The crush

[Beach Boy]

Rick

Rick's heart was beating like crazy, he hopped off his board and ran through the shallow water towards the beach. Above him on the pier under the lights he could clearly see Lance sprinting with a long rusty fence post in his hand.

Rick threw his board down on the sand, yanked the ankle strap off and ran as fast as he could while slipping in the sand.

"Well lookie who it is!" Rick heard a voice up on the pier laugh. Rick sprinted up onto the pier and saw Lance taking wild swings with the fence post at a group of guys. All Rick could think of was Maria. He had to stop them!

Rick saw a guy with long stringy hair lunge at Lance who swung hard and caught him in the head with a sickening crack. But a second guy got hold of the fence post and a third tackled Lance from behind. Rick aimed a kick at the guy on Lances back as he ran but felt a sharp pain when his foot met with the guys teeth. The guy let out a scream and fell back.

There was a girl struggling with two more guys in the distance and Rick rushed towards them limping slightly. One spun to face Rick and Rick dove at him wrapping his arms around him in a bear hug and slamming him to the ground.

"Rick!" Tracy yelled. Rick wrenched his head up to see Tracy break free from the other guys grasp.

"Bitch!!" The guy yelled at Tracy then headed towards Rick. Rick saw the kick coming.... Pain shot through his face as the boot snapped his head back. He saw a flash of light and felt himself falling towards the pier. Then he took a vicious kick to his ribs, and another painful kick to the back of his head.... He thought he heard Maria's voice, then sirens, and people yelling...

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

When she hit the water, Maria immediately began to swim. The water was cold, but the shock helped to clear her head. She could hear people yelling up on the pier above, and on the beach as well. Her head spun and throbbed where it had been struck by the man's flailing hand, but she couldn't afford to let it bother her. At least, not until she reached the shore.

As she staggered onto the beach, the world seemed to churn. She glanced around and saw several men up on the pier... one of whom looked a lot like Rick.

Maria started to hobble toward the pier, and cried out as one of the guys took a swing at Rick and he went down. She forced herself to run, hearing sirens approaching in the distance but not sure if they'd reach them in time.

 

[Beach Boy]

"Fuck.. It's the cops.." Rick heard a voice yell, then the sounds of people scrambling.

"Oowww..." Rick moaned rolling back over to see what was happening. It took a second for his head to calm but then he saw the group of guys he'd been fighting with get cut off by some police officers and wrestled to the ground.

Lance was sitting up watching too and still holding the fence post. The guy he'd hit was still lying face down on the pier.

"I hope you didn't kill him.." Rick heard Tracy's voice and turned to see her standing a little ways away looking at the guy on the ground.

Lance picked up the guys wrist and felt it for a second. "Nah.. He's alive..." He said and got to his feet slowly.

"Are you okay?" Tracy turned to Rick.

"Yeah I'm fine." Rick said.

"No, you're not.." Tracy said "You've got blood running down your face."

Rick carefully stood up and felt his face. His lip was numb, bloody, and a little swollen, but he seemed to still have all of his teeth. He was going to say something more but hesitated feeling his swollen lip.

A couple officers and paramedics were approaching. "Lance..Lance..Lance! Can't you stay out of trouble." The younger blond officer grinned. "Who were you fighting with this time?"

"Who else." Lance said disgustedly "Bodie.. and his friends."

"Fuuuuuuk!!" Bodie gasped rolling over and holding his head. The paramedics headed his way.

"Everybody come with us." The older officer instructed. "We need to make out a report and get you guys checked out by the medics."

"Did you see another girl!" Rick blurted out suddenly.

"There's some people being checked out at the ambulance." The officer nodded "I'm sure you'll find your friend there."
-------------------------------------------------

The nurse in the emergency room gave Rick a suspicious disapproving look and handed him an icepack that he held to his swollen lip. His head ached a little and he had a pretty good bruise on his chest.. but no broken bones. Things could be worse

"You're not from around here are you?" Rick heard the nurse whisper to Maria. "...always getting into trouble.... surfers.... bad news... I know nice young men... Christians..."

