Growing Pains

Chapter Eight

Bridgette

I almost had an anxiety attack when I saw Geoff at school yesterday. I thought I recognized him the other night Howie's, but I thought I had imagined it. I mean, there was no way he would move away from California. And then, there he was. The only blessing I had was that he didn't recognize or remember me at all, which, looking back, wasn't a surprise. The last time I saw him neither of us were necessarily sober.

I had originally planned on avoiding him forever and ever, but after lunch, I had a shred of hope. If he didn't recognize me, then there was nothing to worry about. Anyways, I realized today that we didn't share any classes, so I wouldn't give him the opportunity to even figure out if I looked familiar. I could just stay quiet around him and pray he never pieced together that our connection ran deeper than just us both being from Malibu.

At least, I hoped so.

It was Tuesday night, and I was about an hour out from wrapping my shift up at Waves Surf Shack. Tonight, I was working with my friend—well, more like acquaintance—Dawn. She was a very pretty girl who kind of reminded me of a fairy or some kind of elf. But, there was this presence about her that always took the edge off of my mood, like she was a peaceful rainy afternoon incarnate. And most importantly, she didn't hover.

"Tonight's been slow," her lyrical voice sighed.

I nodded my head and leaned against the cashier's counter. "I hate slow nights. They get so boring." She nodded her head, sighing again.

The door's bell chimes and we both shot our heads up, eager to wait on a customer. I felt the blood drain from my face as I immediately recognized the boy walking in.

"Hi! Welcome to Waves Surf Shack! Let us know if we can be of any service," Dawn perked up and smiled. I could tell from the faint blush on her cheeks that she thought he was cute. I noticed that too, although I wished I didn't.

Geoff filled into himself since the last time I saw him. Muscles existed in spots they hadn't before and he was taller and broader. He looked more like a man than the rising junior I last saw him as.

His eyes lit up in recognition as he saw me, making my stomach tighten. "Hey, Bridgette, right?"

I nodded my head, "Yep. Hey, Geoff." If he heard the tinges if embarrassment in my voice, he didn't show it.

Dawn shot me a curious look. She would later be asking about how I knew this attractive stranger, and I would only be telling her the partial truth, about our brief introduction in the school cafeteria. No one knew about the other part.

I gestured to the tiny blonde next to me, "This is Dawn."

He walked over with an easy swagger, "Hey, Dawn. I'm Geoff, but I'm guessing you already figured that out." He gave a pointed look at me.

Dawn let out a little giggle, "Hi."

I smiled at Dawn, hopefully her sweet face would distract him from recognizing me, "Geoff's new in town. He goes to Wawanakwa too."

"You go there?" Geoff asked Dawn. She nodded, a blush coloring her pale cheeks. "What grade are you in?"

"I'm a sophomore."