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"BRIX! I'M CHANGING!" Summer shouts as she holds her towel around her.

A shirtless Brixton rolls his eyes as he walks further into her room, jumping on her bed. "Summer, I'm gay and I've known you all my life."

Summer simply stares at him, Brixton sighs, placing a hand over his eyes. "Better?"

"Thank you." Summer smiles, with a laugh as she starts to change. Silence fills the room, but it only takes seconds for Summer to break it. "Ari was in here earlier."

"Why was he here? Came to talk you down some more?"

"I caught him getting condoms." Brixton gasps, his hand falling off his face as he looks at Summer with wide eyes.

"Brixton!" Summer hides further behind her closest door.

"Summer, get over yourself!" Brixton waves her off. "He's going to have sex with that bi-girl? What is wrong with him?"

"Apparently everything." Summer huffs as she closes her closet, now fully dressed. "It's like I don't even know him anymore."

"That's what happens when you met and date a girl like Wren." Brixton pulls Summer down next to him. "She may love him, but after what you did to him, he still has feelings, but he wants to believe that she's the one."

"I should've kept in touch with him." Summer lays her head against her pillow. "I should've been there."

"Don't beat yourself up over it." Brixton tells her. "It'll all fall in line for you soon, Summer. I can feel it."

"You're the best." Summer smiles at the boy next to her.

"So I've heard." Brixton grins back, the two laugh.

Their laugh quickly comes to an end when there's a knock on her window. The two turn and Brixton's head tilts just a bit. "Bax?"

Summer moves to open her shade, Baxter's eyes fall onto Brixton's upper body, eyeing him. "Don't change a thing."

"I'm glad you're enjoying the view." Brixton responds, smirk on his lips.

Summer playfully gags, opening her window just a bit. "Nasty. What are you doing here?"

"I came here for Brixton, actually went to his window first." Baxter begins. "I also heard about the Byron thing, I had a day planned for me and Brixton, but you're welcome to join. I know you can use a friend."

"I'm surprised you know how to be a friend." Summer jokes. "But I don't want to third wheel and ruin your guys fun."

"Sum, you won't be a third wheel." Brixton rolls his eyes. "Baxter will be."

Summer let's out a laugh, she goes over and wraps an arm around his shoulders, she moves her lips to his ear. "Go get your man, Bri."

Brixton goes red, playfully pushing her away. Summer looks at Baxter. "Take care of him for me, okay?"

"With my life." Baxter holds up his hand. "Scouts honor."

"Don't pout and brood all day, okay?" Brixton stands, kissing Summer's cheek. He looks at Baxter. "Meet me in the front, I'm gonna put a shirt on."

"I like you like this. I prefer this." Baxter's eyes roam over his body again.

"Okay, out!" Summer pushes Brixton towards the door, the two boys laughing.

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The sound of a aerosol can spraying, fills Brixton's ears as he and Baxter enter a surf shack. Brixton's hand in Baxter's as he drags the boy in further.

"You're a shaper?" Brixton's eyes look around the room with a smile. "How could you not tell me that?"

"Because I'm learning." Baxter smiles, watching the boys lit up eyes roam around. "It takes years to get any good at this."

Baxter takes Brixton into his own little space, where material laid around, plain boards on the wall, but what stood out to him was the dark purple board in the middle of the room.

"You know, I had an apprenticeship up in Queensland until we had to move." Baxter breaks Brixton out of his head. The boy listening to every word. "It's just a great place to get away."

"I'm glad you found a place that gives you a peace of mind." Brixton looks up at him before down at the board in front of him. "So you made this?"

"Yup." Baxter nods, looking at the board himself. "Just about to give it a hot coat."

Baxter grabs two masks, passing one to Brixton as he went to a small bucket of purple paint and two tools to spread and smooth it out. He passes one to Brixton who smiles at him. "It's already really good, Bax."

"And now it's gonna get better." Baxter walks back over to him.

"Are we just gonna paint it on?"

"Yeah, we." Baxter takes the tool out of Brixton's hands. "Yeah, no. No. I've spent weeks shaping this board, sanding it back until it's absolutely perfect. You think I'm going to let you loose on it, darlin'?"

"You wouldn't have brought me here if you didn't trust me enough, darlin'." Brixton says, butterflies all around his stomach, he reaches out to get a hold of the tool, purposely letting his fingers touch Baxter's. "Plus, as beautiful as this is, who said I wanted to help."

Baxter smiles, his eyes sparkling as he stares at the boy across from him. The boy that has brought his spark back, the boy that has lit him up and brought him back to life.

"Let's do this. You can guide me and teach me how it's done, Radic."

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"Thank you." Brixton tells Baxter as he sips on a smoothie that Baxter had gotten him.

