Koda wasn't a fan the attention she was getting from her friends just because Baxter was giving her attention. Koda felt awkward by the accusations that where thrown her way by being so close to the pink haired boy.

Could summer and Poppy be right, was Baxter really into her? Did he truly look at her in someway that those around saw something that she was failing to take note of.

First was the guys. The first wave of that day was Baxter's, the boy moving swiftly to catch it. Koda pulling herself from her thoughts to give a sportive clap. Once he was up he started off with a top turn. "Heat one of the under eighteen boys and we are frothing!" The announcer said over the loudspeakers. Baxter pulling off a very impressive air reverse. Marlon and Griff still waiting for a wave.

"Come on Mars.."  Koda whispered as she crossed her arms, Poppy and Summer still close to her side. Poppy looked towards her before back out at the waves. She knew Koda and Marlon where in the same situation, subs who are longing for the chance to show that they are more then that.

"Levins, in yellow, the charger from Cronulla finds his line. Oh! How is this kid still getting better?!" The announcer asked as Levins did a perfect top turn. The crowd cheering for the boy.

Baxter found another opportunity, paddling forward. "And Bax Radic wants a piece of the action. Big lay back snap!" The announcer praised the maneuver he pulled off. "Sousa and Temple just being outgunned right now. Levins and Radic through to the quarters..but it's still close."

"Come on boys!" Koda shouted, hands cupped around her mouth to project the words. While she was cheering for team Victoria, she mostly cheered for Baxter and Marlon. She paced slightly as she chewed her nail, she was aware that Baxter was safe but Marlon wasn't able to catch much out there.

"Well, a bunch of new swimwear's just come through, so I'm pitching a few up-and-comers for a Byron shoot." Molly from Subtropix told Bodhi. "I'm think you, Koda, Poppy maybe--" a huge smile crossed Bodhi's face. "Are you kidding? That sounds incredible. I'd love to get some action shots for my socials."
"Action shots?" The woman asked with some confusion in her voice.

"I made the State team, obviously, and I've been working on more explosive manoeuvres." Bodhi explained, her smile slowly starting to fade. "Uh... look if you're wanting us to pivot and push you as more of a performance surfer, that means better results in comps like this." That returned the smile to Bodhi's face that she wasn't being instantly shut down.  "I know. And that's why I've been putting the work in. I promise the results will follow."

"Our local boys really feeling the squeeze today. Couple of minutes left in this heat. Tommy Ahmed really needs a complete ride." The announcer said, Ahmed finally getting to his feet on a wave. "And yellow up. Needs a big score here. Oh! But it won't be that one!" Ahmed did a great top turn before wiping out.

Koda looked distressed so she turned away from the water, she walked more inland and stood by Summer, leaning back against the railing. "It's hard to watch." She said with a sigh at Griff, Marlon and Tommy's performance as each tried but didn't succeed the way Baxter did. Summer nods her head in understanding, patting the top of her head. "It's just the first heat, things will get better." She said, doing her best to comfort the slightly younger girl. "I hope so " Koda sighed softly at that.

"Look, the issue is, mate, Blu Gravity already has a pretty stacked roster in Victoria." The sponsor told Ari who stood by Wren. 'Yeah. Yeah,  no. Uh..fair enough." Ari replied, he was a chill guy not one for arguing but it also made him easy to walk over.

Wren stepped into the conversation. "Loopy. Come on. Are you seriously gonna risk losing Ari to another sponsor? I mean, out of the guys he's the best junior surfer in the state. And he's about to blow Nationals wide open." She told the woman, Loopy, to defend her boyfriend. Loopy looked at him. "He is getting some pretty good PR."

Baxter was walking out of the water, seeing where Summer and Koda was. The pink haired boy smiled as he walked towrads them, jumping to sit on the railing by the two girls. "Goldielocks gave you a surfer session, did he?" Baxter asked Summer the two facing opposite directions, him and Koda stared the same direction, towrads the water. "Mm-hm." Was her simply hummed reply. "The thing is, though, you know, when you're out there waiting for the "right wave", was it? Yeah, the other girls, they start putting up scores. Crikey, that was a seven points ride for green! What a charger!" Baxter said dramatically as he stood up. A soft chuckle leaving Koda's lips at him.

