Starfish Sisters

by J. C. Burke

  'Get on with it!'

  'That girl Micki Elvich, you know, Dad's best friend's daughter from Queensland. Well, she was picked for the camp too!' I spat. 'Like Dad somehow forgot to mention it! Funny that.'

  'She might be okay.'

  'Are you for real?' I yelled. 'Micki is not okay.'

  'But you've never met her.'

  'Whose side are you on?' I said. Georgie could be so irritating.

  'I'm not on anyone's side, Kia,' she groaned. 'It's just that you don't even know her.'

  'I know enough about her!'

  'So who's the good one?'

  'Huh?'

  'You said there were two girls, one good –'

  'Oh, yeah.' I felt flattened. Why couldn't Georgie ever support me when I needed it?

  'So, who's the other one?'

  'Courtney McFarlane.'

  'Courtney McFarlane? Isn't she that –'

  'The Ocean Pearl girl, duh! The one who goes out with Tim Parker.'

  'She's in our room? Great,' Georgie grumbled. 'I bet she's fully up herself.'

  'You've never met her. You don't know anything about her!' Now I got the chance to say it. Let's see how Georgie liked it. 'She might be okay,' I added. 'She might even be really nice.'

  'I doubt it, Kia. She's a model. That's all I need to know.'

  'She has got the best figure.'

  'Ooh, my thighs just got about five times fatter. Thanks for that.'

  'Get over yourself,' I told her. 'I was thinking about Bikina. How awesome would it be if we could get Courtney McFarlane to wear our cossies?

  'She's probably only allowed to wear Ocean Pearl seeing she's sponsored by them.'

  'Bummer,' I sighed. 'I was thinking how good she'd look in that green peacock one.'

  'I thought you were going to wear that one.'

  'I will.' My jaw tightened as I pushed out the lie. 'I'm feeling a bit fluey.'

  'Again?'

  'Anyway, you promised you'd wear the one I designed for you. Have you packed it?'

  'Yep.'

  It didn't look good neither of us Bikina girls wearing our own product. I had to be careful not to push it with Georgie, as I really needed her to wear one even if she wasn't the greatest model.

  'Well, I'm going to have a surf before everyone gets here.'

  'Okay.'

  'This is going to be the best three weeks of our life, Georgina Elwood Ross. So hurry up and get your bum down here!'

  Georgie answered with a groan.

  Dad's car was parked next to the board shed but he was nowhere to be seen. That suited me. I still wasn't ready to speak to him.

  He was probably rolling out the red carpet waiting for Micki's arrival.

  I grabbed one of my boards and headed down to the beach.

  'This sucks. This sucks!' With each step I dug my toes harder into the sand. Wherever I turned I heard that girl's name. Micki's surfing great, Micki's so dedicated, Micki's this, Micki's that. Dad's too gutless to say, 'Why aren't you more like Micki?' My nails dug into my wrists. Micki's working on her backhand, why don't you? Micki's eating shit sandwiches, why don't you?

  I stopped and filled my lungs with air.

  I'm not even going to speak to her, I vowed. I'll say the hellos and goodbyes and how are yous, but that's it. That's it. And that's only to keep you off my back, Dad.

  But it was hard to stay that angry when the ocean was rippling like a piece of turquoise silk. And being angry made me so tired.

  A perfect little left peeled the entire length of the beach. Coolina was renowned for this left really going off. For a goofy-footer like me it was potentially a blessed situation I'd found myself in.

  That thought made my heart pump a few extra beats. The big deal about this camp was the selections on the last day for the Australian Junior Team Training Camp.

  How stoked would I be if made it? That would be my total dream come true. Imagine being able to say to Dad, 'I made the team.' Imagine being able to say, 'I made the team. Sorry, Dad, Micki didn't. She just wasn't good enough.'

  It wasn't so great for Georgie, who was a natural footer and preferred rights. She used not to mind which way she faced. Usually she was all power and speed and into giving anything a go. But lately Georgie's surfing was crap, sticking to rights and stuff she could do with her eyes closed.

  A few weeks ago, I overheard Steve, our coach, telling Dad that it was as though Georgie had suddenly stopped challenging herself. I wasn't supposed to be listening but I couldn't help it.

