The Beach

Chapter 1

“Ahhhh.” I said, stretching my legs out on the sand.

“I know the feeling.” Jakob said, getting up from sitting next to me.

“The beach is the best place to relax on the weekend, after a really long week of school.” I continued.

I put my shoes next to my towel, and stood up next to Jakob. Then a crab bit my toe, and I screamed like a girl! “Arrgghh Oh Mein Gott!”

My best friend was still a little taller than me, but I was catching up. We were now in the tallest group in our year at school. It felt good to be tall, because I had always been the shortest in my family. I had an older brother and sister, as well as a younger brother. Even my younger brother was taller than me. Was!!! Now I was taller than everyone, except for my dad.

“Hurry up Dom, the surf is not going to wait for us.” Jakob complained.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” I said as I pulled my wetsuit over my bathers. This was our usual weekend routine, in the summer. When winter came, which was so not fair and totally horrible, we usually played football. Jakob and I always had this huge fight about whether Australian football or soccer was better. In the end, we played tennis.

So, I was down at the local beach, about 5 minutes walk from my grandparent’s house. Jakob and I usually stayed with them on Saturday.

As I grabbed my surfboard and headed towards the water, I crashed into this really scary looking guy. When I mean scary, I mean he had long black hair, had about 54 tattoos, and was taller than I was. Ich habe angst!

“OfFFffF!.” I said as I smacked into his shoulder.

“Hey, watch where you are going baby.” The man yelled at me.

I am not usually someone who will go and hide like a chicken, but I was ready to go hide in the sand.

“Sorry.” I said, as I walked towards the water.

The guy grabbed my arm and said, “You are not going anywhere. I am going to teach you some respect.”

Okay, now I nearly went to the toilet in clothes, until someone put their arm on the big scary guy.

“Come on Marco, you know what Mum said. No more fights. Let go of this guy, and go back to Mum.” A little girl said. When I say ‘little’ I do not actually mean that she was little. She was skinny, shorter than me and was tanned. She had long blonde hair and green eyes.

“But Annie, this guy hurt me.” The big guy looked like he was going to cry.

“I know Marco, I will talk to him for you. Just go sit with Mum.” The girl said, as the big scary guy walked away.

She turned to face me, and I nearly died because she was so beautiful.

“Sorry about my brother. We are trying to look after him, but prison was a bit hard on him. Are you okay?” She asked me.

“Ah, yeah I am alright, thanks.” I was still staring at her.

“Well, bye.” She turned away.

“Wait!” I called after her.

“Why, what is wrong?” She asked. I have no idea why I called her, or what I was going to say top keep her from going away.

“Ah, do you like surfing?” I asked, sounding like a complete idiot.

She looked a little bit surprised, but answered, “Yeah, I love it actually. I used to go everyday, before Marco came back. Why?”

“Do you want to go with me?” I asked.

Please, please come, I said over and over in my head. She looked like she was going to say yes when someone let out a loud whistle.

“Wow! Who is the hottie?” Jakob asked. He had grown up with 6 brothers, and did not know at all how to talk to girls.

“My name is Annie you disgusting boy!” Annie said.

I could not help it, I laughed. They both looked at me, as I fell to the ground, my stomach hurting from laughing so hard.

“Why are you laughing dude?” Jakob said.

“Yeah, what is so funny?” Annie asked.

“You two are so funny, it was just a perfect conversation, hey you, hey ugly! Haha hehe, sorry, but you two are sooo cute!!” I said, trying to stop laughing.

Annie kicked some sand at me as Jakob tried to tackle me.

“Hey dudes, stop it. I’ve stopped laughing.” I said, as they both began tickling me. I was really strong, but if anyone tried to tickle me, I turned to jelly.

“Well, will you two stop being idiots, or am I going to have to wait for you to go for a swim?” Annie asked, beginning to take off her clothes.

“Hey! Wait! What the hell are you doing, getting naked here?!” I screamed at her.

