Surviving the Surfer// Bax Radic x OC

Chapter 5

The next morning I feign a headache when Ari pops his head in the room to ask if I want to go surf. With being the sweetheart that he is, he brings me a glass of water and aspirin before running off to join my cousin and the rest of his friends. My heart sinks a little when I hear Bodhi's bright laughter and the low murmur of Marlon's truck rumbling away from the house.

Ultimately deciding not to let myself wallow, I get dressed and head outside, waving a quick hello to Abbie, Thommo, and Honee as I pass by.

"Skipping out on surfing again today?"

"Yeah, I want to go into town and explore a little bit I think. I have a lesson tomorrow at the barn so I want to use my free time while I have it."

"Good idea," Thommo nods, and I feel a slight twinge in my stomach for the white lie. "Just let me know if you want or need us to pick you up."

I offer up the same bland smile that always got me my way at home and head down the road, blue Converse kicking up dust on my way. It doesn't take long for me to hit the beach and boardwalk, people strolling all over the place even this early in the morning. The closest building to me showcases Poppy and Bohdi standing back to back, proud hands on their surfboards and the other on their hips, staring out over the ocean. It looked so perfect to have them there I took out my phone and snapped a picture, wanting to remember it. I continue on my way for a little while before an idea pops into my head and I shoot a text to Summer. I was not expecting a reply back so soon but her answer in all capitals sends me back down the street to the nearest corner store.

The doorbell chimes when I step inside, and the bored-looking girl around my age at the counter offers me a lazy look that I almost entirely ignore. Going straight to the hair dye section, the sheer amount of options is overwhelming. I pick a few of my favorite colors and send them off to my cousin to get her opinion. I shouldn't be surprised when she calls me to give me her opinion, but I am when I see the entire team standing over her shoulder. Ari gives me a pointed look that my cousin can't see and I give a weak smile in return, vowing to apologize as soon as I got the chance.

"Well you know what my opinion is going to be, but I thought you might want a second, or third, or fourth, so here we are."

"So what's the verdict then?" I ask, already having the feeling that I knew what the answer would be.

"Pink!" They all shout together. I roll my eyes and fight a smile.

"You just had to show them my Barbie phase didn't you Sum?"

"What?" She laughs, amusement making her brown eyes sparkle. "You spent five years with bright pink hair every Halloween, and I'm the one in trouble for telling people?"

"Yeah yeah whatever," I say as I grab the metallic pink hair dye and turn towards the front counter to buy the box. "Help me when you get home?"

"Yeah for sure, we're gonna grab some food before we come back, you can join us if you want?"

I shake my head no, thanking the girl at the desk before stepping into the bright Australian sunshine.

"Thanks but I think I'm going to hang out down here for a little while longer, maybe I'll run into you guys." I wave goodbye to Summer and the rest of the group before hanging up and sliding my phone into my back pocket.

Grocery bag in hand, I spend the next few hours wandering around the wharf, sliding in and out of the little shops lining the road. I'm sipping on a colorful-tasting smoothie when a faded head of pink hair steps out of the shop in front of me, the flannel tied around his waist fluttering in the breeze as he holds the door open for an elderly couple. His eyes settle on me and he smiles brightly, long legs crossing the distance between us in an instant.

"What's up Pyro? Looking for your next make-out session for today?" I can't keep the bitterness out of my voice as hard as I try. The smile vanishes from his face, and he turns to cut in front of me, forcing me to stop to avoid running into him.

"Look, you weren't supposed to see that okay? I didn't mean- I wasn't trying to hurt you I just...needed to blow off some steam. I got a call from my sister and she was...not kind."

"I'm sorry," I glance up at his face, a deep frown etched into his features. He shakes his head, eyes focused on the dirt between his shoes. I nudge him with one shoulder, stepping forward to put my blue Converse beside his dust covered white ones.

"I'm sorry I reacted badly, I didn't know. I guess I thought...nevermind." Heat rises to my cheeks at what I was about to reveal but chose not to.

"Thought what?" Bax's eyes slide over to me, his expression much less guarded and more curious.

"Nothing." I rush out quickly, taking a long sip of my smoothie. His hand darts out and steals it from me, ignoring my protests.

"Tell me." The demand is calm and measured, but his face clearly holds back a smile.

"I guess I just thought that maybe you liked me, or maybe not liked me but I- I don't know." I duck my head, unable to meet his eyes.

"I do like you." Strong fingers sweep under my chin, tilting my head up to face him. His skin is warm, so many days spent under the sun must have granted him some sort of permanent warmth.

"Oh." All of the thoughts in my head vanish, replaced by a pounding emptiness.

"Oh? Anything else you want to add, Outback?" I shake my head, blushing further as a chuckle rumbles out of his chest.

"Come on, let's get you back home before the Gibsons think I kidnapped you."

"Ari knows you came to find me?" That explains the look he had given me earlier then. I felt terrible for him thinking that I was outright lying to him.

"What Goldie knows or doesn't know isn't up to me." Bax shrugs and takes a sip of my smoothie, heading off down the road back towards home.

"That," I say, snatching my drink back and hiding it out of his reach. "Is not yours, so don't drink all of it."

"So? I always get what I want." A cheeky grin is sent my way, prompting a laugh to bubble out of me.

"That absolutely cannot be true."

"It is, Outback, I got you didn't I?"

"Entirely unrelated. And besides, you don't have me...yet." Forever the most stubborn, years of arguing with Summer apparently have trained me for this.

"Whatever." He mock rolls his eyes at me before slinging a relaxed arm around my shoulders. We spend the rest of the walk home chatting back and forth about random things. We were deep in a conversation about the upcoming surfing comp as we rounded the corner of the Gibsons' driveway, Marlon and Griff's trucks parked neatly behind the blue SUV. Poppy runs out, waving a brief hello to Bax before dragging me out of his company into the house.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting, there's a huge storm out here in the PNW and I've been without power for a few days. :)