Author's Note: Please accept my apologies for taking so long to update. I managed to misplace my jump drive (which, consequently had all my Summerland fanfic work on it) between Saturday night and Monday afternoon, so I've lost all my written ideas and my original second chapter. This is my second version of my second chapter and I like it better. Anyway, sorry for the delay and I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Summerland or any related characters. All other characters are mine.

Your Beautiful Soul

Chapter 2

"You're in second place? That's awesome, Kyle!" Maggie said into the phone. She absently stole a glance at the mirror above the dresser and ran a brush through her hair for the thousandth time. Resting her hand on her mother's old make-up case, she considered applying some of it, but then made a face at herself. Whenever she ventured to wear a little, she always seemed too perfect and, well—made-up. Maggie long-since decided it was better to go on the principle of if he doesn't like me for me, then he's not worth my time. Besides, she'd been blessed with a clear complexion—at least for that day.

A knock at the door; Maggie froze. That would be Bradin. Taking one last look in the mirror, she bounded down the stairs to the main floor and skidded to a halt in front of the door. She opened it and smiled. "Hi."

"Hey," Bradin smiled back.

"I'll just be a minute, make yourself comfortable." Maggie closed the door and showed him to the living room. She walked to the kitchen and said into the phone, "Hey, can I call you back later?" - a pause - "Um…yeah. Okay, bye." She hung up the phone and went back to the living room.

"I was thinking maybe we could take a walk on the beach." Bradin stood from the couch.

"Sounds good to me," Maggie said, grabbing a set of keys from the counter and pulling on a red sweatshirt. She led the way to the door, then locked it after they crossed the threshold.

Stepping onto the sand, Maggie felt a comfortably cool breeze swell up from the ocean, coaxing her loose hair into a twisting and twirling dance. As they neared the water, the peaceful ebb and flow drowned out what little other noise there was drifting from the houses and street. Watching the tiny waves sprawl out on the sand, she suddenly said, "I've seen you surfing out here in the morning sometimes. You're pretty good."

"I try," he half-smiled. "I'm still pretty new to it. My younger sister and brother and I just moved here to live with my aunt a few weeks ago."

"Do you mind if I ask why?"

"Um…" he paused, looking down at his feet. "My parents died trying to save our town from a flash flood back in Kansas."

"Whoa, that's rough," Maggie said quietly, glancing up to see him gazing across the ocean at the sunset. "Be thankful you had both of them for as long as you did. My mom skipped out on my dad after I was born. I haven't ever heard from her. And my dad…" she felt stinging tears threaten to fall. "My dad was in the south tower on 9-11. He was being his normal firefighter self and he'd just gone back in for another group of people when it came down. I lived with my grandparents that year, then I moved here to live with my brother."

They walked a ways in silence, both thinking and remembering. Maggie was pulled from her thoughts as something brushed the back of her left hand. Was that what I thought it was? She wondered excitedly, her heart fluttering wildly like a caged butterfly. There it was again, slightly stronger. Bradin's hand slid around her wrist and he entwined his fingers with hers. She looked down at her hand and smiled to herself. Bradin was different from the other boys in Playa Linda. None of the others ever even looked at her since—she figured—she wasn't an 'easy' bleached-blonde, over-tanned, bikini-wearing surf bunny like nearly all the other girls her age. No—Bradin was definitely different.

The two teens had walked along the beach for nearly an hour and the tip of the sun was just faintly visible on the horizon, yet it lit the sky in vibrant pink, blue, and purple. A few more yards and they stopped, looking up at the meager sprinkling of brave stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky.

"It's so beautiful," Maggie allowed herself to whisper, then a thought came to her. "Would you have stayed in Kansas rather than coming here if you had a choice?"

He shrugged. "My whole life was there. Ya know, all my friends, my school…but it was hard to be surrounded by memories of my parents sometimes and everyone was always feeling sorry for us. The first couple days I was here I think I would have gone back 'cause I hated it here." He paused for a moment, then continued with a short laugh, "My sister was a total freak for the first few days and I think the whole move thing was hard on my little brother, but we're good now. I'm good now." He looked at her with a smile. Maggie smiled back.

All was silent save the murmured rippling of the waves cresting and gliding gently across the sand toward their feet. They were far enough down the beach that the lights of the houses and the pier were mere dots in the gathering dusk, shimmering delicately beneath the soft warmth of the fading sunset.

Maggie jumped at the deafening rumble of thunder emanating from the north. The sky was quickly filling with tempestuous black clouds and large drops of rain began to fall, slowly at first, but gaining speed with every passing second. She felt Bradin pulling her after him.

"Come on!" He shouted through the driving flurry of rain. Maggie followed, desperately clinging to his hand, lest he slip away.

After a few minutes of sprinting across the sand, Bradin drew Maggie close in the confines of a dark cave. Despite the humidity in the air, a chill ran through her and she eased closer to Bradin. He guided her along the narrow path next to the wall, feeling his way in the blackness.

"Watch your feet," Bradin warned. "There's a drop-off"

One step; two steps. With the third step, a short gasp escaped her as she dropped a few inches.

"Are you okay?" Bradin asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Yeah," Maggie assured him. She couldn't help but smile. "Just surprised me a little."

Bradin led her forward another couple hundred feet, before saying over his shoulder, "We're almost there. It's just around the corner."

Indeed it was. Maggie could sense the pitch dark surrounding them soften into a dim light. As they rounded the corner, the tunnel opened into a large cavern. Letting go of her hand for the first time since he'd taken it, Bradin jumped down the few feet to the floor of the cavern, then turned. He set his hands around her waist as she braced on his shoulders and he lifted her down easily.

Gazing into his green eyes, Maggie searched his soul, finding only honesty and truth within their emerald depths. Bradin moved closer; and closer. In a moment, he leaned down and his lips met hers in a gentle kiss. She let her arms slide around his neck, pressing closer to his warm body. After several long minutes, they broke apart for air, still holding on to one another.

"Bradin," Maggie said quietly, lifting her eyes to meet his.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Are you for real? Is this for real?"

"You tell me," he smiled and kissed her again, letting his arms move around her body, drawing her even closer to him.

Finally, the kiss ended, leaving both equally satisfied.

"Bradin, what time is it?" Maggie asked suddenly.

He reached down and pressed the indaglo on his watch. "10:47."

"We should probably head back," she said reluctantly. "It'll be after eleven by the time we get there and I don't want your aunt to worry."

"Yeah."

Bradin led her to a small opening in the side of the cavern just big enough for them to squeeze through. He took her hand and they started off. Neither said a word on the walk back, both glowing in the golden silence.

Escorting her up the steps, Bradin let her hand free to unlock the door.

"Bradin, I…" Maggie started, turning around to face him, but Bradin caught her with a kiss. He let her go and she smiled. "Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was going to tell you I had a great time."

"Tomorrow?" he asked, leaning in for another kiss.

Maggie didn't refuse, but kept it short. "I have a rehearsal in the morning, but I'm free after noon."

"12:01 then." He kissed her again, this time pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck willingly.

Breaking apart, Maggie caressed his cheek with her fingertips. "Bradin, you really should go. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."

The breeze picked up, sending a gust of cool air around them. Bradin gently pushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and kissed her one last time. "Tomorrow, then," he whispered.

Bradin left her reluctantly and moved away, down the stairs and out across the sand. Maggie gazed after him long after he had disappeared before unlocking the door and entering. She slowly brushed her teeth, changed into a cool cotton tank and shorts, and slipped into her bed. Turning off the light, she smiled. She'd finally found him. Her knight in shining armor, so to speak. Without another thought, she closed her eyes and slipped into a restful sleep.