In three, two one, we're on! I do not own Summerland nor do I own anything to do with the WB... (cause if I did they'd have a bad gash on their heads from me hitting them for CANCELING Summerland!!!) I DO own Teresa Coleman and her gang.

ChrissyD: Oh, you're welcome! It was not trouble really... wipes fingers on shirt lol!! I love suspense!!! MHAHAHAHAH. I'll stop now, I swear... after one more evil laugh. MHAHAHAHAHA. Ok, now I'll stop! ;) Physical damage onto his face, 'eh? Hmm... this story is making you people violent!!! LOL! Anywho... here's the chapter!!! Hope you like it! The theme song? You mean, My Heart Will Go On or something different? I LOVE that song!!!

oNly hizzZ times INFINITY: You're welcome!! I hope this update was soon enough! I'm sorry it took me a while. And thanks for the email!! Lol! I'm so glad you like this story so much!! Here's the next chapter for ya:) Enjoy!

Sweet-Romantic: Son of a- That bad, 'eh? Well... I don't know about that... ok, yes, I do. He is. Lol! Who knows if they'll believe him or not... I mean, I do, of course, but you'll have to read to find out! ;) Lol! Nothing happened to Derrick, you know? Just Nikki and Bradin. (In case you didn't know.) Anyway, here's the next chapter!! I hope you like it:D Thank you!! You don't know how much it means to me to hear someone say my stories are awsome!!

justthegirl07: Oh... got it! I just hope that it'll be believable about how fast he kinda... gets over it... I dk... let me know if something's unbelievable, K? Thanks! Anyway, thank you so much for the review!! I'm SO thrilled to get on here and find so many reviews and know that people are liking my story:) Keep reviewing, girl! And I hope you like the new chapter!

Krissy: Yes, Ma'am! ;) Here's an update:) Glad you like it!!!

Varinia: New reader? If so, YAY!! ahem Sorry, it's just that I get excited when I get new readers:D Anyway, I'm so glad you liked the chapter!! And yeah, I figured I'd better explain that so it'd be clear for all my lovely readers:) But anyhow, thanks so much for reading and reivewing!!! I hope you'll like this chapter too:D

froggy2045: Hey! Don't worry about it! Just as long as you're still reading, I'm good! lol! Anyway, so glad you liked it!! Hope you like this one too:)

Now, read away!!!! (hope it's not too long... I dk if y'all like longer or shorter chapters better...)

Chapter XXI

Heading Back Home

Morning rolled around and Bradin woke up to bright sunlight streaming in through the window and onto the bed. He cautiously turned his head to his right. He was laying on his back and he remembered that only hours ago he had experienced terrible pain from moving after lying still for so long. He turned his head enough that he could see Teresa's beautiful face right next to his. He sighed remembering what had happened the night before.

Teresa had woken up to him crying in pain and she pulled away from him causing him to scream. She repeatedly asked him what was wrong but all he could get out was, "I hurt... please don't- oh... move..." he winced, "me." Teresa did as he asked and just held onto him until he half fell asleep, half passed out from hurting so bad.

She is amazing... He thought, staring down at her lovingly from where he was leaning on one elbow. Bradin really didn't feel like getting up but he dreaded what might happen if Teresa's mother came home and found them in bed together. Sighing, he slowly slid his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. His whole body ached but at least it wasn't screaming pain like it had been the night before. He slowly made his way to her bathroom, it was 9:00am. It didn't seem like he'd slept that long...

He went into the bathroom, stood at the sink in front of the mirror and leaned on the counter, as he was sort of "light headed" from still being in such pain. He stood there a minute then splashed his face with cold water to wake himself up and went back into her bedroom.

Teresa still lay on her bed, asleep, so Bradin was very quiet as he got his shoes and put them on. He stood back up and was headed downstairs when he tripped over a pair of Teresa's shoes, "Damn!" he muttered.

Teresa stirred in her bed and slowly opened her eyes. As they fell on Bradin, who, now, was leaning up against her bedroom door staring at her, she murmured softly, "Brae? What time is it?"

Bradin stayed where he was and turned his head to look at her clock, "It's 9:27am, Babe."

"Oh..." Teresa sat up, rubbed her eye then stretched and yawned. "Are you just gonna stand there?" She asked looked at Bradin with playful eyes, "No 'good morning' kiss?"

Bradin shook his head slightly and smiled at how cute she looked sitting there staring at him. "Sorry, Babe, but if you want a 'good morning' kiss you're gonna have to come get it!"

"Than I will!" Teresa stated, jumping from the bed and coming over to a smiling Bradin. "Now," she started, putting her hands around his neck, "about that kiss..."

Bradin put his hands on Teresa's sides and ran them down to her hips as she moved closer and their lips met.

The kiss lasted a full minute before they broke apart, both in need of air. After a second they moved back in for another kiss but Teresa jerked back.

