They Surfed Together
The next morning I woke up to another eerie silence. I tiptoed downstairs to see if anybody was up yet.
Just as I had suspected, no one had gotten up yet. It was probably a good thing too. I really don't think I could face anybody right now. I sighed and sat at the counter. All I had wanted was a relaxing vacation. But now I couldn't stop thinking about him; Chris. Just his name made me shudder. But I couldn't help it if Brady looked and acted like him sometimes. It just made all the feelings I kept bottled up resurface. I yelled at him like I wish I had yelled at Chris back when I had the chance. But Chris had moved on, left to terrorize another town. Still, his memory had haunted me. Like it had healed me when my mom died, I hoped surfing could heal me now too. But it seemed like fate had other plans.
Just then I made a decision. I scribbled out a quick note to my grandpa, changed and grabbed my board and a banana. I was going surfing.
I was just about to head out when I heard a voice call my name.
"Mack." I ignored it. The second time the voice sounded much closer.
"I know you can hear me." I knew by now that it was Brady. I kept ignoring it. The third time, I could tell he was very annoyed.
"Just listen to me for five seconds!" I felt him grab my wrist and turn me, forcing me to look at him.
"We need to talk". The words were all too familiar, yet they usually came out of my mouth. His expression was dead-serious. I realized with a sudden panic that I couldn't handle talking to him right now.
"Leave me alone." I muttered trying to wretch myself free. No such luck.
"Look." He said, staring me straight in the eyes. "I know I said a couple things I shouldn't have. And I know I kind of deserved what you did last night. But how am I supposed to apologize when you keep avoiding me?" I doubled my efforts to pull myself free.
"Talk to me, darn it!" he said, practically yelling. "Why is it one-minute we're friends, the next we're enemies? Why do you hate me so much?" he said, shouting the last part. By now tearing were streaming down my face.
"It's not you." I whispered, looking down at my feet. His face instantly softened.
"Then what is it?" he said gently, taking a step towards me.
"Chris," I said in a chocked whisper.
"Who's Chris?" he asked softly. I took a shaky breath. I had never told anybody the full story about Chris. And I don't know why, but in that moment I trusted Brady enough to tell him.
"He was the really cool, popular guy who had just moved to town. All the girls in school had a crush on him. Except of course, me. So naturally he fell 'madly in love'. He convinced me he loved me and I loved him back. We had fights, but he always charmed his way out of them. I gave my heart to him. And he used it as a trophy. He could get even the girl with no interest in him. He always made comments about how girls are just 'prizes to be won'. He used me. Then he moved away. I was left with a broken heart. He was like you; nonchalant and cool. And whenever you make jokes or act like he did, I just… take out all my pent up frustration on you. I'm sorry" I whispered the last part.
It felt good to finally get all that off my chest, even if Brady didn't care. I don't know why, but I felt as though I almost… wished he cared, or something like that. Even though I thought he probably wouldn't.
But to my surprise, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry," I said after he let go, quickly composing myself.
"That's crazy. I can't believe anyone could be that mean." He said, and I could tell he meant it.
"Look," I said, "just promise me one thing. You can't tell anybody about this, OK?" He looked at me strangely.
"Fine." He said after a couple minutes. I let myself relax. I felt like I could trust Brady not to tell anyone or bring this up ever again. I sighed and sat down, rubbing my eyes.
"You know," he began, "You need to be cheered up." I looked up at him. He couldn't be serious, could he?
Almost like he had read my thoughts, he added "So for the rest of the day, it will be my personal mission to cheer you up!" It was then that I realized he was serious.
"Brady…" I began.
"No ifs, ands or buts. Come on!" he said cheerily, practically dragging me to my feet. "First up, surfing!" he announced. "I'll go get some stuff. Meet you at the beach." I sighed realizing there was no stopping him. He stood there patiently, waiting for me to grab my board.
"OK, fine, fine. I'm going." I said, grabbing my board and heading outside. I heard him practically bounce up the stair.
'He sure seems happy.' I thought. It was only a short walk to the beach. As soon as I got there, I sat next to a tree and watched the waves. The sight was already making me feel better.
Just then I heard a voice call out "Mack!" I turned and saw Brady running towards me, holding a surf board.
"What are you waiting for?" he said, grabbing my wrist and tugging me towards the waves. "Let's go!"
...
I laughed and shook out my wet hair. Surfing had been a blast and I had even managed to forget about Chris. Brady ran up to me.
"What next?" I asked. He was about to answer but was interrupted by my stomach grumbling.
"Lunch it is, then." He said, laughing. I shoved him playfully. He ran away, shouting. I laughed and chased him. Eventually, we both ended up on the sand, laughing. He grinned at me and I grinned back.
"Come on." He said. He stood up and held out his hand to me. I pushed myself up. He looked at me, still holding his hand out. I felt as though I had just made things between us awkward again.
"Follow me." He said finally, walked off. I hurried to catch up with him. The teasing tone was gone and replaced by a more thoughtful one.
"Let's go get lunch. I know just the place."
Ooh, cliffhanger! :P Sorry for not updating lately: school has been crazy and I'm going to camp tomorrow. I will try to have a chapter ready when I get back. And remember, reviewing is a two-way street. The more reviews I get, the more motivated I am, the more motivated I am, the sooner (and better) chapters for you guys! ;)
