old Kook with an ego bigger than her age, nudged him on the back. "You're up, Pogue."

JJ shot her a look, mustering up his confidence as he walked towards the waves. A few feet alongside him was his opponent, no other than Kelce. His snarky grin made JJ's blood boil, his fingers gripping tighter around the sides of his board as Joseph's timer counted down. Seconds remained, JJ and Kelce glared at each other with years of deep-rooted disgust and rivalry, and as the familiar blare echoed through JJ's distant ears, adrenaline flew him into the water with nothing but victory in mind.

JJ was a good surfer━infact, JJ was a brilliant surfer. His body contorted and twisted upon the steady bored beneath his stable feet, his control admirable as his talents stemmed from the likes of Poseidon, his ability to take reigns of the water beyond impressive. His fingers skimmed the flowing water as he bent down and gathered momentum, droplets dripping from the loose hair hanging over his smirking face as he caught sight of Kelce, who's confidence seemed to be drowning as his legs locked beneath him, sending him tumbling into the rolling waves.

JJ could hear his friends cheering from the shore, their chants and calls echoing loudly in his ears as pride pumped his veins and sped up his heart. His eyes drifted over to the other surfers feet away. Whilst JJ was competing with Kelce, JJ's final opponent was being determined nearby. As JJ's victory was claimed the crowd filtered towards the other battle being ruled over the waves. JJ took note that the crowd seemed to disperse quickly, which was unusual, and how it seemed to only grow larger and larger by the minute.

Upon being called back to shore, JJ dropped his board on the sand and made his way over to the growing crowd. He identified his friends, who were now accompanied by Kiara. They were stood idly in a line, one solemn look shared amongst them.

"Yo━Did you see my turn?" JJ's excited voice caught their attention immediately, and they all turned towards him quickly. "Wasn't it fuckin' crazy?"

"Yeah," Pope responded hurriedly, oxygen absent in his lungs as the words were forced out. "Crazy."

JJ's grin couldn't be suppressed. "And Kelce? That boy can't surf to save his life. What was he thinking? An under wave? Is he stupid?"

"Stupid," John B mimicked. His smile, although present, did not reach his eyes. "Absolutely stupid."

Joseph's voice suddenly silenced the roaring crowd, and it wasn't until then JJ realised how loud the cheering crowd had been.

Now standing with his friends, JJ turned to them curiously. "Who am I up against in the final? Who ended up winning?"

Kiara went to speak, her words cut short. "Uh━"

"━Our finalists!" Joseph cheered, provoking a series of howl amongst the crowd. "Long awaited and well-deserved: may our two finalists take place at the shoreline to claim their final victory!"

"Don't tell me," JJ smirked arrogantly. "Let it be a surprise."

Without another word, JJ confidently strolled to the edge of the beach, his confidence cooled with the freshness of the ocean water.

"Oh, it's a surprise alright," Kiara grimaced, shaking her head in disbelief. "Bye-bye two-hundred dollars."

"Here we have JJ Maybank!" Joseph applauded, earning a round of cheers from the crowd as JJ smirked towards the crowd. Girls fawned from the front lines, almost falling to their knees when JJ winked at them smoothly.

JJ's curiosity was growing restless. His opponent was yet to show and the anticipation was quite frankly killing him. His fingers gripped the board until they turned white, the blood rushing from his toes to his head as Joseph's voice boomed over the music once more.

"And here, competing against Mr Maybank, is a fish from his own family," Joseph instigated a low rumble of 'ooh's' and whistles, further exerting JJ on edge. "Miracles weren't something I always believed him, but here today we're witnessing a resurrection!"

JJ's stomach dropped. His blood ran cold and the arrogant grin once plastered upon his prideful face has vanished into the cool air, the water beneath his feet now nothing but a wash of reality as she came into view.

There, walking towards him, was no other than Margot Jiao.

Her hair had grown longer, almost waist length, and the blonde streaks once framing the constant blush on her freckled face were back to their natural brunette. The sun had done it's works on blessing her tanned skin, tan-lines tattooed over his shoulders as the red bikini tied around her torso perfectly framed her body. She had gotten more tattoos since the last time he saw her. One now decorated the side of her ribs, thin and dainty reaching from her hip to the edge of her bikini string; a patch of delicate stars neatly stained on her collarbones as her painted nails were enunciated with a brown-ish henna tattoo. He caught Arlo's name engraved on her wrist, and from there his eyes drifted to said boy strolling beside her.

