I can't believe how many reviews I received for just the first chapter of this story. You guys are truly amazing. You have totally embraced this story and it's only just begun. Thank you.

I've tried to go on like I never knew you

I'm awake but my world is half asleep

I pray for this heart to be unbroken

But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

Chapter Two

The door opened and Marie felt a body fling itself on her with a squeal. Laughing, she hugged the figure tightly before pulling away. Nikki stood in front of her, a wide grin on her face. The girl had grown. She looked so much older, more mature than when Marie had last seen her.

"My god Nikki, you're all grown up." Marie cried, pulling the girl in for another hug. "I can't believe it." Nikki laughed and hugged her back.

"You haven't changed at all." The other girl replied. Marie smiled.

"It's so good to see you again."

"What are you doing back in Playa Linda?" Nikki asked, leading Marie into the house.

"Mom flew me out here as a graduation present."

"You're kidding?" The two girls sat down on the sofa.

"Nope." Marie smiled and shook her head.

"When did you get in?"

"Just a few hours ago. I wanted to get situated in my apartment before I came here."

"You have an apartment!" Nikki squealed.

"Yep, and it is so cool." They fell into an easy conversation about their lives and what had been going on while Marie had been away. Then Marie brought up Bradin.

She hadn't been certain when to bring him up, or whether or not she should. After all, she wasn't sure what he was doing or where he was. Hell, she didn't even know if he was still in Playa Linda.

Nikki was silent as soon as Marie spoke Bradin's name, and her eyes focused on anything but Marie.

"Come on Nikki, you can tell me about Bradin." Marie said, uncertain if, by the younger woman's reaction, she really wanted to know.

"Well," Nikki started. The sound of laughter came from the back door. Marie turned her head to see who had just come in behind her and her heart fell into her stomach.

Bradin stood there, looking as good as she remembered, and his arm around a girl.

"Marie?" Bradin looked at her, clearly confused and surprised to see her there. His arm immediately dropped from the girl's waist. Tears bit at the back of her eyes and she had to bite her lip to keep the tears from falling.

"I'm sorry," she whispered in a tear choked voice, "I…I have to go." With that, she ran out the front door.

"Did you know she was coming back?" Bradin asked Nikki.

"No, I had no clue." His sister shook her head, "Bradin, I swear I didn't know." He sat down heavily, the cushions of the couch shifting to his form. His head dropped into his hands and he stared at the floor.

Emma, his girlfriend, looked from brother to sister, confused as she sat down beside him.

"Bradin," she put a hand on his arm, "what's wrong? Who was that girl?" Bradin looked at her perfectly manicured fingers and the smooth, deeply tanned skin of her arm. Emma was so different from Marie. Where Marie was quiet and reserved, Emma was wild and carefree. Marie was pale, with auburn hair and green eyes. Emma was dark, with raven black hair and chocolate brown eyes. The two girls were as different as night and day, yet Bradin cared for them both.

"Bradin?" Emma looked at him worriedly. He looked up into her eyes, trying to find in them the same warmth that was in Marie's.

"I'm fine." He shook off her arm and stood. Emma stood as well, trying to place her hand back on his arm. But Bradin wouldn't let her. He couldn't have her touching him right then, not when he was so confused.

Seeing Marie again had stirred up so many emotions that Bradin thought he had buried. After she'd left Bradin had been heart broken, and after she had stopped calling him, he had been devastated.

"Come on," he said, heading towards the door, "I'll walk you home."

"But I thought we were gonna hang out." Emma said.

"I don't feel like hanging out, okay." He snapped, looking at her over his shoulder and wincing slightly when he saw the hurt look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." He added more gently, "I just don't feel good right now."

"Yeah right," she scoffed, "I can walk myself home." She stormed past him and out the door, slamming it shut behind her.

After leaving Bradin's, Marie found herself sitting on the rocks at Spanish Cove, the very rocks on which she and Bradin had shared their first kiss. Those days were long gone now, but the memories were fresh in her mind. She could still feel his lips, could still taste him.

She rubbed the tears from her eyes forcefully. It was silly of her to sit and reminisce about what had been. Bradin had a girlfriend, a very pretty one in fact. Why would he want her anymore? Marie had so many scars from her past, scars that were still healing. This new girl was probably fun, carefree, and wild, just the kind of girl Bradin needed. Why would he even need Marie anymore?

"I'm sorry you had to find out about Emma this way." Marie turned her head to glance at Bradin. So caught up in her thoughts, she hadn't even heard him approach. But his sudden appearance didn't startle her. It was almost like she knew he would come.

"It's okay." She said just loudly enough for him to hear the words over the sound of the waves on the rocks.

"No it's not." He shook his head and climbed up beside her, his hip bumping against hers. "You didn't deserve to find out this way."

"I said it's fine, Bradin." She snapped, tired of him trying to be nice. She was sick of it. How could she hate him when he was so amazing? And she did want to hate him, 'cause hating him was the only way to numb the hurt of seeing him with someone else.

"Neither of us knew when, or if, I'd be back," she continued, "I should have known you'd move on."

"Marie…"

"I mean it's not like we were ever really a couple." She continued, fueled by her anger and hurt, not to mention her jealousy. "Let's be honest here, Bradin. We hung out, we talked, we kissed. That was pretty much the extent of our relationship. Wasn't it?"

"I loved you." Bradin replied fiercely, "Do you think it was easy for me to watch you leave, never knowing if that would be the last time I'd ever see you? I couldn't even look at another girl for months because all I saw when I looked at them, was you."

Fresh tears fell silently down Marie's cheeks as she stared out at the ocean, listening to Bradin's words. She didn't want to hear this, she couldn't hear this. It was hard enough to let him go without having to hear what he was saying.

"Bradin…please," she choked on the words as she said them, looking at Bradin through tear filled eyes.

"I still love you Marie, I never stopped." He continued, seemingly unaware of her speaking. His hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with her own.

She let herself get lost in the feel. It was so familiar, so comforting.

"No," she pulled her hand away from his quickly, "no, we can't do this." She shook her head forcefully, "You're with someone else now, and I'm not going to come between the two of you. If you think that you're still in love with me, stop. I don't want you at another girl's expense." Marie stood, she had to get out of there.

She hurried down the rocks, careful not to meet Bradin's eyes for fear of what she would find there. Her feet hit the sand, and she took off running.

Don't you just love drama? Lol. Review and let me know what y'all thought.

, grullo-cowgirl, and Kitty-Kat4life: Thank you all for helping me try and figure out the name of Johnny'srestaurant.

Caitlin: I hope Summerland isn't ending. I love that show too much to see it end.

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