Excited to be back, Ava looked around the large cafeteria for her best friends. Her sandals were slightly dinged up, from running everywhere, but she wasn't the girly kind anyways. Her mother had her wearing something feminine for her first day back. Totally not cool. She was wearing a ruffled spaghetti strap top with mini sharks and waves. It was a bright teal to match the ocean and her eyes. On her lower body was jean capris that, as her mother said, 'Accentuated her bum'. Whatever that meant. Her hair was straightened, different from her usual crazy curly style.

Ava patted down her shirt as she took another glance around. Her breathing hitched when she saw Devon's signature hairstyle at a booth. She tried to contain her excitement, but ran, full speed, and slid beside him into the booth. At first there was a confused look on the boy's face. But after a pout from Ava, his eyes brightened and he smiled. Ava laughed as he called out her name, pulling her into a hug.

"When did you come back, beach buddy?" He asked, forgetting about his lunch. Ava laughed and turned forward getting into storytelling position, her hands out before her and a grin on her lips.

"Well, it was was just three days ago when my mom finally gave in to my whining. 9 years of begging, dude. FINALLY! I'm back where I belong. Here in Dolphin Cove where all the waves are gnarly." She sighed content with her situation. She didn't have to talk to an old photograph anymore, wishing that they could hear her through it. No more crying because no one was like her. Just.... Peace. Devon smiled and nodded before realizing. Taking a swig from his water bottle he turned to her again.

"Woah, woah, woah. But... What's with the new look?" He asked, almost choking. Ava gasped looking down at herself before breaking out into laughter. Turning to Devon she calmed, and shook her head, patting down the ruffles. She wasn't feeling that style either, but the way he said it. It was like she didn't look nice!

"Hey. Moms said I need to be a girl on my first day back." Pulling her hair onto her right shoulder, she looked up at him. Mouthing, 'This is sooo bad,' Rolling his eyes, he chuckled and turned back to his lunch. Ava was settling well, but something was nagging at the back of her head; Where was Brady? Opening her mouth to speak, a determined look on her face, she was about to ask Devon. But a loud quickly approaching noise cut her off. It sounded almost like... Running?

Turning to the sound, she saw an entirely older version of her best friend, stop at the table. Her eyes were the size of disks as she gazed up at him. His messy wavy hair, the way his skin complimented it. He looked so mature! Tearing her gaze from his face, she cleared her throat and took Devon's water bottle, practically chugging it down in one gulp. She had turned her back to the two, to calm herself. Behind her, she could hear Devon laughing. But nothing from Brady. Problem! She thought, quickly. Soon there was talking.

"Hey, Devon, who's this? Thought you said you don't date." Brady teased, a wide grin on his face. Devon grimaced, looking from Ava's back to Brady.

"Me? Date her? N-Nah, brah! She's like family." Devon defended, his hand on his chest. Pulling Ava back over, he grinned and waved a hand.

"Brady. Meet Girly Ava!" A rush of heat traveled up Ava's cheeks at Devon's introduction. Girly Ava? She'd never change! Looking up at Brady, the heat worsened. His eyes were now disks, wide but not very much in surprise, but awe. His eyes were shining as he took in a breath. Ava quirked an eyebrow, waiting for him to speak. "Ava! You're back!" His voice was at a slightly higher octave than before and he was ever so slightly hopping in place. Ava stared in shock. Did they really miss her as much as she did them?

~ ~ ~

"Hey, Bradster!" Ava replied to his gleeful hop. Devon was giving him an odd look, looking to Ava for confirmation that what he saw was really happening. Ava nodded and laughed. Finally, calming his happy jig, Brady sighed looking at the two of them. Placing his hands on the table, he just stared in happy silence. Now it was Ava's turn to glance. Was this something new that he did now? Devon shook his head, shrugging lightly and Ava gulped. Well that guess was out the window. Looking up at her friend, she waved her hand in his face. He shook his head, lightly before blinking.

"Oh... Heh, sorry, bros. Got caught in the moment, I guess." He admitted, scratching the back of his neck. Ava rolled her eyes, waving it off, and Devon burst out laughing. Laughing at his predicament. This caused her to laugh as well, and soon they all started laughing. Brady 'Oh'd aloud, scaring Ava out of her laughter. He looked down at them both with a sad look in his eyes.

"Awe, man! Sorry, dudes, gotta go! I might be late for Mack's College Fair thing!" He explained in a rush. Devon pushed Ava up from the seat and snapped at Brady. Slightly confused, Ava raised an eyebrow, glancing at Devon. Brady shook his head, jokingly, and looked to Devon. As Devon took another bite out of his sandwich, he nodded at Brady

"Brah, awkward best friend hug. Just like old times." He suggested swallowing the gunk in his mouth. Ava frowned at his sandwich; a tuna sandwich with cheese bits. They always smelled and tasted so disgusting, but Devon found them delicious! And Brady just didn't care. Well, if he brushed his teeth at least.

Turning to Brady, Ava shrugged and held out her arms. Brady went to step into the hug but hesitated. Searching through her eyes, he internally frowned. 'I wish... No. I need to leave.' His expression changed from joy to fear in a second's notice.

Noting the change in her friends behavior, Ava cocked her head, crossing her arms loosely. Was it something I did?

Taking a step away, Brady shook his head at Ava. He had a girlfriend. He had to keep that in mind. His heart crumpled at the lost glint in Ava's blue eyes. With a shaky sigh, he turned to Devon.

