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After we ate our delicious food at the restaurant, we agree to take a peaceful stroll down the beach. The sun was setting, the sky turning a beautiful shade of pink, violet and orange.

The beach was deserted and all you could hear was the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

I honestly don't remember the last time I was at a beach. The only view I've seen like this was on the home screen of my apple computer.

Reese sits down on the golden sand and I sit comfortably next to him as we gaze at the sea in peaceful silence.

After a few minutes, I decide to break the silence. "Why don't you go to that restaurant very often?"

Reese freezes. I don't know why I asked him this question, I just wanted to start a conversation.

He doesn't answer straight away and that makes me apprehensive. Me and my big mouth.

His chestnut colour hair falls into his eyes and he rakes it away quickly. I don't know what he's thinking about and I'm about to change the subject when he begins to speak.

"I used to go there with my brother every weekend. We ordered food, we would laugh and joke around until the sun went down."

My eyes roam freely over Reese's face and I could tell by his voice how much he loves his brother. He stares intensely at the steady waves and I knew his mind was elsewhere.

"Hayden was the best big brother you could ever wish for. He taught me how to play the guitar and how to ride a bike. He took me to the best rock concerts. Whenever I needed him for advice or a problem, Hayden was always there for me."

I gaze at the sunset, smiling. "He does sound amazing."

Growing up without siblings was lonely. When Reese describes his brother Hayden, I can instantly picture the two boys. I'm glad Reese was able to experience and make memories with his brother.

"He was," he pauses for a beat and then continues. "Two years ago, we were driving home one evening after eating at that same restaurant. Hayden was leaving for college after summer ended and I remember feeling down that night because I didn't want him to go. I didn't want him to leave me here..."

I can see the sadness in Reese's expression and my heart drops. I desperately want to reach out and comfort him, but I don't want to interrupt his story. This is the first time he's truly opened up to me.

"He reassured me he would come to visit whenever he could. That was the last conversation we had before a drunk driver hit us head-on..." Reese looks down at the sand, his chestnut locks covering his green eyes. "I had a few cuts and bruises... but Hayden..."

He fists his hand into the small grains of sand, his jaw clenched. "My brother lost his life. The impact killed him almost instantly the paramedics said."

I shut my eyes, a lump forming in my throat and my heart feels heavy. I can't even imagine how much pain Reese must have endured.

"My life fell apart after that. My dad was working so much, my mom had a shopping addiction and I was left feeling lost and frustrated. I was angry at the world for taking away someone so important to me."

I sat there and listened quietly, not sure how to react. It was the first time I'd seen Reese in a vulnerable state. I can't believe he went through all that.

"When I turned seventeen, my mom lost control. My dad couldn't take any more of her lies and then not long after we found out she was a fraud. She took out credit cards in our names and loans -- eventually got us into a bit of debt."

Reese sighs leaning back on his arms. "My dad went crazy. However, he wanted to help my mom with her problems. She was a mess and she felt bad at first. She agreed to seek support and pay off the debt with the help of my father. For a few months, she worked her ass off and it was going well. Then one day she never came home."

I purse my lips, shaking my head.

"She met this guy with a shit ton of money and she left a white envelope at our door with the rest of her debt and divorce papers. I haven't heard from her since." Reese chuckles under his breath. "Long story short, my life is fucked, my parents are fucked, I'm fucked."

I clutch his hand in mine, interlocking our fingers. "No, you're amazing. You're so talented Reese, everyone at school loves and admires you. As for your mom, don't let her mistakes define who you are. Stop blaming yourself."

He looks up at me, his eyes glossed over and I gasp. I can't explain this feeling I have when I look at him, it's powerful. It's real.

"I don't blame her anymore. I guess I'm still angry about the whole thing. My dad keeps pushing me to be better, to do well in school as Hayden did. The perfect son. The golden boy. I just miss my brother." his voice shakes slightly.

