Koda couldn't sleep on the plane, making her jet lag even worse then it would have been, she already could feel sleep tugging at her eyelids. Her mom, step sister  and stepdad sat in a diffrent row then her, leaving her alone which she was honestly thankful for.

The brown haired girl couldn't wait until they reached Australia, she'll finally be home with the opportunity to escape to a friend's house. She was trying to think of a way to get to the final tryouts for Nationals, knowing Micheal wasn't going to take her. The plane shuddered as the tires met the asphalt runway.

Though she couldn't sleep her eyes were closed, but as soon as she knew they landed her eyes opened rather quickly as she waited for the sign to light up saying they could stand and get off the plane, once it turned green the girl was up in a flash, moving past people with a large grin on her face to reach the outside world.

The warm air hit her and it was a welcome feeling as the past few months in America with winter approaching it was fairly cold, something Koda didn't do well with but none of that mattered anymore. "Koda aren't you going to help Samantha with her carryon?" Michael's voice broke through the peace and her lips curled slightly into almost a animalistic snarl but she let that fade before she turned around to face him.

"No I am not." She said with certainty as she looked at the man, angry dashing across his face before he forced a smile. "What do you mean no?"
"If you can't take some time to drive me to Nationals after I wasted five months of my life doing that modeling gig with you people I'm not helping the pathetic princess." Koda said like she was simply dismissing the fact someone forgot something simple, she did it almost uncaringly. The man narrowed his eyes at her. "You better--" but his voice was cut off. "No way! Kods!!"

Koda turned and smiled when she saw Summer, walking towards her. The two girls met halfway with with a embrace. "Summer! What are you doing here?" Koda asked happily, though the tiredness in her voice showed strongly. "I'm here for Nationals." That stunned Koda. She pulled back from teh hug to be met with Summer's grinning face. "I'm good now, Hawaii. "

"Perfect since she's going to Nationals as well you can just go with her for the next couple of days." Micheal said with a smile that showed his disgust for his stepdaughter.  Summer remember the man, linking arms with Koda she held herself high. "I'll gladly take Koda with us, better then her being around a prick like you." The American girl said simple before turning and walking her and Koda towrads the baggage claim, Koda thankful for a friend like her. Abigail caught up to Koda. "Remember to wear this, when you are surfing." She handed her a long piece of fabric that would tye around her waist and leg to hide the healing shark bite.

The trio got the Torres' rental car, heading towrads the Gibson household. Summer looking out the window with a wide smile on her face, Koda in the back seat with her eyes closed. "Hey, Ma, could you try and look a little more excited? We made it!" Summer said happily, a soft chuckle leaving Koda at her enthusiasm.

"Unfortunately, we can't check in until three." Margot said before pressing a button on the car screen. "Call Abbie." She instructed. Koda arched her eyebrow as she opened her eyes. "Wasn't you both coming supposed to be a surprise?" She questioned.

"Oh, no, no, no, no." Summer said quickly as she reached over and pressed the hang up button before Abbie Gibson could answer the phone. Summer turned to look at Margot. "We've been away a whole year, Koda's correct. Do you not understand the conceptof a surprise?" Summer asked her mom. "Not everyone likes surprises." Margot commented, her eyes remaining on the road as she drove, she already sounded tired but wither it was from the trip or already from Summer was unseen. The two had their moments of not getting along. Koda knew they had their problems but they still cared for each other, Koda wished her and her mom could be like that. "They're gonna love this one." Summer said surely, a broad smile on her face as she turned back to face out the window. "I'm sure they will." Koda assured her with a grin.

They arrived to the Gibson house. Summer running up the driveway to reach the door. The smile never seemed to fade from her face as they went. But Koda on the other hand walked calmly, her eyes flickering on each window trying to spot any form of movement but so far she didn't see any.

