Catching Waves by Stephanie Peters Read Free Book Online Page B

their heat.
    The horn sounded a minute later. Kai and the others paddled furiously, each hoping to be the first to catch the wave rising
     behind them. Kai thought he had it but then realized a bigger boy had beaten him to it. He sank back into the water and returned
     to the lineup to await the next swell.
    When it came, he was ready. He stroked his way to the top. Another surfer got there at the same time. But Kai was closer to
     the lip’s curl. According to the rules, that gave him possession of the wave. The other surfer was forced to drop out.
    Each heat was fifteen minutes long. Kai figured he could catch at least five and maybe as many as seven waves in that time.
     He had to make the best of each one. So he decided to try his series of tricks right away. If he messed up, well, he’d still
     have other rides to try again.
    He pumped the board to gain speed. Then he shifted his weight to make the board turn back toward the wave. He rode straight
     up the face and flew over the lip. When he was in the air he grabbed his rails with both hands at the same time. Then he straightened
     and landed right on the lipwith the tail of his board facing shore. Moments later he’d ridden from the lip to the trough of the wave and was cutting
     back and forth through the white water into shore.
    I did it
! he said to himself, amazed with his own performance.
I really did it
! Adrenaline coursed through his veins. He spun his board around and flew back to the lineup for a second run.
    Unfortunately, his next ride was a disaster. First off, he chose a poor wave, one that turned to mush soon after he popped
     up. Then as he was trying to get up speed, the surfer before him suddenly appeared directly in his path. Kai had to bail in
     order to avoid hitting him. When he surfaced he saw a third surfer beginning a run. He realized that if he didn’t move quickly,
     he’d be in that surfer’s way!
    He swam frantically to the side and managed to give the surfer a clear path. He sighed with relief, knowing that if he’d caused
     her a problem he’d have lost precious points for interfering with her ride.
    Kai caught three more waves in that heat, but none of his rides were as good as his first.
Still
, he thought,
that first one was strong enough to move me to the next round
.
    Unless, of course, Roger decides to vote me out
, he thought as he left the water.
    Kai pushed the unwanted thought from his brain. After all, he wasn’t even sure if Roger knew he was there.
    Kai was on his way back to his chair when he noticed that his father wasn’t there anymore. He looked around for him, then
     stopped in his tracks.
    Mr. Ford was talking with Sunny — and Raymond!
    Kai turned away quickly, hoping none of them had seen him. No such luck.
    “Kai! Come over here right now!” his father bellowed.

16
    H is father fixed him with a steely glare. “Raymond here tells me he got a very unusual e-mail message earlier this week. The
     return address is ours. I’m quite sure I didn’t send it.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Well?”
    Kai stared at his feet. “I was the one who sent it.”
    His father sighed loudly. “Oh, Kai, when are you going to learn to mind your own business?”
    Kai dug his toes in the sand. “I’m verysorry, Ms. Pierce, if I’ve caused you any problems because of it,” he whispered. “I guess I kind of invaded your privacy.
     I’m sorry.”
    No one said anything for a moment. Then Sunny laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Kai looked up, surprised to see her giving
     him a warm smile. “Thank you for your apology, Kai.” She glanced at Raymond. “I’ll admit I was shocked when I saw Raymond.
     After all, I’d spent many years trying to make sure he couldn’t find me.”
    “Really? Why?” Kai blurted. Then he caught himself. “Uh, I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”
    Sunny gave a small shrug. “It’s okay. I don’t mind telling you.” She held out her arm