  In a way I'd be glad if Georgie had stopped challenging herself – although I'm not certain that's what it was. I'd say it was more that she'd lost interest in competition surfing. All she talked about last term was her soccer team. Who scored what goal and how amazing they all were. 'Like go and marry them,' I felt like saying.

  Georgie could be the hottest surfer if she wanted to be. But maybe that was the thing. Maybe she didn't want to be, and that suited me. I'd miss her heaps but it would mean I'd have a better chance of making the National Training Team. Then for once maybe Dad would start noticing me!

  Carla was right. The water temperature was divine. My feet felt like they were wading through a warm bath. But I was back to wearing my wetsuit. I'd almost made it into one of our bikinis. I was feeling so proud of that too. But then Dad got back from a weekend with Micki's Dad, Dave, and all he could talk about was how great Micki was surfing and how dedicated she was and why didn't I set my alarm for five-thirty every morning like she did.

  For sure, Georgie would tease me, calling me the 'Steamer Queen', but she didn't know. Even though she was my best fried I couldn't trust her with this. She'd freak out and tell her mum. Then her mum would tell my mum and my life would be over.

  If I stayed really focused and didn't let my head talk too much and get mad, then maybe, maybe by next week, I'd be able to wear a bikini and actually get a proper suntan.

  There was a girl already out in the surf. She was obviously from camp too as she was surfing in the part of the beach that had been sectioned off just for us.

  Ever since I could remember coming to Coolina, I'd stare for hours at those 'elite' surfers in the special sectioned-off area and think I want to be like them one day. And now I was.

  I paddled out feeling like a superstar. For three whole weeks no one could snake you on the waves because we were the elite. We were special.

  The line-up was perfect, with glassy three-foot lefts that went forever. For a while I just sat out there on my board, my legs dangling in the crystal water. I'd done it. I was here and it had to be 'cause I was good, not because my dad was a volunteer for Surfing Australia and already knew Carla and the others. They couldn't select you because of that.

  Then I saw it coming, my perfect wave. I started paddling, imagining myself taking off, riding it all the way in with maybe five or six perfect turns. Where was Dad with the video when I needed him?

  I was ready to jump up when from the inside I heard a voice call 'Mine.' I'd been too busy daydreaming and hadn't noticed the other girl had paddled back out. I had to back off. I couldn't be accused of snaking, especially on the first day.

  Off she went on my wave! She was a natural but she was handling the left perfectly. She was little but her turns were precise. She made at least five or six of them and even managed a bit of a snap on her backhand.

  Then she got out!

  She took that one perfect wave from me then got out! Just like that, as if she owned the beach. How was I going to last three weeks with that snaky biaatch? Apart from Georgie, I hadn't met any of the girls and now there were two that I hated.

  Dad came walking down from the carpark. He had the video slung over his shoulder and was clapping his hands. He said something to the girl. Probably some sucking-up remark. Whatever it was she seemed pretty happy with herself as she ran off down the beach in red flowery boardies that were soooo last year.

  A clean set came rolling in. I let the first two go. Dad was standi
ng there all ready with the video camera. How I wished that wave'd come back.

  'Paddle!' Dad yelled.

  It wasn't the one I wanted but it wasn't bad. I took off and straight up executed a perfect turn.

  Dad was filming, taking it all in. I steadied myself. I'd pull into my backhand and line up the next turn just like that girl had done. I'd show him I was as good.

  I started off well but somewhere I lost my balance. I fell off the board and under I sunk. When I surfaced, I saw Dad was walking away.

  MICKI

  'Nice little snap there, Micki,' Reg told me. 'You said you wanted to work on your backhand. It's obviously paid off.'

  'Thanks, Reg.' He was probably just being kind but it always felt good when Reg noticed my surfing.

  'My Kia was obviously impressed,' he said. 'She just tried to land one and she hates them with a passion.'

  'Kia?'

  'Yeah.' Reg gave me one of his crinkly frowns that reminded me of the tissue paper I wrapped our Christmas decorations in. 'Didn't you meet each other?'

  'Was that Kia out in the surf just then?'

  'Yeah,' he laughed. 'You were just surfing with my little pocket rocket!'

