Fallin' for ya... and for you, and maybe you too?

chapter 2

"Come on ! That one's big enough !" Mack launched herself at the water, confident that Brady was following. And if he wasn't, well, she was gonna surf that wave alone, that's all. There'll be others.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye, his nearly white hair catching the sun in a way hers never seemed to. As he caught up with her, she couldn't help but stare at him. She liked his confidence on his board, the way his favorite suit hugged the muscles on his arms and chest, his eyes as he scanned the sea to decide the best way to ride the next wave. She was so lost in her contemplation she missed the next wave, but since Brady was riding it she figured she might as well enjoy the view. Mine, she thought, and smiled as he fell into the water. She shook herself out of her trance.

"Let's show him how it's done."

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Brady had just finished setting up the big picnic blanket when Mack arrived. They had both gone home to shower after their day in the waves, and they had agreed on coming back to the beach that evening to talk.

He had come early to set up the place : their usual picnic blanket, the old one with faded blue and yellow hawaiian flowers; a bottle of mango juice and one of water; a few snacks he knew Mack liked.

He had hesitated a bit on what to wear. He knew, no, more like he felt they were going to talk about important things, and he wanted to show he took their relationship seriously. And so he chose a dark grey shirt Mack had given him. She said it did really cool things with his eyes, which he hoped was true.

"Hey," said Mack. "You're early."

"C'mon, don't look so surprised," replied Brady. "I can be organized... sometimes."

He looked up at her and forgot what he was going to say next. Even though they were already together, had both confessed their love to each other and went on a lot of dates, he still had trouble breathing when she appeared sometimes.

She looked lovely. Her hair was loose around her face, barely dry. She must have let it dry on the way to the beach, because the shoulders of her blue sundress were still a bit damp.

She also looked nervous, but determined to get this done. He held up his hand, silently inviting her to take it and join him on the blanket. She did.

"Would my lady enjoy the finest drink of this establishment?" He asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Why, of course dear sir. Please let me take a sip of your sweetest beverage," answered Mack.

"One mango juice, smartly watered down, for the nice lady on the beach," said Brady with a flourish.

"Just what I like. Thank you."

They sat in silence side by side for a few moments, both facing the ocean and the setting sun. There would be light for a while  and the evening was growing quieter as the people on the beach started to go home.

Brady broke the silence first.
"So, do you wanna go first ?"

"First ?" replied Mack. "Do you have something to tell me too ?"

"Yeah, but it can wait. I have the feeling you'll want to hear it later, so go ahead. I'm listening." He smiled at her, trying to show her support through his eyes.

Mack took a deep breath and his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Okay," she started. "I have received letters from my top 5 colleges. Will you open them with me ?"

He expected this had to do with her acceptance letters, but in his mind she had already opened them and was just going to tell him her final choice. The fact that she has waited for him to open them showed how much their relationship mattered to her. It was awfully cute coming from a girl who liked to always be in control.

"Of course ! Why didn't you tell me you had them sooner ?"

"I was scared. And I've learned that the universe doesn't want us to be appart, so this time I'm not going to choose my future without involving you in the process."

She let go of his hand to fish the letters out of her bag. Brady accepted the little bundle from her and Mack closed her eyes. He could feel the weight of the moment and of her trust in him, making his throat close up a bit.

"Okay, here we go. Which one should I open first ?" He had the five letters fanned out in his left hand. Mack groaned and muttered "just open them all and tell me how many I've gotten in."

A few moments passed while Brady tore the letters open. He scanned them quickly,  noticing the one he'd hoped for. Mack was going to be so happy.

"Mack, how do you feel about going to Berkeley ?"

She bolted upright. "I got in ? Oh my god. Really? Show me!"

She launched herself at him, trying to get all the letters at once. He laughed and held them high over her head.

"Tsss, wait. Let me tell you !"

She hid her face in the palms of her hands and laughed. "Okay. Go ahead."

"So.... you have been accepted in four out of five. Or four and a half ? There's one that says the social studies program you applied for unexpectedly had to be shut down due to external circumstances but if you apply to their Arts program you can still get in.  Congratulations, Miss Awesome Student !"

She lifted her face towards him and grinned. She was practically vibrating from excitement.

"All of them?"

"Yep." He gave her the letters. She gave him a kiss. She then quickly scanned the letters.

"Okay. Great. Now I have to choose which one I'll actually attend. How do I choose ?" She got up and started pacing back and forth on the sand, letters still in her hand.

"I mean, I like them all ! They all have at least three classes I really want to take. How can I choose, Brady ? I can't ! If I go to Berkeley, I'll..."

"If you go to Berkeley, I'll go with you," interrupted Brady. "I can follow you there."

"Wait, what ? You applied to Berkeley and you didn't tell me ?" Mack looked stunned.

"No," replied Brady. "But there's an artisanal boardmaker that's looking for an apprentice. I sent him a video showing my boards and he was interested in me. We've been emailing these past two weeks and this morning he sent me an email saying he'll retire in five years and I better get my butt in Berkeley soon."

Mack had stopped pacing and sat down again next to him.

"Brady. That's fantastic !" She couldn't stop grinning.

"Don't you feel like it's meant to be ?" He asked, singing softly. She laughed and continued without singing. "Yeah, and the stars do seem to glisten."

Brady frowned. "No, Mack, come on," he said, "you have to sing with me. It's fate. Besides, the sun is not even set yet!"

"When it's meant to be, you go kinda crazy. Meant to be, all the clouds depart."

"That's more like it!" Brady laughed.

"So it's happening?" asked Mack. "We're both moving to Berkeley ?" Brady could tell she was still a bit shocked and didn't quite believe it yet.

"Yeah, I mean, if you're okay with it. You can still choose Columbia or ...."

"Don't say stupid things. I've got the chance to go to a really good college and have you in the same place, I can't hope for anything better," said Mack.

Brady had to admit it : it felt really nice to hear Mack value him so much. Ever since Lela and Tanner went back to Wet Side Story, Mack had been quietly sad. On the surface you couldn't really tell, but Brady knew her enough to notice the way her eyes faded a bit when she saw Vichy fabric or a biker girl in a pink leather jacket. So it was good to see her excited about the future, especially a future with him.

"Yeah, me neither."