"They're all over you. They're hassling you." He said as he jumped the raining to be on the beach side, Summer stood up as well, her hand closing around Koda's wrist to bring her with her, going to walk to the others but he guarded the two of them like you would in basketball. "They're protecting their lead. They're putting the pressure on. Try picking the right wave then, Torres."

Summer looked up at him with confidence. "You're mistaking me for someone who feels pressure." She said smoothly, the girls bravery never cracking once. Koda wished to have her courage. Koda has never understood how she was so calm under any sort of pressure.

"Right. Even though you'll be shipped back to the States if you lose? I mean, and your first heat is literally impossible." He said, grabbing Summer's board and tipping it down. Koda's eyes widening as she looked towards Summer, unaware that was what would happen if Summer failed to pull though with this. "I mean, my younger sister, that freak from WA..At least let me loan you a decent board."

Summer moved to grab the board from him. "I didn't think accept gifts from questionable men." She said with a faint smile on her face. Koda turned her face towards Summer with a smile before looking towards Baxter. "Yes be gone questionable man." She spoke dramatically. "Come on. Don't be a Anti-Baxxer." He told her as he stepped forward, a slight smile curling his lips. Summer looked at him, gently brushing his chin with her thumb and forefinger as she walked past him. "Hilarious." Baxter glanced at her as she walked away.

His gaze soon returning to Koda, his hands going to the railing on either side of her, caging her in. She froze slightly as she looked up, his gaze intense in her own. "What are you doing?" Koda asked curiously, trying to keep the nerve edge out of her voice. "Admiring a beautiful girl." He said without a hint of uncertainty in his voice, bring the blush to her face.

"Then you must be looking the wrong way." Her voice came out as a pathetic squeak as she tried to remain calm, her heart beating fiercely in her chest. A sympathetic look entered Baxter's eyes as his hands moved to hold her arms. "I'm not sure what you think about yourself Little bear but I think you are beautiful and funny and one hell of a surfer. You need to believe in yourself mate." He gently caressed her cheek, tucking hair back behind her hair.

"O-oh...um look Poppy is out there!" She said quickly as she ducked under his arm and hurried to look out at the water. Baxter looked over at her retreating form, not being able to help the smile that crossed his face at the adorablness that was a flustered Koda.

The girls were out in the water, Poppy popping up to catch one but the wave wasn't quite right. "Had to be said, Tetanui seems distracted out there. Wasting time on average waves." The announcer said before Poppy finally got one, pulling off a top turn but unfortunately the wave fell out, not being what she hoped. Koda frowned some as she heard that, her eyes soft hit her face remained red. The words Baxter spoke on a loop inside her mind. "And forced to bail out as that wave peters out. She'll need more than that as blue just attacks the face, looking to expand her big lead." The announcer said as one of the other girls caught a wave.

The sirens sounded, calling the end of the heat. "The shredder from Coffs wins the heat. Heggarty second. But another Victorian surfer eliminated from the draw as Tetanui falls short."

Poppy passed her board off to Manu as she crouched down, putting her head in her hands, Koda wasting no time in getting to her side, wrapping her arms around Poppy. "You did amazing Pop." She said comfortingly.

"Hey. Shake it off. We'll go over the tape later, alright? Debrief." Manu told her as she stood back up, storming over towards the tent where Marlon stood, strumming his guitar and singing softly. Koda watching after her, a small frown on her face at how upset Poppy seemed by this. Manu and the girl shared a look before he nods his head towrads her. Koda moving slowly towards the tent.

Poppy then walked over to him. "You know, it wasn't fair, you dumping all that stuff on me earlier. You distracted me when I really needed to focus." She scolded him. Marlon looked at her calmly. "Or maybe you lost cause you were trying too hard to focus." He countered simply.

That caught Koda's attention, wondering what she meant by that. What could Marlon possibly say to Poppy that would hurt her? They were all supposed to be best friends...what happening?