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria shook her head as color and sound returned. She jerked as memories returned, and felt reassuring hands on her.

"Hold still, ma'am."Maria shook her head as color and sound returned. She jerked as memories returned, and felt reassuring hands on her.

"Hold still, ma'am.” The voice was coming from a nurse who was finishing the application of a bandage to Maria’s brow where she’d been clipped by the guy’s fist. Maria looked around and realized she was lying down on a hospital bed. She tried again to sit up but fell back as her head started swimming.

“Easy there,” the nurse whispered. “You took a good, solid hit to the head there, and that swim in the ocean didn’t help. What’s your name?”

“Maria Lauren. I... there were some other people...” The nurse shushed her.

“Everyone seems to be alright, if that’s what you’re wondering about. No permanent damage. This time at least.” Maria detected a hint of derision in her voice, and noticed her glance over to the left. She looked over and saw another nurse giving Rick a disapproving look and an icepack She was about to call out to him when her nurse spoke..

“You’re not from around here, are you?” the nurse asked. Maria just shook her head softly. “Well, if you want some advice, you might want to look for some different friends. Those guys are always getting in trouble. If it’s not fights like these with other surfers or druggies or whatever it is, it’s something else. They’re bad news, Maria. I know some nice young men, though, if you’re looking for some friends. Some proper Christians, in fact, and with a name like Maria I’m sure you’ll appreciate them.”

As the nurse mentions Christians, bitter memories of Andy flood back into her mind. “Christians, eh?” she asks. “You mean the Christians who say they’re your friend but when they find out you had an abortion they’re suddenly crossing the street to avoid you? Or do you mean the Christians who bail out their kids after they botch one of their date rape techniques and one of their victims happens to want to press charges? Cause I think I’ve had my full of those types of Christians,” Maria replies. Her eyes widen a bit as she realizes what she just unloaded on the poor nurse, and is glad she didn’t say it much louder. The nurse freezes, half bent over as she was reaching to adjust the bandage, color rising in her cheeks. Finally, she straightens up. With a soft, almost quivering voice, she says, “You’ll be fine, Ms. Lauren. Just stay out of trouble.” And with that, the nurse stalks away. Maria considers a moment calling out to apologize, then decides against it and collapses back on the bed, tears welling up in her eyes.

 

[chris2c4u]

They had so much to organise, so much to think about. They managed to stay up have the rest of the night talking about hopes and dreams for the future, liberally mixed with kisses and caresses in the present.

It was all too much to think about - their parents reactions, the possible changes with school.

When they awoke they decided just to plan for the competition; even telling their friends would have to wait they decided, though they did notes that they would post as they left so everyone knew what they were planning. The tickets were easily sorted out, the packing didn't take too long - except for Kale's surf gear.

Soon enough, they were ready to leave. They spent what could have been their last night on campus making love, sensually, surrounded by candles in the bath, then in bed.

They drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, heading off on a different road.

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"...abortion ...date rape... press charges... Christians" Rick was shocked to hear Maria say and he caught his breath. He wasn't close enough to hear the rest.

Rick's girlfriend in High School had been a "Christian", but her father, a minister, hadn't approved of him. Rick was a surfer, and even worse.. he was a Catholic.

Rick wasn't sure what he'd actually heard Maria say but he felt himself flooded with emotion. He had never considered that things could go so wrong. It was just going to be a simple evening of surfing and fun with friends. He wondered about Cameron and Kale. They'd gotten seperated on the way to the hospital.

Rick liked to imagine Maria as his soulmate, however there was still so much he didn't know about her. So much he didnt' know about her background or past. There was an intensity in her eyes that suggested secrets and pain were hidden beneath her seemingly alltogether exterior.

Tears were streaking down Maria's cheeks.

"Maria are you okay?" Rick asked.