Arlo was dressed in his usual casualty. His long denim shorts and white tee fitting his thin frame with effortless fashion as his eyes were hidden behind wide-framed Ray Bans. Unlike his sister, Arlo had remained his bleached curls that contrasted the stark difference of his black rooted hair.

The Jiao siblings walked side by side, the constant air of chaos engulfed them as the air in JJ's lungs decreased by the metre. The identical smirk shared upon either face was unsettling and JJ had suddenly lost all the confidence he previously displayed.

"MISS MARGOT JIAO!" Joseph's call of recognition had gained a loud, powerful echo of cheers. "Back from the dead and ready to destroy!"

Joseph's voice was not reassuring to say the least, and JJ felt himself grow more restless by the second. His spared a single, fleeting glance towards his friends, who simply stared at him with distant expressions. Slowly, Pope shrugged, his brains unable to aid JJ in that desperate moment.

"Maybank," Margot spoke cooly, eyes trailing over JJ with an old smile. "Haven't seen you in quite some time."

"I could say the same for you," JJ retorted. "Actually━the whole island could."

Margot, unfazed by his passive remark, shrugged unbothered. "Well, here I am. Back from the dead."

"How was Hell?" JJ grinned playfully, earning a soft laugh from the brunette. JJ's eyes trailed over to Arlo, who was looking down at JJ from his tall stature. "You went MIA."

"Got to help out those in need," Arlo responded, glancing over to his sister with a grin. "You know how it be."

"Yeah," JJ nodded. "I know."

"But," Margot avoided any moments of silence, desperate to not create any awkward tension between the three. Arlo was one of JJ's best-friends, but ultimately, Arlo was Margot's brother━Arlo would always pick his sister. "At the end of the day, game is game, and I'm here to play."

JJ clenched his jaw, his face ridden with tension as he stared between the two siblings. JJ had always looked up to Margot━he had known the girl since fourth grade, when she was in the sixth and overtly confident, able to deal with any bullies who dared tempt Arlo in any way. From her protection to Arlo it stemmed to JJ, following over to Pope and the rest of their crew. Sure, they weren't the closest nowadays, especially after her unexplained disappearance, but family was family, and Margot made up the key factor of their non-blooded family.

Arlo handed Margot her board, the girl straddling it beneath her arm comfortably as she caught JJ's gaze. "We still got matching boards," she grinned in a child-like manner, tapping the nose of JJ's board with her own. "Your name is still engraved at the bottom."

"So is yours," a source of warmth spread through JJ's body, that familiar feeling of comfort cloaking him like a hug as Margot's playful nature found its way back to his heart. "I also engraved them again━your initials. They're by the fin."

Margot smiled warmly, eyes squinting as she analysed JJ's face. "I did miss you, J."

"Me too," JJ replied softly, a smile gracing his young face. "I missed our 'sister advice on Saturday's' talk."

Margot's laughter, a recognisable rhythm on repeat like an endless song, was contagious, and JJ found himself laughing alongside with Arlo. "I almost forgot about those," the older girl reminisced. "We can get back on those, but I need a life update before."

"I think before any of that," Arlo spoke up, a subtle smirk finding its way on to his tattooed face. "You two need to settle the ground rules over those waves out there."

The three glanced over at the crashing waves, each one growing larger and more intimidating by the minute. JJ momentarily looked over at Margot, who was still admiring the waves, and right then, he knew he'd loose. JJ may be good at surfing, perhaps even incredible, with surfing was Margot's life. Her veins ran by water, the salt of the sea her sustenance to survive and the caws of seagulls as sweet as a songbird to her ears. Surfing was Margot's passion, where it was JJ's pastime.

Joseph ordered them into place, and now standing besides each other, the two shared one final look before the countdown called, "Three, two, one━"

"━See you on the flip side!" Margot grinned as she took off into the water, finding balance naturally on her board as the waves came at her in restless aggression.

