Jaxson and Ada shuffled down the school corridor.
The sea of students parted as they passed. Students huddled at their lockers whispering to each other.
"Is it just me or is everyone staring at us?" Ada asked.
Jaxson scanned the corridor. "I guess the last time anyone saw us together you were launching your fist into my face."
"Well, you did catch me on a bad day, and you were being a total jerk!" She tried to dodge the glances of her classmates. "What is everyone's problem?"
"Relax, they'll get over it."
"You don't have to hang out with me. I can just meet you back at your place later. We can keep this a secret."
"Nah. It's alright."
"Careful, your tough boy image is melting."
"Are you joking? My reputation is shooting through the roof. You're the toughest girl in the bay."
She smirked. "Glad you noticed."
A group of girls shoved past Ada, giggling. She pulled her backpack back onto her shoulder. "That's it! I can't do this today."
"You're gonna skip?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'll catch you later."
Ada scurried back down the corridor and out the door.
"Alright." Jaxson called after her.
In the café, Ada stirred her coffee mindlessly.
Jaxson rushed over. "Any news yet?"
"Hey," She shook her head. "Uh, no, nothing."
Jaxson pulled up a chair. "Well, I've got an exciting plan to take your mind off of things."
"What?" She eyed him suspiciously.
"I've got to go to this wedding up the coast. You should come with me."
"Who's wedding?"
He dismissed the question with a wave. "Extended family. Come on! It's only the evening do and there'll be free food and booze. It'll be a laugh."
Ada considered it. "Jaxson, I don't have anything to wear to wedding."
"Raid my mum's clothes. She's got tonnes. Trust me, she'll never know it's missing."
She eyeballed him. "Alright." She conceded. "But just because of the booze."
Jaxson grinned.
Ada raked her hands over the hundreds of outfits in the walk-in closet. "This stuff is beautiful."
"Yeah." Jaxson agreed. "My mum's kind of a shopaholic."
"How much is this stuff worth? Some of these dresses are so expensive."
"Don't worry about that. Just pick something you like."
"You sure she won't notice?"
"She's on a spa weekend with her girlfriends. We'll return whatever you borrow before we get back. She'll never know. Go on."
She smiled and weaved through the clothes. "You know, I was never really a dressy kind of girl."
"I never would've guessed." Jaxson teased.
She giggled and pulled a dress from the rail. She held it up and inspected it. "I never really had any dresses. I think I grew up in bikinis and oversized t-shirts."
She returned the dress to the rail and continued looking.
"Nothing's changed then." He remarked.
"Nah, I guess not. I've never been to a wedding either."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I don't think so."
"What about your folks? Your brothers?"
"I'm not sure if my mum and dad were even married. And, the River Boys don't really do commitment."
"What about you? Do you want to get married one day?"
She took a breath. "I don't know." She spun around and held up a black satin halter neck dress. "This one."
"Perfect." He smiled.
Jaxson knocked on the door. "Ada, you ready to go?"
"One sec!" She called from inside the guest room.
A few seconds passed and then the door swung open.
"Wow!" She gasped. "Don't you scrub up nice for a total jerk."
Jaxson shifted uncomfortably in his suit. "Thanks." He replied sarcastically.
"I'm serious, you look sharp."
"Cheers."
"I'll just get my bag."
She swivelled around.
His glance followed her across the room. The dress hugged her body. Her hair bounced over her shoulders.
She turned back.
"Ada," He stammered. "You look amazing."
She flushed. "Thanks." She pushed past him. "Let's go!"
Jaxson led Ada through an enormous hotel function room. People swarmed the dance floor. The party was in full swing.
Ada looked around awe. "Wow. This place is amazing."
Jaxson twitched awkwardly. "It's alright."
"Jaxson, have you seen the chandeliers. This wedding is beyond fancy!"
He scanned the room and swallowed. His face grew pale.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Jax!" A voice called. A suited man in his forties raced over to them. "Mate, you're here."
"Yeah, looks that way." Jaxson replied bluntly.
The man wore an expensive tailored tux. It fit him perfectly. "You missed the ceremony but, hey, it doesn't matter. I'm just really glad you came." He gushed, his smile blinding. "It means so much to me."
Ada's eyes flicked between them.
The man turned to Ada. He shook his head, trying to place her. "I'm sorry, I…"
Jaxson interjected. "Dad, this is Ada."
"Ada." He repeated. He took her hand and shook it. "Really nice to meet you. Welcome, you look lovely."
