Melani sat on the beach later that afternoon. She really had no idea what she was doing with her life, nothing seemed to add up; everything seemed so jumbled up and out of control. Her cell phone went off and she looked at the caller ID. "Hey Brae" she said as she flipped it open

"Hey Mel, how are ya?" he replied

"I'm alright, what were you up to last night"

Bradin paused "Umm, just another crazy night at the beach, what about you?"

"Spent the night in" she said "So, are you ready to get your suit for homecoming? I told the others we'd meet at 4:30 at the mall"

"Yeah, I just have to tell my aunt. How about I meet you at your house at like 4?"

"Sounds good"

"Ok, see ya then Angel"

"Bye baby" she hung up the phone and stared out at the ocean. What am I going to do? She thought, If James really has changed, I owe it to him to give him a true second chance, but that would mean letting Bradin go, and I can't do that... I love him. God, why cant life be simple? She stood up and walked to the water's edge. She closed her eyes as she let the cool waves hit her feet. The cool ocean breeze hit her hair, but she felt something warm against her neck. "I couldn't wait until 4" she heard a voice say

She smiled as she turned around to see Bradin's bright green eyes. He could tell that something was wrong "What's wrong Angel?"

"I don't know, nothing in life seems to make any sense, have you noticed that?"

"You're telling me? Look who you're talking to" he said

"Right, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I just don't understand God sometimes"

"Me either, but I truly believe that He only gives us tough situations when He knows we can get over them and be better people because of them" he pulled her into a hug.

She placed her head against his chest "Come on" she said grabbing his hand "we're in a very public place and we could get caught" She pulled him down the beach toward a deserted area. She pulled him off the beach into a wooded area.

"Mel, where the hell are we going?" he said, trying to keep up

"You'll see" she said, as she ducked under a branch. They walked together for about 5 minutes until they reached a really dense area "It's just through here" she said and led him through a little hole in the branches. The two walked into a clearing with a stream running off a ledge into a small pond, the ocean was glistening in the background "welcome to my escape" she said

Bradin's eyes widened. "It's amazing" he said "How did you find this place?"

"I was walking on the beach one day and I was hot, so I went into the brush and I noticed the little path. It led me to the thicket, and I heard water, so I made a hole and found this"

"It's like a little piece of heaven"

She walked to the edge of the stream and put her feet in as she sat down "You're the only one I've ever showed this to, it's my place I go when life gets too crazy."

"I feel honored you felt you could take me" he walked over to her and sat down next to her

"I wanted to" she leaned her head against his shoulder

Bradin sighed "Does anyone else come up here, or know this place exists?"

"I've been coming up here since I was 10, and I've never seen another soul. Why?" she said, looking him in the eyes

"Because" he said, and leaned in and kissed her. His tongue slid against hers as she felt him push her down onto the soft grass. He continued kissing her as he got fully on top of her, not hesitating as he slid his hand up her shirt

I already had sex once today, is it safe to have it again? the thought ran through her head for a split second, but soon was washed away by the running of the stream and the love she felt for Bradin.

Melani lay her head on Bradin's chest "Normally I would be petrified that I just had sex in the middle of an open area or that I'm lying in the grass with nothing on, but I'm not. Something is seriously wrong with me"

"There's nothing wrong with you" Bradin said, running his hands through her hair "You're perfect"

She smiled "I don't want to move, but we did promise we'd meet everyone at 4:30 and it's 4:00 and I still have to change"

Bradin held her tighter "They can wait, I like it here"

Melani smiled "No, we should go, but if you're good I'll take you back up here tonight after we're done. The moonlight shining off the ocean is a sight to die for"

"It might be, but its got nothing on you" he leaned in and kissed her.

"Come on Farm Boy, I want you to be the first person to see me in my dress"

"As you wish" he said, gathering up his clothes

"I love that movie" she said as she started to put her clothes back on

"What movie?" he said confused

"That's from The Princess Bride, you've never seen it" He nodded 'no' "Oh well that simply won't do, I think tonight will be a busy night" She stood up and grabbed his hand "Come on baby, time stops for no one!" she pulled him up and the two ran through the brush toward her house.