He had come to her, once again, as a knight in shining amour, knowing when she needed someone, without being told. That scared her, more than she had ever realized. To have someone who seemed so close to her, she hadn't yet let anyone attain that.

Her mind raced in a million directions, questioning, wondering, and trying to rationalize. How was it that someone who made her feel so good could also make her feel so sick? Every time she saw him her stomach twisted in knots and she felt these feeling of anxiety that made her get dizzy. He confused her to the point that she couldn't think clearly when he was around.

Brady: Chloe? Chloe? Earth to Chloe (he said as he snapped his fingers in front of her face)

Chloe: hmmm…oh…. what, sorry (she said, suddenly realizing Brady was seated beside her)

Brady: You gave me this look like I was a lecher when I said I knew to find you by the water…. is something wrong?

Chloe: No silly (she said giving him a playful, flirting punch in the arm) its just…. oh never mind (Its just that you scare me to death-she thought)

A small shiver ran through her She wasn't accustomed to the cool air in the Puerto Rico evenings. She let out a small shudder as she hugged her knees closer to her chest, partially in an attempt to warm herself, but also as a shield from the blond haired beauty that was seated beside her.

Brady: Are you cold? Here let me try to warm you up (he wraps his arm around her pulling her closer into him) There, is that better? (He said while looking curiously into her eyes)

Chloe: (small smile) Yes. Thanks, this feels…. better (looks up to meet his gaze but then quickly feels sick and stares at the fire)

The sit in silence for a few moments. Brady occasionally glances over to Chloe but she is still staring at the fire as if she wished she were a million miles away.

"Great" he thought, "Here I am with the most beautiful girl and all she looks as if she would rather be anywhere else but with me."

With that, he let out a sad sigh and loosened his grip.

It was too hard, sitting with her in his arms, wanting to reach out and tell her how he feels, but too scared to. What if she turned him down? He has a tough exterior but he knew he couldn't handle that kind of rejection, especially not from her.

Chloe wondered why he loosened his grip. It had felt so good. He smelled so good. She had gotten lost in his arms, dreaming of all their "special" times this summer. Why was she thinking these things? He was just her friend, besides she didn't like the nauseous feeling that he gave her, not because it was unpleasant but because she was unwilling to accept what was happening to her: Brady was making her feel things she had never felt, not even with Philip.

She knew she couldn't let him stop, the sickening feeling was being overshadowed by this feeling of security, and she grabbed his arm…

Chloe: Don't!

Brady: Don't what?

Chloe: Don't stop holding me, it feels…. right.

Brady: I have to Chloe…

Chloe: Why?

Brady: Because if I don't…I will…uhhh…(his voice fades and he shows sudden discomfort)

Chloe: (Interrupting) do what Brady? What are you talking…

Brady: (Interrupting) this…(he reaches over and cups her face and kisses her passionately. She shows some resistance at first, unclear as to what is going on, but suddenly she becomes more relaxed and starts kissing him back more and more passionately)


A car door slams…someone gets out with a flashlight and heads to a lit fire on the beach…