"Oh..." Bradin clenched his jaw against the pain Teresa's sudden movement had caused him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Baby!" Teresa exclaimed, realizing what she'd done, "Are you alright?"

Bradin nodded,. Still clenching his jaw.

Teresa softly kissed him on the cheek, "Come on, Baby, my mom said she'd be home by 10:00am, we gotta get outa' here!"

"Alright," Bradin agreed, "but I can't go home covered in blood!" he said referring to his stained clothes.

"Yeah... I know..." Teresa bit her lip in thought, "We'll go buy you a shirt, at least, and than go back to your place, alright?"

"Alright."

Teresa had slept in her clothes so all she did was throw on a warmer shirt and her shoes. She went into the bathroom and applied some makeup, brushed her hair than grabbed her purse and came over to Bradin, who was sitting on her bed, in pain, and said," I'm ready, let's go! That is, it you're sure you feel alright."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Bradin said, standing up.

"Alright," Teresa said and opened her bedroom door. She stepped into the hall, followed by Bradin, who closed the door behind himself, and started down the stairs.

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"This fine?" Teresa held up a dark green T shirt.

"I don't care, it's fine," Bradin shrugged not caring what he got.

"The two were in a small clothing store getting Bradin a shirt and pants so his aunt wouldn't question how his clothes had gotten bloody.

They quickly found a pair of clue jeans in his size and he paid for it all.

"Mind if I use your fitting room?" Bradin asked the young, female clerk as she was giving him his change.

"No, of course not!" the girl pursed her lips, "Sure are in a hurry to change though... What happened to you anyhow?"

"Nothing. Mind your own business," Bradin snapped and went into the store's only fitting room. He changed quickly, making sure he removed all the tags first, and balled up the blood stained outfit he'd been wearing before.

Coming back out he noticed the clerk staring at him with longing eyes. Rolling his own eyes at her he came up beside Teresa, who was looking at a skirt, and put his free arm around her waist, "Want it?" he asked with a smile.

"Oh! You startled me, Brae!" Teresa laughed, "Yeah, I do want it, but God, I can't afford-"

"How much is it," Bradin interrupted.

"No, Brae, I can't ask you to-"

"You didn't ask me, I offered," Bradin cut her off, "Now, how much is it?"

"$49.99... but you really don't-"

Bradin cut her off again, " I want to! Really."

Teresa smiled, giving in, "Fine!" she laughed. She found one in her size, Bradin paid for it and they left the store and headed in the general direction of Bradin's aunt's beach house.

"Here, Babe," Bradin handed her the bag containing her new skirt, "What am I gonna do with these?" he added in a question, gesturing to his old clothes.

"Here, put 'em in the bag with my skirt and I'll do something with 'em later, alright?" Teresa suggested.

"Works for me," Bradin agreed and dropped them in her bag. Teresa took the bag back from him and he put his right arm around her waist and she leaned into his shoulder.

"Brae," Teresa sort of sighed, "I don't know how I... how I made it before I knew you..." she let her voice trail off, suddenly feeling shy about saying it.

"Reese..." Bradin tightened his grip around her waist and leaned his head onto hers, "I don't know how I made it before I knew you!"

"I love you, Bradin," Teresa put both her arms, bag and all, around Bradin and hugged him quickly, kissing him softly on the lips, then let go so they could continue walking.

A comfortable silence fell over the two but both teens' minds were restless in spite of it.

Bradin hadn't said he loved her too, and what's worse, well, he hadn't said anything! Was she loving somebody who didn't love her back? But he had said he didn't know how he'd lived without her... So what exactly did he feel towards her? Could she just simply ask him? Would he tell her the truth? She looked up at his face and could tell he was lost in thought but suddenly he seemed aware of things again. His whole face took on an anxious look.

Teresa noticed Bradin's house ahead. She assumed this was what he cause the change in his expression... As they neared the front porch she couldn't help but feel sorry for him... he looked so... scared.

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Why on earth didn't you tell her you loved her too!? You dumb idiot! Bradin's mind yelled at him as he and Teresa walked in silence towards his house, the sun beating down on their chilly bodies. His mind still racing with thoughts, his aunt's house came into view. He stiffened, he did not want to deal with the question of where he'd been the night before and why he didn't even call. As they neared the front porch he felt Teresa take his hand and squeeze it. He stopped walking and turned to her with troubled eyes, "Babe... I don't wanna go in there... I still hurt and what if my aunt won't let me just go up to my room? I don't think I can stand up much longer and-"

Teresa realized just how scared he really was and cut him off, "Shh... Brae... I'm here... you'll be alright. I promise, okay?"

Bradin bit his bottom lip and nodded stiffly.

"Hey, it's okay..." Teresa leaned up and kissed him quickly, but passionately, then started walking up the porch steps realizing the sooner they got this over with the better.

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"Okay, it's 10:13 in the morning and he's still not back!" Ava exclaimed to Susannah as they set the table for Derrick and Jay's, who'd just gotten up, breakfast.