“I’m not getting naked; I have my bathers under my dress.” She laughed, pushed me into the sand, and ran to the water.

So, that was how our Saturday went. Jakob, Annie and I spent the whole afternoon in the sea, so glad that summer in Australia was so hot. But, the time went really fast, and my Grandmother always got annoyed if we were late for dinner.

“So, Annie. Ah, we have to go. It was nice meeting you.” I said, packing up my surfboard.

“Yeah, I had an awesome day. See you next Saturday.” And she left.

“Wow! Man, like Wow!” Jakob said. “You have a girlfriend, mate, that is freakin’ awesome!! But so not fair that you get one and I don’t. Hey, maybe she has a sister or friend for me.” Jakob liked girls, but had no idea about them.

Before long, the weekend was over, and back to school. Yay!! Hours of studying at school, learning maths that I would never use and speaking in a language that sounded like an alien. Seriously, who spoke Latin anymore, and when would I ever use a parabola to go surfing? I cared about my grades, and the scores I got. But Jakob, was that kid stupid or what? He hated school, was always in trouble, and thought all the girls were in love with him. I would have thought he was a complete dork, except that he was my best friend.

Chapter 2

The next Saturday came slowly, as school seemed to go forever. I was getting my surfboard ready, when Mum came in and said “Put that stupid board away, no surfing today.”

“What? Why?” I asked, this was not fair.

“Oh, can’t you remember anything. Seriously, do you have anything in your head but air? The exchange student is coming today, and I want you to be here.” My Mum said.

Why did I have to meet him? It was some guy from Germany, and was probably totally smart and hated surfing. And people from Germany were really tall, and I didn’t need anyone to be taller than me.

“But Mum, I was going surfing with Jakob and Annie today. I need to go.” I pleaded, begging on my knees.

“Oh Shut up Dom. If I have to stay and miss shopping day, you can miss the beach for once.” My annoying big sister said. She was 17 and in her last year of school. I was only a year behind her, but she treated me like a child.

“I really don’t care about your shopping Georgia.” I said, sitting down on the couch. I got my mobile out and called Jakob and the Annie. “Sorry guys, but I am under house arrest, and cannot come. But next week, okay?”

“What do you reckon this person will be like?” Georgia asked.

“Again, I really don’t care.” I said.

“Do you think she will be pretty, and like shopping?” Georgia asked.

“She? I thought it was a guy.” I asked.

“No, you idiot. SHE is coming from somewhere at the bottom of Germany and will be staying about 6 months.”

“6 Months? She? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” I was angry.

“We did, but you were always at the bloody beach!” Georgia said.

I was about to argue, when Jona and Linus came in. Linus was my little brother and was 14. Jona was 18 and was going to University in a couple of months.

“Did I hear you say we are getting a chick to live with us?” Jona really wanted a girlfriend, but was more into rap music, computer games and cars.

“A girl? Why? Where is she going to sleep?” Linus asked, worried that he would have to give up his bedroom again, just like every time Grandma came over.

Mum walked in. “Yes. All four of you be quiet. There will be a German girl staying with us for 6 months and will have the spare room next to Georgia. Now I have already cleaned up the room, all you need to do is wait for her. Dad is bringing her here in a few minutes.”

A girl? What was Jakob going to think? Oh, I forgot. Jakob was getting an exchange student too. My mum and his mum thought it would be nice to both have exchange students at the same time. Jakob was definitely getting a guy though, as he had 6 brothers.

I knew absolutely no German, except for kindergarten, bratwurst and scheiße. So, this was going to be an awkward day. As I was lost in my thought, I didn’t hear the door open. I was only thinking that this stupid girl was going to be living here, and taking up all my time. I would have to talk to her, take her out to places, and have no surfing. This sucks!

Then a girl with long brown hair walked through the door. Her hair was down to her bottom, was curly and seemed dark against her light skin. Her eyes were a light blue, and she was the same height as Georgia. My mum coughed, as all four of us (3 boys and Georgia) stared at the girl.

