Author's Note: Is it really that predictable? What–when you see the name 'Sarah' you automatically assume there will be trouble? Haha…you guys make me laugh (in a good way)! This is what I have for now, though a teeny tiny muse is starting to percolate deep inside my brain…maybe I can coax it out, lol. I have an idea (that little muse) of what will happen next chapter, but I still need to work it through my fingers and onto the Micro Word. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter written, edited, and posted in the next few days. Again!…I can't promise anything. Thanks for reading!
Here's my little off-topic splurge…I got to hear Jesse McCartney on his radio station promotion tour stop in Seattle this morning (Aug 27, 2004). He performed the song "The Stupid Things" live with guitarist from his upcoming debut album, "Beautiful Soul" – coming out September 28th! He sounded awesome, by the way…of course, lol. He said they have hired the band and rehearsals will start as soon as they get back to CA. They are tentatively starting to plan a concert tour for when filming Summerland's 2nd season is finished and they have a big enough break. So, if you are a Jesse fan (like me), keep your eyes open for a stop in a city near you sometime after November. Just FYI, Summerland will start filming September 29th in order to be able to take over the time slot, should the WB's new series The Mountain flop. …I apologize for blabbing so long - just wanted to let you in on the new info.
Ok, just a reminder—nothing past the episode "Big Waves" applies in this reality. I will be using a few things that happen in later episodes of Summerland (for example: the surfing team and Bradin meeting Lucas) but with my own twist on things. Here's lucky Chapter 13.
August 22, 2004
Disclaimer: I do not own Summerland, nor do I own any related characters or places. I don't own the IM addresses either. Sarah456x is the email/IM they used for Sarah in the episode "Skipping School." I made Bradin's up, so please don't try to use it.
Your Beautiful Soul
Chapter 13
"Hey, Bradin!" Ava called from downstairs. "You got something from school."
Bradin quickly closed his email and made his way down the stairs. He had sat at the computer for nearly twenty minutes trying to decide whether or not to read Sarah's email. In the end, he'd been about to open it when his aunt called.
"Looks kinda important," Aunt Ava smiled, handing him the plain white envelope.
He opened it and pulled out the paper, scanning it quickly to see what it was about. "They've got two spots open on their surf team."
"Surf team?" Jay questioned, walking in the front door with Erika. The young Australian turned around in a circle. "Notice anything different?"
"Did you do something to your hair?" Bradin asked with a grin.
"Lower."
"New board shorts?" Ava put in, playing along with the joke. He gave her a look, and she smiled, saying, "Congratulations, Jay."
"I feel a whole foot lighter without that dumb air cast." Jay grinned, walking over to the refrigerator. "Get it? Foot?"
"Yeah, we get it, Jay." Erika rolled her eyes and sat down next to Bradin at the kitchen island. "So what's this about a surf team?"
"At school." He handed her the piece of paper. "They have a surfing team and they've got two openings. Sign-ups are tomorrow and try-outs are this Thursday at Two Brothers."
"High school surf teams are a waste of time for anyone considering going pro," Jay stated, looking over Erika's shoulder.
"Way to be encouraging, Jay," Erika reprimanded her boyfriend, then turned to Bradin. "I think you should try out."
"You think so?" Bradin asked, uncertainty plainly visible on his face.
"You'd be a shoe-in." Erika stood, laying a supporting hand on his shoulder. "Just don't listen to Jay. I gotta go. See ya, guys." She kissed Jay quickly before heading for the door. Jay shrugged, then walked silently to the back door and went out to his pool-house room.
"It would be a way to meet some new people," Ava offered over her shoulder from the sink. "You'd at least have one thing in common."
Bradin sighed. "I'll think about it." He stuffed the paper back in the envelope and went back to his room.
A surf team might be fun, and he would meet a bunch of people as Aunt Ava had said—but on the other hand, he could potentially embarrass himself in front of the best teen surfers of Playa Linda. Securing a spot as 'loser' before school even started would be just perfect; and with his current luck, the result would be the latter. He'd seen the hazings of the 'losers' back at his high school in Kansas, and he was sure it'd be even worse here. A moo from the computer startled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see an instant message on the screen. Sitting down, he reminded himself to have a talk with Derrick about changing the settings without asking. Bradin grit his teeth as he read the note.
Sarah456x: hey Bradin! u haven't emailed me back yet?!?! I can't believe u haven't emailed me yet!!!!! call me! we should get 2gether…
Bradin didn't answer, but as he turned away from the computer, it mooed at him again.
Sarah456x: I know ur there. why don't you answer?!
He sighed and typed an answer.
Kansassurferboy: I'm busy
Sarah456x: ur 2 busy 2 talk 2 me?
Kansassurferboy: yeah, sorry
Bradin hurriedly disconnected the instant messenger service before she could respond. He was over her—why couldn't she see that? Two emails popped up in his account as he checked it. They were both from Sarah. Taking a deep breath to steady his shaking hands, he reluctantly opened the two new emails and the one she'd sent earlier. All three were about meeting her; and in each one, Sarah demanded—in her own special demanding way—that he consent immediately.
Hitting the 'reply' button, he quickly typed up a note to her.
Meet at Two Brothers for surfing tomorrow at 1.
-Bradin
That would be harmless enough. He'd be able to surf for an hour with her, then excuse himself to go to sign-ups for surf team tryouts. Within seconds after the message was sent, Sarah's reply popped up.
Great! I'll be waiting for u. I missed u sooooooo much! Love you!
S.
What had he done?
He re-read the last part four times—'love you!' No, she couldn't love him; but what if she hadn't understood what he'd meant the last time they had spoken? Grabbing his gray sweatshirt from his bed, Bradin walked out of the house and down to the beach. He missed Maggie, and she hadn't even left yet.
How long Bradin wandered down the beach, he did not know; nor did he care. He watched the gulls swoop around lazily in the gathering dusk: dark shadows flitting sporadically against a vivid sky containing nearly all the shades imaginable in a painter's palette. The shouts and loud music reached his ears before the large bonfire that threw its sparkling and cracking flames high in the night sky became visible. Walking past on the outskirts of the party, he heard his name being called, and he turned to see a few guys he'd seen around the surf shop waving him over.
"Cool party," Bradin commented over the loud rock music.
"Yeah, whatever." The guy next to the cooler shrugged. "Hey, I'm Lucas."
"Bradin." He shook Lucas' hand.
"Wait—Bradin Westerly?"
"Yeah," Bradin said slightly suspicious. "How'd you kn—"
Before he could finish his question, Bradin found himself on the sand. In a moment, he felt her body press close and her lips touch his.
"I knew I'd find you here!"
"Sarah, don't." He pushed her off and stood, dusting the sand from his clothes.
"What's up with you?" Sarah questioned, pushing herself to her feet. She almost even pulled off making it sound sincere.
"Nothing—nothing."
"Good, you were starting to worry me, baby." She slid her hands around his neck and made her pouty face. Changing her expression to a sugary sweet smile, Sarah grabbed a bottle from the nearest cooler and handed it to Bradin. "Have a drink, baby—and loosen up."
Bradin took a long swig, not really caring that it burned a little on the way down.
"You're so tense." Sarah looked up at him with her big blue eyes. Turning him around, she started massaging his shoulders. He didn't refuse her touch, and he took another drink from the bottle.