  'I can't believe I was just out there with her.' I'd seen pictures of Kia, but I guess in the surf in a wetsuit you wouldn't recognise someone from their photo. 'That's so cool! Wow.'

  'She's a good little surfer, isn't she?'

  The focus on her face when she was paddling was scary. Now I remembered Reg telling me once that Kia had the most amazing focus. He was right.

  I'd only seen Kia, yet already I understood the standard of surfing here was going to be totally awesome. My skin goosed up with nerves.

  'I hope Kia and I are in the same room.'

  'You are.'

  'Agghh!' I gave Reg a big hug 'cause I knew he'd probably organised it that way. I'd been hoping he would.

  'You're in the Starfish Bungalow.'

  These were going to be the best three weeks of my life. Surfing with a real coach, getting to know Kia, meeting heaps of girls who shared the same dream as me and being away from home. I felt bad thinking that last bit. But three weeks away from Dad – I didn't know what that was like. I'd never been able to leave him for that long.

  Reg was watching me. 'You're excited, aren't you?'

  'This is the best.' I meant every word of it. 'Thank you so much, Reg.'

  'Micki, you got here on your own abilities. There's nothing to thank me for.'

  'But if you hadn't suggested to the scout to go up and watch me surf, I'd probably still be at home.' Before I could stop myself I said, 'With Dad.'

  Straightaway my cheeks started to burn. 'I didn't mean it that way,' I shrugged.

  'Hey Micki, you know, I know it's hard.' Reg put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. 'How about I take you up to the bungalow? You can unpack and get settled.' He checked his watch, the one Dad and I gave him last Christmas. It was a cheapy. Reg'd be able to afford heaps better but he always wore it. 'This place will be swarming with twelve excited females in approximately thirty-five minutes. Let's go.'

  It was only my second time out of Queensland, but the surf camp looked like one of those tropical resorts from Getaway.

  The walkway was decked in dark glossy timber. Vines heavy with hot pink flowers climbed up the railings and onto the roof, giving off the sweetest smell that tingled the hairs in your nose and made you want to sing out loud.

  'This is seriously beautiful,' I uttered. 'I've never been anywhere like this.'

  A giant fish pond dotted with water lilies met the end of the walkway. There the path split into three. To the left, an arrow pointed the way to the Dolphin Bungalow, to the right was the Seahorse Bungalow and straight ahead was ours, the Starfish Bungalow.

  The front door was open. I ran down the pathway and into the room. I couldn't help it. I wanted to see it all now and soak up every teeny second of it.

  Inside, a girl was groaning and grunting as she tried to push one of the beds into a corner.

  'Do you want some help?' I asked her.

  She turned around. Her face was red and sweaty but immediately I recognised her.

  'Kia?' I grinned.

  'Kia!' Reg came in with my bag. 'Guess who this is?'

  Kia stopped and looked at me, the same crinkly frown landing on her forehead, then went back to pushing the bed.

  Okay. Awkward.

  'Can you believe it?' Reg said. 'At last, you two get to have a surf together and you don't even know!'

  'Micki was doing the surfing,' Kia hissed from the corner.

  Kia couldn't have thought I was hassling her? I was on the inside. I called for it too.

  'Kia, what are you doing with the beds?' Reg asked.

  'I thought it was better, for Micki, if her bed was a little bit away. Us older ones will probably want to stay up later. That way we don't disturb her.'

  'I don't think anyone will be staying up late,' her dad said. 'You guys are going to be totally exhausted.'

  If it was awkward before, it was ten times more awkward now. The last thing I wanted was to make hassles between Kia and her dad.

  'I don't mind,' I said. 'I get a lamp over there. So . . . so that's good.'

  'See!' Kia smiled at her dad. At least I think it was a smile. She showed her teeth.

  Reg carried my bag over. Away from the others, my bed looked like a marooned boat in the middle of the ocean. 'I guess these drawers are yours then, Micki.'

  Kia opened the door of the bathroom. 'Have you seen the ensuite, Dad?'

  Reg and I peered through the doorway. The bathroom was gorgeous. It was three times the size of my bedroom at home. Little tiles painted with starfish went all the way up to the ceiling.

  'Wow!' I could not believe this place. I wanted to get my diary out and write it all down.