"I'd look again, Ava, he's here." Susannah jerked her head towards the back porch where Bradin and Teresa were opening the door.

Exchanging a look with her best friend, Susannah slipped out of the kitchen. Ava frowned deeply, he was with her last night!? This wasn't good...

She waited until they had entered the kitchen and the door had fallen shut behind them then turned around.

"Bradin, we need to talk." Ava said sternly, stopping her nephew and his girlfriend in their tracks. "And Teresa, you need to be here for this too if you two were together last night."

"What? Aunt Ava, who says I was with her? You haven't even given me a chance to say where I was!" Bradin exclaimed getting angry by his aunt's harshness and the pain he was having to endure standing there.

"Alright, benefit of the doubt; where were you last night?" Ava said folding her arms across her chest and frowning.

"I-"

"Bradin Westerly, we need to talk... now!" Johnny exclaimed suddenly entering the room.

"Wait, Johnny, he's about to tell us where he was," Ava said with a smart aleck tone.

"What the hell is wrong with everybody today!? What's your problem?" Bradin yelled. By this time he was really starting to hurt again.

"You are!" Johnny yelled back and Ava nodded saying, "We really need to have a talk with you about your behavior.

"Behav-" Bradin suddenly felt a wave of terrible pain crash over him and he stumbled backwards trying to catch his balance, all while feeling like passing out. He didn't though and the next thing he knew he was in Teresa's arms still facing his aunt and Johnny who suddenly looked concerned instead of mad.

"Damn it, now what am I gonna say!?" Bradin thought in anger and fear. He turned around and rested his head on Teresa's shoulder whispering into her ear, "Help me, Babe, please help me..."

Teresa knew something was wrong with Bradin the instant he started to say "behavior" but she didn't know what to do about it.

When he almost passed out and his aunt and Johnny suddenly looked concerned she knew she had to do something or they would find out about Jerry.

"Whoa, Baby! I told you, you would still be dizzy." Teresa laughed as if the whole thing were funny. "You just shouldn't have tried to beat me in that race! You know I can run ten times faster than you!"

Bradin caught on to what she was doing and stood up straight mumbling loud enough for Ava and Johnny to hear, "Yeah, guess I didn't listen to you, huh?"

"Nope, guess you didn't... anyway, what's your aunt wanting to know again?" Teresa asked in a sweet voice. Hopefully his aunt and Johnny were too preoccupied to bother pressing them.

"Where you were last night," Ava spoke up, again, thinking there was nothing wrong with Bradin.

Bradin turned to face her, "Well, I was at her house but-"

"Then why'd you say you weren't!?" Ava said angrily.

"Did I say that? No! I said who said I was... that's all, I just wondered why you thought so. Besides, is it a crime?" Bradin said through gritted teeth.

"Well, it might be!" Ava growled then her face softened and she spoke gently, "Look, Bradin, you staying at her house last night's not a crime. Sleeping with her is." She said matter-of-factly.

Bradin's jaw dropped, "What the hell!? What are you talking about!? Sleeping with her? Who on earth said I slept with her!?" He turned to Teresa and found that she had the same shocked expression as he did.

Ava looked at Johnny and he spoke up, "Well, nobody actually said you did but..." his voice trailed into silence.

"Well I didn't." Bradin countered.

"Now why should I believe that?" Ava asked him with a look that said she didn't and probably wasn't going to.

"Why shouldn't you? Do I go around lying to you all the time or something!?" Bradin was starting to get upset with his aunt. Why wasn't she believing him? And what's more, where'd she get the idea that they had slept together? Other than the fact that he'd stayed at her house last night. "Well!? Why shouldn't you believe me!?" Bradin asked again after no one said anything for a full 30 seconds.

"Because you're a teenager and I remember being a teenager... they just don't tell the truth about things like that..." Ava said as is it were true and nothing else could be.

Bradin turned and looked at Teresa who was still standing there with the same shocked expression.

"Look, Aunt Ava, I don't care if you remember being a teenager. I don't care if you think you know what I did last night but I'm gonna tell you one thing and if you don't believe it than you're just a stubborn person who thinks they're right no matter what anyone else says." Bradin said then, looking his aunt straight in the eye he said clearly, "I have never had sex with a girl. Never. So don't stand there and tell me I slept with her."

Ava didn't say anything. "Bradin," she finally spoke after a minute of she and Bradin staring at each other eye to eye, "if that's true than what did-"

Johnny stopped her by grabbing her arm, "Never mind, Ava... I think I can explain that."

Ava realized he wanted to talk to her alone so she dropped it and said instead, "Have you two had breakfast?"

Bradin and Teresa exchanged a look than Teresa spoke up, "Uh.. no, but we're not hungry, thank you."

"Come on, Babe," Bradin took Teresa by the hand and led her out of the kitchen and upstairs to his and Derrick's room.

Thanks for reading now... review!

Anna Christie AKA SecondStarToTheRight15