Summsr pushed the unlocked door open, Koda eyeing her like she was crazy. "I'm back, baby!" She called, hands outstretched to the side.  Only silence answered her.  "Hello? Ari? Honey?" Summer asked as she walked further into the empty house. Margot had followed her into the house. "I really hope the still live here. Otherwise, we're breaking and entering." Margot  commented.  Koda laughing. "They lived here when I left, I'm sure they didn't  just pack up and leave on a whim."

Summer was glancing around when she saw the pictures, picking one up she looked at it. It was of Ari during on of the comps, Summer had a soft smile on her face as she looked at it. Margot walked over and leaned in a bit. "I knew that's why you wanted to come back here." She whispered to her with a smile and a teasing tone in her voice. "Ooo, Summy are you in love?" Koda teased as she wrapped her arms around the girl's stomach, resting her head on her shoulder teasingly.

Summer scoffed some and shook her head in disbelief but was smiling some. "Ma. Do you seriously think I'd beg you to come back just for a boy? Yeah Koda like you can talk, I remember you and Griff had something for a bit, you telling me you aren't still into him?" She questioned in a light voice. "Nope, not even a bit." Koda answered confidently and truly. Margot chuckling softly as Summer's phone beeped.

Summer pulled the phone from her pocket. "My cell phone finally worked out where it is." She joked before her face fell, reading what was on the screen. "No..it can't be today." She whispered in disbelief. Margot looked at her, confused. Summer finally turning to met her mom's eyes. "They changed the date. Tryouts are today!" Summer said with some urgency in her voice. "We gotta go!" Summer started towards  the door as fast as she could. "You didn't know? I thought this was just just a pit stop on the way?" Koda questioned as she followed her friend with amusement shining in her dark eyes.  "Summer, how could you not know they changed the date?" Margot questioned as she pulled the Gibsons door closed behind her.

The tan van moved in spurts as Poppy was learning how to drive. "Why are you still in second geat? Shift down to first." Manu told his younger sister. "Oh, my gosh, stop hassling me for a second and I will!" Poppy said, she sounded a bit annoyed but it was probably mostly frustration.
"You just missed a spot back there!" Manu told her. At that time Poppy started turning into a parking space. "I'm not going for that one. See? Nailed it." Poppy said happily as she parked the van.

Manu opened the back as Poppy came along side him, the two grabbing what they would need from the van. "Hey, um.." Manu started as he grabbed a wooden box that was in the back. "I wasn't going to do this now, but I was going through the last of mum's things and I found this." He opened the box to show something wrapped in bubblewrap. "I think she had it made before she passed."
Poppy unwrapped it to show a wooden figure that was carved like a goat with Poppy's name written on the base. Some tears shined in Poppy's eyes. "Aw." She said affectionatly, her voice thick with unshed tears. "It was her little joke. "Greatest of all time." G.O.A.T." Poppy said as she gently stroked the carving as she let out a small, laugh. Manu looked over at her. "Yeah. I don't think she was joking. They're gonna name you Team Capitan, Pops. This is your year." He told her, the girl looking at her brother. "Yours too." She told him. He gave a small chuckle before the did their little highfive that ended with their hands making a heart. He pulled her into a hug. "Love you, braddah." He told her.
"Braddah." She repeat with a small sniffle.

"I think I'll leave it in the car, though." Poppy said as she placed it back in the bubblewrap and into the box which was then pushed back further into a safe spot. "Yeah, good shout." Manu agreed the two acting like the previous heartfelt moment didn't happen as they gatherer their things. "Okay. Let's go, let's go!" Manu said before closing the back of the van, Manu also had Koda's board because he agreed to bring it for her since he knew what her family was like.

Koda was going in before Summer since the girl still wanted to surprise them and they all knew Koda was coming home that day. Ari couldn't wait to introduce her to Wren.

"It's a beautiful day here at the wave pool. A few of our young hopefuls getting in their last practice waves before the State Finals get underway." The announcer said over the loudspeakers. Try-outs were being held at Anchor Cove at the wave pool. "Make no mistake, in the junior ranks these are the best of the best." The water was crystal clear in the wave pool, one wave going at a time as everyone waited their turn to go. People cheering them on from the side. "No doubt some of these young hotshots will be the superstars of tomorrow."

