Hello, Brennen Taylor.

Katie couldn't even believe that she was standing in front of James Framington. He's hot! He's hot? "Hi." Katie's choked out. James used to be Katie and Sara's best friend. Man, he's changed since then.
"No way. Katie? Oh my god, hey how've you been? How's Hawaii?" He went off into some dumb, stereotypical hula dance. Yeah, he's still James.
"I'm fine. Hawaii isn't as great as it sounds, but I'm back and that's all that matters." Katie smiled to lighten up the conversation.
"I wish we could hang out, I missed you. But I have to be at Stanford by Monday. I hope I'll see you tomorrow night." James huffed as he jammed Sara's trunk shut. "It was good seeing you though. I'll come visit you guys sometime. We should plan an outing or something."
"That sounds great! I can ask Gianna to come too! All six of us can go on a camping trip!" Sara was shaking, jumping up and down. Sara lived for this type of stuff. She loves to plan parties, outings, contests, pretty much anything you want she's got it covered.
"Six?"
"Me, you, Gianna, James, Keeghan, and Brennen." Sara said bluntly. Keeghan was James' friend since the 3rd grade, Katie was pretty familiar with him, but the name Brennen didn't ring a bell. "You'll meet Brennen hopefully tomorrow, so don't worry." She already has plans for tomorrow? This girl is killing me.
Katie and Sara spend the night binge-watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. Sara made cookies, while Katie fell helplessly in love with McDreamy. She had to admit, he had a way of making everyone fall in love with his quirky personality.
The next day, Katie woke up to Sara running into her bedroom and ripping off the comforter. "Come on, let's go! Get dressed. Look nice, but not too formal."
"Where are we going so early in the morning?" Katie groaned wearily.
"We're helping Brennen prep for his party."
"What kind of person throws a 'look-nice' party? Like, seriously. It's either formal or it's not."
"Just get ready!" Sara skipped out of the room, leaving the door wide open. Katie dragged herself out of bed and to her bags that she had yet to unpack. She pulled out a black peplum top, a simple pair of denim skinny jeans, and black platforms. She wore a choker with a shell charm on it that she got from her dad as a going away gift. No make up today. Let's start fresh.
Katie brushed teeth and her long brunette hair and secured it in the back with a bobby pin. Ready.
She walked down the stairs with a few awkward klink!'s and picked up her phone from the kitchen table before heading out to Sara who was already waiting in the car.
After what seemed like hours, they finally pulled up to a decent-sized house. Bigger than the one Katie had back in Oahu, but definitely smaller than Sara's.
Sara and Katie waited at the front door for a while after ringing the door bell. Maybe he's not home.
The door creaked open and a boy stood there with eyes the color of the ocean. This boy was definitely new, and definitely beautiful. Katie didn't try to hide the fact that she was staring, but got red in the face when she realized he was staring back.
"Sara, hey. Thanks for coming, I really need the help." He said with a wide smile on his face. Way too preppy. Sara and Mysterious Gorgeous Boy exchange a tight hug.
"Brennen, this is Katie. My best friend since elementary school. Katie, this is Brennen. My friend by association. He's James' friend since Junior year." Katie smiled and nodded at the boy, but he pulled her in for a hug instead. He's a hugger.
"Hey, nice to meet you."
"Um..H..Hi." Katie sputtered.
"Come in. There's a lot of things that we need to finish before six o' clock."
Sara wasted no time in getting to work. Before Brennen even asked her to do anything, she was already setting up cups and plates and silverware. Katie picked up some blue streamers from a box and looked to Sara for assurance. Sara nodded. Mission Streamers is a go. After the streamers, Katie lost herself in decorations and stopped asking Sara for assurance. Katie was excited to see the final product, especially after the lights were set up. By 4:46PM, the party was all set in stone. Katie realized only just after setting up, that this was a going away party. "See you soon!" and "congrats!" was plastered everywhere. The cake on the center table read: "Congrats, James!" This was a going away party for James.
It started to get dark around 5:30PM, so Katie decided to turn on the fairy lights. She stood there for a long minute admiring the sight. It was beautiful. Especially in the dark of the night. Although it wasn't quite night yet.
People began to arrive around 6:45PM. Katie sat outside Brennen's house on the swing chair in the backyard. His house might be smaller than Sara's, but it had a better view of the beach at night. She could faintly hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore over the loud beat of the music inside.
"Hey, you." A low voice said, calmingly. The swing chair shifted as they sat beside her.
"Hey Brandon." Katie said with her attention still on the beach on the other side of the fence.
"Brennen. My name's Brennen." Brennen chuckled. Katie finally directed all of her attention to the boy sitting next to her.
"Sorry, Brennen. I'm a little out of it right now."
"No worries, Katie. Can I ask why you're out here alone when there's a party inside?"
"I don't know. Just need to take a breather, I guess."
"Well if you ever need anyone to listen I'm here. Even if we just met. I mean, it gives you a fresh point of view if you need any advice." He never took his eyes away from Katie's dark blue ones. Katie hesitated, not taking her eyes off of his either.
"Okay." Katie smiled, nodding her head. "But it's a long story."
"I have all night. How about we go to Taco Bell and we can talk there?"
"I don't really like Taco Bell.."
"I don't think we can be friends. I'm sorry. I actually think I have to get back inside and help with the uh.." Katie gave him a surprised, hurt look. "I'm just kidding. Let's just go for a drive then. You like cars, right?" He joked.
"They're okay." Katie replied getting off the swing and picking up her bag.
"Let's go then."