Tara awoke slowly later that morning. She looked next to her to see Bradin gone. After a few seconds panic, she realized that his surfboard was gone too.

She slipped out of the bed and made her way toward the beach. The early morning sun was warm on her shoulders. The simple tank-top and shorts ensemble she wore to bed was almost more than enough warmth for the hot summer sun.

Her eyes collided with the figure of a sun kissed blonde surfer, who was slicing his way through the water like nothing. Tara laughed to herself as he stumbled into the waves. As much as she tried to deny it, she loved watching him wipe out. He got so frustrated, and (as she had told Bradin many times before) he looked cute when he was determined.

Another sound drifted her way. Tara turned around to see a group of girl laughing flirtatiously, waving at Bradin. They were all tan, blonde and clad in revealing bikinis. Tara wasn't one to get jealous easily…she had a very nice, trim figure and could pull off any look just as easily as anyone. But the tan skin really got to her. Unlike every other seventeen year old in Playa Linda, Tara did not tan. She had a shoulder-length mop of slightly curly red hair and fair, freckly skin. Tara was forever doomed to glow in the dark like girls from Minnesota.

"Hey, gorgeous," Bradin called sweetly, running up to her. He spread his arms wide in attempt to hug her. She squealed as he chased her down and got her all wet with the cold ocean water. She kissed him lightly, and pulled away.

"Hi." She said simply, craning her neck to see the flirting girls again. They were all scowls and miserable. She knew exactly what they were thinking He's too hot for her. Wench. Lucky Bitch. It was all too common for Tara. No matter she thought I still get my man.

"Who are you looking at?" Bradin inquired, looking at the flirting girls.

"Bradin, do you prefer chicks with a tan?" Tara said in a mock sulk.

"No. I like 'em pasty." He replied.

"Gee, thanks," She said smacking him on the face lightly.

"I also like them firey red-heads," He laughed. Tara kicked a bit of sand at his ankles, and he returned the favor. Soon, it was an all out war. Sand flew this way and that, and somehow, the pair of them ended up chest-deep in ocean water.

Tara wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her deeply.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Bradin said casually.

"Hmmm?" Tara answered dreamily.

"This morning. You said something about 'If you were dating someone who…' and then you stopped. What's on your mind?" He asked.

"That?" She blanched, and then felt her face grow hot. She laughed heartily (in a sort of fakey way), "Oh that's…um…just me, talking in my sleep. I always do that."

Bradin raised his eyebrows. "You've ever talked in your sleep before. Believe me I know, I'm a light sleeper…"

"Just drop it okay? I…had a horrible dream and I don't want to talk about it!" She seethed. She swam moodily towards the shore. She felt terrible keeping all her emotions and secrets hidden from him, it was like living a lie. But she didn't really lie to him; she did have a horrible nightmare.

Bradin caught up with her on the beach. "Okay, alright, you don't want to talk about it. But if you need me, I'm here. I'm always going to be here, okay?" he said hopefully. Tara winced as her memories shot back through her mind…

"You're going to be here, right?"

Jack nodded "I'm always gonna, babe"

"Tara? Tara!" Bradin shook her slightly to wake her from her trance. She felt the prickle of fresh tears behind her eyes.

"What? Yes, I'm fine. I'm soaked. I'm going to go shower and change Mmmkay?" She said quickly. She near bolted towards the house.

Just breath she told herself He doesn't know. He's not anything like Jack. Not at all. She sighed heavily; I'm going to have to tell him tonight on our date.