Author's Note: Okay, I think I finally know how this is gonna go. My muses are back (for now, anyway) and the characters are starting to tell me where the story should go. I'll hopefully have some more chapters to post after Monday, but I can't guarantee it.

August 21, 2004

Disclaimer: I do not own Summerland, nor do I own any related characters or places.

Your Beautiful Soul

Chapter 12

"I can't believe I actually did it!" Maggie exclaimed, taking a seat across from Bradin at an outdoor table of the small restaurant.

"Yeah, that was pretty good for only a week of surfing after a year's hiatus," Bradin smiled.

It had been a week and a half since the 4th of July, and Bradin and Maggie had spent most of their time together, surfing or just hanging out. There had been a few days when Maggie went biking or had music rehearsals; and during those days, Bradin had surfed for hours on end to keep himself distracted. The only time he hadn't gone surfing when she was busy, he had spent the day moping around and missing her.

"Well, I learned the basics when I first moved here—my brother is one of the best surfers on the West Coast. How exactly did you expect me to not learn something?"

"It took me a while to figure out the 180, and I still can't do it that well."

"What can I say? It's in my blood," she laughed. "That's like the first time I've ever done it without wiping out. Even though I hated surfing before, I think I'll try to pick it up again—you make it fun."

"Ah, the order's up." Bradin walked over to the counter and returned with a plate.

"Is that what I think it is?" Maggie cocked an eyebrow.

"Yup."

"I've never had sushi before," she poked at it.

"Here, try this." Bradin held up a piece that was wrapped in kelp. She took a bite of it and immediately made a face. Laughing, he popped the rest in his mouth.

"Odd," she remarked. Bradin made her try a few more different things, but each was given the same response. A half-hour later, they were walking along the Promenade and laughing over a surfer joke Bradin had heard in Jay's shop when someone caught Bradin's arm.

"Hi Bradin!"

"Sarah." Her name slipped out with a hint of a squeak and he cleared his throat nervously.

"I haven't seen you in so long." She made her little pouty-face and hugged him. "I missed you."

Bradin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"So, I went to Paris with my cousin for a week—oh it was so awesome! I got this great new outfit and we went to this club and we started dancing with these college guys. Mine was called Jacque—or something like that," –she rolled her eyes the way she always did— "And we got together a few times and he bought me this bracelet on the last night I was there. He was so sweet!" Sarah held out her right wrist to show off the gold bracelet.

"That's nice." Bradin found his voice. "Oh, hey, Sarah, this is Maggie."

She went on as though Bradin had said nothing. "Yeah, so these two guys and my cousin and I were gonna sleep out under the Eiffel Tower, but then the police showed up, and we ended up hi-jacking this cab and driving clear out of the country."

Bradin glanced at Maggie. She stood silently next to him surveying the skinny blond before them.

"And I got this skirt—ya like?" Sarah put her hands on her hips and struck a modeling pose to show off her hot pink mini skirt. "Well, actually, I didn't get it, we like stuffed it in my purse and the stupid guy didn't even realize it. It was like so crazy."

"Well we're—" Bradin started.

"Yeah, so like, I gotta go, but I'll see ya around. Bye Bradin!" Sarah kissed him lightly on the cheek and disappeared in the crowd, leaving Bradin speechless.

"So, who was that?" Maggie asked as they started off toward her house again.

"Sarah Borden." Then he shrugged, saying, "We kinda went out a time or two at the beginning of the summer. We're just sorta friends now."

"Oh," Maggie said simply.

The rest of the walk back to Maggie's was silent. Bradin didn't want to explain what had happened with Sarah earlier in the summer, and was relieved that Maggie did not push the subject. He was over Sarah, and he was with Maggie now—nothing could change that; nothing would change that.

"Well, I have a bike club meeting this afternoon, so I should probably go," Maggie said as they stepped up to the beach house. "I am not looking forward to getting up at three tomorrow. But, we have a long drive, so I suppose we have to start early."

Bradin pushed a stray hair behind Maggie's ear and leaned down to kiss her. "I'm gonna miss you, baby."

"Me, too." She looked up at him sadly. "I'll try to call you when we get to the hotel Thursday night."

Pulling her close in a hug, Bradin held her for a minute before he took a breath and said, "I love you, Maggie."

"I love you, too." A car horn honked from in front of the house and Maggie said, "That's my ride."

"I'll see you when you get back," Bradin hugged her again. "Have fun."

"Don't worry, I will. And save a couple waves for me, okay?"

"You bet," he smiled, letting her go.

The car horn blared loudly again, and Maggie kissed him quickly. "Gotta go. See ya!" She went in the house, leaving Bradin on the sand.

He missed her already. What was she doing to him? Shaking his head, he started walking toward his own house. The swells had died down since he and Maggie had been out before lunch, and the two surfers he saw weren't having much luck in catching a wave. A volleyball game was in full swing down on the beach behind his aunt's house, but he didn't know anyone playing, so he turned and walked up the stairs to the patio. Stepping into the house, he was greeted by his younger brother.

"Hi Bradin," Derrick smiled from the kitchen.

"Hey, D," Bradin replied. "Hey Martha."

"Hi," the young girl smiled at him sweetly before turning back to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches they were making.

Bradin headed up to his room, leaving the kids to their late lunch. He plopped down in the swivel chair and spun around twice before he caught the lip of the desk to stop himself. Looking at the computer screen, he saw the little envelope in the corner that showed there was a new message.

Maybe it's from Maggie, he thought, clicking on it.

"You've got mail!" he said with the computer voice.

As his email popped up, his breath caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, moving the mouse to hover above the link. It was from Sarah.