C H A P T E R   O N E
a not so perfect day

groundswell:
waves generated by offshore storms- powerful.

I woke up Monday morning with the sun shining in my face. My alarm clock was blaring beside me as I flung my hand down on the table in an attempt to find the snooze button. After failing to find the button for a solid minute I turned on my side towards my bedside table.

I successfully turned off the annoyance, but in the process a photograph of ten year old Crystal and I caught my attention. My hair was tied into a French braid as Crystals was tied into a ponytail which sat on top of her head. We both looked so happy, our boards in hand as we were pointing to a large wave out on the horizon.

After Crystals death I gave up surfing and locked myself in my room for days. If Crystal didn't get to surf anymore I wouldn't either. My parents were concerned with me and complained how I was throwing everything I worked for away; my scholarship, academics, my life as I knew it, but I didn't care. It was because of something that I once loved that I lost someone so important to me.

I felt tears forming in my eyes as I quickly adverted my eyes away from the picture and reached for my phone instead. I clicked the power button as my phone flashed to life. 8:27 the time read as I groaned throwing my head back against the pillows.

Slowly, I slipped one leg then the other out of my blankets and onto the cool hardwood floor which coated the floor of my room. The rest of the blankets gathered at my hips as I sat up doing a quick stretch as I let out a loud yawn before reaching for my purple earbuds that were laying on the ground. I placed them in my ears turning up the music drowning out all of the outside sound.

I made my way downstairs to the kitchen where my mother was typing away on her laptop. I popped out one of my ear buds. "Morning mom" I said as she gave me a small wave signalling she was busy and could not be disturbed. I placed a k-cup into the kurig before placing my Starbucks mug underneath it.

As the coffee was brewing I grabbed the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and poured it into a bowl along with some milk. I then grabbed my freshly brewed cup of coffee and cereal before making my way out the back door and to the small patio we had set up on the deck.

I was sipping my coffee and watching the waves roar up onto the shore as my phone let out a loud ping. I grabbed my phone off of the wooden table and read the text message that appeared on my lock screen.

Jessa has called in sick today. would you be willing to pick up her shift at the diner? from 12-6?

I groan before sending back yes as my response. I was in need of some money, I had to start saving up for college. Most people asked me why I even had a job. Sure my mother had a lot of money from working at a popular law firm but I wanted to accomplish something on my own instead of getting my mother to pay for everything of mine.

I continued to watch the waves and enjoy my breakfast. The hot California sun battered down on my bare shoulders as a gentle breeze was rustling the leaves in a nearby bush. The smell of salt mixed with flowers filled the air as I leaned back in my seat never getting sick of the view in front of me.

Taking another sip of my coffee I heard the squeaking of the front door opening and the closing as my mother stood directly in the way of the sun. She motioned for me to remove my earbuds as I complied.

"Ainsley." She started he voice was quieter then normal. She looked exhausted. Bags were forming underneath her eyes, her hair was no longer in her neat bun but was instead sprawled all over her face and replacing her business suit she wore a pair of checkered pyjamas. "I hope that you will not need me today. I have been working hard on a new case and I was just going to take the day off to sleep. Is that okay?"

"Of course." I said as a smile was placed on her face. "I got called in to work at joeys so I will be out of the house and you can enjoy some peace and quiet."

"Thank you so much dear." She said wrapping her arms around my body. " I don't know what I would do without you." I looked up at her face. She was smiling as she retracted her arms and began walking back inside. "Wake me up when you get home." She said before ascending up the hardwood stair case.

I sat outside for another hour working on my tan and enjoying the humid Florida day. The beach behind my house had a steady flow of people walking by it as kids were running threw the water and down the beaches. Fishermen and other small boats littered the horizon while the sun was rising over the teal blue waters.

The clock on my phone said that it was 10:12 so I decided that it was time to head inside. Gathering up all of my dishes I walked through the glass door and was greeted with cold air conditioning. I threw my dishes into the dishwasher, before grabbing an apple and heading upstairs to my room.

I sat on my bed munching away at my apple as I decided on what to do this evening. Miranda, a close friend of mine, was throwing a bonfire party down near the pier and wanted me to go along with her. I was never one for parties but I considered making an appearance to kick off my summer.

Once I had finished my apple I decided on taking a nice cold shower before work. I got undressed and hopped into my bathroom lathering my body up with some Hawaiian coconut shampoo and some island margarita body wash.

I was only in the shower for fifteen minutes before I figured that it was time to get out. I wrapped a towel around my body and threw my hair up into a bun before walking out of the bathroom and back into my bedroom.

Searching through my closet for a couple of minutes I had finally managed to find my work uniform. I grabbed it placing it on my bed after changing into a pair of sport shorts and a tank top.

I walked back into the bathroom and took in my appearance while looking in the mirror. My tanned face was dusted with faint freckles and my bright blue eyes stood out against my skin. I opted for minimal makeup today because it was extremely hot outside. I applied a couple coats of mascara and a sweep of foundation over my face before working on my disaster that I called hair.

I took it out of the bun allowing it to fall freely over my shoulders. I took a comb and some beach waves spray. My hair was naturally wavy the way it was but adding the spray helped control the amount of frizz that is present. I brushed through my hair removing all of the knots possible before tying it back into one French braid.

Looking at the time I realized that I had thirty minutes to get to work so I packed up my purse and work bag before heading out. I quietly walked down the stairs slipping on my sandals before taking a granola bar for the road. Once I was ready I grabbed my car keys off of the ledge locking the door as I left.

I got into my white jeep starting up the air conditioning as soon as I got inside. I had the music playing some country music as I drove down the roads to get to downtown Chancier. The drive was only fifteen minutes but since the weather was so nice is added some unexpected traffic heading towards the beaches.

Our town was small, nestled away from the hustle of the big cities. However, during the warm months Chancier came to life as people flocked in from all over to take advantage of our beaches and beach town atmosphere.

Thankfully I arrived on time as I walked into the small restaurant which was situated beach front. I snuck into the back office and changed into my bright blue short shorts and back tank top. My name Ainsley was printed onto a small surfboard name tag which was fastened to the shirt.

I walked out of the room after looking myself over once more in the large mirror in the corner of the room. Appearance meant a lot at work which I wasn't a huge fan of. The uniforms were skimpy which drew the attention of men shooting glances our way and making lewd comments which you had to respond to with a smile. The only benefit was they often tipped well.

The restaurant was nothing special. Surf memorabilia and other things unique to the town of Chancier hung on the walls and were found on most of the tables around the space.

"Ainsley." The manager said acknowledging my presence. "Table thirteen over there is calling your name." he said pointing off into the direction of the table in the back of the restaurant.

I nodded reaching for my pen and paper as putting a fake smile on my face as I approached the table. A guy around my age sitting in the booth looking out at the beach. His dirty blonde hair framed his face and was astray due to the summer breeze.

I cleared my throat as he turned around taking in my appearance. "Welcome to Joey's." I said with a smile sticking to the introduction which I had said hundreds of times. "Is there anything that I could get you to drink?" I asked politely.

"Well Ainsley." He said with a smirk after reading the letters on my name tag. "I will have a lemonade and feel free to drop your number off with it." He said subtly, adverting this attention back to the children running down the beach.

"For sure, I'll have that for you shortly. Here's one of our menus to keep you occupied until I return." I say trying to mask my annoyance as I turned on my heels making my way back towards the kitchen.

"Don't forget your number when you return. I'll be waiting" He replies, his eyes on me as I walk away.

"Asshole." I mutter under my breath as I prepare myself for what appears to be a torturous shift.

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Word Count: 1848