"So how did it go, did he make you eat it?"

"What? No." I frowned. I had returned downstairs in a daze, forgetting about Kai and Uncle Alvaro.

"You okay sweetheart?" Uncle Alvaro said, giving me a look of concern.

I shook my head. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." I said, although I couldn't stop thinking about the moment I had just shared with Enea before coming downstairs.

"Okay Uncle Alvaro, are we closing down the shop for the day or what?" Speaking of the devil, shortly after myself, Enea was seen coming down the stairs, surfboard in his hands. Leaning it against the wall he awaited an answer.

"Close down the shop, for what?" His uncle frowned.

"What do you mean for what, aren't you coming to watch me surf?"

"Son, the whole town will be crawling with one of you's, I better stay open in case one of them wants me to tend their boards."

"Or buy bait!" Kai second as he stood inspecting a jar of worms.

"Exactly!" Uncle Alvaro nodded.

"Maybe we could take turns tending the shop!" I budged in. It felt like I was the only one who noticed Enea's fading gaze.

"What?" Kai and Uncle Alvaro said simultaneously, looking my way. Even Enea looked at me with a slightly startled gaze.

"....Like in between heats, I mean." I spoke timidly. "Then we could all watch the competition."

Uncle Alvaro looked to entertain the idea, pondering my question. "I guess I could close down just before lunch time." He shrugged.

"And Kai and I will help open up just after the first heat, whilst we do that, you could watch Enea surf."

"What about me?" Cried Kai. "I also want to watch Enea surf."

"Fine." I sighed. "Then I'll tend the shop until both of you get back."

"What about Öncu?" Said Enea from where he stood observing me, his arms folded.

"What about him?" I said, steady. However Enea's piercing gaze made it hard for me.

"Won't he miss you?" He smiled.

"I'll only miss one heat. We all will if we take turns."

"So you won't see me surf?"

"Not unless you get to the finals. So get to the finals." I smiled.

"Alright." He nods approvingly, perhaps slightly impressed. "Sounds like a solid plan. Uncle Alvaro will take the first shift, then Ellie and then me and Kai."

"You and Kai?" I frowned. "How could you possibly compete and work at the same time?"

"Yeah Enea, I'm with Ellie on this one, you oughta be focusing out there, not to worry about tending the shop." Said Uncle Alvaro.

"Maybe by then mom and dad will be back!" Kai gasped. "Maybe they could help. Then we could all watch the finals."

"I'll give them a call." I said, distancing myself. Perhaps I should give Deniz a call as well and tell him about the change of plans. Hopefully he will be okay with it.

*****

Upon Deniz' arrival I was nervous about what he would say. I had sent him a text about the change of plans, however he had failed to reply.

"There he is. Deniz, over here!"

"Kai." I cried embarrassed. "No need to call him over, I'm sure he can see us."

Like the rest of the crowd we stood gathered on the beach, trying to keep an eye on the small dots out in the water. The surfers. Enea had yet gone out. He still stood by where the ocean met the sand, his surfboard tucked underneath his arm and his gaze overlooking the calm waters.

"What's he waiting for?" I muttered to myself.

"The perfect wave." A voice spoke behind me. Turning around I am met by Deniz' brimming smile. "They say Bastanini can spot a good wave from miles away, he doesn't even have to be in the water in order to do so."

"Really?" I said, slightly impressed by the fact.

"I got your text." Said Deniz', his smile fading. "I must admit that I don't quite get it. Does this mean that you won't be able to watch the competition with me?"

"No, not at all." I said, vigorously shaking my head. "It's just that I am to relieve Enea's uncle from his shift so that he can come and watch as well."

"Oh, I see." Deniz nods. "How nice of you "

"Thanks" I chuckled.

"And then you'll be back?" He said, cheeks red.

"And then I'll be back." I said, bumping my elbow into his side.

"Look!" Kai shouts. "He's going out." He said, pointing to Enea who was now seen sprinting towards the water. The crowd around us began to cheer.

"He must have sighted a good wave." Deniz said excitedly.

"Where?" I wondered. "There's hardly any waves coming in."

"Just wait and see."

Enea paddled out to join the other surfers but instead of aligning with them he just kept on paddling.

"Where's he going?" Asked Kai.

"That's pretty far out for a wave." Deniz agreed.

"What's happening? What did I miss?" Uncle Alvaro came running, having temporarily closed down the shop, just in time to see Enea surf.

"Enea has just gone out." I recite. "But we're not sure why he has gone out so far, further than the other surfers."

"I'll be damned." Uncle Alvaro whistled "He senses a big one."

"Look!" Kai points. Just then, almost out of nowhere, a giant wave rose from the previously calm waters. Enea looked to disappear and for a second he was really out of sight.

"Is he...did he..." My heart beats tightly in my chest.

"There he is!" Uncle Alvaro shouts. The crowd goes wild when Enea reappears, this time riding the wave. His body shifts to the side, left and right and smoothly the board caresses the surface of the wave.

"Look at him go!" Deniz shouts. Although I am on the verge of tears, I couldn't be happier, more exhilarated watching Enea surf.

"That's got to be a ten out of ten." Said Kai.

Deniz looks to the judges table. "Look, eight point five. That will forsure qualify him for the next round.

"Alright!" Kai jumps.

There is a tap on my shoulder, Uncle Alvaro leans in. "You best get to opening up the shop, people will be crawling the streets during lunchtime."

"Okay." I nod but pause mid step. "Someone has got to look after Kai."

"I got him." Said Deniz.

"Deniz, you don't have...."

"I want to." He said assuringly. "We'll just go get something to eat, right buddy?"

"I want to go to Enea." Kai said, overlooking the swarm of people on the beach who had gone to congratulate Enea on his very successful first heat.

"Enea is a busy son." Uncle Alvaro said, throwing a consoling hand over Kai's shoulder. "He will join us once he gets a chance to. Now let's get some lunch. I'm starving." He said shuffling both Deniz and Kai towards a food truck. "Ellie there is some leftover egg salad in the fridge if you like."

"Gee thanks."

"Just don't mistake it for the can of bait I also keep in there." He winks.

"I'll keep that in mind." I nod, I guess that means no lunch for me, there is no way I'm risking eating worms again, not after the close call I had this morning.