The sun slowly rises over the horizon, illuminating the deserted streets of Mölle Harbor. The first warm rays caress the facades of sleeping houses, creating moving shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze stirs the flags on the harbor, bringing with it the fresh scent of morning dew combined with the iodine of the sea. In the distance, between the harbor and the coast opposite the seawall, two people are surfing. I tell myself I'd love to surf. Right now, I'm feeling that adrenalin rush I used to get during a race. Alex is still asleep. It's quite early, around six o'clock, and the sun is just rising. Every corner of the little town reminds me of previous trips with Lucas. We loved coming here. We'd grab our surfboards and hit the water whenever the weather forecast called for waves. Looking at the two surfers, I feel like I can see the two of us. Happy, alive.

I sit on the edge of the pier watching the surfers for a while. Around seven Alex joins me. We don't talk. Everyone has their headphones on, listening to their own music, in their own world, their own thoughts, their own memories. I've been away from home for eight days now. I have no idea when I'm coming back, let alone what to do. It's tempting to remain in denial, but I can't. I'm more than aware that at some point I'll have to figure out what to do. Coach? Student? Why not, but in what? STAPS? Languages? Law? Medicine? Honestly, I have no idea.

“Should I change my last name you think?
- I didn't get that. Say it again.
- I have to change my name?
- Wait, why are you asking me this?
- I was thinking. Can I still call myself Manon Reynolds even though Lucas is dead? Shouldn't I go back to my maiden name?
- Well, no, I don't think so. But I guess it depends on what you want. What do you prefer?
- Frankly, I don't know... I feel like I'd be betraying him and then every time I hear Reynolds it's like he's still around a little bit.
- Well, don't change it then.
- You think it's that simple?
- Yeah, I guess it is. You don't want to change your name, so keep it.
- If you say so...”

And everyone dives back into their own thoughts with their own music. Time passes unnoticed. The fresh wind whips my face, damaged by all the tears I've been shedding lately. The drops I get from the waves burn my sunken cheeks. The wind is cold. It's mid-May. It must be eleven degrees. Not even with the wind. And yet I still want to get in the water, with a board, and surf until I forget everything and feel my muscles burning from the effort. I'm sure my board is somewhere with my wetsuit in Grand California. Probably in the trunk, on the left, alongside the bed I no longer use. I don't know what's holding me back. Fear of discovering that, following the accident, I won't be able to use my legs as I wish? Fear of being assailed by too many painful memories? Fear of sinking into the water, failing to surface and drowning for good? Or the fear of regaining a taste for life, of feeling emotions, happiness and pride, of being happy again? And then it's over. It's time for me to come back to life.

“Alex, I'm going to get my board,” I finally say, my voice barely audible above the sound of the waves. He takes off his headphones and looks at me, an encouraging smile on his face.

“You're ready, Manon. You can do this.” His words echo through me like a mantra. I nod, determined, and head for Grand California. Every step brings me closer to that part of me that I've left out, the part that loves the water, surfing, and sharing moments with Lucas.

I stand up slowly, my heart pounding, as if each step towards the water were a small victory over my fears. I take one last look at the surfers gliding effortlessly over the waves, their laughter echoing in the cool morning air. I'm overcome with envy. I want to feel this freedom, this lightness that seems to belong to them.

Opening the boot, I discover my board, a little dusty but as beautiful as ever. The wetsuit is there too, neatly folded. As I touch it, I feel a wave of memories wash over me: the laughter, the falls, the victories over the waves. I remember Lucas, his radiant smile after a good session. It was our escape, our happiness.

I take a deep breath and put on my wetsuit. It's a little tight, but it doesn't matter. I'm ready to face my demons. I head back to the beach, board under my arm, heart racing. The fresh wind whips across my face, and I feel a surge of adrenaline.

The surfers give me curious looks, but I don't let them distract me. I concentrate on the water, on the waves dancing in front of me. I step forward, my feet sinking into the wet sand, then I find myself facing the blue immensity.

First I kneel on my board, then stand up slowly, my legs shaking. The first wave arrives, and I go for it. The cold water envelops me, and I feel a surge of energy. I slip, I fall, I get up again. Every movement reminds me that I'm alive, that I can still feel.

Tears roll down my cheeks, but this time they're not tears of sadness. They're tears of liberation. I surf, I fall, I laugh. I feel Lucas with me, in every movement, every burst of joy.

When I emerge from the water with a smile on my face, I know I'm not alone. I'm Manon Reynolds, and even though Lucas is gone, he lives on through me, in every wave I ride, in every memory I cherish. I'm ready to move on, to live, to love again

I stand on the beach, my heart still pounding from the excitement of my first session. The salt water glides along my skin, and I feel a new warmth spreading through me. I look at Alex, who applauds me with a big smile, and I can't help but laugh. It's as if a weight has been lifted, as if each drop of water carries with it a part of my pain.

“Did you see that?” I shout, still breathless. “I did it! I surfed!”
“Of course I saw it!” he replies, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. “You're incredible, Manon!”

I feel light, almost buoyant. I know this is just the beginning, but it's a step toward healing. I walk over to him, and we sit on the sand, the sun warming our faces.

“You know,” Alex begins, ”I think Lucas would have been proud of you. He would have loved to see you surfing again.”

At this thought, a wave of emotions washes over me. I close my eyes for a moment, imagining his smile, his encouraging voice. I realize that, although I feel an immense emptiness, there's also a strength inside me that's just waiting to be expressed.

“I want to go on,” I finally say, my voice firmer. “I want to surf, travel, live. I don't want her memory to be synonymous with sadness. I want it to be a celebration of everything he was.

Alex nods, and I can see in his eyes that he understands. We stand there, gazing at the horizon, the sound of the waves in the background. Time seems to stretch, and I feel at peace.

“How about a change of plan?” he suddenly suggests. “We could go to the coast, discover some new surf spots. It could be great!”

The idea makes me smile. The adventure, the change of scenery, the promise of new memories. I nod enthusiastically.

“Yes, let's do it! I want to see other beaches, meet other surfers. And maybe even enter a competition.”

Alex bursts out laughing. “A competition? Are you sure about that?”

“Why not?” retorted I, the challenge in my voice. “I want to prove to myself that I can do it.

We spend the rest of the day discussing our plans, dreaming about the future. Every word we say brings me a little closer to the life I want to lead. I know it's going to be a rocky road, but I'm ready for it.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I feel full of hope. I'm Manon Reynolds, and I'm ready to live life to the fullest, to honor Lucas' memory by embracing life with passion and determination.

“See you tomorrow, waves!” murmured I as I gazed at the horizon, a smile on my lips. It's the start of a new chapter, and I can't wait to discover it.