Chasing Aloha by Nikki Godwin

Author:Nikki Godwin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: beach, young adult, summer, beach read, teen fiction, teen romance, teen love, surf, drenaline surf, nikki godwin
Publisher: Nikki Godwin

Chapter Nine – Kale

“Don’t stay out too late,” Nanna instructs me as she scrubs a plate in the sink before loading it into the dishwasher. “And you already know to stay out of trouble.”

“I will. I promise,” I tell her.

I reach out to hug her, and she leans into me to avoid touching me with her soapy, wet hands. I was surprised that she and Kapuna were okay with letting me go out for the night with Leilani. Maybe it’s because they know she’s a good influence. They said they wanted me to start rebuilding my life, and hiding away from everyone wasn’t advancing my future. I guess that’s the good thing about grandparents – they’re much more open to letting you have freedom than your own parents are.

When everything went down in California, my mom immediately closed the blinds and hung black-out curtains to keep anyone from spying on us. Dad wore sunglasses anytime he left the house, and Mom became a recluse, which broke me because she was always such a social person. I hope they’re doing better now that I’m away, but I struggle to believe it. I ruined their name and their reputations. I know how people are. They instantly wonder how my parents raised me, if they could’ve done more to stop me, if they instilled the right values.

My family did everything right. They just didn’t see the level of desperation that I kept at bay. I never wanted anyone in California to know how badly I wanted to be back in Hawaii because I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Joke’s on me now.

I text Leilani, and she asks me to meet her outside. I wonder if her brother knows she’s taking me along with her and her friends tonight. Her parents probably wouldn’t approve either. I peek out the window before I dare to step outside, in case her siblings are with her. The last thing I want is to drag Leilani down with my bad reputation.

When the coast looks clear and safe, I hurry outside toward her car. She waits in the driver’s seat, smiling like this is normal, like it’s just old times and not dangerous. I get in, close the door, and keep my face toward the floorboard.

“Ninja moves,” she says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone get in a car that quickly.”

“The circumstances aren’t desirable,” I admit. “I’ve had cameras following me around for the last month or so. First in Cali, now here. Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

She backs her car out of the driveway immediately. “No turning back,” she says, the moonlight streaking across her skin through the windshield. “You need to get out anyway for something other than community service. Life goes on, you know.”

She flips through the radio stations, unable to settle on anything in particular, while we ride in an awkward silence. I debate asking questions, but my confidence is at an all time low. I’ve never been this quiet and unsure of myself.

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