Sorry it took so long to update. I am still having trouble figuring out how to take this story to the place I want it to go, but at least I'm starting to get there. Anyway, here is the newest chapter.

Chapter Seven

What was she doing? What was she thinking? Marie was so confused, her mind going in every direction. The only thing she could focus on was the feel of Bradin's lips on her own and how good it felt, not at all like kissing- or being forced to kiss actually- her stepfather's friends. Bradin knew what he was doing, kind of. He was gentle and hesitant when he first kissed her; careful to make sure she didn't feel rushed. And she didn't. However, Marie did not have to kiss him that second time. She shouldn't have, she knew that, but it felt so nice to have someone care about how she felt, to see someone worried about her. Something came over her and she had to feel close to him once more.

Marie clung to Bradin, afraid to let him ago, afraid that the feelings of safety and love would leave her. His hands moved over her body, molding to the shape of her hips as he pulled her closer. Practically sitting in his lap, Marie could feel Bradin's heart beating rapidly against her own. It all just felt so right. For once, she could forget everything.

A wave hit against the rocks, spraying the couple with cold seawater, and jolting Marie from the trance she was in. With a gasp, she pushed Bradin away from her and stood quickly. Her body was numb with the feelings that flooded her and her lips were tender from being so thoroughly kissed.

"Marie?" Bradin's worried voice was quiet behind her.

"I have to go." She said hurriedly pushing past him, afraid to look at his face. She felt his hand close gently around her own and paused.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked. Marie's heart broke at the sadness in his voice. She looked at him over her shoulder. Big mistake. As soon as their eyes connected, she was lost once more. Heat traveled from his hand up her arm and throughout her body, flooding her with alien feelings.

He looked so pitiful standing there looking at her with confusion, hope, and worry. She turned back to face him.

"No," she said gently and shook her head, "you didn't do anything wrong. I…I just-" she paused, uncertain of what to tell him. She didn't even know how she felt, what was she supposed to say to him?

Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly slipped down her face. Choking back sobs, she buried her face in Bradin's shoulder. Her body trembled and ached. She felt Bradin wrap his arms around her, holding her close to him. Marie hugged his neck tightly, afraid to let go, afraid that she would be lost if she stepped away.

All these emotions, all the hurt and fear of her life and the happiness she felt with Bradin warred within her. It was too much. Marie could not handle it anymore.

Pulling away from the safety of his arms, Marie could not look Bradin in the eye.

"I have to go." She said quietly before turning and running away.


Bradin watched her runaway, again, confused. One second she was kissing him, then she was pulling away, then crying in his arms, then, once again, pulling away. The girl had some major mood swings.

He kicked the sand in frustration, stubbing his toe on a hidden rock.

"Damn it!" he yelled, "Damn, damn, damn." He stood there, fuming silently. The gentle sound of the ocean's waves was the only sound in the cove. Bradin stood there, staring at the spot where Marie had stood. Why did she always run? It really didn't help to boost his confidence any if she was going to keep running.

Bradin wanted to get close to Marie. He wanted to be a friend to her, but she refused to let him in.

"Why do I bother if she's just going to run away?" he asked himself. The gulls answered him with their mocking calls. He yelled in frustration and kicked sand at a seagull that landed close to him. Sitting down in the sand, he rested his chin in his hands and stared out at the sun that sun that was just barely visible above the horizon.


Her vision clouded by tears, Marie stumbled up the steps to her front porch and tripped through the door, not caring if her stepfather was home or not. He had ruined her life enough already, what did it matter if he hurt her once more? Her do-or-die attitude had faded on the way home, and now Marie just wanted to crawl into bed and die. She had realized now that she could never be normal, no matter how much she wanted. Her past was too stained for her to ever forget. No matter what she did, no matter where she went, her past, her life in Playa Linda would follow her, refusing to let her go. So what was the point in even trying?

With no strength left, Marie collapsed on the couch and gave herself over to her misery.


The living room was dark when Marie opened her eyes once more. It was quiet, her heavy breathing the only sound. The back door opened and her stepfather stumbled in, the smell of alcohol filling the room.

"What are you doing down here?" he asked, his speech slurred and his movements jerky.

"Nothing." Marie mumbled, getting off the couch slowly. "I'm going to bed." she started for the stairs, but he gripped her arm roughly. Marie flinched. "Let me go." She said quietly.

"What are you gonna do if I don't?" he pulled her around to face him. The pungent smell of alcohol filled Marie's nose, making her want to puke. She stayed silent, staring at the floor. "That's what I thought." He growled, pulling her face up so that she looked at him. She tried not to show fear, but it was useless, he was going to have his way despite her efforts. So she let him take what he wanted and stayed silent during it all.


"Where have you been?" Ava asked Bradin when he walked through the front door at ten after one.

"I was at the beach." Bradin said, shrugging his shoulders, "it's no big deal."

"No big deal!" Ava yelled, "You had me worried sick Bradin."

"Sorry," he said nonchalantly.

"Don't you use that tone of voice with me." she scolded.

"I'm going to bed." Bradin said, walking to the stairs and ignoring Ava's protests.

"Bradin!" she yelled as he disappeared up the stairs. She heard his door slam and sighed.

"What am I going to do with him?" she asked herself, sitting back down on the couch where she had been waiting for him to get home.

"He'll shape up," Johnny said sitting down beside her. Ava looked at him startled.

"When did you come in?" she asked.

"Just now." Johnny smiled gently at her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's going to get better Ava," he said, "don't worry. Every boy goes through a rebellious phase."

"I hope it doesn't last much longer." Ava said, dropping her head onto Johnny's shoulder and sighing.


Days passed and Bradin had not seen or heard from Marie. Every day he went to Spanish Cove and waited for her for hours and she never showed. He was growing worried. Was she okay? Had something happened to her? He waited impatiently day in and day out, risking the wrath of his aunt whenever he left the house. But leave the house he did. He could not risk missing Marie, but he never saw her.

It had been nearly two weeks since they kissed. Bradin had heard nothing of Marie and he was slowly coming to realize that perhaps he would never see her again.

Busy making a sandwich for lunch, Bradin was slightly surprised to hear the doorbell ring. He put down the knife that was dripping with strawberry jelly and walked over to the front door.

Marie stood there, tears streaming down her eyes. Her body was shaking with each tremendous sob. She looked as if she had not slept in days. Her hair was messy and there were large bags beneath her eyes.

"Marie, are you okay?" Bradin asked, reaching out to touch her arm gently. Her skin was cold.

"I…I need your help." she said between sobs. Bradin nodded and let her in.


Hehe, I just love cliffhangers. I hope you all will review and tell me what you thought. And sorry if the chapter was short. I promise the next one will be longer.

Dani: Don't worry, I definitly plan on finishing this story.

oRgAnIzEd cHaOs: You're going to have to read to find out if the ending is happy or not.

darkdestiney2000: You have no idea how close your suggestions were to what is actually going to happen in this story.

aGIRLSmind, indie/emo-gurl21, theresa, Danielle, summerland chick, Triple Agent, gpotter, katie, grullo-cowgirl, PeanutButterRocks, and OTHlover04: Thank you all for taking the time to read and review this story. I hope that this new chapter meets with your standards and I hope that you will all continue to review. I love hearing what y'all have to say.