“This is Madeline. Madeline this is Linus, Jona, Georgia and Dominik.” Mum said.

“G’day. I am Madeline, but everyone just calls me Maddie. It’s really nice for you to let me live with you.” Maddie said.

“Like we had a choice.” I said quietly, still angry that I couldn’t go to the beach.

“I am 16, I live in Germany, and I like chocolate. I have 3 sisters, all of them really annoying. I play the drums, piano, cello, flute and sing. I have 52 dogs and 13 cats at home.” Maddie said.

“Wow. You can talk a lot!” Linus said.

“Oh My God, she is like so totally cool.” Georgia said, sounding like someone from MTV or America.

“I went to America for a year y’all. So I can speak English. I came here for the waves and boys.” Maddie added quietly.

“You surf?” I asked.

“Of course.” She replied. “And I love shopping.” Georgia nearly died of happiness.

The phone rang.

“Hi.”

“Hi?” My mum said.

“Oh, sorry. It’s Annie. Is Dom there?”

“Hi Annie. What is up?” I asked when mum gave me the phone.

“I was wondering if I could come over, and we could, play Playstation or something. And Jakob will come too.”

So, in 30 minutes, Jakob, Annie and some random guy were standing outside my house.

“This is Christian. He is my exchange student from Germany.” Jakob said, as he walked into my house.

“Hi Chris.” I said.

“It is Christian, not Chris.” The guy said. Well, he was not a very happy guy!

Annie, Jakob and I went up to my room to play Guitar Hero. Christian followed us, until he saw Maddie.

“What is she doing here?” Christian asked.

“Maddie? She is my exchange student from Germany.” I said.

Jakob and Christian looked at Maddie, then fainted and fell to the floor.

“SPLASH!” Jona had tipped water on the boys. They jumped up and screamed.

“Hi Christian.” Maddie said.

“You know him?” Georgia asked.

“Yeah! We went to school together, but you are a total dork, aren’t you Christian?” Maddie said.

Jakob sat on the ground, staring at Maddie, with his mouth open. Maddie looked at me.

“Is your friend okay, or does he have a problem?” Maddie asked.

Yeah, he had a problem. Love. He was in love with Maddie. Okay, so this is really confusing.

I have 2 brothers and 1 sister.

My best friend is in love with my exchange student.

My exchange student knows my best friend’s exchange student.

Annie looks like she likes Christian, even though he is an idiot.

I really like Annie, but Maddie is really pretty.

My mum and dad are looking at all of us thinking “Oh My God! Run away from our scary children!”

Anyway, Annie, Jakob and I went upstairs to play Guitar Hero, not caring about the weird family downstairs.

Chapter 3

The next day was Sunday, and everyone had gone home last night. I was up early, and my whole family was asleep. I played drums and keyboard in a band, but not at the same time! (I mean, not playing the drums and keyboard in the same song!) I put on my headphones and turned on my iPod. I turned on my favourite song ‘Barbie Girl’! No I’m just joking; it was actually a Greenday song.

Then I went for a run, which was really nice. It was good because it was not 5.45 in the morning, and there was no snow! Like seriously, who would ever run in the snow really early in the morning? I know I wouldn’t!

I was running down my street, singing Greenday really loud, because I thought everyone else would be asleep on a Sunday morning.

“Nice singing.” Someone said.

“AAARGggGGhHHH!” I screamed and fell over.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” A girl said.

I looked up. Oh no! It was Clara. The girl from next door. She was 2 years younger than me (so she was 14) and I think she was in love with me! I’m not joking. She lives next door, and has followed me around since she moved here 4 years ago. Her and Linus would be good friends, but she follows me. Oh My God! Go away.

“Hi Clara. What the hell are you doing?” I asked

“Nothing, just running.” She said.

“Well see you.” I ran off. She was a slow runner, so I was around the corner in a couple of seconds and she was gone. YAY!