I feel terrible for Reese. He's hurting and he doesn't know how to share his feelings or who to trust. I see the way he is at school. He's the heartless, angry, bad boy but now I'm finally seeing the real Reese Black.

"I get it. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. My dad died when I was five but I still have memories of him." I push back the tears and continue.

"I also know what it's like to have a parent blame you for their heartache and to feel so worthless that you question everything about yourself." my voice wobbles and Reese tightens his hold on my trembling hand.

"My mother drinks heavily every day, reminding me how I'm the cause of my father's death. I'm never good enough in her eyes. Growing up, I never had freedom, friends or social life. I was lucky to start high school this year and I'm so thankful to have that piece of freedom." It sucked staying indoors day in and day out. What I've learned through the years is not to blame yourself for someone's pain and to live your life doing what you are most passionate about.

"Damn, this got heavy." We laugh, I'm highly aware of his thumb rubbing slow circles across my knuckles.

After a moment, Reese suggests we take a selfie together and I blush furiously. Reese grins, exposing his pearly white teeth and a small dimple on his left cheek.

I'm hypnotised by how handsome he is.

We end up snapping a few nice pictures with the beach in the background and then a few funny ones with silly faces. When Reese places his phone next to him, he covers his hands with sand. Without much thought, he rubs them together. The wind facing me blows the small grains onto my face and I whimper as a few land in my eye. Ouch.

"Ah!" I hold my eye, feeling hot tears build up. This is so embarrassing.

"Shit! Marns, let me see."

I blink my sore eyes open, just about seeing a concerned-looking Reese through my vision. He holds my face delicately, like a porcelain doll and then he blows gently into my eyeball.

The pain subsides and I look at him with an awestruck expression.

"You okay?" I nod my head, looking at every detail of his perfect face. His square jaw, his plump red lips, his dark lashes and vivid green eyes.

"I'm sorry." he whispers. I snap out of my trance.

"It's okay." I smile shyly.

We stay at that beach for another hour, soaking up the amazing view before it got too dark and we agree to head back to my house.

As Reese pulls up right outside the front door, I thank him for a wonderful evening. It was an amazing first date and when I pull away, he grabs my wrist and I face him. "Marnie--" I look up at Reese and his eyes lock with mine. "Things are going to change at school on Monday. You sure you're ready for that?"

His orbs look so intense, that my heart skips a beat.

"Is there ever a dull moment in high school?" I giggle.

Reese caresses my hand gently, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm not gonna leave you Marns, I promise."

My face grew warm and I grin. "Thank you. I enjoyed tonight."

He smirks, "Me too. See you Monday." he revs his bike before driving away and I practically skip inside my house, full of energy. My heart feels so full...

"Where have you been?"

I stop dead in my tracks, connecting my eyes with none other than my furious mother standing in the living room doorway in a long silk white nightdress. I can tell she's intoxicated by her unsteady voice and her glazed brown eyes.

"I was out with a friend." my mother scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I thought I made it clear that boy is not good for you!" she points a finger outside the wide window where she must have been watching us a moment ago. "He will only use you, dump you and then he'll tell all his friends how easy you were. You're a trophy to him. He doesn't care about you, Marnie."

My hands start to shake. It's my choice if I want to date Reese and I'm sure she was doing the same thing at my age.

"How would you know mom? You don't know him."

She chuckles in my face. "Don't be so naive Marnie. A bad boy like him doesn't want a relationship with you, he doesn't care about you!"

"He cares more than you do!" I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth and selfishly, I can't help but believe them.

My mother stares at me, unblinking. Her cracked lips part and I watch how much my words had hurt her.

"Mom--" I start to apologise but she cuts me off. "I'm going to bed."

She stops in front of me, narrowing her eyes. "When he breaks your heart, I won't be drying your tears, sweetheart."

My mother climbs up the steps, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Would Reese break my heart if we did get serious?

Was everything my mother said true?

Was I foolish to open my heart to the local bad boy?

Why did such a perfect evening end up like this?

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