Maria practically jumped.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to sneak up on you." Rick apologized studying the painedl look in Maria's intense eyes.

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria just looked back at Rick, unsure, for a moment, of what to say. Finally, her eyes saw his swollen lip and she bit at her own in sympathy before she suddenly burst into tears, real, wracking gouts of tears. She was so confused... joy that he was okay mixing with residual fear from the attack on the pier and with all those painful memories. She'd tried to keep the tears in check, but now that they were here they just wouldn't stop.

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"Oh Maria..Maria..Maria." Rick closed his eyes in sympathy. One second he was standing looking down at her, the next second he found himself moving towards her, his hands reaching.. Ricks right hand caressed her hair gently as he moved his face closer to hers. Maria's eyes widened and for a second Rick thought he had done something wrong. He paused and instinctively wiped her tears softly from her cheeks. Then Maria closed her eyes and Rick closed his too as their cheeks met.

"I'm sorry.." Rick whispered and pulled back a little so he could see her eyes.

Maria didn't reply but just gazed at him with her passionate intense eyes. Her head tilted and their lips met.

It certainly wasn't the sort of kiss you'd see in a movie. It was slightly clumsy due to Ricks numb and swollen lip, but it was wonderful in its own way. A memory that he would cherish.

"Maria." Rick said as he straightened back up. His hands gently messaging her shoulders. "If you want to talk about it sometime I know somewhere we can go where we'd have total privacy. Have you ever been to the greenhouses on the east side of the campus? I've got a surprise for you.... a present."

Rick prayed that Maria would open up to him. He wanted to know the details, no matter how painful. He wanted to know where she was from, what it had been like back there. He wanted to know about her family and her friends. Her religious background. Her passions, her dreams. He wanted to know everything.

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria gulped as she listened, the feel of Rick's lips still echoing on her own. The kiss had been sudden, and it had all but shocked her out of her fear and depression.

"...a... present?" she asked meekly.

 

[Beach Boy]

"Look at her.. In bed!" Tracy's teased

Rick and Maria turned to see Tracy and Lance standing at the door holding ice packs to their faces.

"How you blokes doin?" Lance asked.

"A little worse for wear." Rick answered feeling his swollen lip.

"Well mates if you're injuries aren't life threatening then checking out would be in order. It's bloody expensive here!"

Maria sat up slowly.

"Wow wow! Where do you think you're going!" The nurse called out.

"No worries.. " Lance replied.

"Well, if it isn't the famous Sir Lancelot" The nurse retorted sarcastically.

"Prepare for the earbashing." Lance grinned.

"Lance.. Lance.." The nurse shook her head smiling "What are we going to do with you?... I suppose she can check out... If she feels up to it."

"Ace!" Lance gave a thumbs up, then turned and headed for the door with Tracy waving Rick and Maria to follow.

Rick helped Maria get to her feet and steadied her with an arm around her back. Her hospital gown almost came off!

"Wait!" Rick laughed " We'd better get changed back into our clothes first."

"Okay" Tracy called back "We'll have the taxi wait for you."

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria gathered her clothes and stepped into the tiny bathroom, closing the door most of the way but leaving it ajar as she dressed. As she did, she called out to Rick.

"Thanks for sticking around, Rick. It's... it's been a crazy night. Who were those guys, anyway? What was their problem?"

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

Rick walked over closer to the door.

"It's kind of a long story Maria." Rick said in a hushed voice.

"Bodie's the son of the former Chief of Police. He and his friends were in High School when we were in Junior High. But Tracy was sort of friends with them. Then Bodie and his friends started selling drugs and became real trouble makers... People would call the police on them but the police would never show up...

Anyway one night Tracy was holding a party, while her parents were away. Bodie and his friends showed up and started causing trouble. So Tracy got a brilliant idea. She called the police but told them that Lance and some surfers were crashing her party and selling drugs... So this weird special narcotics unit showed up. They didn't drive up with their lights flashing or their sirens going, or anything. Instead they just drove up really quietly, so there was no warning.... The next thing we knew these plain clothes cops, not from around here, had grabbed Bodie and his friends and were hauling them out the door. And Bodie totally freaked out and started screaming stuff at Tracy about how she was going to get it when his father found out.

