Disclaimer: I do not own any one on Summerland. It's a shame though because I would love to have Jesse to myself.
Hey if you like this story try my other story Wishing! It is not nearly as good as this one in my opinion, but I love it just the same. (You don't really have to check it out. It's just a suggestion!)
Here is a new chapter guys. I really appreciate all who reviewed; it means a lot to me. So here is the fourth chapter. Those who had a clue to who it was that punched poor Bradin can find out if they were right. Oh and I didn't want to hurt Bradin. Believe me I slapped myself for doing so. But it was an interesting twist, don't you think?
Previously on Come To Me…
He smiled from ear to ear and lifted her chin up to look her in the eyes. She smiled at him and grabbed his hand. She pulled him towards the water walking backwards to look at him at the same time. She pulled him just close enough to rap her arms around his neck. She yanked him and hurled him into the water. Once he got out from under the water he stared at her in amazement.
He ran up to her and rapped his arms around her waist. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm getting you wet," he said and carried her into the water and dropped her in. She jumped to her feet and pulled him back under with her. Before they knew it they were in a big water war. When Claire got tired she gave in and dragged herself onto the beach. She plopped into the sand and lied back soaking the sand with water that dripped off her.
Bradin sat down next to her and ran his fingers through his hair. "Do you enjoy attacking people and throwing stuff at them and punching them?" Bradin asked.
"Sometimes I get pleasure out of beating people up. Is that a crime?" Claire asked sarcastically.
"No I guess not. I…" Bradin couldn't finish his sentence. Someone grabbed his shirt and punched him in the jaw.
Chapter 4- Big Fights
Blood dripped from his mouth to the soft sand. It soaked in so that the there was a red spot on the ground. Bradin put his finger to his lip and wiped off the extra blood. He licked his lip, backing away from the guy that had just hit him. He clenched his fist; preparing to fight back and then realized that Claire had a blank expression on her face. He immediately realized that she knew him and he let his body relax some. The guy came closer and closer as Bradin backed away.
"What the hell, man? Why did you just punch me?" Bradin asked in a fuming tone.
"Oh it's not just going to be one punch. Four, maybe five if I have the energy to spare. Bradin felt hot. Like he was suddenly going to explode. But the fear in Claire's eyes kept him from doing so. "What do you think Claire?"
"Leave him alone! What the hell is wrong with you Chad?" Claire screamed.
"Wait, this is Chad? The ass who cheated on you and didn't even care that he did?" Bradin asked perplexed.
Then it became clear to him why Cad was doing what he was doing. He's jealous of Claire and me. Wait, we were never going…oh, it must've been that kiss that she gave me to get him to…Before Bradin could finish his thoughts, he got another blow from the malicious boy. This time he was hit directly by his eye.
Because of the ring on Chad's finger, Bradin had a big cut next to his eye. Claire felt her heart drop and rushed over to Bradin. "OH! Are you ok Bradin?" Claire asked him and then turned to face Chad. "This has got to stop before something really bad happens! Your cruel games aren't fun! If you think… that… I'm going to like you for punching one of my only friends is going to win me back then you are more mental then I thought you were! Now would you please go?"
"Fine! I don't have time to play with a wimp like you anyway Westerly!" Chad said disgusted.
"Wait," Bradin started. "How… how do you know my name?" Bradin asked.
"Lets just say I know some people," Chad said. He stalked off with a drag. Claire brushed her hand on his lip and looked at him in a concerned way.
"We need to get you home," Claire said. Bradin looked at her as she spoke softly. "I really appreciate how you handled that. Most guys would've fought back."
"I had some bad experience with that. I learned my lesson the hard way," he looked at Claire to see that she was confused. "Long story. Lets just see how many stitches I need to heal this before I tell you anything."
"Good idea," Claire said. She intertwined her hand with his and walked with him to his house.
"He really did a number on your nephew Ms. Gregory. I'd keep him away from this person if I were you," the doctor said. He was putting a last minute touch on Bradin's eye before scooting him out the door. He spoke to Bradin one last time. "I wouldn't want you to have to take those stitches before its time so don't get into any more fights."
"Yes sir. I will," Bradin replied. He held his arm out for Claire to grab. She smiled and accepted it. They walked to the outside of the building. She halted and stopped him. He looked at her with a puppy dog look.
Oh why. Why does he give me that look? If I didn't know it was wrong I would…man I could just…oh, stupid! What am I thinking? Claire closed her eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you ok? Do you have a headache? Let me take you home," Bradin said concerned. Claire looked at him again. Here he is beat up and he's worried about me? Claire slumped a little and sighed.
"This accident is all my fault and you are still concerned about me?" Claire asked somberly.