"Anything for you." Baxter replies, moving next to him. The two walking side to side as they walk down a pier. They were giving the board some time to dry and what's better than passing time by the beach.

"You think people believe Summer? I mean besides you."

"Her mother does. That's about it." Brixton answers. "If Summer was to do something like that, she'd at least have the guts to own up to it. Do you?"

"I do. Wren can't lie to me. I know how she operates." Baxter sips from his own cup. "She's intense."

"There's definitely other words that come to mind."

"But, it's not all her fault. It's actually kinda mine." Baxter finishes his smoothie before throwing the cup out. "Last year at Nationals, I'm on Team Queensland, yeah? And it all comes down to us and New South Wales. They chuck our gear up a tree to try and psych us out. Didn't work. We destroyed them on the water. And then we partied in front of their Boardriders clubhouse just to rub it in."

Mid sip, Baxter takes Brixton's drink for himself, giving the boy a innocent look as he goes to continue. "And then, um...someone dared me to set fire to their team banner."

"Clubhouse gone?"

"Minor damage."

Brixton huffs taking his drink back from Baxter. "So, you're not a hardening criminal?"

"No." Baxter follows after Brixton who started to walk again.

"That's such a bummer. It's what made you so appealing."

"Now that you mention it." Baxter finds his place next to Brixton again. "The Queensland big wigs, their heads were rolling. Elo got dragged into a meeting, then I got dropped. Permanently."

"You know, I'm sorry if I step over a line just a bit, but where are you're parents in all of this? You've never told me." Brixton stops, grabbing Baxter's arm to make him stop also.

Baxter let's out a breath as he looks at Brixton. "They left me to put it simply. Chasing the stoke was always their number one priority. Elo's been subbing in as a parent since I was, like, 13. I owe her."

"She stepped in, you shouldn't have to owe her for anything. You shouldn't be in her debt because of that, you know?" Brixton taps his finger against Baxter's arm softly. "But none of what you said, gives Wren the right to do any of what she's been doing. She's her own person. She controls herself."

"You're right." Baxter agrees. "But she's just threatened by you and Summer."

"Whatever." Brixton pulls Baxter to walk again, handing the Radic what was left of
his drink. "You know, you're parents were stupid to leave you. You are the most amazing person I know and they're missing out on someone so great."

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"Yes! Yes! Come check this out." Baxter leads Brixton back into his section of the shack. "Come check this out!"

"It looks so good." Brixton runs his hand over the smooth edges of the now shiny board.

"Tell me, have you ever felt anything that smooth in your life?" Baxter takes a piece of tape off the board.

"No, never. Not even my mothers board when it was first made." Brixton grins up at Baxter.

"Feel it."

"I am." Brixton chuckles at Baxter's excitement.

"You got to feel it." Baxter moves right next to Brixton, grabbing the boys hand and dragging it along the side of the board, slowly. He starts to speak, his voice sending shivers down Brixton's back. "When you shape a board, you get something that works for you. You know? For your style."

Baxter places Brixton's hand on top of the board, laying it flat as he places his hand on top, doing little movements. "If you like to go fast, or, uh...get some airs...or, um..."

Baxter trails off as their hands somehow found their place, intertwined with one another's. The warmness of the others touch making them feel a certain euphoria none of them have ever felt.

Baxter not yet daring to look into Brixton's eyes, speaks again. "Also...tighter turns..."

Baxter finally turns his gaze to Brixton, his green eyes, clashing with the Lennon's ocean blue ones. The eyes that brought him in, in the first place. Baxter brings his hand up to lift Brixton's chin just a bit as he starts to lean in.

A touch never made him feel so alive, Brixton places a finger through one of Baxter's belt loops to pull him closer, their lips finally connecting.

It was like it was only them in the world. No one else. These-These we're the lips they both wanted to keep as their own for the rest of their lives. They wanted this moment to last forever, but good, no, great things come to an end.

Baxter leans his forehead against Brixton's, who searched his eyes for any regret, but there was none. Brixton closes his eyes, coming down from the blissful feeling.

"I don't regret it." Baxter whispers. "Not one bit."

Brixton allows his eyes to flutter open, a smile on his lips. "Good."

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Brixton and Baxter walk side by side, boards in hand, the two laughing as they made their way towards the camp.

It wasn't weird between them, which was a good sign to Brixton, but he didn't know what else to do or say. He didn't want to scare Baxter off, not after he finally gave himself into him and is allowing himself to be happy.

"You two are late." Elo eyes the boys ahead of her, all eyes on them.

"Elo, my favorite sister." Baxter greets, trying to do a very bad New York accent. "How you doin'?"