She smiled pleasantly. "You too. Thanks."
"Jax, you should catch Marie, she's around here somewhere. She'll be so happy to see you."
"Yeah, maybe later, Dad." Jaxson shrugged.
"Yeah. Okay." He nodded. "You can catch her in a bit. Why don't you two get a drink, I should find her."
"Sure."
"Nice to meet you, Ada."
"You already said that." Jaxson snapped.
"Yeah. Right." He said nervously. He nodded his head towards her. "Well, it was."
Ada nodded. "Yeah. You too."
Jaxson's dad gave her a smile and then disappeared into the crowd of dancers.
Jaxson exhaled audibly. Ada glared at him.
"What?" He asked, dodging her eye.
"Is this your Dad's wedding?"
He shuffled his feet. "Yeah. Let's get a drink, eh?"
She yanked on his arm. "Wait. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I dunno. Look, I didn't want to come at all. He's been begging me for ages. I thought you'd make it more fun."
She slapped him on the arm. "I'm wearing your mum's dress! What the hell is wrong with you?"
He smirked. "Relax. He didn't pay attention to my mum when they were married, he's not going to suddenly recognise her wardrobe now."
Ada took a deep breath. "Alright, who's the new chick?"
"His secretary."
Ada raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," He added. "He was that cliché."
"Okay." She nodded. "Let's get that drink."
She linked her arm in his and pulled him through the crowd.
Ada and Jaxson stumbled towards his house.
"No! Stop! That was too funny." She giggled.
Jaxson laughed. "I don't know who that guy was but he should be at every party."
She doubled over with laughter. "Did you see him go after that girl?"
"The way she hid from him on the dance floor!" He chortled.
She leaned onto his arm. "No, stop!" She begged, holding her stomach. "I can't laugh anymore it hurts."
He supported her as they walked towards the porch gate. "He chased her."
She slapped his arm playfully and roared with laughter. "Stop!"
Jaxson froze in his tracks. Ada stopped giggling.
"What?" She asked. She lifted her head and saw what he was seeing.
Marco loomed on the doorstep. His eyes were locked on to them.
"Hey?" Ada said. She pushed off Jaxson and rushed towards him. "You're back?"
Jaxson readjusted.
Marco nodded.
"Everything alright?" Ada asked.
"Yep." Marco replied. "We got what we needed."
"Okay. I…I'll get my stuff." Ada stammered. "Just give me a sec, I'll get changed."
She pushed the door open and ran inside.
Jaxson slunk towards the door. "We were at my Dad's wedding." He explained. "It was a distraction."
Marco eyed him. "Righto." He said plainly.
"Do you want to wait inside?" Jaxson offered, holding the door open.
"Nah, you're alright."
"Okay."
Jaxson closed the door behind him.
Marco stretched his arms behind his head. He sighed deeply.
Ada burst through the door into the Braxton's living room. Marco trailed behind.
Heath and Brax looked up from the table.
Ada's eyes focused in on the guy that sat next to them. He had hair the same shade as Brax's. His eyes brown and focused.
She studied his face. "This is him?"
Brax and Heath stood to the feet and took a step towards her.
"And who's girlfriend are you?" Kyle snapped.
She glared at him. "I'm Ada."
"Okay?" He shrugged. "So what?"
There was silence. The boys threw glances to one another.
"What?" Ada said.
Brax stared at Kyle. "You don't know who she is?"
"Should I?" He retorted.
"I don't get it." Ada murmured.
"But you knew us?" Heath said.
"The dog didn't even mention me!?" Ada cried. "I don't believe this." She whipped around and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
"I don't get it." Kyle dismissed.
"That's our little sister, you idiot!" Heath shouted.
"Sister?!" Confusion spread over Kyle's face. "Dad never said anything about a sister."
Brax rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, we got that."
"Dad didn't care much for girls." Heath told him. "Couldn't hit 'em as easy, eh!"
Heath nodded to Marco. "Are you not going to go running after her?"
"Nah."
Heath stepped towards him. "Why not? I thought you'd got that puppy dog thing down?"
Brax shoved Heath. "Give it a rest, will you! Just give her some space." He glowered at Kyle. "You can sleep on the couch. You're not to leave our sight."
"Great." Kyle said sarcastically.
Marco opened the door. "I'm gonna head home."
"Catch you later?" Brax said.
He gave him a nod and closed the door behind him.