"On a scale of 1-10, how freaking pumped for this are you?"

I laughed with Derrek as we waited in the baggage claim for our bags to come around. "I'd say a 10 doesn't even begin to cover it." I told him. I had been doing a pretty good job of just shoving all of my other feelings away, and just remaining present in the things happening right now. Derrek only has one year of school left before he could leave Swanford. Who says he won't go to school in Florida? There is no reason this trip needs to be a sad one. It could just be the start of great things to come.

I hadn't stopped smiling since the second Derrek met me at the airport, 13 hours ago back in Missouri. I don't usually like flying, the idea of this giant thing just floating through the air seriously freaks me out sometimes. But this time, with Derrek, I forgot the majority of the time that I was even on a plane.

So far, the hardest part if it all was saying goodbye to Wes. I hadn't known him long, but he had easily become an important person to me. I still am in shock that he was willing to do so much for me. He'd told me that it would be about a week before he could get me all the paperwork I would need to start over here. He had thought of everything. He is even going to rent an apartment for me that is right next to the school down here so that I don't have to worry about anything. I was even a little bit excited about this whole new endeavor.

The main thing that stung was not getting to see Garrett again before I left. It had all been so last minute, and he didn't come by the house to see me off, so I guess that means we both really are just going to move on with our lives.

As I watched Derrek run to grab our bags, I had to think that maybe this was for the best.

The taxi ride from the airport to the hotel was not too bad, even though there was a lot of extra traffic due to so many schools being out for spring break. When we got to the hotel I was pretty happy to see that it was on the beach.

Derrek and I didn't bother with checking in first. We ran straight for the beach, Derrek lugging the bags over his strong shoulders. He dropped them just out of the waters reach and began to strip down to his swim trunks, then took off into the water. I stood back and took in the sight. The sun was still high in the clear blue sky, and when I closed my eyes I really felt like I was home again. The beaches here are a little different, but I'm sure it won't take much getting used to.

I pulled my cover-up off and swam out to meet Derrek. "Cali Cade!" He called out before getting smacked in the face with a wave. He came back up shaking the water from his hair and wiping his blue eyes. Out in the water like this, and against the backdrop of the blue sky, his eyes almost looked translucent they were so blue. Like shining crystals. "I never want to leave!" He shouted out, thrusting his fists into the air.

I couldn't contain my giddy laughter. "Me neither!" I called back.

We spent the next few hours swimming, and enjoying the sun.

As the light of day began to dwindle, and the sun began its trip back down into the water, Derrek ran up to get us checked in, and drop all of our stuff in our rooms. I remained on the beach, watching the waves come in and out. The crowd began to thin as people headed off to dinner or whatever other plans they may have.

Soon, Derrek was back at my side, sitting next to me in the sand, and throwing an arm and blanket around my shoulders. "It's getting cool." He mentioned lightly, eyes glued to the waves.

"You almost missed it." I chided him.

We both turned our gaze into the direction of the setting sun.

"I told you I wouldn't." He laughed. "Now let's count. 5-4-3-2..."

"One!" We shouted together laughing. The sun disappeared into the now dark waters.

"I'm really happy you invited me, Cade." Derrek said as he turned his head, and looked deeply into my eyes. "This definitely beats being at school."

"I am really happy you came." It was true too.

Derrek leaned into me, resting his forehead against mine. "You know, you have got a pair of the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen."

I dropped my eyes nervously. "Oh, whatever." I muttered. "I bet you say that to all the girls. You know, I heard you were quite the flirt before I came along."

The tone in his voice caused me to look back up to him. "Exactly." He whispered, his mouth so close to mine. "Before you."

I pressed my lips to his and enjoyed the salty taste that the ocean water had left on them. We parted ever so slightly. "Has anyone ever told you, that you're pretty smooth?" I joked.

"I have been told that I am a great kisser...But I'm sure you already knew that."

"Oh, really? I didn't pick up on that at all." I teased him.

"Maybe I haven't been doing it right." He said smiling and moving a hand up to cup my face. "Let me just try that again."

He kissed me again, this time deeper.

Of course I have dated, and I have kissed a few guys before, but something in the way that Derrek kisses me, makes me believe that we could have a real future together. That sounds so corny to say it, but that's how it is when I'm with him. I see us living on the beach, sitting out on our deck when we are old a grey, watching our grandkids play.

"I've never met a girl like you before, Cade. I know I mess around, and I joke a lot, but...like, I really do...you know." His fumbling for words was adorable.

"Seeing as you're the one who can't seem to talk straight now, I think that means that I am the one who is a pretty great kisser. It mixes up your brain when you get a little taste of me." I teased.

Derrek grabbed both sides of my head and pulled me to him, smiling, and kissed me between words. "You...Are...The...Best...There...Is." He threw his head back laughing, such a perfect hearty sound, and then messed up my hair. "Come on." He said pulling me by the elbows to stand up. "I'm starving, let's go get some grub."

I pulled on my cover, and walked with him hand in hand to the beach side grill.

***

After dinner and dessert, we walked back to our hotel.

Well, Derrek walked. I road piggy back.

As Wes had promised, we had two separate rooms. The add on, was that Wes had booked two rooms on different floors.

Derrek, like a gentleman walked me up to my room, placing me on my feet right at my door. He fiddled around in his pocket for the room key, then passed it over to me. He let his fingers linger on mine for just a moment as he handed the card off. "I've had a pretty fan-freaking-tastic day with you, Cade." He said as he reached over to push some of my hair behind my ear. "I will see you in the morning. We are going SURFING" He cheered.

His smile was always infectious. "I know, I can hardly wait to kick your butt at it."

"Oh, now Cade, let's not fool ourselves. I am a pretty dope surfer so...watch your back." He laughed planting a kiss on my cheek. "See you in the morning at 9." He called as he ran to catch the elevator.

I went into my room, feeling high on happiness.

Derrek had tossed my two bags on the bed for me. I rifled through the first one, finding some shorts and a t-shirt to put on. Once I was dressed for bed, I pulled the second bag over and onto my lap. This was the bag of all the personal things I wanted from my house.

I picked through it, still a little shocked by how few things I had that I actually cared about. I saw two pieces of paper folded in the bottom and went to pull them out.

The first one was the sketch I had drawn of me, my mom, and Stephen all together. My heart swelled at the sight. I hadn't even remembered to tell Garrett to get this for me. Before I could flip to the next page, my phone started ringing. I glanced over at the screen, but it said it was from an Unknown caller. I hit ignore, and almost instantly, it began ringing yet again.

Unknown callers have always freaked me out, so I had zero intention of answering.

But it just kept on and kept on calling. Finally, I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I said into it annoyed.

"Hello, Cade." It was a man's voice, not one that I know, but one that I have heard before.

"Who is this?" I demanded.

"Oh, Cady Cady." The voice purred. "I don't think who I am matters all that much. I think what matters is who I have with me."

"What do you want? What are you talking about?" I asked the stranger, fear pooling in my gut.

"Oh, Cadence." He said. "You should have never left your friend behind. He was practically defenseless against us, even though he has some interesting abilities, they aren't too helpful against mine."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Wow, your little fling with him must have really meant a lot to you if you have already forgotten all about him."

I looked down at the papers in my hand and turned to see what the second picture was.

"Garrett." I said in horror.

In my hands was the sketch that I had drawn of him sleeping. It felt like it had been so long since this, but really it hasn't.

"Yes, I have your little boyfriend." The man taunted.

"You better not hurt him!" I screamed into the phone. "Hello? Leave him alone! He has nothing to do with this! Hello?"

"Hello!!??" I screamed again, but the line had gone dead.