Beep, Beep, Beep…Melani groaned and hit the snooze button on her radio, but groggily realized something wasn't normal. She was really cold, that wasn't right… she smiled as she rolled over only to look into Bradin's bright green eyes.

"Sleep well Angel?" he asked, placing his hand on her face and stroking her cheek

"Yeah, you?" she said

"Yeah. What time is it? It's barely light out." he said

"5:20" she replied

"Why do you get up at 5:20, class doesn't start until 8:30" he asked laughing

"I surf every morning before I go to school, so I get up at 5:20, surf until like 7:15 then get ready and make it to school by 8:15. I've been doing it for years"

"I didn't know you surfed" he said, running his hands through her hair

"You never asked. If the reining Farm Boy can surf, so can I" she said "Now, you should probably get outta here before my mom shows up, or before your aunt wakes up and finds her darling nephew gone" she smiled

"Yeah, you're right…but I don't want to" he pulled her closer to him

Mel sighed "I don't want you to either" she leaned into him and closed her eyes, taking in the moment "But you have to, I don't want you to get into trouble because of me"

Bradin sighed "Yeah, my aunt will kill me" he sat up and stretched, showing his tanned abs and rib bones

Mel's heart raced as she watched him get up and get dressed "Want a ride to school?" she asked

"I'd love one" he said as he sat on her bed and looked deep into her eyes "Mel?" he asked

"Yeah babe?" she said

"I love you" he leaned in and kissed her softly

"I love you too" she said kissing him back. "Maybe one of these mornings I'll let you surf with me"

"I'd be honored" he said laughing "Bye Angel" he said

"Bye Babe" she said, climbing out of bed "I'll pick ya up at 8:10"

"Perfect" he responded, kissed her, then hurried out the door and back home. Luckily no one was up yet

Melani smiled all day during school and her good mood was apparent to anyone she came in contact with. Everyone noticed, especially James.

"What's got you so happy?" he said pulling her close to him in the hall

"Not you" she said smiling smartly, knowing he wouldn't hit her in front of so many people "And definitely not at the thought of my experience with you last night"

"Mel, that was an accident, I didn't mean to do it"

"Do what J?" she asked "Can you even say it?"

"Yes I can, but I'm not going to" he replied "You asked for it anyway" he added annoyed

"Sorry, I'll try to act like one of Tanner's brainless sluts next time" she said, pulling away from him

"I didn't ask you to do that, I just asked you to respect me" he responded

"No you didn't. You acted like I was a possession. We've talked about this over and over again, I'm not yours, I may be your girlfriend, but I'm not your property. The girls Tanner screws might be his, but I'm not yours, and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll get what you want." She glared at him

"So that's why you've been acting so weird, you're punishing me for not treating you the way you want to be treated?" he asked

"Maybe, or maybe I have this secret thing for every time you hurt me, I add another week to my not sleeping with you plan" she said smiling

He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her really close "Don't get to attached to that plan, homecoming's next weekend and I don't expect anything less than last year" She glared at him as a knot filled her stomach

"Mel!" Allie shouted and ran up to them "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt" she said winking

"No, it's cool, we're done, what's up?" Mel said, breaking away from James' hold

"I was wondering…" she trailed off

"What were you wondering?" Mel replied

"If Bradin was single, since you seem to know him best" she said, shyly

"Allie Keniston! Are you seriously crushing on Bradin?" she asked

"Yeah, and so is the rest of the grade. Look at him Mel, he's perfect, blonde hair, eyes to melt in, brooding surfer boy and he's not from around here. He's perfection personified"

"He is" Mel said laughing. She heard James grunt from behind her "Oh, get over it, anyway Allie, he's very much single, but he comes with some baggage, so just be careful ok?"

"I totally will" she said smiling "I want to make a good impression at homecoming. Will you help me?"

"Totally, I want him to be happy, and I want you to be happy, it's only logical that you be happy together" she said

"Thanks Mel, you're my idol!" she hugged her "I gotta run to algebra, I'll talk to ya at practice ok?"

"Yeah, bye Allie" she turned to James "What was that comment for" she asked "Jealous of my friendship with Mr. Perfection Personified?"

"As long as he keeps his hands off you, none what so ever, he just better stay a friend"

"And what if he doesn't?" she said, smirking

"Then you'll both pay." He said matter-of-factly

"That's promising" she said quietly

"I'm kidding." He said "Come on baby, we both have astudy, let's spend it on the beach, we can actuallytalk, we haven't done that since I got back"

Melani sighed, she knew she shouldn't do it, but something inside her made her walk with him "Ok" she said. He smiled as he took her hand and led her down to the beach.