The waves crashed against the shoreline. Leaving a trail of white foam that disappeared in the hot blistering sand. Just over the horizon, the sun was beginning to set. Leaving nothing but rays of orange, yellow, and red light in its place. Staring out into the big blue, and with nothing but a san filled breeze blowing through her long blonde hair, Sam saw nothing but true beauty fill within her eyes.

She sat on the beach just staring out into the ocean. Her toes buried in the warm and hot sand. She wore her black bathing suit under her ripped shorts and T-shirt. Her hair was long, wavy, and tangled with salted knots. With her she kept a small bag that held her towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a book, and a water bottle. Standing in the sand behind her, with the words "Free Spirit" painted on it was the surfboard her parents gave her just before they died in a fatal car accident when she was only 11 years old.

Since then Sam has been living her life exactly how her parents wanted her to. As a free spirit. “Hey yo!” Standing behind her in a ripped knee high summer dress with a baby blue bathing suit revealing itself from underneath was Tamica,her best friend since they were 4. Sam and Tamica took surfing lessons together when they were younger and have been inseparable since then. Tamica had long brown hair that had salty beach waves tangled in it. She had half of it tied in a side braid while the rest of it hung long and wavy.

“Hey whats up?” Sam replied with a happy and surprised expression. Tamica sat in the warm sand next to her. “Nothing, i thought id find you here.” “ Where else would i be?” She responded with a light half smirk. The 2 girls gazed out at the waves beginning to rise. “Man are they looking good today ya?” Tamica asked with a response that sounded like a question. Sam didn't answer right away. She just gazed out at the roaring waves. Taking in and feeling every bit of energy they brought in. “

“I miss them alot today” Sam finally said after a little while of no sound but the crashing waves. She ran her fingers through her hair as she spoke these words. Tamica looked at Sam then back to the wate. Taking in what her best friend had just said. She knew that today was the day that Sam's parents got married. “No matter what they are always with you. From the moment you fall asleep, to the moment you're out on the waves tearin it up, there are always with you and they will be there with you tomorrow at the heat.”

The heat was the biggest Surfing Event in all of Hawaii. Its where every surfer qualified competes against the best of the best surfers ever for a chance to win over 10,000 dollars and a chance to be on the cover of sports illustrated surfing magazine. One of the biggest moments in a surfers life. Sam and Tamica were competing in it together. The problem for Sam however was that her parents would not be there to watch her compete in the biggest event of her life. An event that has been her dream since she first learned how to surf. And now this summer her dream would be coming true, and not having her parents there to share it with her seemed to be her only struggle in getting ready for competition.

As the sun continued to set, Tamica and Sam gathered all their things and headed home. Waiting for them when they arrived was Tamica’s mother. She was setting the table with glass silverware. She had a big bowl of pasta sitting in the middle of the table, followed by a side of bread, water, and butter. “Hey girls how were the waves today?” Tamica’s mother asked. Tamica looked over at Sam and smiled and responded with a faint laugh “Narly.” A faint chuckle arose through the small old beach house. The girls sat at the table as Tamica’s mother finished setting the table. “Sam everything okay sweetheart? You're looking a little pale.” Tamica’s mother considered Sam as her own daughter.

She took Sam in after her parents died because there was no one else she could go live with.”I'm okay.” replied Sam softly. “Thank You again for dinner Mrs. Reynolds.” “Samantha how many times do I have to tell you to call me Sherleen?” Even though Sam has been living with Tamica and her mother now for almost 7 years, she still refers to her as “Mrs. Reynolds”.

Sam apologized and begin to drift away in her thoughts again. She imagined herself riding the biggest wave in The Heat history. She imagined winning it all. The money she would use to send herself to college. The magazine she would use as a symbol to remind herself everyday that she achieved her dream she's held since she was a child. Sam wanted it more then anything but she started to realize that what she actually wanted most, was to have her parents standing on shore watching her ride, doing what she loves the most.

