Alice's POV

"Oh my god! What the heck happened? Why is there a bruise on your head?", Mom said.

The school day had ended and I had decided to go home to get my swimming costume. Honestly, I wasn't really able to focus in class. In our school, it was the teachers who switched classes, not the students. The students were placed in their classes with other like-minded people. Unfortunately for me, Luke was in my class, and I could feel him burning holes in the back of my head throughout the day. Hence, I was unable to pay attention.

"Um... I fainted. It was Luke. He's alive, and he came to school.", I muttered.

Mom, Dad and Noah's eyes widened, and they looked at each other with shock painted across their faces. But instead of starting to question me, they just dragged me over to the table and brought ice to put on the bruise. They were all super over-protective, so something like this was definitely a big deal. However, I wanted to go to the beach and blow off some steam by surfing.

So I quickly stood up again, saying, "I already got it iced. I really need to go to the beach right now. Is that okay? Reyna and Alex will be with me."

They looked at each other worriedly, but nodded. I flashed a smile towards them, trying to reassure them, and went to my room. Quickly wearing my favorite, simple black bikini and throwing on my white cover-up, I rushed down the stairs, putting my hair up in a ponytail as I did so.

Not bothering to wear flip-flops, I raced outside, shouting out a goodbye to everyone. As I neared the small gate that separated our house from the beach, I could't help but inhale the salty smell and let a smile take over my face. I grabbed my light brown surfboard from beside the fence, and raced towards the sea.

I could make out three bodies. Wait... three? Reyna, Alex and... Oh no! They had brought Luke! Sh*t! I was supposed to be getting over him! Well, getting over the lie that he had told me! To be honest, it was my own fault. I had told Reyna that everything was okay between Luke and I. I didn't really want to worry her. And Alex knew nothing at all.

I sighed, continuing to go towards the sea, but more slowly. There was a slight breeze, and the waves were big enough for us to surf. At least something was going as planned.

"Hey guys! Ready to surf?", I said, waving at the two.

I completely ignored Luke, which wasn't exactly the best thing to do considering the fact that Reyna thought that Luke and I were bosom buddies again. But I couldn't just pretend nothing had happened! That would be the same as accepting him back into my life! And I was definitely not ready to do that.

"Oh, hey! Yup! The waves are looking good today, so we should have fun!", she replied, beaming at me.

Alex just nodded, not speaking much, as usual.

"Alex and I will head out together. You and Luke can take the next waves.", she said, grabbing Alex's arm before I could object.

I sighed, quickly glancing at Luke. He was looking at me curiously, as if he was watching a raccoon dance on a palm tree or something. As he caught my eye, I quickly looked away, sitting down on the sand and watching as Reyna and Alex paddled towards the first wave together.

I could hear someone sitting beside me, and I instantly knew that it was Luke. He sat so close to me that I could feel some of the warmth radiating off his body.

"The beach is the same. And so are you. Always willing to surf, no matter how big of an injury you've gotten.", he said, clearly trying to start a conversation. "I still remember how you would boss me around when we were younger, telling me how to stand on the board."

As he reminded me of our past, I had a hard time keeping my smile back. The four of us, Luke, Stella, Reyna and I, used to have so much fun together. But for some reason, I had always been closer to Luke. Obviously, I loved Stella and Reyna with all my heart, but Luke and I had always understood each other without saying a word. It was like we had telepathic powers.

I sighed, not answering. I watched as Reyna sat on her board, staring at Alex as he rode the wave. His form was almost perfect. His feet were shoulder width apart, and his body was bent as it should have. Alex was an amazing surfer.

"Do you? And I still remember when you used to get so mad at me when I tried to teach you something.", he chuckled, making a tiny smile appear on my face.

But I wiped it away just as quickly. I didn't want him to think that he could just show up, give no explanation and push past my barriers again. That would be too easy. If I was ever going to forgive him, I didn't want to do so as easily as he thought I would. I wanted to teach him a lesson. One that he would never forget.

I got up from my place and grabbed my surfboard, saying, "Listen, you said that you were gonna be the one to act like nothing had happened. I never said that I would do the same. So don't start bringing up stories from our childhood and expect everything to be normal again. That's not how it works."

I took a deep breath, moving into the water and putting the board in it when it was deep enough for me to do so.

From behind me, he called out, "But I saw you smile, Lissy. You can't deny that you still want to be my friend, because I won't believe you. That smile was proof of the thing that your heart is really saying."

I hated it. I hated that he was so right.

Done! I was munching in Oreos, and my phone's screen is filthy now. Bleugh! Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Make sure to comment, vote and share! Better go clean my screen... XD Love you guys! Peace out!