Then the police actually went to Lance's house. They didn't find any drugs but they grabbed him and hauled him down to jail too. So Tracy had to go down to the police department and explain everything. And that's how she got to know Lance.

So anyway Bodie's dad got him off somehow, but before he could do anything to Tracy his dad shipped him off to Utah to live with relatives. And the other guys went to jail. But I guess they must have gotten out recently...."

 

[LemonheadLover]

Tracy

"Oh shit." I said to Lance as we got into he cab." I guess that I am in big trouble now, since Bodie is back and so are his goons, and that means trouble for you and Rick too."
"Could you please hold the cab? We have two more friends that are going to join us. Thanks?"

Lance got into the front of the cab with the driver and I slid into the back seat. We waited for Maria and Rick to get in.

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria listened as Rick told the story. As he finished, she shook her head. "Wow... You know, I guess, in a weird sort of way, it's kind of reassuring that there's fucked-up people on both coasts." Her eyes widen a bit as she realizes how Rick might take the comment. "I mean... not that... I mean that Bodie and his goons are fucked-up, not that you... or Tracie...." Her shoulders sag.

"I'm tired. Don't listen to me, Rick. You've been great, hanging out here and waiting for me. Let's get out of here... I think I heard the taxi pull up outside."

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"Okay," Rick nodded.

He put an arm around Maria and she cuddled up against him warmly as they slowly walked out of the Emergency Room.

"I wish I could tell you that everybody was great here.." Rick sighed "..but there's good and bad everywhere."

Maria didn't say anything in reply but instead just kissed him softly on the cheek. She looked a little sad and a little tired but she was warm and it felt good to hold her in his arms.

Rick returned the kiss with one of his own. "Don't worry.. we're not perfect... but Tracie and Lance are friends that you can always count on.."

Tracy held the car door open for Maria and Rick gave Maria a quick hug before she got in.

Tracie suddenly burst into laughter "Rick! Why are you still wearing the hospital gown?"

"Get in you idiot! I'll go get your clothes." Tracie continued laughing and ran inside.

"Sexy robe you've got there!" Lance grinned.

 

[LemonheadLover]

Tracy

Rick walked out of the hospital in his hospital gown. He must really be head over heels for this girl I thought to myself as I rushed back into the hospital for his clothes.
I grabbed Rick's things and I realized that I needed to tell Maria how sorry I was that I never told her about the asshole Bodie.
I also knew that Maria was a good thing for rik and he deserved a good thing I was going to do my best to make sure that this works out for him.

" I though you and your trashy friends left" I heard the one nurse call out to me from behind " What are you doing in here?"
"Listen, Rick forgot his stuff and icmae in for it." I replied.
" Hurry up , get it and get out. Why is that nice girl hanging out with you hoods?" she asked.
"What did you tell her?" I replied I should have knnown that that witch would do something. She was so meddling.
"I told her that you and those boys were trouble and that she should find some nice christian friends instead." the nurse said with a smug all knowing look on her face.
"Witch!" I exclaimed as I walked out the door.

Great, i thought to myself now I need to do a little damage control for Rick and explain that i got him into this mess, and Lance.

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria smiles, but doesn't quite laugh when she realizes Rick's still wearing his hospital gown. Lance is already sitting in the taxi's front seat, so Maria slides into the back seat of the taxi, against the far door. Rick slides in next, his body pressing closely against her in order to leave some room for Tracy when she gets back.

"You gonna ride home in that outfit, Rick? Won't the hospital miss the gown?" Maria asks, and this time the smile feels a little less troubled. The fear of what just happened a few hours ago are finally starting to fade into just memories.

