A/N: Here's the first chapter of my new story. Enjoy!

Riiiiiing! Riiiiing! Riiiiiing!

The caller display on Aubrey Phoenix's cell read Sarah Cayley. She snatched it off her desk, putting down the magazine she was reading.

"Hey, Sarah," she intoned into the receiver.

"Hey, Aubbs," came a voice on the other end. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to the beach with us tomorrow."

"Who's us?"

"Well, me, Daniel, Bradley, Shaylyn, and Dustin," Sarah replied, listing off their closest friends. "Oh, and your new boyfriend said he wanted to come too."

"My new boyfriend has a name," Aubrey said irritably, "and it's Rory."

"Whatever. You go through boyfriends so fast, nobody can remember who's who."

Aubrey growled into the phone.

"Okay, okay, sorry." Sarah giggled. "So are you coming?"

"Sure."

"Great. We'll pick you up at ten tomorrow, okay?"

"Yup. Catcha later then."

"Bye."

Aubrey hastily shoved her required beach items into her bag. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her new bikini was proving to be very attractive. She leaned forward, preening herself. She fixed her light, wavy brown hair up into a messy bun and stuck in a few pins. She pulled on a short skirt and placed her sunglasses carefully on the top of her head.

BEEP BEEEEEEEEEP!

A car horn honked just outside. She peered out the window. Dustin's dark blue Dodge Caravan sat on the curb. The front passenger window rolled down, and Sarah beckoned impatiently. Aubrey nodded, seized her bag, and flew down the stairs.

Once out the door she hopped into the van and climbed into the back, where she sat next to Rory.

He was a good-looking guy; sandy blonde hair hanging half over his face, big green eyes that adored her, and a great body. She had met him just last week at a party, where he was introduced as somebody's cousin who would be moving into the neighbourhood and enrolling at their high school. He had wanted her, that was clear; every boy who saw her wanted her. She hadn't had a boyfriend at the time, which was unusual, so when he asked her out she giggled with her friends and agreed. They had seen each other every day since then.

"Hi baby, how are you?" he whispered, lips on her ear.

Aubrey smiled. "Good." She turned her head and briefly pressed her lips to his.

"Do you wanna come get pizza with me after?" he asked softly, looking down into her eyes.

She nodded, and he kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

"Okay, enough of this fluffy stuff!" shouted Dustin from the driver's seat. "Let's get the show on the road!"

He opened all the windows and blasted up the music on the radio. The guys leaned back in their seats and relaxed while the girls huddled together and bounced up and down excitedly.

Dustin parked the car in the parking lot just outside the Boardwalk Pub. Jumping out of the car, Aubrey clutched Rory's hand and pulled it impatiently as he gathered up their bags and carried them down to the beach. Daniel strolled into the pub, calling over his shoulder that he'd get beers for everyone and bring them down in a minute.

They marched down into the sand. Aubrey tossed her flip-flops off her feet and felt the sand squish between her toes. She flapped out a towel and laid it down next to Rory's. She slipped off her skirt and pulled her sunglasses over her eyes.

The guys were lying down on their towels with their eyes closed. Sarah and Shaylyn were walking further down the beach. Sarah turned around. "Come on Aubrey, we're going for a walk!"

"What for?" Aubrey called back.

"We're observing the hotties!" Shaylyn giggled.

"I already have a hottie!" Aubrey shouted haughtily.

"Then bring him too!" Sarah yelled exasperatedly.

Aubrey snatched her beer bottle from the sand and grabbed Rory's hand, pulling him to his feet. They jogged up to Sarah and Shaylyn, and the girls linked arms while Rory put his hand around Aubrey's waist. They walked through the shallow water, chatting and laughing, until Sarah stopped abruptly.

"Ooh, lordie!" she whispered. "Who is that gorgeous boy?"

She pointed to a tall, dark and handsome man standing twenty metres ahead. His dark brown hair strayed over his shadowy, mysterious eyes. His golden tanned body was muscular and fit. He had no shirt on, and was standing with his hands in his shorts pockets.

Rory shook his head in wonder. "What about that stunning girl next to him, huh ladies? Whatcha gonna do about her?"

He was right. Next to the man was a beautiful girl. She was talking to him, looking straight in his eyes. Aubrey felt a stab of jealously course through her. The girl had intelligent bluey green eyes, a perfect nose and chin, full lips, and long dark brown hair with ringlets at the bottom. She wore a short fuzzy white bathrobe, presumably with a bikini underneath. What the hell is she doing outside in that get-up? Aubrey thought. She wished she had the same long bronzed legs as this girl.

"I have to have him!" she murmured.

"What about me?" Rory joked.

Aubrey turned to him. "Rory, I just don't think this is going to work."

"What are you talking about?" he roared at her. "We were doing fine before you saw him!" He pointed an accusing finger.

"Does that matter? It's over anyway, Rory. We're done. Get away from me."

He opened his mouth furiously to reply, but thought better of it and stormed away.

"Don't you think that was bit harsh?" Shaylyn asked uncertainly.

"I want that guy. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do."

Sarah shrugged and said, "So what are you gonna do now? How are you gonna get him?"

"Piece of cake," Aubrey said easily.

With confidence she strode over to him. "Hey!" she said brightly. "Are you busy on Saturday?"

He stared at her with a look of surprise, which soon turned to a frown. He shook his head slowly, receiving a punch from the girl next to him. She glared at Aubrey, tugging the man away. As he let himself be dragged off, he glanced in disapproval at the beer bottle in her hand.

Aubrey retreated back to her friends, looking stunned.

"What happened?" Sarah asked anxiously.

"I asked if he was busy," she answered slowly, "and he looked at me funny. Then his girlfriend pulled him away before he could say anything."

She was shocked. She had never ever been rejected before. More often, she was the one rejecting. Who does that girl think she is? Aubrey thought, outraged. Still, she was intrigued. Who is this guy? Is he from the neighbourhood? Will I see him again? She didn't know. She linked arms with her friends again and stalked away.

As he watched her leave, the young man felt a small feeling of guilt. Who was this girl? Why did he so suddenly feel attracted to her?