"It wasn't your fault and I care about you. Is that a crime?" Bradin asked.
"No. I guess it's not. Your parents deserve a metal. Do you know that?" Claire asked. She moved closer to Bradin and took both of his hands.
"Now, why do you say that?" Bradin asked.
"Because they raised an absolutely wonderful boy. One who thinks about others before themselves and… respects their privacy. And knows when to back away… or… when to stay. A boy who loves everything about life and cherishes it. Living it out no matter how tough it gets," Claire paused. "A boy… who has the strength to put up with me. And for some reason…cares about me."
Bradin coiled his arms around her waist and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I care about you more than you know and for reasons beyond explaining. But I know you're still not ready and I don't care because just having you in my life is enough. But I said it once and I'll say it again. Come to me whenever you feel ready. I'll be there."
"You promise?" Claire asked leaning into his chest.
"I promise," Bradin gave her a quick kiss on the lips and then on the cheek. He let one hand go so she could walk. They walked back into the hospital to find Ava. She was sitting in a chair having a friendly conversation with one of the nurses. Claire smiled when she saw who it was.
"Hey mom! I didn't know you were working today," Claire said letting go of Bradin's hand to give her mom a hug. She hugged Claire back and then spoke.
"Yeah, I got called in at the last minute to do some things that nobody else wanted to do," Mrs. Sanados smiled and then let out a small laugh. She rolled her eyes and sat back down. "I saw Mrs. Gregory and just had to say hi."
"Wait, you're Claire, right? Molly told me so much about you," Ava said extending her hand.
"How do you two know each other?" Bradin and Claire asked at the same time.
"Molly and I go way back. All the way to middle school in fact," Ava explained. "Then she married Frank and moved away here. We were such good friends before she moved. The first twenty years of our lives. Right Molly?"
"Yep, but I never knew you moved here as well. I guess the world that we think is so big, isn't as big as we think," Molly said. Claire and Bradin just stood there frozen until Bradin spoke up.
"Yeah strange," Bradin said.
"I see you met my daughter already though. Once again, how strange. How did you two meet?" Molloy asked.
"At the beach," Bradin replied.
"Oh your Bradin! Claire hasn't stopped talking about you… literally. She told me you were really nice looking but I had no idea. You are a peach," Molly smiled and looked at Claire to see her eyes wide in shock. Bradin smiled and looked at her too.
"Mom, don't you have anything to do around here? I mean it is a hospital," Claire said through gritted teeth.
"Not really," Molly smiled.
"No there has to be something," Claire insisted.
"I suppose," Molly said rolling her eyes. "Bye Ava it was great seeing you again."
She walked past Claire and stopped for a moment to tell Claire something. "He is fine," she whispered to Claire. She flung her hand at her mom to go and saw that Bradin had heard. She smiled nervously and he smiled back. He bit his lower lip and scratched his head.
"Oh…hey Ava. I'm having a Halloween party this Saturday at my house. You guys should come."
"That would be great! I think I might need directions though," Ava said.
"Don't worry Aunt Ava. Claire can give them to me. Don't go through any hassle," Bradin said trying to escape the hospital. "I'm going to go now. Are you coming Claire?" Bradin asked. Claire shook her head and took Bradin's hand and walked out with him. Molly smiled, sighed and walked towards the hospital desk. Ava shook her head and walked outside to her car.
The moon shone bright over the water. Silent waves crashed and the only noise was that of the people at bonfires drinking and laughing. Bradin was looking out at the water in deep thought. It was Friday and he hadn't seen Claire since he walked her home the night from the hospital. He had forgotten all about Callie in the past week. All that was on his mind was Claire. He thought of her as different and thought she was special because of it. He wanted her so bad but knew that she needed time.
But all he wanted to do was hold her and kiss her. Telling her that she was his world and would do anything for her. Time was an issue for Bradin though. He wanted her more than anything. All I need to do is show her that, Bradin thought. He got up and turned around. He started walking, looking at the ground. He looked up just to see a girl and a guy fighting. Common for California.
He slapped her and she fell to the ground. He grabbed her and picked her back off the ground, only to slap her again. Bradin knew there was something wrong with the picture so he ran over to the fighting couple.
"Hey why are you hitting her like that man?" Bradin saw that the girl had bruises all over her face. Even with the blood from the current cuts on her face he could still see them. Bradin grabbed her hand and brought her to her feet. She almost collapsed in his arms from being so weak. The guy crossed his arms and stared at Bradin with fury.
"Why is this any of your business?" the guy asked irritably. "This is none of your concern."