"That makes no sense." Poppy said as she planted her hands on her hips. "You know what makes sense, Poppy? É como se não houvesse vida fora do surf para você. Você é muito mais que troféus e competições. Você é forte, engraçado, lindo e apaixonado. É por isso que quero estar com você, ¿entendeu?" He said with a smile on his face. Koda's eyes widened at those words, Baxter was watching her from the tent...wondering what was said that was so sweet to make her look like she looked at the waves..a way Bax wished she would look at him.

Poppy's face didn't change as she looked at him. "I don't know what you just said." Marlon looked at her, holding his ukulele in both hands now. "I said you're amazing. And I'm pretty cool too." He said as he started to strum the ukulele again. Poppy storming away from him.

Koda walked up to Marlon, a expecting look on her face. "Well?" She asked practically giddy with excitement. "Well what?" Marlon asked her with a slight smile on his lips. "You can't say something that sweet then not act on it! Come on Marz. Are you into her?"
"Are you into Bax?" He fired back to avoid the question.

A scarlet hue covered her face. "We are not talking about me." She told him sternly, pointing her finger at him. Marlon went back to strumming the ukulele. "You aren't but I am. Just be careful Shark bait, I don't want to see you hurt," Koda placed her hand on his arm. "You too fishy." 

"Sun is shining again as we get into the final few opening heats. There's a big field of young competitors to get through. Just goes to show the amazing depth of talent in the junior ranks these days." The announcer was saying.

Bodhi was looking over at Tuscany as she waxed her board, a smile on her face. "Cute girl, but I'd be careful around that one." Elo told her, catching Bodhi's attention. Wren standing by. "Elo, she doesn't need to hear that now." Koda narrowed her eyes as she moved closer to hear. She didn't trust the two Radic siblings so she was skeptical of what they had to say.

Bodhi looked up at the two girls. "Hear what?" She asked curiously. "Uh...we were pretty tight back in Queensland when we were on the team together-  Tuscany and me." Wren started, a unsure look crossing Bodhi's face as she looked back towards Tuscany. "Until I heard her talking about Wren behind her back, and it was really nasty stuff." Elo added in.

"Yeah, and when I confronted her about it, she just cut me off. We went from talking every day to pretty much...nothing. Just like that." Wren told Bodhi. Tuscany looking towards them, any trace of a smile leaving her face seeing how Bodhi looked with Wren and Elo talking to her. "Look, Bodes. I just don't want you to get hurt like I did, okay?"

"And she's as tricky competitor too. So just ignore whatever she's doing out there and stick to your strategy. Yeah?" Elo pointed towards the water as she talked. Bodhi having a sad and worried look on her face as she looked back towards the blonde girl. Koda waited for Elo and Wren to walk away. "Don't listen to them Bo, if she treats you right then that's all that matters." She whispered softly, Bodhi now looking towards her with a small smile but no look of comfort in her eyes. The siren blared, people clapping at the announcing start up.

"Bray making a statement here. Already two scores over a seven and here she goes again!" The announcer said enthusiastically as Tuscany pulled off sharp, clean moves.

"Come on Bodes!" Summer called as she looked towards the water. Bodhi paddling out to find the right wave. "Bodhi Mercer has shown potential this season, but a finals berth would really put her in the conversation." Bodhi sat up on  her board, hands trailing in the water. Tuscany paddling up beside her, the two sharing a brief glance. "10 minutes to go now in this heat. Bray on a combined score 14.8" Koda was watching as she gave a clap for Bodhi.

Ari was crouched in front of Wren, checking on her ankle. "Is this okay?" He asked moving her ankle. Wren sat forward. "That's sweet, but, um...you don't have to worry about it more really." She told him, Summer looking over and rolling her eyes. "Wren, it just looked really painful this morning. I don't know if it's worth the risk."

A small smile crossed Summer's face as a idea popped into her head. She walked over to where Ari and Wren where, her hand going to Koda's to bring her partner partnering crime along. "Ari, if she wants to compete, let her compete. People surf on injuries all the time, right?" Summer asked, catching Elo's attention  who was working the camera, Baxter standing beside her.

