As I sit on the beach waiting for my best-friend Hunter; two kids building a sandcastle catch my eye. A boy and a girl. They both look around ten and they’re arguing over shells or seaweed as appropriate castle decorations. They remind me so much of Hunter and I. We used to build sandcastles after enjoying a surf together. We always argued about what to build, but eventually he’d let me have my way.

I smile as the blonde-haired boy gives in to the blue-eyed girl and agrees to cover their castle in shells. A moment later there’s a tap on my shoulder. Jumping to my feet, I turn, looking into Hunter’s warm brown eyes and smile. He wraps his arms around me tight and lifts me off the ground, spinning me. Bliss!

“Hey, why are you so happy?” I ask as he places me back down.

“You’ll never guess what happened!”

“You did a rodeo flip?” I joke.

“Hey! Don’t laugh, I’ll be doing them in my sleep in another year or two.”

“Ha, you wish! More like ten.”

“Whatever, anyway, that’s not my big news.”

I smile dreamily as he tells me what he’s so excited about. He looks good today, like really good! His wavy blonde hair is all messy, no shirt, smells yummy too.

“See, I’m not so repulsive,” he says.

As if I ever thought he was. His gorgeousness distracts me daily. Wait…

“Hang on a minute, go back, I wasn’t listening.” I lean down and grab my water bottle from my bag.

He rolls his eyes. “As I was saying, I have a date!”

Water bursts from my mouth, spraying all over the sand. “You what! With who?!”

“Don’t sound so surprised, and it’s with the new girl, Emily,” he casually informs me.

“I’m not surprised, everyone at school is completely in love with you, but the new girl? You hardly know her.”

This isn’t right, it shouldn’t be her going on a date, it should be me! I’ve been patiently waiting for him to realise how perfect we are for each other. Now that’s all ruined because of some random chick! Damn it! Agh, calm down Maddie, it’s just a date.

“I don’t need to know her, that’s what dating’s for. She’s super cute too!”

I guess if you’re into short, skinny chicks with sickly pale skin. I mean, when was the last time she was outside, and I thought he liked blondes. She’s the total opposite with her long, dark hair. She reminds me of Wednesday from the Addams family.

“So why her? I mean, you flirt with every girl within a five-mile radius, why is she so special?” I’m sounding bitchy now, but—whatever!

“I do not!” He insists, looking all offended.

“Don’t look at me like that, yes you do, me included. Ever since you started working out and girls started noticing you.”

“Hey, I’m just a friendly guy, you know that. We’ve been friends for ages and I’m still the same surf loving, action movie watching, cool dude I was back when we met.”

Only now you’re super hot and I’m completely in love with you—Maddie, stop getting distracted.

“And to answer your question, I gave her a surfing lesson this morning. We had a great time, so I asked her out. She seems like a lot of fun,” he adds.

“I bet she does!”

Woah, Maddie, calm down. Deep breaths, deep breaths!

“Are you ok?” He looks at me concerned.

“Sorry, it’s just that time of the month, ignore me,” I mumble, using that as an excuse for my jealousy.

He covers his ears, scrunches his eyes shut and starts humming.

“Oh, grow up, it’s a fact of life. And before you know it, you’ll be standing in the tampon aisle at the supermarket wondering whether to get regular or maxi for your Mrs.” Which I’m hoping will be me. I know we’re only seventeen, but one can dream, right?!

“Gross, stop talking about it. I don’t need visuals in my head!”

I shake mine and change the subject to something more agreeable. “So, you ready for our last practice before the surfing comp?”

“Yes! Now come on let’s get our surf on, I need to practise that Rodeo flip.”

“Well, good luck with that one,” I say sarcastically.

“You be quiet and hurry up, I’m going in!”

I stay where I am for a moment longer, watching his gorgeous behind run towards the water. Life was so simple before all these stupid feelings started. Why did I have to fall for him? With any luck, this Emily girl will last two seconds and he’ll finally realise how wonderful I am. And not just as a friend!