Then a dog started to chase me, so I ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, and ran. Then I ran a little more. And then, the dog was gone. So I walked, and walked, and walked. But the dog came back. So I ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, until I was back at home. I ran into the house and slammed the door.

Maddie and Linus were up, eating breakfast. Georgia was never awake before 10 am, and Jona slept in to noon.

“Morning.” I said to the pair.

“Good Morning Dominik.” Maddie said.

“Hey bro.” Linus said.

“So, what do you guys want to do today?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” “Whatever.” They replied.

“Well, seeing as it’s my birthday, we should do something fun.” I said excitedly.

“Your birthday?! I didn’t know that was today.” Maddie said.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot bro. Happy birthday.” Linus added. He never really spoke much sense, like he was drunk.

“Yeah, I’m 16 today. And I forgot, I have my driving test today.”

“Driving test? But you are only 16.” Maddie was confused.

“We can get our learning licence at 16, and drive too in Australia.” I said.

“Wow. That is freakin’ awesome. In Germany you can’t. But you can drink alcohol at 16.” Maddie said.

“Well, I’m going to catch the bus to the driving school, and I’ll be back around 11. See ya.” I walked out the door.

So, 5 hours later, I had my driver’s licence and we were all headed to my Grandmother’s house. But seriously, I had my license but dad wouldn’t let me drive. ‘Das war so nicht fair!’

Chapter 4

My whole family came over for my birthday. My Grandmother’s house was really big, but now it was about to explode because of all the people. I had invited nearly everyone I knew, and now I realised, that was a lot!

Jakob was there, with his brothers, and Christopher. Annie was there too. And then, my whole family. You know how there are small families, and medium families and big families. Well, mine was not just big, but massive!

My dad had 7 brothers, and my mum had 11. And there were so many cousins…I couldn’t even count them.

Eventually, we sat down to eat. I think there were 8 tables for everyone to sit on. Some of the tables were even outside, because there was no room inside.

My Grandmother made all the food, I think she started cooking a year ago! And, everyone is expected to bring something…so now there are 34 cakes!

My Grandmother cooks all types of food. German, French, Australian (obviously because it is Australia), Japanese and wherever else. I was a vegetarian and didn’t eat meat, but I wouldn’t tell my Grandmother that I hated her meat. But, my aunty…she really couldn’t keep her mouth closed.

“Gran, why do you cook meat? You know some of us are vegetarian.” My crazy aunty said.

“You don’t have to eat it, and I should be allowed to. So sit down eat no meat and shut up.” My Grandmother said.

“What did you say to her?” My uncle asked.

“Would everyone please sit down and eat. There is nothing wrong here.” My mum tried to stop the fight…but too late.

“FOOD FIGHT!”

Food started going everywhere. I crawled under the table to hide.

A piece of spaghetti landed on my mum’s head, and slid down her head, leaving a trail of sauce.

A sausage hit my Grandmother on the arm, and then wiggled on the floor.

Someone got the salad bowl over their head, then started eating the lettuce.

I got up and tried to run for the door, when…

The jelly hit me in the head.

“Ewwwww!! That is disgusting!” The jelly was in my hair and sliding down my t-shirt. I jumped up and down and up and down, to try and get the jelly out of my shirt.

“Haha Hehe! Dom has pink jelly in his hair!”

My whole family stopped to look at me.

Well, what a happy birthday. My whole family laughing at me, and me having sticky pink hair.

Anyway, the party was fun, and we all went home dirty. The next few weeks were fun. I had Maddie trying to teach me German, like

“Ich bin eine Wassermelone” and „ich bin verliebt in meinen Hamster“.

Annie and I started dating, and Jakob found a girlfriend too. I have no idea how he found one…!

My sister was still looking for a boyfriend…she had never had one. And I was younger and had one. Haha sister!

Well, anyway, that’s it.

It’s summer here. In Australia. The sun is shining. I have this awesome tan. And the holidays will be coming soon.

Tschüss.