"What are you guys talking about?" Elo asked confused, Summer looking towards their couch. "Oh, I'm just saying, Wren's really tough. She was limping like crazy earlier and now she wants to get out there." Koda told Elo, who started walking over, arms crossed. Baxter walking to the camera now and Koda now walking towards Baxter to be away from the drama.

Wren looked over at Koda, who was no longer paying them any attention. "I wasn't limping." She said dismissivly. "Wren come on," Ari looked at her like she was crazy. "It's just sore, that's all." Wren tried to argue that she was fine. "What, so now it's sore? I thought you said that it was getting better." Elo asked with crossed arms.

Koda stood by Baxter, the boy stepping to the side to so she could look through the lens and help get good angles. He moved to stand behind her now, head resting on her shoulder to look at the screen.

Summer knelt down in front of Wren, doing a absolutely wonderful job at faking sympathy. "Just please don't mess yourself up before Nationals. You're the best surfer on the team, Cap. We need you ripping." Summer said with a smile. If looks could kill the one Wren shot to Summer would be lethal.

"Alright, Wren, well, let's talk about this. Summer's right - this comp isn't worth blowing out your ankle. Okay." Elo crouched in front of Wren, holding her ankle to see how back it was.

Summer looked pleased with herself as Margot walked up. "Hey. Sorry. Take one trip and the job offers keep rolling in, apparently. What did I miss?" She asked finally taking her eyes off her phone. "Nothing. Just getting in the zone." Summer gave her mom a smile.

Tuscany and Bodhi both turned to take this wave. "Mercer turns and chases Bray. They both like the look of this one. Mercer gets there first! But no! It's a closeout!" The announcer said, as soon as Bodhi stood the wave faded out. "Bray laid the train and Mercer fell right into it."

Koda frowned and Baxter noticed it from the corner of his eye. "It's okay.,I'm sure she'll be awesome in her next heat." He spoke softly into her ear, worries fled from her mind as now she just thought of how close her was to her. She turned to look at him, her face mere centimeters apart as he looked towards her as well.

She felt her eyes drifting towards his lips that were crooked up in his permanent smirk, a feature that rested nicely on his face. He noticed the way she looked but he made no move on it, he didn't want to ruin the friendship that was forming if she was just glancing down due to the awkwardness of meeting his eyes.

The heat came to a end, Bodhi and Tuscany leaving the water. Tuscany being the first one out. Bodhi had a annoyed look on her face as she walked. She cleared that look up as she ran up to Tuscany, a smile on her face. "So you could've given me a win in front of my sponsors. After your inspirational chat."

Tuscany looked at Bodhi for a moment. "Yeah. Sorry about that." She spoke plainly, not a trace of a smile on her face. She went to walk away when Bodhi spoke again. "Uh, anyway...might have a photo shoot up your way in a week or so. Maybe we could catch up again, if you're around?" She offered, looking hopefully at Tuscany. "Uh..the thing is, I have a girlfriend back home."

Bodhi's face fell as she looked at her. "Oh." She managed out. "I'm really sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. But let's keep in touch." Tuscany said before walking away. A distraught look on Bodhi's face as she tried to process what happened.

"Final heat of the first round coming up, folks. We've had a late replacement for Wren Radic who's had to pull out due to injury." Summer grabbed her board and raced towards the water after the others. Koda stayed standing near Baxter but also added a small distance between them, clapping happily for her friend.

Summer turned, going to try and catch the wave that was coming, but one of the other girls got to it first. "Gotta be a seven point ride at least for Klasky from WA. Just getting it done out there!" Summer moved to catch the next but it fell through. "But Torres let down by her wave selection so far. Only a low five on the board."

The Shorehaven crew was walking anxiously from the beach. "Uh...next week in  Seattle? Well, I mean, it's possible. What's the assignment?" Margot said across the phone. Ari looking  over at her with disbelief that she had so little faith in her daughter. His eyes going towards Koda who looked at the woman with disappointment as well, the girl locking eyes wire Ari and just giving the smallest shrug of her shoulders.