"Well it wasn't until you knocked her to the ground. You have some nerve hitting this girl," Bradin said tensely. He helped the girl steady herself. She brushed off some of the sand that covered her face. She faced Bradin
"It's alright. I deserved it. Please just go," she said shoving Bradin back a bit. He stayed firm. The guy moved forward a bit.
"You did deserve it so shut up bitch. And you have some nerve to even question me so shut the hell up!" the guy screamed. "Get out of here and I won't make your face into a sandwich.
"Go to hell. No girl deserves to be hit. But it seems that you do. I would punch you but it looks like someone already beat me to it. Or wait, that's just how you look. Silly me for thinking other wise," Bradin quipped. He stared at the guy angrily. The guy quenched his fist and hit Bradin. He fell back but didn't hit the ground. This time he wasn't going to stay calm and not fight. He hit the guy back and he fell to the ground. Then Bradin kicked him and grabbed the girl's hand. He ran and she followed. They got to the docks and he stopped.
"Are you ok? I am so sorry he hit you. I'm really glad you punched him back though. Thank you for saving me," the girl said. "My name is Maria. Maria Velmer and I owe you a great deal."
"It wasn't a big thing. He was mistreating you. I was there to help. My name is Bradin Westerly. Why do you look familiar? I know that name from somewhere. Do you go to Playa Linda High?" Bradin asked.
"Oh my god your Bradin Westerly? I couldn't see you in the dark. I know who you are. Your in my geometry class and my Chemistry class… and my…your in all my classes," Maria said.
"Cool. Are you ok? You look really beat up. Who was that?" Bradin asked looking at her wounds.
"I'm a... fine thanks. That was Tanner. He's an ass. A big one. That is the last time I go down that trail. I've been down it one to many times," she said.
"Tanner? Shit I just punched Tanner? Well I'm glad I did it then. He's been counting on that for a long time. I can't believe that was Tanner," Bradin said incredulously. She shook her head and started walking. He followed.
"Again thank you. I can't express my gratitude. I have to go. Um… there is this party at my friends house for Halloween tomorrow. Do you think you might wanna come?" Maria asked.
"Is…that…whose party is it?" Bradin asked.
"Um…no one you would know. Claire Sanados? She doesn't go to our school. She's one of my absolute best friends," Maria said touching her cut. "Ffff… Ouch!"
"Um… lets go back to my house. I'll get you some antiseptics for that," he said waving his hand for her to follow. "And I do know her actually. I have plans to go already."
"Wait…Bradin," she said thinking. "Bradin! Ha! Wow, you're the famous Bradin that Claire won't shut-up about? Well she's honest when she talks about you. All the things she says are true," Maria blurted.
"Oh yeah, like what?" Bradin asked inquisitively.
"Like how nice and concerning you are. Which is all...true. And how hot you are. Which is also…oops!" Maria said. "You weren't supposed to know that."
"Too late now. But I wont tell her I know, ok?" Bradin bargained. He smiled as he led her up the steps to the house. She smiled back and entered the quiet house. She tripped over a pair of shoes and Bradin caught her once again.
"Thank you again. You have a knack of helping me," Maria whispered.
"You have a knack of needing helped," Bradin replied.
"Fair enough," Maria said. She made her way to the kitchen. She sat down on a stool and lied her head down. Bradin brought over the first-aid kit. When he got there he realized she was sleeping.
"Maria? Maria. Wake up, you can't stay here all night. Lets get you clean and refreshed and I'll drive you home. I just have to find the keys to Johnnie's…" Bradin looked at Maria's tired face and then realized just how pretty she was. She had a small body that didn't fill out the shirt she wore and light blonde hair that shined. It had brown and red highlights that made her hair look less plain. Her brown eyes flashed so all you could see were brown crystals. She was a plain Jane but it fit her.
"There you go. I can see your face now," Bradin smiled. He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Lets take you home."
He got her house and pulled in the driveway. "Here we are. I'll see you tomorrow at the party. OK?"
"Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you," Maria said sleepily.
"No need. I was glad to help. Please stay away from Tanner," Bradin said concerned. He kissed her on the cheek before she got out of the car. "Good night."
"Night," she said plainly. She walked up to the door and slid inside. Bradin waited until she turned the outside light off before leaving.
Bradin yawned coming in the door. He took his shoes off and placed them by his closet. He took off his shirt and put on a baggy red shirt to sleep in and took of his jean shorts and put on flannel pants. He brushed his teeth and slid under the covers. Shutting off the lamp he yawned again. He was almost asleep when he heard a knock on the door to the porch.
If this has any mistakes, I apologize. I was in a hurry to get it done. Anyway, If you like my story…review. If you don't like it… review anyway. Please, please, please review! I will be so grateful. And I thank all the people who reviewed already again. So…yeah. Until next time…