Her heart ached and longed for her parents and the older she got, the harder life seemed to be without them by her side. To her surprised she was taken back when she heard a voice. “Sam?” She shook her head and she was back at the dinner table. It was Tamica’s mother. “Sam, hows the pasta?” She regained focus and responded. “Sorry..it’s delicious thank you.” Tamica and her mother both looked at one another then proceeded to eat. Sam ate but ate in pain as reality started to hit her.

The girls finished eating and helped clean up after dinner. When they were done they got ready for bed. They said goodnight to Tamica’s mother and headed off to bed. Sam had her own room which she was very grateful for. She layed in bed and looked out the window. She had a perfect view of the ocean. She was slowly put to sleeping by the rushes thoughts that filled her head of the first summer she learned how to surf. She was excited and nervous at the same time. Her mother held her hand as they walked down to the water. Her dad followed behind carrying the surfboard. Her parents already knew how to surf and she was very excited that they were the ones who were going to teach her.

Her mother laid her down on the top of the board, her dad held it from behind. They taught her how to paddle and how to get her balance. It took her multiple tries but she finally was able to stand and ride the wave in. In that moment she fell in love with the water. After the successful day of surfing lessons her parents took her out for ice cream. She wished they could be there to watch and cheer her on just like before. She wanted another family trip for ice cream, but knew that it was all just a memory that she will always hold from now, until forever.

The morning of The Heat came rushing in like a big rain storm. Sam could not get out of bed. The only movement she was able to make was turning her head to stare out the window. Tamica’s mother came in to see if she was awake. She sat on the edge of Sam’s bed. “Your nervous aren't you?” She asked. Sam continued to look out the window then with a sigh replied “No. I just wish they were here.” Tears began to swell in Sam’s eyes. She didn't like to cry and she didn't like people to see her cry. “Im sorry.” She finally weeped out. Tamica’s mother didn't say anything right away. She just hugged her and then spoke. “Sweetheart you have nothing to be sorry for. I know how you feel, but you know no matter what, your mom and dad are and will always be with you no matter what. They may not be there physically but they are always there.” And she pointed to Sam’s heart.

It was moments like these where same felt blessed to call Tamica’s mother her legal guardian. She had a very strong bond with her and she felt like Tamica’s mother was sort of like the motherly figure she needed in her life. She was able to talk to her about anything she wanted to, and she knew that no matter what she would still be considered family.

Sam and tamica hurried down to the beach. They got their gear on, chalked their boards, and put their swimsuits on. They registered at the sign in booth and after the signed they both looked at one another and smiled. Tamica’s mother was standing with some of their family relatives laughing and talking. She wished the girls “goodluck” as they passed her to head down to the starting pit. An announcer came on and he introduced the event, what it was, who the competitors where, and which groups they would be in. Tamica and Sam were placed in group 6. They had some tough competitors in their groups as well. One girl in the group was Paige Dawson. She was a very tall and thin girl. She had long blonde hair and a “Yama time” logo painted on her board. Sam didn't exactly understand what that even meant but she knew that Paige was a good competition. Another competitor was Dani Colleana. Dani was tough as nails when it came to competitions. Sam competed against her last summer in the 2002 World Splash surfing convention and was beat by her by .5 points. She didn't know how much better she could have gotten but she knew it was going to be a tough day.

Flashbacks of her parents began to flood her mind. And suddenly she was in their arms. It was her 11 birthday and her mother had her hands covering Sam’s eyes. Her dad was carrying something into the living room. Her mother took her hands away and Sam opened her eyes. In her dad’s hands stood a surfboard with the words “Free Spirit’ painted on it. Sam was shocked and fell in love with the board. Her father told her that the board was big so she wouldn't be able to use it until she turned 16 but Sam didn't care. She would wait to use it because it was the best present she ever received and it would be worth the wait.

All of a Sudden a gunshot went off and Sam was forced back to reality. She turned and everyone was racing to the water. Splashing, and flopping down on their boards. Paddling their way out to the open with one thought in mind only for Sam, she had too many thoughts on her mind and she didn't know what the outcome would be. She just knew what she had to do, and that was to clear her head and paddle harder than the rest of them.