Disclaimer: I dont own any of these characters or the storyline...:-D

C&N

Nikki sat on the beach watching the dark blue ocean lap at her feet. She was feeling lonelier than usual as she gazed at all the groups of friends hanging out and laughing on the beach. She'd already been living in Playa Linda for 3 weeks and she hadn't made a single friend. Of course she realized that she had been a bit anti-social, holing herself up in her attic bedroom. It was times like these when she desperately missed her friends in Kansas. Did her best friend Kelsey ever think about her? They hadn't spoken since the funeral. That was all Nikki's fault; Kelsey didn't have the address or phone number for Aunt Ava's house. As she sat in the damp sand remembering everything she'd left behind tears began to softly roll down her pale cheeks.

"Um, hi. Are you new to Playa Linda? I don't think I've seen you before and this isn't a big town,"

Nikki quickly wiped her tears and looked into the eyes of a very good-looking boy about her age. He had long-ish wavy brown hair, big, brown puppy dog eyes and a gap between his two front teeth. Nikki thought it was charming. Nikki put on her most flirtatious smile, which looked a lot like a grimace. She was fairly new at this.

"Hi! Yeah actually I am new here. My name's Nikki. My two brothers and I just moved into that house over there with my aunt Ava," Nikki pointed to the large blue beach house some yards away.

He gave Nikki a funny look, probably because of that smile, but then his face relaxed into a big smile.

"I'm Cameron, I live a few blocks from here. Do you, uh, want to hang out? I have a couple of hours before I have to go to my drum lesson," Nikki could tell that he was taking pity on her, but what else could she do? Maybe he had some nice girl friends that he could introduce her to.

"Sure, thanks. Wanna go to the plaza? I hear they have an arcade and stuff down there," Nikki gave Cameron a genuine smile this time.

"That sounds like fun, let me just run home for a second and tell my dad where I'll be. I'll meet you at your house in...ten minutes?"

"Ok see you then!"

Nikki was admittedly very excited. When she'd come outside this morning she hadn't expected to meet anyone, especially not a cute potential boyfriend! She stood up and wiped her sandy hands off on her black pants. Yes, this would be a very good day.

B&C

Bradin wiped out. Again. For the fourth time in a row. What a loser, he thought to himself. He's wasn't very good at it, but surfing called to him. He loved to feel the rush of the wave underneath his board and the crash he hears when the wave breaks. His skills are minimal, but what can you expect from a guy who's only been surfing for two weeks? He waded through the water toward the shore. He shook his wavy blond hair, spraying water everywhere like a dog. His wetsuit is suctioned tightly to his toned body. Bradin began to walk barefoot through the rocky sand. He heard a female voice calling to him. He turned around to see a beautiful girl with long brown hair and a toothy smile jogging toward him.

"Hi! I'm Callie, you're new around here right? I've been watching you out there in the surf. You're good. Is your name Bradin? I heard a little boy calling you that," Her words came out in a rush, but her voice was sweet and feminine.

He remembered her... His little brother Derrick had been calling him frantically when a wave had sucked him down under for a second. This girl had been there, silently in the background...He hadn't paid any attention to her then. Now he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, he realized that she was standing there waiting for his answer.

"Yeah, I'm Bradin. I am new here. Thanks about the surfing, I really like it. I'm sorry this is going to sound SO cheesy, but you have REALLY nice eyes!" Callie blinked her big green eyes and blushed. Bradin hadn't thought it was possible, but she looked even cuter when she blushed.

She giggled nervously and replied, "Thanks. Are you doing anything after surfing? Maybe we could hang out at Dilly's or something."

Bradin recognized Dilly's as the ice-cream parlor that was the local hang out. He hadn't had the chance to check it out yet.

"That sounds like fun. Um, you can come inside and wait while I shower and change really fast. You can meet my Aunt Ava. You'll love her, everyone does," Bradin smiled at Callie bashfully.

"Um, uh, ok. That sounds cool,"

They began to walk towards the house together, looking at each other and smiling shyly.

C&N

In the short time that she'd had, Nikki had managed to change her entire outfit and her hair. She didn't want to make it seem as if she'd dressed up though, so the changes were subtle. She had changed from her black pants into a pale pink skirt, but her gray halter top was still the same. She looked at her flat, boring hair in the mirror. No way, she had thought, my hair is seriously uncool. She'd swept it up into a simple ponytail. Now that she looked good she skipped downstairs, happy for the first time in a month. Her Aunt Ava was in her office tinkering with some newly delivered fabrics.

"Nikki, tell me the truth...Is this too bright for an evening gown?" Ava held up a hideous piece of orange satin. It was easily the ugliest color Nikki had ever seen.

"Actually Aunt Ava, I think that's a really great color. It is, um, more original and unique than most of the dresses out there,"

Ava looked at the satin as if expecting it to speak to her. She still wasn't sure about it. Ava looked up distractedly to see Nikki standing next to her, looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry sweetie, did you need to ask me something?"

"Aunt Ava, can I go to the arcade with a friend for a couple of hours?" Nikki fidgeted with her necklace as she waited for Ava's answer.

"Sure Nikki, what's this friend's name? Have I met her?" Ava glanced innocently at Nikki's blushing face.

"Um...Actually Aunt Ava his name is Cameron. I'm supposed to meet him in a second, so can I go now?" Nikki spoke quickly, eager to leave.

"OH, IT'S THAT KIND OF FRIEND! Ok, well just be home by dinner!" Ava winked at Nikki, amused at Nikki's obvious embarrassment.

"Yeah, sure whatever, ok so bye!"

Nikki ran for the door as if it would keep her alive to go through it.