Okay, so it was cute that Bradin had ran home and instantly took out his yearbook the moment I told him we'd be friends if he knew more about the me in Kansas. And he was surprised that I was just a freshman, which was sweet. If Sara wasn't such a bitch I may just have to forgive him with open arms. Sara's extreme jealously was unnerving, though. Bradin did seem genuinely sorry… I made up my mind to let him squirm for just a short while longer… I was interested to see how he intended to make it up to me.
"Hi," Bradin said. How did he always manage to sneak up on me? "I realize I've been bothering you a lot, but I've always been persistent and I really do want you to talk to me again."
"You aren't bothering me," I answered with a smile, "But be careful. Sara should spring up pretty soon and start freaking."
"That's not going to happen… Sara, well, she had some issues and she's at- she's not going to be in Playa Linda for a while." Bradin told me. "And when she comes back I'm probably the last person she'd want to see."
"Trouble in paradise?" I raised me eyebrows. "You two broke up?"
"Yeah," Bradin replied.
"What, was wild Sara too wild for you?" I said.
"Actually, yeah," Bradin said, "She's got some issues she needs to work out. I care about her, but…"
"I'm sure you'll survive a little while without sex," I patted his shoulder.
"Could you stop with the sarcasm? I am not the dirty sex-addicted scum bag you seem to think I am!" Bradin laughed. "…Or at least not to that extent." I socked him lightly in the arm and laughed too.
With Sara unable to storm in on us, we spent the rest of the afternoon together. For the first time in a while, Bradin and I actually had a good, comfortable time together, no fights, and no misunderstandings.
"So, does this mean I'm forgiven?" Bradin asked playfully.
"That depends. How were you planning to make it up to me?" I answered with a grin.
"What, you don't consider this afternoon of Bradin-filled glory making it up to you?" Bradin laughed. "All right, how about I teach you how to surf?" Like Erica and Sara? I think not.
"How about you surf and I'll laugh as farm boy wipes out?" I replied.
"I'm not half bad," he protested.
This I knew, but a demonstration wouldn't hurt… "Oh really? Come on, you're good at enough sports on land, you can't rule the water sports too!"
"Tell you what, I'll flex my surfing capabilities if you let me teach you how to surf." Bradin suggested. "'Cause, come to think of it, we live on a beach and I still haven't seen you in a swimsuit."
"…And you're not gonna." I shrugged and raised my eyebrows. "Are you just looking for an excuse to see me in a swimsuit?"
"No, no, I'm looking for an excuse to see you in a wet bikini," Bradin wriggled his eyebrows and chuckled.
I gave him another playful shove. "You are one pervy guy." My self-consciousness would completely prevent me from being anywhere near comfortable in a swimsuit near him. He may have a killer body but there's not a chance in hell I'm letting him judge me like that. I was no Sara and definitely no Erica and I knew that.
"Seriously, though, what do you want to do? How can I make things up?" Bradin queried.
"You had that whole speech about me forgiving you and about giving you another chance and how you would make it up to me, and you don't even have something in mind!" I exclaimed with a bewildered laugh.
"I was kind of thinking that that speech might have been enough," Bradin bit his lip, looking up at me through his bangs, giving the impression of a much younger person.
"Well, you've been unusually decent today so I'll consider it," I stuck my tongue out and stood up. "But as for now, I have to get going."
"So, how about you ignore me more tomorrow, same time and place?" Bradin grinned.
"Can't get enough of me, huh, Bray-Bray," I mocked.
"Did you just call me Bray-Bray!" he burst out, highly amused.
"Yay yay I called you Bray-Bray, my non-friend," I nodded. "And now, I must depart or risk losing phone privileges for a week. Alas, it's…holy crap, it's eight?"
"Must've snacked right through dinner," Bradin said.
"Acccck!" I flung my coat on and waved behind me as I dove out the door.
"TIL TOMORROW, J-J!" Bradin called after me, laughter filling his voice.
A/N: Okay, do you guys want me to write longer chapters with extended periods in between or do you want me to continue with the more frequent bite-sized chapters? Thankies for reviewing! If I reach 50 I just may have a victory dance o)