  'I don't know how four of us are going to manage in such a tiny bathroom,' Kia said. 'Especially us older ones. I mean, Courtney McFarlane's a model. She'll need to –'

  'Courtney McFarlane!' I blurted. 'Is she in this room? She's one hundred per cent sponsored by Ocean Pearl.'

  'Everyone knows that,' Kia replied, like I was the most stupid person on earth. 'She goes out with Tim. You know, Tim Parker.'

  But I couldn't help myself. This was getting more unbelievable by the minute. I was trying to stop myself from squealing. 'He's number eighteen on the WQS!'

  'Sixteen,' Kia corrected.

  'And, and she's in our room?' I asked again. 'Courtney McFarlane?'

  'She probably asked to be.'

  Now I was officially speechless.

  'When did you meet Courtney McFarlane?' It sounded like Reg was trying not to laugh. 'In your dreams?'

  Kia was not amused. 'Dad, you don't know everything about me. I've met . . . Ace a couple of times.'

  'Ace?' Reg and I said together.

  'That's what her friends call her,' Kia replied. 'Ace. It started from ice, like ice queen, and then somehow became Ace.'

  'Right.' Reg smirked. 'Ice. I mean, Ace.'

  'Is she a bit –' I wanted to say this nicely – 'a bit snobby?'

  'No!'

  'Oh, sorry. I just thought –'

  'She's really, really nice,' Kia told me. 'You just have to get to know her first.'

  Kia mumbled the next bit as she pulled more clothes out of one of her bags, but I heard it: 'I don't know what she's going to think about being in a room with a twelve-year-old.'

  Heaps and heaps of stuff was piled up on Kia's bed. She had at least three different-coloured pairs of Havaianas and about ten bikinis.

  I knew I hadn't brought enough stuff. I should've spent the cheque Reg gave me for an early birthday present on clothes instead of putting it in the bank. But I wasn't that into clothes. They were a bit of a waste of money and I was only two hundred and seventy-five dollars off getting my new board. Plus I desperately needed a new wetsuit.

  Reg was walking towards Kia's bed. 'I don't think y
ou should scrunch up your wetsuit like that, Kia. You need to take better care of it.'

  'It's fine,' Kia snapped.

  'No, it's not fine, Kia,' Reg replied. He took it and laid it out on the bed. 'That's not the way to treat it.'

  'Is that one of those fully sealed wetsuits?' As soon as I said it I regretted it. The look Kia shot me told me I should've too. But it was so cool. I would die to have one of those. They were like the most awesome wetties you could own – totally out of my price range.

  Kia grunted something I didn't catch and I went back to my empty drawers.

  'Hello?' a girl called from the doorway.

  'Aggghhhhh!' Kia's shriek almost blew my eardrums. 'Georgie, you're here!'

  They must've been best friends the way they hugged each other.

  'How cool is this place?' Kia babbled. 'Did you see the fish pond? And the rec room has, like, the biggest flat-screen TV you have ever seen. And the beach is sectioned off just for us. And the training pool is, like, so –'

  Luckily for me, I had something to do 'cause I was so invisible.

  Reg coughed. 'Kia?'

  Please don't make a big deal, Reg. She'll hate me even more.

  'Kia?' Reg said a bit louder. 'Aren't you going to . . .?'

  My hands folded the same T-shirt for the third time.

  'Whatever, Dad.' Kia so obviously rolled her eyeballs. 'Georgie, this is Micki.'

  I peered up. The heat from my forehead was almost burning a hole in my skull.

  'Hi Micki.' The girl called Georgie gave me an enormous smile. 'Good to meet you.'

  'Hey.' I smiled back.

  Georgie was big. Not fat. Strong and solid-looking. But her face was round and kind. 'This place is pretty cool, isn't it?'

  'It's the best,' I whispered. 'The best.'

  ACE

  My mother did U-turn number five and we'd only been in the car ten minutes.

  'I said left, not right, Mum.'

  'You didn't! You said right! ' Mum shot me a greasy. 'Stop looking at your damn phone and start looking at the signs. Please, Courtney. It is your surf camp we are trying to get to. Not mine.'

  'Sorry,' I spat. It wasn't my fault my mother had no sense of direction.