Koda looked around in slight awe, also looking for people she knew that's when she spotted Manu and Marlon, a smile crossing her face as she approched, watching the two fool around.

"Okay, bro, let's forget about surfing for a sec." Manu said as him and Marlon highfived in greeting. Manu pretty much had a diffrent highfive for each person. "Teach me something you know, eh?" Manu finished as the two started play fighting. Marlon eventually getting him flipped over  his shoulder. But Manu grabbed him and flipped him as well, getting the boy into a head lock. "Hey. This is a good spot for you, bro. You gonna pull out the airs today?" He asked the boy. "You know I am, Coach." He replied, Manu laughing, patting his head before getting up, Marlon following suit.

"Wow, two tough guys." Koda said teasingly. Manu and Marlon both looked over. "Nemo!" Marlon said happily as he ran over to her, picking her up in a hug. He had one arm around her waist and the other hand was supporting under her leg. Koda laughed as she held onto her best friend. Manu walking over with a grin. "Hey kiddo." He teased as he ruffled her hair.

"When did you get back?" Marlon asked as he finally say her down. "Almost a hour ago, barely made it here. How is everything Mar?"
"There has been some...new developments." Marlon told her being vague, at her confused expression he gave her a charming smile and ruffled her hair. "I'll fill you in later, promise. Buut, you need to find Pops or she'll be mad I kept you here all to myself." Marlon joked as he pushed her slightly on her way.

Bodhi said bye to the girl she was talking to and walked up to Poppy, hugging the shorter girl happily. "How was your drive?"
"I am the Freeway Queen. Although Manu probably wouldn't agree, but. How are you feeling?" Poppy asked with a soft smile on her face which Bodhi gladly returned. "I'm so nervous I'm literally gonna vomit."
"Me too.' Poppy said with a laugh as they went in for another hug. "It's alright."

"PopPop, Sweets!" Koda called towards her two friends. Poppy's head whipping around as she let out a happy squeal. "Koko!" She yelled as she ran towards the girl, lunching herself into her arms. Koda catching her with a laugh, stumbling backwards but she didn't fall. "Oh I've missed you pop." Koda said as Bodhi wrapped her arms around the two, Bodhi being taller then both Poppy and Koda.

"You too Bo, I've missed my favorite influencer," Koda teased lightly as she leaned into her hug. Bodhi gave a small, happy laugh as as she held them close. "So how was America?" Poppy asked her. "It was good I guess, nice waves when I got away to surf." She replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

Audio feedback played over the loudspeakers making a horrendous noise. The three girls moving back from their hug, looking over as Poppy wrinkled her face up at the noise. "Attention, Poppy Tetanui and Bodhi Mercer,  your pizza is ready. I repeat your pizza is ready." Summer said over the loudspeakers, hidden behind a table,  a smile crossing Koda's face.  Poppy and Bodhi looked around in confusion as they shared a look. "Do you understand?" Bodhi asked Koda who just gave her her a cheeky smile and a small shrug.

"And, Marlon Sousa, could you please put on a shirt for once?" Summer added with a laugh. That made Manu laugh and hit Marlon's stomach. Koda bursting into a fit of laughter. "You heard em, Fishy!" She called over to the boy with a lopsided smirk, a soft yawn leaving her lips. "Ah shush Fenton, you know you like it." Marlon sent her a playful wink as she rolled her eyes laughing.

"Hey! I'll take that now, thanks." A member of the crew showed up, Summer passing him the mic. The brunette walked towards where Bodhi, Koda and Poppy where from behind the table.

"Summer?" Bodhi questioned as she looked over. "Summer?!" Poppy asked excitedly before giving a loud scream-shriek as she ran to Summer. "Yo!" Summer greeted with a laugh as she caught Poppy who jumped into a hug. "How could you not tell us?" Poppy asked as she let go and Bodhi went to hug summer. The three girls smiling widely. "I got you so good." Summer said with smile on her face.