The music flowed through the water and over the waves, carrying the heavy boards to match the rhythm of their beat as the bodies upon them twisted and turned in all directions. Control was ensured over Margot's board, her effortless skill dominating the waves as she navigated her way over and under the blue waters, the crash of each wave sending a rush of adrenaline running through her pumping veins.

The crowd watched from the safety of the sand. Pogues and Kooks were merged into one, standing beside one another upon a silent truce as they marvelled at the miracle of which was Margot Jiao, the disbelief of her reappearance unfathomable to the human brain.

"Hate to say it," Pope trailed off cooly, his arms crossed over his chest as he sighed. "But, I told you so."

Arlo laughed from beside him, throwing an arm over Pope's shoulder and dragging him close. "You're too smart, P. Too smart."

Pope grinned, shaking his head. "I was waiting for the day she'd come back. Classic Margot fashion."

Kiara joined in, humming in agreement. "How else would she do it?" The young girl smiled admiringly over the sea, eyes trained on Margot's figure as she fought against the waters. "There was no better way."

"I didn't expect it," John B said suddenly, eyes distant as he spoke. The three glanced over at him. "But I'm glad she did."

"What? So you can keep flirting with her?" Pope joked, jabbing his friend in the ribs as he groaned in protest. "I don't flirt with her━She flirts back!"

"I think that's just called conversation, John B," Kiara teased, sending him a playful glare. "Margot sees you as a brother, she said it herself."

"Non-blood for a reason," they heard John B mumble beneath his breath, earning a round of laughter. Arlo bumped into his shoulder, shooting him a look. "My sister is off limits. Not like she'd go for you, but still."

"How kind," Pope snickered at Arlo's brutal honesty, more so at John B's fallen face as he was hit with the harsh truth. "But how true."

"Shit!" Kiara gasped sharply, eyes wide as she looked out onto the sea. "JJ's fallen! He's out!"

The four stilled, silence engulfing them as a steady increase of cheers rumbled from the vast crowd.

"Margot won," Pope breathed, a small smile gracing his gentle features. "First day back and she fuckin' won."

"Margot Style," Arlo smirked proudly, the arm around Pope's shoulders falling as he made his way towards the front. "No other way to do it, baby!"

Margot and JJ returned to the sandy shore side by side. Despite his loss, JJ's face contained a wide grin as they neared the roaring crowd. He dropped his board beside Margot's, letting the water wash over it and engulfed the girl in a strong hug.

JJ lifted her up, Margot now on his shoulders as her hands lifted high into the air in victory. JJ's whoops and calls were reciprocated upon the crowd, the restless chant of Margot's name deafening as Joseph, from his position on the stage, placed the golden trophy into Margot's outstretched hands.

As the cool plastered gold touched her damp skin, JJ spun her around, making sure everyone saw━Margot Jiao was back, and she wasn't here to play.

Her feet back on the sand, she felt the familiar comfort of her brother's hug as he wrapped his arms around her smaller frame, pride almost radiating off of him as he spoke. "You fuckin' won."

"Hell yeah I did!" Margot cheered bashfully. "What was I going to do? Loose?"

"Congratulations, Mar," Margot turned around at the unexpected voice. "Pope!"

Unlike anyone else, Pope had been there for Margot during the isolated eleven months of her disappearance. While her brother Arlo remained in the public eye━continuing to attend school, hanging out with friends, and working shifts at The Wreck—Margot had all but vanished. Pope's ever-concerned nature drove him to make sure the Jiao siblings were safe and accounted for. He accompanied his father on regular visits to the Jiao residence, keeping an eye on both Margot and Arlo.

Margot cared deeply for Pope. Maybe it was because she'd watched him grow up, or perhaps it had something to do with her brother's tiny crush on him. Either way, Pope Heyward held a special place in Margot Jiao's heart.

"What are we waiting for? We need to celebrate!" Margot exclaimed, her voice light with newfound joy.

She caught sight of John B and Kiara a little way off, their arms flailing and bodies bouncing to catch her attention. Grinning from ear to ear, their excitement was infectious.

With a laugh, Margot and the others sprinted toward their friends, voices rising in happy shouts. She held tightly to the little envelope and the golden trophy in her hands, as if they were proof that her story wasn't over yet.

The night had only just begun, but somewhere in the shadows of her return, the past lingered━waiting to remind her it wasn't finished with her either.