I thought my spat would've turned Bradin off but that wasn't the case… The next time I saw him, which was once more on the beach, he came over to talk to me again, though he did it cautiously.

Bradin took a few steps towards me and offered a smile. "…Hi."

I looked up and cringed, "Look, Bradin, I'm sorry for freaking at you last time. Come on over, I'll be nicer this time, I swear."

Bradin laughed and joined me on the sand. He told me, "You know, I was really just trying to be friendly."

"I know. And I'm sorry. I don't have any friends yet and I'm really in no position to be scaring away potential ones," I supplied. I guess I could just hide the fact that I had seen him every day for fifteen years.

"So, can you tell me your name?" Bradin peered at me.

"Jessica Wong." I answered, searching his eyes for even a glimmer of recognition.

"Nice to meet you," Bradin grinned. I had to suppress a sigh. Was I really that much of a nobody that nothing about me rang a bell? "What brings you to Playa Linda?"

"Parents got a job offer," I rolled my eyes, "Honestly, they drag me away during my high school years! I wish they'd just leave me alone."

Bradin was silent for a moment and he looked away, "Don't say that." I gave him an odd look and realized that his eyes were watering.

"Are you all right?" I frowned.

Bradin rubbed his face and nodded.

"So, why did you move here?" I asked. Before Bradin could respond, a younger girl whom I recognized as his younger sister ran up to us. Nikki I think her name was…

"Bradin, Aunt Ava says to come home now," the girl told him pointedly.

"What? Why?" he queried.

"We're eating out tonight." The girl responded.

"Augh. Fine, I'll be right there." Bradin sighed. He turned back to me. "Jessica, this is my sister and I guess I'll see you later."

"Jessica?" Nikki looked at me closely. "You look familiar…" Ah, well, I guess it was just Bradin who had such a crap memory.

"She's new here too, you might've seen her around Playa Linda," shrugged Bradin. He waved at me and said, "I'll see you soon, okay?"

I had to smile as I watched the two leave. Who would've thought that Bradin Westerly would want to hang out with me?