Poppy whipped around to Koda. "Did you know?!?" The girl demanded with a smile. "Who do you think gave me a ride from the airport?" She giggled as Poppy gently pushed her shoulder with a disbelieving gasp.

Marlon was walking over to where the girls where. "America?" He said in some stun surprise. The two clasping hands before hugging. "Brazil! What's up?"
"Hey." Marlon laughed some as they hugged. "Could everyone clear the water, please?" The announcer called over the speakers. While Marlon was greeting Summer he had had a tendency to stand next to Koda, Marlon has taken on the role of big brother and protector.

The group turning some to see Ari coming out of the water, carrying his board. He slowed down his walk as he looked at her, surprise clear on his face. "Ooh.," Marlon whispered behind Summer. Koda glancing towards him with a arched eyebrow. The boy leaning towards her. "This is what I was going to fill you in on." He whisperer in her ear, the girl giving a confused nod.

Summer looked at Ari with a soft smile on her face. "Hey." Ari said with a confused smile on his face like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Hi." She replied with a dopey, love filled grin on her face. She started moving towrads him when a blonde girl ran past her and up to Ari, wrapping a towel around his shoulders. "Hey handsome." Wren said with a soft smile, pulling him into a kiss, Summer's smile fading when she saw that. "How was practice? Sorry i couldn't get away from the signing."

Koda's eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open slightly. She looked towards Poppy and Marlon. "It's a long story." Poppy said a bit awkwardly. Marlon giving a small nod. Koda felt bad for Summer, she didn't understand  how Ari had found her since she's been in America.

Ari stepped out of the water. "Um..Wren... this is Summer." He gestured with his board towards Summer who now stood a bit awkwardly. "Oh! Summer, hi. Oh, my God! Hi!" Wren went up and hugged the girl, Summer awkwardly hugging her back, Koda tensing up a bit just watching as she moved against Marlon's side. That's how Marlon knew when Ari introduced Koda hugging was off limits. "Yeah, I've heard so much about you." She told her as she returned to Ari's side. "And, Summer, this is Wren, my girlfriend." Ari introduced her with a smile.

"Uh, Ari! How could you not tell me she was coming?" Wren asked with a smile on her face.
"No, it's my bad. I, um..I was trying to surprise him." Summer said.  Poppy looked over at Marlon. "Mission accomplished." She said making the boy chuckle, Bodhi nudging her some like to show it wasn't funny. Koda cutting her eyes towards them.

"Wait...is that the menace of Shorehaven?" Ari asked glancing back towards where she was. Koda gave a half hearted smile. "The one and only." She replied. Wren sized her up slightly before noticing how she was with Marlon, assuming they were together. "Wren that's Koda. Poppy and Marlon's best mate and next big thing model." Ari told her, Wren shocked that Koda and Marlon where just friends.

Wren took took a step forward like she was going to hug Koda but Marlon held his hand up. "She doesn't like being touched unless she knows you well enough." That made the girl pause, confused but she moved back to Ari's side with a small nod. Koda was so thankful for friends like Marlon, who looked out for her and made sure she was comfortable.

"So, what are you doing here?' Ari asked as he looked back towrads Summer. "I'm actually here to try out." She told him. Poppy moved forward. "Shut up!" She said in surprise. "Wait, seriously?" Marlon asked making Summer looked towrads  him with a smile. It made Koda feel a bit better being as shocked as she was about Summer being a surfer now. "Yeah! I'm good now, guys. For real."
"Summer, you realise today is the finals, right?" Ari asked as he looked at her, the same dopey and confused smile remaining on his face, a smile that Koda thought was endearing though odd since he now had a girlfriend. Summer turned her attention back to him. "No, I know. I applied online for a wildcard spot. Sent some clips in. About to go check in with the selectors. Should be fine, they'll love me." Summer said with her usal confidence.

