  We sat there for a while, not talking. Just staring at the sea before us.
  Darren and Sam were back and were playing in the water. Claire was learning how to surf. Jake was teaching her. They looked cute together. Josh and Tyler were also surfing.
  &quot;Aren't you going in the water?&quot; Brian asked me a few minutes later.
  &quot;Not now.&quot; I said. We had finished our coconut water and now the coconuts were resting between us.
  He nodded and got up, dusting off sand on his jeans. Was he going?
  &quot;Want to take a walk along the beach?&quot; He asked and extended his hand for me to take.
  I took his hand as he helped me up. His warm hand sent tingles down my spine which I tried to ignore.
  We started walking along the beach. Not many people were there. This beach was never crowded. Though it was a beautiful beach with a beautiful view of the sea, it still remained mostly

  I was glad that I had not gone with Darren. It was quiet in the car. I and Brian were the only ones awake. Claire and Jake were asleep.
  Music was playing at a low volume in the background, unlike in Darren's car where the music must be blasting at full volume. I pitied Sam.
  &quot;This is boring,&quot; Brian whined from the driver's seat.
  &quot;There is nothing you can do about it. You're driving and Claire and Jake are sleeping,&quot; I said.
  &quot;Let's talk.&quot;
  &quot;We did. The whole day.&quot; I reminded him.
  &quot;Some more.&quot;
  &quot;About?&quot;
  &quot;I don't know. What do you want to talk about?&quot; He asked, glancing at me.
  I thought for a while. &quot;Let's play twenty questions.&quot;
  &quot;Okay. You start. No questions related to family.&quot;
  &quot;Fine. Um...what is your favourite book?&quot;
  &quot;I don't like reading books.&quot;
  &quot;S

  &quot;Hey! You ready?&quot; I asked Claire. I had come to pick her up.
  &quot;Well yeah,&quot; She said. &quot;I am so excited!&quot;
  &quot;That Jake will be with me!&quot; I finished her unspoken sentence, using the same level of excitement she used.
  &quot;Shut up!&quot; She said, looking away. I saw a hint of red on her cheeks and smirked.
  &quot;Oh my God! You're blushing! Seriously, what did Jake do?&quot; I wondered out loud.
  She didn't reply but instead turned into a tomato. I shook my head at her.
  We drove to Darren's place. We were all going to meet up there. Everyone was coming with us. Claire, Brian, Jake, Sam, Darren, Josh, Tyler and I. There were eight of us. Quite a party.
  We pulled up at Darren's and got out. I knocked on the door.
  A few seconds later, Darren opened the door.
  &quot;Hi,&quot; I and Claire said in unison.
  &quot;Hi,&quot; Darren said, huggi

We sat there for a while, not talking. Just staring at the sea before us.
  Darren and Sam were back and were playing in the water. Claire was learning how to surf. Jake was teaching her. They looked cute together. Josh and Tyler were also surfing.
  &quot;Aren't you going in the water?&quot; Brian asked me a few minutes later.
  &quot;Not now.&quot; I said. We had finished our coconut water and now the coconuts were resting between us.
  He nodded and got up, dusting off sand on his jeans. Was he going?
  &quot;Want to take a walk along the beach?&quot; He asked and extended his hand for me to take.
  I took his hand as he helped me up. His warm hand sent tingles down my spine which I tried to ignore.
  We started walking along the beach. Not many people were there. This beach was never crowded. Though it was a beautiful beach with a beautiful view of the sea, it still remained mostly deserted.
  &quot;What happened, Brooke?&quot; Brian asked, his face turned in my direction.

Chapter 13 13| Past Between Us