Author's Note: Thanks y'all for reviewing! I'm glad y'all like it. Chapter 4 is in the works and should hopefully be finished in the near future if the muses hold out. I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July weekend! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Summerland or any related characters, but I'm very thankful I'm allowed use them.
Your Beautiful Soul
Chapter 3
Bradin woke the next morning fully rested and ready for the new day. He slid out of bed and shuffled to the door that led onto the wrap-around porch facing the ocean. Stepping out, he was met with a breath of fresh coastal air lazily swirling up from the water that glimmered a few hundred yards away. He smiled. It was a beautiful day: the sun was shining, the surf looked good—and the best part of all—he'd found Maggie.
His mind wandering over the previous night's events, Bradin pulled on a pair of board shorts and a gray t-shirt. He jogged down the stairs to see his aunt, Susanna, and Nikki busy in the kitchen.
"Good morning, all!" Bradin greeted the house's occupants cheerfully.
"It's alive," Susannah said in mock amazement, then narrowing her eyes suspiciously, "And it's—happy."
"Call the cops…file a missing persons!" Johnny moved in front of Bradin, took the teen by the shoulders, and demanded, "Who are you and where's our Bradin?"
"Are you saying I can't even wish my own family a good morning?" Bradin took a seat next to his younger brother at the table and smiled at the nine-year-old. Derrick gave him a questioning look, but recovered quickly and smiled back.
"No, it's just that we're surprised you're up so early," Ava laughed, placing a bowl of scrambled eggs on the table. "Considering you came in at midnight last night."
"After midnight," Susanna corrected her best friend, sliding into the chair next to Johnny and across from Derrick. "And it's not even nine hours later."
"Were you planning to open the shop for me this morning?" Jay asked suspiciously, dishing out a helping of eggs onto his plate. He was obviously still a bit sore about everyone offering to do things for him all the time since the accident at the tour.
"Jay—" Susanna warned with a you-know-better-than-that look.
"What?" the young Australian asked innocently. "I'm an invalid, ya know. I gotta keep my strength up."
"You can wait a few minutes. It's not like you're going to die of hunger in that short a time." She flashed him a smile.
"I might just have to so I can prove you wrong." After a moment, Jay grabbed his stomach and started to sink out of his chair, moaning in mock agony. Once he was completely on the floor, he flopped his arms out and assumed the dead position, sending Derrick into hysterics and the others to laughing.
"Actually, I'm going to practice surfing with Erika this morning." Bradin told Jay, giving him a hand up.
When the last of the laughter ended—Derrick seeming to have the hardest time stopping—Ava took her seat at the head of the table, and Nikki slid into hers next to Susanna after delivering a plate of bacon from the kitchen counter. All at the table took each other's hands and bowed their heads. There was a moment of silence.
"Amen," Derrick said after a minute.
"Amen," the others chorused after him, then proceeded to pass the food around.
On any other day, Bradin would have eaten hurriedly, then run for the door to escape the chaos of the breakfast table. But this day was different. Even though Nikki and Susanna were deep in conversation about the latest skirt they were working on, and Derrick was telling Johnny and Ava how Cameron had him hitting like Babe Ruth, Bradin was oblivious to it all. His entire being—at that moment—revolved around a certain girl: her chestnut hair, her slight New York accent, her soft lips, the last kiss he'd shared with her…
"Kansas," a voice broke into his thoughts. "Hey, Kansas."
Bradin looked up to see Erika sitting down next to him, plate in hand. "Oh, hi."
"I think our space cadet here had a good date last night," Jay grinned, jerking his thumb in Bradin's direction.
"Really,"—the word was more of a statement than a question. Erika poked him lightly with her elbow. "Do I know her?"
"I doubt it," Bradin shrugged passively, picking up the last bit of bacon from his plate and eating it. There was no use denying the fact that he'd had a date the night before. Why else would he have gotten home after midnight? —And why else would he be so happy?
"Well, I hope it works out for ya," Erika smiled at him.
"Me, too." He stood from the table. Bradin took his plate, fork, and cup to the dishwasher, placed them in, then headed for the stairs. Once in his room, he changed into his wetsuit and grabbed his surfboard. He carefully threaded his way down the stairs, through the living room, and stepped out onto the patio.
"I'll be out in a few," Erika called after him.
On the beach, life was bustling about as usual: early sunbathers stretched out on their beach towels, swimmers heading for the crashing waves, and surfers gliding effortlessly over the water. In complete contrast, all was peaceful in Bradin's mind. He looked forward to getting out in the surf; catching a few waves. The sun was already climbing high in the sky and the temperature seemed to rise just as steadily. Sitting down near the water's edge to wait for Erika, Bradin allowed his mind to drift back to the cavern.
"Kansas," the voice pierced his thoughts again. "Hey, Kansas!"
"What?" Bradin jumped, realizing someone had called him.
"I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes!" —a pause— "She must be really pretty." Erika sat down next to him on the sand. "What's her name?"
"And have you tell everyone else—I don't think so." He stood and picked up his board. "Let's go surf."
"Aw, come on, I won't tell. Don't you trust me?" She asked innocently.
"Uh…no."
Erika grinned. "I promise I won't tell," she sung out, "Cross my heart, hope to die."
Bradin rolled his eyes at her joke. Sighing, he gave up. Truth be told, he had been dying to tell someone about her. "Her name's Maggie, and she lives just a little ways down the beach." He gestured to the water. "Now let's go surfing."
Erika laughed and followed him into the ocean, gliding gracefully onto her surfboard and paddling out to catch a wave.
After an hour in the water, Erika had gone up onto the beach to dry off and fifteen minutes later, lifting his board out of the water, Bradin jogged to where she sat. He set his surfboard down carefully before dropping onto the sand next to his former teacher.
"That was awesome Kansas! You should fall in love more often." Erika grinned at him. "Oh, um…hey…I've gotta run. I managed to convince Jay to let me help him around the shop today." She got up and took her board under her arm. "Hope your date goes well."
"Who said anything about a date?" Bradin called after her.
"Woman's intuition!" She called back with a laugh and disappeared in the crowd.
After a few minutes, Bradin headed for the house. Stepping through the door, he was almost positive he glowed. Surfing had brought him to an even higher level of euphoria—a level he was certain he'd never reached before in all his seventeen years. Maggie was special; and he figured getting the half-melted contents of a large Coleman cooler on his head was a more than fair price to pay for the privilege. His entire being tingled at the thought of seeing her again; and this very thought filled him with joy and excitement. Thinking back to Kansas, he realized that out of all the girls he'd dated—though the number was not overwhelmingly large—he'd never felt quite like this about any of them; not a single one.