Paddling out into the ocean on his surfboard, Bradin felt a rush of relaxation. After months and months of endless training and competitions, he was finally given a break, and spending it the only way he knew how: surfing, but this time, for himself. No worrying about perfecting moves or who he'd be competing against, just doing whatever he pleased on the board. After paddling out to the right distance, he looked ahead to claim his wave. Spotting one rushing toward him, Bradin turned himself around and prepared himself as the wave rushed underneath him. He paddled with it, gaining speed quickly, and then jumped up to a stance, and as he did, felt the familiar feeling of flying on water as he surfed the wave. This was his calling, his true self, and with that knowledge, he did the only thing that came to mind: a 360.

Once he reached the shore, he picked up his surfboard and walked over to where his friends stood, applauding his actions on the water.

"That was crazy, Westerly!" shouted his good friend, Bryce.

"Thanks, man" Bradin said, smiling. "I didn't even mean to do it, it just happened."

"Everything with you 'just happens', man," Bryce said, "Like Faith."

Bradin didn't say anything, but thought about Bryce's sister, Faith. True, they had a little something, but he couldn't do with her being on the other side of the country.

"How is Faith?" Bradin asked, setting his board down in the sand and reached for his water bottle.

Bryce shrugged. "Busy with school, as always. She doesn't know how to let go and have fun." Bryce sat down with Bradin. "What happened between you two anyway?"

"Nothing," Bradin said, and it was true, except for a good-bye kiss.

"Did you care about her?"

This question took Bradin by surprise, especially since Bryce had always told him how he didn't care about Faith because they were so different. But this question was asked like a protective older brother, not Bryce, the ladies man he was known to be. Trying to save himself some time, Bradin took a long sip from his water bottle. He didn't know how he'd felt for Faith, especially since she was only in town for a couple days.

"Look," Bradin said, "Faith and I are friends. I mean, she's your sister, and I wouldn't do that to you."

Bryce looked oddly at Bradin for a second, and then said "You're right. Of course, we're friends."

Bradin, after feeling relieved they were off the topic, took another sip of his water and looked around the beach as Bryce and the others talked about themselves. He noticed a stunningly gorgeous girl walking with her friend. They stopped a couple hundred feet away from where Bradin sat and laid their stiff down. The brunette wore a baby blue tankini that, when she turned around, you could see it tied in the back around the neck and lower back, and black swim shorts that came down to her thighs. The swimsuit did nothing to hide the flatness of her stomach as she leaned forward to flatten her towel, and as she stood back up, Bradin noticed the curves of her long legs. He watched as she sat down next to her friend, who sat closest to Bradin. Bradin turned and tapped Bryce's shoulder.

"Who's she?" Bradin asked when Bryce turned around. He pointed in the direction of the two girls. Bryce squinted to get a better look.

"Well," he said, "the blonde's Debbie Johnson, but I don't know her friend." He looked at the girl Bradin had been eyeing. "Damn, she is mighty fine, though. I wouldn't mind tapping her." Bryce laughed with the others, but Bradin ignored his comment. "You think she goes to Playa Linda High?" Bryce asked once he stopped laughing.

"No way," Bradin said, "I'd definitely notice a girl like her."

Bryce watched the girl as she talked with Debbie. "I should go over and say something," he said, getting up but Bradin pulled him back down.

"No way," Bradin said, "She's mine."

Bryce laughed. "No offense, Westerly, but do you really think a girl like that is gonna be interested in you?"

Bradin looked Bryce squarely in the eye. "And you think you have a shot with her?"

The others laughed as Bryce put his hands up in defeat. "Fine," he said, "okay, go ahead. Get her. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Bradin got up and walked towards the two girls, who were in a deep conversation, he figured probably about make-up or hair or clothes.

"… and right as he got the leverage to make the tail grab," he heard the brunette say excitedly, "but he lost his balance and slipped right off the board into the water! It was awesome!"

She was talking about surfing, surprisingly. Bradin was starting to like this girl more and more. Debbie twirled her hair, bored.

