First of all, sorry for not updating yesterday but it was my birthday so please forgive me. I had every intention of updating. My friends came over and we ate cake and watched Teen Beach Movie (even though my best friend Charlie hates it – because she has issues) but then we got in a water fight and ate heaps of junk food then I felt really sick so I didn't update. I am so sorry

On a positive note, congrats to Marissa! She was the first correct answer so the new character shall be named after her. Thanks for entering guys!

Chapter Seven:

I breathed a sigh of heavy relief as I collapsed onto my bed with a book. For the first time since yesterday afternoon when Chee Chee had turned up on my doorstep, the house was completely peaceful.

Brady was having dinner with his family, as his comprise with them for being allowed to spend this week at my place was that he at least came home for dinner every night. Butchy and Giggles were still on the beach -the rest of us had left half an hour ago after teaching the two how to send a text with my old phone I lent them in case of an emergency- and Tanner had taken Lela out for dinner. Rascal and SeaCat were out surfing despite the fact night had now completely set and it was totally dark outside. As for Chee Chee, Struts and Lugnut, they were down stairs entertaining themselves with modern TV.

About half an hour passed before a knock at the front door interrupted my reading. I trotted to the front door and heaved it open.

Brady, a young girl and a tall guy who was admittedly quite cute stood on my porch.

The boy looked around nineteen and had golden sun tanned skin, slick hair the same dark shade as Lela's and soft hazel eyes. He stood shoeless and shirtless, his only articles of clothing being his slightly damp green board shorts and stripy towel, signs that he'd just come from the beach.

The girl who looked about fourteen, maybe fifteen, also appeared to have come straight from the beach. Her long chestnut hair was loose and wet and she was dressed in a neon pink bikini and light blue thongs.

I kissed Brady hello and raised my eyebrow at the two strangers.

"Brady, who are these people?" I asked, trying to keep a smile.

"This is Marissa and Tyler. They're siblings."

I nodded and continued to try and smile although I was a little frustrated at Brady. They're siblings, woopdey do! Lela and Butchy are siblings but I'm not sure how that affects these people's lives, so why does this brother and sister affect me?

Noticing I clearly wanted more, Brady continued talking.

"I ran into them on the beach. They're holidaying here with some friends but apparently they're friends took off and they can't find them. They asked to borrow my mobile but I left it here."

Not really knowing what to say, I side stepped, creating the gesture of allowing Marissa and Tyler to come in.

Marissa disappeared back outside with Brady's phone, but Tyler stayed and observed my grandfathers surfboards, complementing them.

I wasn't big on socializing with strangers, but grandpa was constantly reminding me that Brady had once been a stranger to me and if I hadn't spoken to him I would never have met the love of my life. So I tried to be smile and at least resemble a welcoming host.

"You're into surfing?"

Tyler smiled, flashing perfect white teeth.

"Hell yeah. You surf?"

I nodded.

"Yeah."

Tyler also nodded and I could feel the awkwardness of the situation getting thicker, so I simply excused myself and went to watch TV with the bikers until Marissa had finished her call.

As soon as I sat down, the first thing I noticed was Struts.

Ever since I'd turned on the TV around an hour ago, all three bikers had been absolutely glued. For Chee Chee and Lugnut, this was still very true, but Struts wasn't even acknowledging the TV anymore.

She was twisting her hair playfully around her finger and lightly giggling, her eyes following Tyler's every move.

I smiled to myself and quickly hoped off the up chair and moved over to Struts.

"Go talk to him." I whispered in her ear.

Struts looked at me like I'd just told her to go jump off a cliff into shark infested water.

"Are you crazy?" She hissed. "I'm a girl! I can't make the first move! Why ya think I'm being all flirtatious over here? I'm trying to get his attention!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Struts, I already explained this to you. In this year, it's just as common and perfectly ok for girls to talk to guys first."

Struts looked nervous.

"Go on." I encouraged.

"Come with me? I've never done this before." She pleaded.

I agreed and helped her up, then remembered something.

"Just remember you're not Struts, you're Justine." I reminded.

Struts thought for a second.

"Wait, didn't you say not to go introducing ourselves to randoms?"

She was right. I did say that.

"Oh his cute that rule's broken!" I laughed.

Struts gave a little smile and I could see just how nervous she seriously was.

"Hey Tyler!" I called out, just as Marissa came back inside.

"Ok." Marissa giggled. "It was all just a big misunderstanding. They're gonna meet us back at the hotel in an hour. Let's go get some dinner Ty, I'm starving!"

I could see this disappointment flicker through Strut's eyes as Tyler thanked Brady and headed for the door with his sister.

"Wait!" I yelled, thinking fast. "Why don't you stay here for dinner?"

Marissa looked confused.

"But we don't even know you!" She protested.

Think. Think. Think.

"No. But I just had an awesome conversation with your brother and I'd love to continue it over dinner."

Now it was Tyler's turn to look confused.

"We… we did?"

No. We didn't. We had an awful conversation.

"Ah.. . yeah!" I tried to say it as though it were totally obvious. "You're into surfing and so am I. Brady loves to surf to. Do I need to say anything else?"

Marissa still looked unsure by Tyler beamed, then frowned at his sister scowl.

"Come on Mari. One dinner ain't gonna hurt."

Marissa checked her watch.

"But you promised we'd go looking for a trainer to teach me how to ride a motorcycle today!" She whined.

I looked and Struts and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing.

"I've been riding since I was five!" She exclaimed. She motioned towards Chee Chee and Lugnut. "And my friends Ch… ah… Kristy and Matthew, have been riding since they were little as well!"

Marissa let out a tiny squeal.

"I'm Marissa." She introduced herself to Struts.

"I'm Justine." Struts replied.

"Well I guess you're both staying for dinner…" Brady was still very confused about my sudden enthusiasm to make new friends.

"I would cook you a five star meal but I don't know how to cook…" I joked.

"Take-away it is!" Struts declared. She picked up the home phone to order Chinese, and as it was ringing, she turned and mouthed 'thankyou' to me.

I guess I seriously am Mack; matchmaker extraordinaire

Congrats once more to Marissa. And Marissa in this story will be a regular character, I promise she isn't just a one time thing. Xxxx will update for seven reviews!