"Finally a juicy slab comes for Summer Torres!" That made Ari's attention go back to the girl in the water, clapping for her. "Big open face here. Torres looks hungry." Summer went to do a top turn but fell from her board, disappearing into the wave.

The moment of pure fear crossed Koda's face as the image if being jerked under water by the shark flashed across her mind, she didn't realize that she took a nervous step towards the water.

Wren looked towards Baxter with a large smile, the boy not meeting her eyes with guilt, not only for what he did to Summer but seeing the look on Koda's face, seeing the fear hurt so much worse. Margot moved her phone away from her ear as she waited to see her come back above the waters surface.

Summer finally came back up, gasping slightly. "Torres checking her board here. Looks like there's a problem." Summer started to paddle back in. A worried expression crossing Ari's face.

Koda crouched down, placing her head into her hands as she let out a shaky breath. She had the palms of her heels pressed harshly against her eyes as she tried to relax.

"See? The fins came off. Now..don't ask me to do anything else." Baxter said as he glanced at Wren who was watching Summer happily. "I won't. Probably." With a roll of his eyes Baxter moved away from Wren and closer to Koda.

He knelt down in front of her. "Kods..Little bear?" He spoke softly until she looked up at him. "Hmm?" She asked, not speaking. Baxter gently brushed his hand along her jaw. "Summer's okay. No need to worry." He said reassuringly. "Yeah I know that..it just, it spooked me I guess." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Torres forced to come in. This is gonna waste crucial minutes." With that Ari raced towards the tent. "Quick, Poppy! Grab her board! I'll get my kit!" He shouted to the girl as he ran past. Margot lifted the phone back up. "Yeah, I'm here."

People were cheering her on as she ran towards the tent. Koda looking away from Baxter and towards her friends. "Pops! I need my fins." Summer said as Poppy ran to meet her. "No, don't worry, I got this. We'll fix it." Poppy told her surely, once the ankle band came off she raced towards Ari.

"Seattle in a week, fully functioning? Yeah. It'll have to be business class." Margot said, Summer turning towards her before quickly going over. "Hey, Margot!" She called, catching Margot's atrention. "Um, Flo, can I call you back?" She hung up the phone as Summer reached her.

"I'm confused.  How can you be in Seattle next week and also here in Shorehaven?" Summer asked her. Margot looking at her. "Because I need to keep employers on the hook."

"I can't believe this! I'm out there busting my ass and you're basically on a plane already!  You have no faith in me. You're creating this whole plan and not being straight about it." Margot scoffed at that, not noticing the camera crew coming closer. "I flew you halfway across the world! You talk this big game about commenting to surfing, but here you are arguing with me."

"Well if I have any  problems with commitment, I learned from the best." Summer shot back. "That's a bit rich." Margot rolled her eyes.
"Torres is either very confident or seriously distracted here." The announcer said.

"You are unbelievable." Margot turned her eyes away. "Let's be real here. From the moment we got here, mom, you've been looking for an excuse to leave."

"Yeah because Shorehaven doesn't have the happiest memories for me. Our lives are in New York. Do you mind?" Margot finally noticed the camera pointing towards them. "Ma. For the first time in my life I gave found something that keeps me up at night and gets me out of bed in the morning. Something that I want to take as far as I can go. And, dummy, it's all because of you."

Margot glanced away briefly, some tears in her eyes before her face returned to her daughter. "I'm never going back." Summer said confidently. "Great." Margot said sarcastically, trying her best not to cry.

Koda watched her with a soft smile on her face, the tender love that was shown between mother and daughter made her long for that sort of relationship but she knew that would be impossible from her family.

Baxter's eyes flickered between Koda and the Torres family.  His arm gently loop on around her and pulling her to his side. Koda didn't struggle as she just leaned in to him. Maybe Koda could have such a tender sort of love but not from her family....

"Summer!" Poppy called as she ran towards the girl. Summer turned to meet her. "You have seven minutes." Summer grabbed the board from her as Poppy wrapped the ankle band round her ankle. "You got this." Poppy patted her back before summer took off towards the water. "Go summy!" Koda cheered careingly from Baxter's side.

