It was two weeks before Heath moved out and Mckenna packed up her stuff, despite her mum's protests. Sat in her new room, she looked around and smiled.

"We can decorate and make it more... you," Brax said from the doorway.

"I like it as it is," Mckenna replied without hesitation, "It reminds me of you and Heath... it feels safe."

With a smile, Brax nodded and hesitated momentarily as if wanting to say something. These moments with her big brother were few and far between, but they were the moments in her life where she truly felt seen.

"How does pasta salad sound for lunch?" he finally asked, obviously changing his mind about whatever it was he wanted to say and earning a nod from Mckenna.

It didn't take her long to finish setting up her stuff and she headed downstairs, grabbing two bottles of water from the refrigerator. She had just washed up her plate, when she heard the front door open and Heath called her name.

"In here, but I'm not giving up my room..."

"That's not what I want," Heath stated, "I was going to ask if you wanted to come for a surf with me."

"Sure... let me get ready," Mckenna stated, disappearing to get changed and throwing her hair up into a messy bun before returning to where her brothers were chatting, "Ready."

"Be careful," Brax shouted as they reached the door, "Don't forget you're still recovering."

Mckenna followed Heath out as soon as they arrived at the beach, waiting and watching as her brother caught his first wave. It was nearly two hours before Mckenna returned to the shore, dropping onto the sand and wiping the salt water from her eyes.

"Looking good out there," came Romeo's voice from behind her, causing her to look back and smile.

"Thank you, I'm a little rusty..."

"It doesn't show," Romeo added with a smile, "I'll see you tomorrow."

With a nod, Mckenna watched as Romeo walked away and returned her attention to the water. The sound of laughter soon caught her attention and she glanced over to where a group of teens were messing around, feeling her heart clench.

She had never been a very social person growing up, preferring to lock herself away and bury her head in a book. The year away had isolated her even more than she was before and although there were no regrets, she did feel as though she had missed out.

"Shall we grab some food before we head home?" Heath inquired as he joined her.

"You're paying," Mckenna replied with a grin, getting to her feet and heading up towards the diner.

With her order placed at the counter, Mckenna found them an empty table and took a seat.

X x X

Romeo was already waiting at the Surf Club when she arrived the next morning, already changed and ready to go. The water was quiet and they sat in a comfortable silence, scanning the water.

"A few of us are going to play pool later," Romeo said after a short silence, "You should come along."

"Will your friends be okay with that?"

"They'll be fine about it," Romeo reassured her, "Casey will be there as well."

"In that case, why not."

Author's Notes: Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for reading