Bradin got up the following morning and walked down to the kitchen for breakfast. His aunt was there and had a plate of food ready for him.
"Thank you, Aunt Ava," he said kissing her cheek.
"Are you okay?" she asked him.
"Never better," he said as he began to eat.
"How was your day yesterday?" she asked.
"Amazing," he said as he remembered the previous day, "Kaitlin and I are dating."
Ava turned around quickly. "You're what?" she asked.
"We're dating. Why are you surprised? Aren't you happy?" he asked looking at his aunt.
"I am, sweetie. I really am. But, aren't you rushing it? She's only been here for about a week."
"Why is everyone trying to ruin our happiness?" he asked as he got up from the table and ran up to his room.
"Bradin!" Ava yelled.
Bradin got dressed and ran next door to Kaitlin's. He rang the doorbell and her father answered.
"Hello, Bradin," he said stepping aside, "She's still asleep. She had a hard time to get to sleep last night."
"Is she okay?" he asked.
"She had dreams about her racing accident. Don't ask her about it, please. She's really upset about it."
Bradin walked into Kaitlin's room quietly trying not to wake her. She was still asleep. He lied down next to her and positioned himself so that his face was by hers. He ran his hand over her face and moved the hair out of her face and behind her ear. He could feel dry tears on her cheeks. She looked to cute and peaceful when she was sleeping. Her eyes opened causing him to smile.
"Morning," he said softly.
"Morning," she said with a yawn as she rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing here? How long have you been here?"
"I've been here for a few minutes watching you sleep. I'm here to see how my girl is," he said.
She smiled and kissed him. "Now I know why I like you."
He smiled and kissed her. He lied back down and ran the back of his hand over her cheek. "I missed you," he softly said, "I have to work in the surf shop until about four. I was wondering if you wanted to do something afterwards."
She rolled over so that she was lying on her back and covered her face. "I'll see how I feel," she said turning towards him, "Right now, I don't feel too well."
"Don't worry about it. I'll come by after and see how you're doing," he said sitting up next to her.
Bradin knew that something was up with her. He didn't bother to ask because she looked upset. "I want you to rest, baby," he said, "You look like you can sleep forever." He kissed her. He got up and headed to work.
Ava sat in her work room working on designs for a dress for an upcoming fashion show. The doorbell rang. She got up and answered it since she was alone. She opened the door to find Kaitlin standing there in tears.
"Kaitlin?" she asked. "Bradin's not here."
"I know. I came to talk to you," she said.
Ava stood aside and let Kaitlin inside. Kaitlin turned to Ava and said, "I'm sorry. I needed to talk to someone and you were the first to come to my mind."
"Don't worry about it, sweetie," Ava said, "What's wrong?"
Kaitlin began to sob. "All I can think about is my racing accident. I dream about it every single night when I'm asleep. Everywhere I go, I see things that remind me of that day. I can't take what it's doing to me. It's ruining my life."
"Calm down, sweetie," Ava said placing her arms around Kaitlin, "Please calm down. You're alive. That's all that matters."
Kaitlin held onto Ava tightly. "I don't know what to tell Bradin," she whispered.
"Then, you onto have to," Ava said pulling away, "Tell him when you're ready. I'm sure he can wait until you're ready to tell him. He really likes you, Kait. He's happy that you two are together."
"Can I stay here with you and talk to you about my accident?" Kaitlin asked.
"Of course you can," Ava said.