"Sorry, guys, I really do have to go." Ava and Devon watched Brady run off, to god knows where. Ava, entirely confused, contemplated what had happened. Were they too old for childhood traditions? Too old to hug? Ach, she should have expected as much. It had been 9 years. No, maybe that wasn't it at all. Maybe it was because he had a girlfriend now.

She didn't know much, but she could tell 'Mack', if he was a bro, he wouldn't drag Brady to a College Fair. With a sigh, Ava turned to her now empty handed friend. He smiled sympathetically and led her off of school property. Not caring where they went, Ava followed quietly. Devon soon started up conversation, with a kind smile.

"Sorry about that, Brah. I remember how much you had the likes for Brady." He apologized, laying a hand on her shoulder. Ava couldn't lie around Devon. When she was much younger, she wanted to waste every waking minute, surfing and hanging out with those two. And if an awkward friend hug was included? Count her in twice. Back then, she took any chance she got to even get close to Brady. Must be a kid thing. Shaking her head, she looked up at Devon.

"I'm not admitting anything! But, that is an odd memory..." She brought her finger to her chin in thought. He laughed at her reply with a roll of his eyes.

"So what happened, then? You seemed not to care when Brady entered the circle." Devon asked with a small head tilt. Ava looked up at him, about to answer, but stopped. Why did she just treat him like some other guy. Was it all their time apart? It was probably going to build up all over again anyways. Ava never was good around guys, not even Devon. Even right now, with him only looking down at her, she felt all hot-cheeked and girly.

"I guess it just decreased over time... Dude, i'unno." Ava replied to his question. Glancing around, she took in the entirety of the beach they were walking along. The sand was dull gold with black specs, the ocean, a darkening teal. Ava grunted as she glanced up at the sky. A storm was coming and with the quickening darkness of the clouds, a bad one. Ava let a smile grace her lips, remembering that one of her favorites things about Dolphin Cove. Was the Rainstorms.

Moving her hair onto both of her shoulders, she used this as a tactic to hide from Devon as she glanced up at him. Her long curtain-like hair was the perfect thing. He looked so calm, collected. At Peace. He was strolling simply, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He'd always watch the sky when he was thinking, and that's what it seemed he was doing. His eyes were glazed over and he was sighing softly every five minutes or so. Grinning, Ava laced her arms behind her back.

He was crushing. Hard.

Or heartbroken harder, but he doesn't appear to be distraught. Ava frowned as she turned her gaze back to the sand under her sandals. She couldn't help but feel bad for him; no girls, except for her, should be causing her bro any pain.

How could they even? Did he mature? Do girls actually appeal to him now-He never really peaked as a love bug type. He was always a surfer dude, in a relationship with the beach. But Ava's mother always said;

Characters change.

Taking a breath, she stared wide-eyed, forward. They were unconsciously taking a long walk on the beach... Had Devon noticed? Glancing up at him, Ava shook her head. No he was too busy in his head. Ava stifled a laugh trying to hold it all in. As she stopped her walking, she felt raindrops on her forearms. Devon looked at her confused before chuckling as well.

"Yo, Ava, what's so funny?" He asked, trying to look her in the eyes. Ava laughed loudly and looked at her friend. She gestured the the beach around them.

"We're like an old married couple, dude!" She exclaimed with a laugh. He glanced around before taking in a deep breath himself. The two's eyes widened as they stared at each other. Devon's cheeks darkened as he contemplated this. Not good, dude, not good! Ava grinned at her friend. The pouring rain seemed to be the only noise before Ava snorted, unable to hold her laughter any longer. Scaring herself slightly, she screamed.

Did she really just snort?!

Devon blew up into uncontrollable laughter as rain drenched his clothes. Ava stared down at her hands in surprise. That was a snort... So not cool! Breathing heavily, Devon slapped his knee.

"Ava. Radical noise..!" He teased, continuing to laugh. Ava's straightened locks, began to curl at the ends due to all the rain. This was pleasing to her - Another day with those heavy Rapunzel locks and she may have gone crazy! Grasping her chest, she stood up straight and took in a breath. They had stopped laughing, but it didn't look like the rain was going to stop soon. Looking up at her friend, she saw him with his head back to the sky.

She had to admit, the rain did feel great. Giving a smile, she shivered. And cold. Devon had then been looking at her, his eyes held slightly closed by the rain, he nodded in her direction, catching her attention.

"You cold?" Ava wanted to lie and say no. Maybe she could stay out longer. As her mind said no, her body fought. And she nodded.

"We should get out of this, then, bro!" He replied, defensively. He always was really protective of her, especially when it came to her discomfort. He was like.. A big brother. Looking out into the sea, Ava sighed. How she loved this scene-

This thought was cut off by a large cracking noise, traveling across the sky. Unbeknownst to her, she gasped, dragging in a long breath, almost falling. Devon sputtered and chuckled lightly. Ava waited. For her thoughts to be confirmed. As she was about to throw away the thought, she saw a flashing light in the distance. LIGHTNING! Belting a scream, she grabbed Devon's hand and ran. She didn't know exactly where she was going. But she knew she wasn't staying there!

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Hello! :) Well, here's Chapter 1! Please give me feedback, I could really use it. I'm losing motivation halfway through Chapter 2! Anyway, 2124 words, wow! Hope Chapter 2 is this good. Enjoy!