Time seemed to pass in absolute warp-speed and before they knew it, it was the day before Christmas Vacation. Melani was happy, vacation meant that James would be in Mexico with his family and she could be with Bradin 24/7 and not feel guilty, or so she thought. Though, as usual, Melani had taken James back when he showered her with gifts, apologies and kisses after homecoming, the relationship between her and Bradin had gotten stronger and more intense. As their relationship got stronger, more people found out, though all of them seemed to understand and except it. Of the 25 some-odd people who knew, not one told James. Last day of classes were a joke, and since no practices were held after school, all the students longed for the last bell.
"Mel" James called as she walked down the hall to her car. He caught up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you Baby?"
Melani smiled while secretly biting her tongue "Good honey, how are you?"
"Good" He wrapped his arm around her should "Soo, vacation, huh? What are your plans?"
"Umm, just chill with the gang, maybe hit a few parties, my parents are both going to be home, so probably doing some stuff with them, nothing big, what about you, totally psyched to go back to Mexico?"
A smile spread across his face "I guess…" he said, trailing off
"Ok, what does that mean? I know that hint anywhere" she said, eying him suspiciously
"Well, I was kinda wondering if you wanted to ditch Playa Linda and come stay down there with me… Just the two of us, a whole week and a half" he said smiling
A knot formed in her stomach "Wow, that's…wow. Where is the resort again?" she said, trying to stall the answer
"It's in Cabo San Lucas. We'd take my dad's boat down there into the port. Just ya know, do stuff." He said smirking
"That sounds cool J, but I always spend Christmas with my parents and we have my family over and people from Kansas come, it's a big deal for my family. But, I'll ask my parents, maybe I can come down the day after?" she said, trying to sound like she was excited about the idea
"Ok, I totally understand" he said, apparently believing everything she said "Just call me when you know. I really want you to come, I want us to be together in heaven"
Melani forced a smile "It sounds like fun. I'll see what I can do, ok?" she quickly kissed him
"Ok" he replied and passionately kissed her, forcing his tongue deep into her mouth. When he pulled away he looked at her in the eyes "I have to leave tonight, so I can't go to Kristi's party. You think you can survive without me?"
She laughed "I'll see what I can do, I can sure try"
He smiled, then got serious, "Now we need to talk about something" he pulled her over to a bench by the quad. The knot in Melani's stomach tightened "I don't want us to see other people over the break"
Melani tried to look cool "And what makes you think you can call that? That's always been an agreement with us"
"I know, but we've gotten closer and I don't want it to happen anymore. I want to be yours and only yours and I want you to me mine and only mine"
"J, I don't know if I can do that, but I'll try. That's all I can promise, ok? Please tell me that's enough" she looked at him in the eyes and he looked back at hers
"Ok, you try. Cell me when you know about coming and I'll take the boat up to get you ok?" he kissed her "I have to go get my stuff, my dad will throw a fit if I'm not there tonight. Love you honey" he kissed her again and walked away
Mel put her head back "What have I done to deserve this?" she asked no one in particular. "Why am I being tortured so much?" she sighed as she got up and walked over to her car, started the engine and drove home
"Mel! Mel!" Bradin called. They were all at a party on the beach to celebrate the fact there was no school for a week and a half "Hey, how are you?" he said hugging her
"Better now that he's gone" she said, smiling at Bradin
"And now we can be together." He pulled her in and kissed her passionately, not caring who saw "He's really gone? He's no going to jump out of the bushes and attack me, right?"
"Saw him leave with my own two eyes" she said, kissing him back "But I'm not supposed to hook up with anyone while he's gone. Oops, too late" she said laughin as she kissed him again "I'm just glad I don't have to deal with him for a week and a half, though get this, he invited me down to stay with him. Like my parents would let that happen"
"Your parents? They're in town?" Bradin said, confused. In all the time he had been with Mel, her parents had been nowhere to be seen
"Yeah, they're coming for the holidays. Actually they're flying in tonight. You should come over and see them. I'm sure they'd love to see you again. Sadly you might have to explain the whole accident thing to them"
"It's ok, its' gotten easier. Being with you has made it easier" he hugged her as they walked back toward the party "I love you Melani, you know that right?"
Mel smiled and looked into his deep green eyes 'Yes, I know it and I love you too. More than you'll ever know" she kissed him quickly then hugged him
He hugged her back, then took her hand. They walked toward the waters edge and sat down "This has gotten real, really fast Mel" he said, looking at her in the moon's reflection
"I know. I never though I would be able to fall this fast for someone, but I did. It's kinda scary when you think about it. How I'm so comfortable with you, how I feel like as long as I'm in your arms everything is alright"
"I know that feeling. What I meant was this has gotten real, and with it has gotten complications. Mel, so many people know about us, one could easily slip and tell Tanner or James or one of his friends. We need a plan, something to do if we know he's going to find out"
"Like what?" Mel said, confused "It's not like we have many options. We can get the hell out of Playa Linda or you can get the crap beaten out of you"
"Ok, not exactly what I was thinking" Bradin said laughing
She laughed too "Well what do you want us to do? There's not much you can do at 17 and I can do at 16"
A smile spread across Bradin's face "Ok, you're right. But I love you Melani, and everyone gets that. So, here's my proposal, if we know that someone finds out that will definitely tell James, we go get married"
Melani's face dropped "Get married, what are you nuts? My parents wouldn't let us do that, neither would your aunt. Bradin that's crazy!" she replied
"I love you Mel, and I know it sounds crazy, but we could make them understand, and if not, Vegas is like less than a 5 hour drive from here. We can get married down there"
"Bradin, you're serious about this aren't you?" she said quietly.
He nodded "I want to be with you, and I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, do you want that with me?"
Melani smiled "I want all that and more with you" she hugged him "Bradin, but why wait until James finds out? Why not do it right now?"
"Do you want to? That will be one hell of a Christmas present!" he said laughing
She smiled "Come on, let's go. We can decide about that later" She grabbed his hand and walked toward the fire and grabbed 2 wine coolers "To us" she said, holding it up for a toast
"To us" he said as they hit bottles. They both took a drink and he pulled her in tight "I love you so much Mel" he said as he pulled her in for a kiss. As they broke away, a knot formed in Mel's stomach as she saw who had just seen them make out…
A/N: oooo, gotta love cliffhangers. Who was it this time? James, Tanner, a friend or enemy? I guess you'll just have to review to find out :-) Steph