Page 76 of Below the Barrel

She nods, her determination solidifying. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

We move along the beach until we’re closer to him. “Hey!” I call out. “Has a barrel ever pulled you under out here?”

They exchange glances, then his friend, a tall guy with sun-kissed skin and a wide grin, steps forward. “Yeah, just yesterday.”

Maliah’s eyes go wide as she stares at him, living proof that she won’t just fade away. “What’s it like?” she asks him.

His expression turns serious. “It’s intense. You have to stay calm and remember to look for the surface. If you panic, that’s when things could get messy,” he says, eyeing her. “But it’s not all bad. Once you’re back up, you realize how beautiful it is. The thrill is worth the fear.”

She glances at me, and I can see the mix of fear and excitement swirling in her eyes. I lean in closer, whispering, “See? You’ve got this.”

We stand and talk with Kelani and his friend, Makoa, for a while, listening as they offer more tips and sharing their experiences. I watch as Maliah’s expression shifts, the fear beginning to fade.

“You ready to tackle this?” I ask, looking down at her.

She meets my gaze, her eyes shining with confidence. “Yeah, let's do it.”

We paddlein from the ocean and as I glance at Maliah, there’s a glow about her—something radiant and alive that wasn’t there before. The way her smile lights up her face as she glides over the warm ocean water is infectious. She almost looks like she could stay out here forever, and I can’t blame her.

As we reach the shore, I see her hesitate, glancing back at the waves as if they’re calling to her. “Princess,” I say, giving her a playful nudge with my elbow. “You’ve got to save some energy for the competition.”

She bites her lip, a mix of reluctance and excitement in her gaze. “I just feel so alive out there.”

“I get it, believe me,” I reply, brushing a hand through my hair as I scan the waves behind us. “But the ocean isn’t going anywhere, we’ll be back soon.”

She takes a deep breath, looking back one last time at the surf before turning toward me. “Okay, you’re right.”

We walk up the beach, and once we reach the car, I load our boards in and slide into the driver’s seat while she hops in next to me. She turns on the music as we start driving off and immediately begins to hum along, her voice light and carefree.

This is the Maliah I’ve missed.

The one that can just be herself around me.

The one I can’t ever let slip through my fingers again.

THIRTY

MALIAH | OAHU, HAWAII

The driveto Koa’s childhood home feels like something out of a movie. The sun is high in the sky, and the lush, tropical greenery surrounds the winding road as we head further inland. The ocean sparkles on the horizon, but we’re moving away from beaches and into the heart of Oahu. I can feel the warmth of the island even with the windows rolled down, the breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and hibiscus.

Koa’s hand rests on my knee, his excitement radiating off him like heat waves. He hasn’t stopped smiling the whole drive, and it’s infectious. But underneath my own smile is a layer of nerves I can’t seem to shake. I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before. What if his mom doesn’t like me? What if I don’t fit in?

I try to push the thoughts aside, but they linger as we continue driving. The scenery is breathtaking, yet my focus is consumed by the knot in my stomach. The closer we get, the tighter it becomes.

Finally, we turn down a dirt road lined with towering palm trees, and I see it—his childhood home. It’s nestled on a large plot of land, a cozy, inviting house with wooden beams and a wide porch that wraps around the front. The whole place feelslike it was built with love, and it has this charm that makes me feel a little more at ease.

“This is your home?” I ask, my voice full of surprise as I take in the size of it.

Koa laughs, squeezing my knee. “It was. What, were you expecting a little shack?”

I feel guilty for thinking it, but I definitely wasn’t expecting a house that looked like it could rival the Saltwater Shredders’ house back home. It’s bigger than I imagined, yet somehow still feels intimate.

“My dad built this house from the ground up with his brothers,” Koa says, his pride evident as he climbs out of the car. “After our first comp win, I sent all my earnings back home and they were able to renovate and make it bigger.”

I follow him, taking in the wide-open space around us, the rolling green hills, and the distant sounds of animals in the background. Before I can process much more, I hear a high-pitched screech and look up to see a group of people rushing towards us from the porch.

A woman—who can only be Koa’s mom—reaches him first, tears already in her eyes as she throws her arms around him. A few girls around our age follow close behind, and a couple of guys, including Kelani, join the group.

---