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

Rick had grown up around the beach and was used to changing out of a wetsuit and into clothes in front friends -- even some girls, like Karen and Tracy. And they weren't shy about changing in front of him either. However somehow this was different...

"Is that your gun or are you happy to see me?" Maria smirked.

"It's just the way the gowns folded there!" Rick shook his head at Maria.

Maria snuggled up against Rick.

"And you're not helping!" Rick complained in mock frustration.

"Ricks very shy." Lance said. He looked over the seat at Maria with eyebrows raised.

The car door opened. "Here's your clothes Richard."

"Tracy I haven't been called Richard since the second grade!"

"Well you know what they say Rick.." Lance grinned "You can't help growing older but... you can always be immature!"

"Scoot over Rick so I can get in."

"I can't.." Rick complained.

"And take off that silly hospital robe." Tracy laughed. "Don't worry nobody will be able to see much. And maybe your GIRLFRIEND, Maria, will help you change!"

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria blushes as Tracy calls her Rick's girlfriend. Her eyes dart involuntarilly to his, widened slightly at Tracy's bold words, and then looked down at her lap, and at her tightly clenched hands there. She giggles a little, then scoots over against the door as far as she can to give Rick some room to scoot over for Tracy to get into the Taxi. Then, she takes a deep breath and looks back at Rick with a grin.

"Yeah, Rick! That hospital gown really isn't your color!" And with that, she playfully tugs at the robe, then gasps in suprise as it comes off almost completely. She squeels in suprise, causing the taxi driver to glance into the rear-view mirror.

"Okay now, you kids stop fooling..." he starts, then sees Rick's practically naked. "Hey! You! Get some clothes on or I'll kick you out of my cab!"

Maria giggles as she glances at Tracy, who is holding Rick's clothes just out of reach.

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"Tracy! Cut it out!"

Rick grabbed his pants but Tracy tossed his underwear and tee-shirt to Maria before he could get to them.

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria gasps as Tracy tosses Rick's underwear and t-shirt into her lap. Rick lunges for them but she pulls them aside, and his momentum carries him over and into her lap. One of his hands pushes up against Maria's breast and she gasps in suprise. At the same moment, Tracy slides into the back seat, pushing Rick up against her even more.

"Geez, Rick! Take your clothes, not mine!" Maria says as she holds the shirt and underwear out for him to claim.

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"Thank you Maria." Rick said cringing slightly.

He could feel himself blushing as he took his underwear and ackwardly put it on. What a strangely embarrassing situation... And in front of Maria...

"Shame on you Tracy. Nobody wanted to see that." Lance shook his head in mock seriousness.

"That's for sure!" The cab driver chimed in.

"And not to change the subject or anything." Lance said "I had a friend pick up our boards and suits. I didn't think it was safe to leave them at the beach. I'll bring them by later."

"Thanks." Rick nodded appreciatively.

The cab driver dropped them off in front of the pier.

"I'm sorry about how last night went." Rick apologized to Maria again. "Do you need a ride?"

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria hugged her arms to herself against the cold of the night air blowing in from the ocean and nodded.

"Well... I kinda rode my bike down here earlier, but it is kinda cold. I suppose the bike'll keep overnight, unless your car's big enough to cram it in back maybe? But if not, no biggie. I just don't think I wanna ride home in the cold... and alone... after all that's happened today."

 

[Beach Boy]

Rick

"I've got a bike rack on the back of my car!" Rick said cupping her shoulder lightly with his hand.

Maria turned and it happened. Her arms went around him and his around her. He caressed her hair with his hand and Maria leaned her cheek into his chest and snuggled.

"Thank you." Maria said softly "What happened tonight really wasn't your fault. And your friends are.. different... but pretty nice."

 

[Pywakit]

Maria

Maria was hugging him before she realized it. She was just so happy he'd been with her through all this, and even though she was certain it was harrowing for him he'd stayed with her to the end. The fact that he had a bike rack on his car just cinched the deal.

She just stayed there for as long as he held her, content for now to just hold him and be held in return.