"Under 18's, this is your 15 minute warning." The announcer said over the loudspeakers. "Okay, you guys, this is happening. Good luck, everyone!" Wren said with a supportive smile on her face. Poppy, Bodhi and Marlon walked away to get ready, Koda being out led along with Marlon. Wren going on her toes to press a kiss to Ari's cheek, her hand cupping his other cheek as he turned to her with a smile on his face.

Wren then moved towards Summer, taking her hands. "You'll have to let us know how you go." The blonde said before walking away, leaving Summer and Ari alone. Summer looked up towards Ari who was still smiling. "You haven't changed." He told her. Summer gave him a smile, it wasn't entirely genuine. "Haven't I?"

Summer was in the girls locker room with Bodhi, Koda and Poppy. "One of you could have told me about Wren, by the way." Summer told them. Bodhi looking up at her from the bench she was sitting on. "Excuse me? We've barely heard from you in months." Poppy told her as she put her shirt into her bag. "And we do have our own lives." Bodhi added with a soft chuckle.
"Okay, fair." Summer smiled. Koda came out of the changing run with everything on. "Hey don't worry Sum, I didn't even know." She laughed.

"So, you're still into Ari?" Bodhi asked with a teasing smile on her face. Summer smiled a bit but tried to return to her normal look. "I think that's a yes." Poppy said, pointing at Summer's face. "Okay, okay, you got me. I was looking forward to seeing him. Whatever, I guess that ship's sailed." Summer told them. "Anyway, how about you guys? Spill." Summer asked, changing the subject away from her and Ari.

"Meh. The usual. Comps and training. But Bodhi's got someone on the go!" Poppy said with a teasing tone as she pushed Bodhi's shoulder making the taller girl smile a bit. "What?!?" Koda a looked in shock, so much seemed to happen since she left. "Word! Get ut, Bodhi! Tell me everything." Summer had turned towards Bodhi giving her, her attention.
"Yeah, maybe later." Bodhi said, trying to shrug it off and avoid talking about it.

"Can we talk about how you're apparently a surfer now?" Bodhi asked her with a grin.
"And if you wanted to try out, why'd you leave it so late?" Poppy added as Bodhi glanced towrads her. "I had no choice, I had exams. Plus you have no idea what it took to convince my mom to take time off. She's in the parking lot right now sending emails." Summer said, explaining how hard it was to make it to this comp.

"I thought all the surf beaches near you sucked." Koda said, recalling things Summer has told her. "No, they do. But I just kept going back. At first, it was to feel closer to you guys. But...after a while it turned into something else. I love it. I don't know how else to say it." Summer said with a wide smile on her face, the words she spoke were true now. She never thought she would be come a surfer after the summer she spent in Shorehaven. "Oh, that's so beautiful, Sum-Sum!" Poppy said dramatically and teasingly as she placed her hands over her hear. Bodhi hugging the girl around the waist.

A siren blared through the air. "Heat 1 competitors, please head to the pool." The announcer called. Bodhi stood up. "Alright. Gotta get out there." She said as she started towards the door. "Kill it, Bodes." Summer said lightly patting her shoulder. "You got this." Poppy encouraged.

Poppy looked towards Koda as it was her heat as well. "What's on your leg?" The girl questioned, voicing some concern seeing her friend trying to hide something. "Did Mich-"
"No." Koda said quickly cutting her off. "No, I'll tell everyone later." She promised as she started backing up to head to the pool. "Ok..you got this Kods." Poppy said with a slight frown tugging at her lips.

Once Koda was out of the room and probably by the pool Summer moved closer to Poppy. "You think her stepdad would do something that she would have to hide?" She asked in a whispered voice. Poppy frowned even more as she gave a simple nod of her head. "It wouldn't be the first time." It wasn't a secret amongst the small friend group so Summer would learn sooner or later and they learned that Koda hates talking about it so she would rather one of them fill Summer in.