Summer paused briefly to look at the camera. "And PS, I'm in the market for a new board. So, to all the sponsors out there..your ad here." She pointed to the bottom of her board with a smile before continuing her way to the water.

"Only a couple minutes to go. This is the point where some people would give up." The announcer said as Summer reaches the other surfers. "I'm back. You miss me?" She asked with a cheeky grin.

"All the right moves from green on this one! Snap, crackle, pop!" The announcer laughed lightly in awe as the competitor pulled off some serious moves. "Seconds left on the clock. Torres needs am eight or better to have any hope of advancing."

Koda and Baxter both got to their feet but neither straying from the others side in this moment, just wanting to be near each other.

Summer started to paddle at this wave, none of the other girls moving. "Torres with priority. Pretty good wave here. Oh, and she let's it go!" Summer stopped right as she reached the top of the wave. Poppy looked up at Ari confused, the boy wearing a smile. "She's waiting." He said simply. "That's my girl." Koda said with a small bounce in her heels, making Baxter laugh softly.

"But wait, looks like she wanted the one behind. Awesome cutback there! Big snap! Goes up for the floater...and sticks the landing!" The crowd cheered,  Baxter wearing a stunned smile. The siren sounded, signaling the end. "And that's an 8.2 for Torres. And she scrapes through! Talk about down to the wire!"

"Oh my God!" Ari cheered a he stumbled back, hitting Marlon's chest in shock. Poppy running and jumping into a hug with Bodhi.

"Nice, Torres." Baxter said in approval, Koda laughing excitedly as she hugged Baxter tightly. The boy picking her up into his arms as he smiled.

Summer stood with Bodhi, Poppy and Ari. The two girls hugging her. "That was crazy! You actually waited!" Ari said stunned. "Yeah. You both should take the credit, really." Summer said, Koda breaking away from Baxter, his hands trailing along her waist as she moved towards her friends.
"Well I think I deserveit." Ari joked.

"That was awesome Sum!" She cheered, hugging her friend tightly. Summer hugging her back tightly,Koda's head laying on her shoulder. "Thank you Hawaii." She said happily.

"Margot. Hi Molly Novak from Subtropix.  I--huge fan. I see where Summer bets her talent from. And her personality." Molly said, a bit rambly as she spoke. "Hmm. I guess she has to get them from somewhere." Margot replied.

"Summer!" Molly called the girl over. "Go on." Koda pushed her towrads Molly. "Good job in that first heat today." Summer walked over with a huge smile on her face. "Thanks."

"I know you're looking for a sponsor. Is there any intrest in joining our shoot in Byron Bay next week?" Molly asked, Wren listening in behind them. Summer grinned and looked towrads Ari who smiled at her. "No way." He said with a slight laugh.

"A lot, Molly. A lot of interest." Summer said enthusiastically making Molly laugh softly. "Uh..well, I can't really say no." Margot said with a slight smile. "Cool! Well, you'll round out my Victorian posse. So Bodhi, Poppy, Koda and, of course, our Queensland hotshot. Wren and Koda have both done a bunch of shoots for us already," She said looking at Wren, making her walk over.

Koda heard her name in the conversation and walked over to hear more of what was going on. Her intrest captured.

"You'll take Summer under your wing, won't you?" Molly looked over at Wren, the girl smiling. "Of course. Can't wait." From the drink area behind them where Wren  previously was Baxter was looking over, his eyes going towards Koda who seemed thrilled for Summer to be joining them. 

Marlon moved up to Baxter, noticing the intrest him and Koda have been showing each other. "You realize you're falling in love with a shooting star right? Yeah she burns brightly and beautifully but she burns fast then other stars, she will just end up burning herself out."

Baxter had to pause for a moment, realizing that he truly was starting to fall for Koda, after such a brief amount of time he couldn't deny he had affections for her, but was it possibly love?

A soft smile filled his face. Just seeing her smile improved his mood, he wanted to be near her, to hear her laugh, feel her touch. So yeah, maybe that was love.