"Uh-huh…" she said, unemotionally, staring out into the water.

"Are you talking about McBorder's last competition?" Bradin said as he approached closer. The brunette looked up and smiled at Bradin, happy to see someone who liked surfing.

"Yeah!" She said, her voice soft and sweet, "That was awful for him."

"You're telling me," Bradin smiled, "But Grouth is so much better than McBorder anyway."

"Totally! I mean, I don't even know how McBorder made it to the finals, anyway, he-"

"-totally sucks." Bradin finished for her. "I thought I was the only one who thought so."

Debbie rolled her eyes and got up. "I'm getting a drink," she said and walked off. Bradin shrugged and smiled down at the girl.

"Mind if I join you?" Bradin asked.

The girl looked around, then back at Bradin. "Plenty of sand to choose from."

Bradin bent down to sit where Debbie had been moments before, about a foot away from the girl, but she motioned for him to stop. "That spots taken," she said, smiling, then patted the spot right next to her. Bradin, taking the hint, moved over and sat so his leg was against hers.

"So you're into surfing?" Bradin asked. She nodded. ""Well, that's funny, because I'm a surfer myself. I don't know if you've heard of me, but-"

"I know who you are," the girl said suddenly, looking at Bradin and smiling.

"You do?" he asked, surprised. She nodded. When he didn't say anything after that, she sighed.

"Bradin Westerly," she began, "you moved here from Kansas with your brother and sister to live with your aunt after your parents died." She turned and looked out at the ocean. "You made the surf team the first year you tried out, which is incredible, by the way. You've recently signed on with Wave Crashers and competed in tournaments with only the world's best." She faced Bradin. "Are you scared yet? Or do you want me to go on?"

Curious to know what else this girl knew about him, he told her to proceed, so she did.

"You turned down one of the best surf companies because they wouldn't let your coach be your manager, but you were immediately snatched up by other representatives, so it really didn't matter anyway. You've been winning comps everywhere you go, and from what I hear, have got quite a reputation with the ladies."

"That's a lie," Bradin said quickly, so as to not sound like a man-whore. She laughed.

"Really?"

"Okay," he said after a slight pause, "maybe it's true… a little bit. But how do you know all that stuff about me?"

Smiling, the girl turned away from Bradin. "I have my sources."

"Mind telling me who?"

Looking at Bradin, she replied, "Now, if I told you that, I'd have to kill you."

Laughing, Bradin put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, fine." He looked over at the girl as her long silky brown hair fell over her face, wanting nothing more than to lean over and brush it off her face. He studied her physique for a moment. His eyes ran over her legs, realizing that, unlike most other girls, she was naturally tan. Returning his gaze to her face, Bradin said, "You don't go to Playa Linda High, do you?"

"What makes you say that?"

Bradin shrugged. "I'd have noticed someone like you if you did."

She laughed. "Wow. Original."

"I'm serious," Bradin said, confused. The girl looked Bradin in the eyes.

"What if I told you I sat behind you in English all year and you didn't once turn around and say anything to me?"

Bradin tried to think of who sat behind him in his English class, but couldn't think of their name, face, or even whether they were male or female. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know what to say, so he closed it.

Looking at her watch, she got up and dusted sand off her. "I've gotta get going," she said, reaching her hand out to help Bradin up. Bradin grasped her hand and was surprised at the strength she showed while pulling him up. He was surprised at how short she was, seeing as she seemed a lot taller from a distance, she only came up to his neck. Once Bradin was up, she didn't let go of his hand. Instead, she shook it. "It was nice meeting you, Bradin Westerly." She let go and began to walk away. Bradin watched as she slowly moved farther away, then realized he didn't know her name.

"Wait," he shouted after her, "don't I get your name?"

"No," she replied, not turning around, but Bradin could tell she was smiling.

"What if I wanna see you again?"

Walking backwards so she could face Bradin, she said, "If you wanna see me again, you'll find me."

Confused, Bradin asked "Don't I get a clue?"

Saying nothing, she pointed to the bar closest to them, turned around and walked away, leaving Bradin confused.