Baxter stops behind Brixton, placing his arm on his shoulder as he points towards his sister. "Wait, no, let me guess...Hill sprints for all."

"Stop." Brixton nudges him softly with a laugh. "Don't listen to him, please. We're here to work."

"Mmm." Elo hums. "I should hope so. No sprints, you two are gonna be cooking and cleaning for all of us the whole time we're here."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

Baxter turns to Brixton, a false sad look on his face as he pretends to cry. "Oh, god."

Brixton laughs, comforting him as Elo goes to speak again. "Okay, guys, frothlords, let's hit the beach!

"Forthlords!" Brixton and Baxter say in unison, sticking their tongue out at each other.

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After surfing, Brixton found himself searching for Baxter, needing help with the dishes that were created due to lunch. It didn't take him long to find him.

Brixton comes to a halt, seeing Baxter and Elo going at it, just a little away from the little self made kitchen. He watches as Baxter, rips his arm out of Elo's grip and goes to walk away. Brixton places the dishes he had in his hands on to the ground before he rushes towards Baxter.

"Bax, wait." Brixton joins his side.

"Hey." Baxter comes to a stop, turning towards him.

"You leaving?"

"Yeah, no. I'm just gonna go finish the surfboard." Baxter explains.

"You were just gonna leave and not say anything?" Brixton moves and grabs Baxter's hand. "Whats wrong? I can go with you."

"Look, I'm-I'm sorry." Baxter brings his hand back to his side before walking away from Brixton, who watched him go.

Twenty minutes later, Brixton who was still in his head, nothing but Baxter on his mind, found himself sitting next to Poppy as the team sat in a circle, waiting for Elo to begin the peer review.

"Alright. Pull out a name and give some constructive criticism about that person's form." Elo passes Griff the hat, who gives it to Poppy. "Poppy, you go first."

"Um...Summer." Poppy announces. "Summer is...totally fearless. It's actually pretty amazing to be around. But...she's not very good at reading the conditions and she has this habit of dropping in on people when it's really not her wave."

"Summer, that means you're next."

"Wren. Of course." Summer folds her paper back up. "Uh...Wren's an amazing surfer. Seriously. Footwork, stance, turns. It's all perfect, technically."

"And if there was something negative?"

"She has zero soul." Summer says honestly. Griff and Brixton sharing a chuckle.

"Summer, seriously?"

"Look at you Bodes, trying to come to your new best friends savior." Brixton pipes in. "Don't blame Summer for being honest."

"You wanna talk about honesty?" Bodhi remarks. Her eyes go to Poppy. "Ask Poppy how honest she's been with you lately."

"The same way you've been with Summer, not telling her the shit you talk about her with Wren." Brixton abruptly stands. His emotions all over the place. "Be a real friend, Bodhi and then maybe you can talk."

"Okay! Enough!" Elo pushes Brixton back just enough for Poppy to grab him and sit him down. "There is obviously some serious issues brewing under the surface here. So, we are gonna do a purge."

Elo starts to hand out pen and papers. "Every negative feeling about your teammates, I want you to write it down. Get it out of your system. Don't show anyone. It's for you only. And then after...we're gonna burn all that negativity in the fire."

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Finally the fire came. They stood at the beach, all around a small fire, once again listening to Elo speak. "Draw a line under this moment. All of that negativity...all of those feelings..."

One by one, she crumbled each paper, throwing it into the fire. "They're gone. Now, from now until Nationals, every last thought should be strategy...technique, and winning. Pairs training at dawn."

And with that, all the paper in the fire, she leaves, leaving the teens by themselves, all silently staring at the fire. Brixton is the first to move, sitting over by Summer, who leaned her head against his shoulder. Brixton didn't write a paper, he didn't see no point. It was stupid.

"What's that?" Summer speaks up, looking at Griff who held a paper in his hand.

"Bodhi's becoming a total sheep. It's pathetic." Griff reads.

Poppy stands and rushes over to him, trying to take the paper. "Griff, give that to me, right now."

"Or she just does whatever Wren says." Griff continues. "It's like she latches onto—."

Having enough, Brixton rips the paper out of Griff's hand, pushing him down to the sand and throwing the paper in the fire. Bodhi looks up at Poppy, water in her eyes. "Wow."

"To be fair, this isn't Poppy's fault." Summer tries. "No one was meant to see that."

"Too late."

"What? So you didn't write anything bad about anyone else?" Poppy stares at Bodhi, who was being comforted by Wren.

Bodhi stays silent before responding. "I wrote that you're always showing off. And all this hooking up with different guys in secret. Not caring how it makes anybody else feel, especially Brixton. It's arrogant."

"What is she talking about?" Brixton looks at Poppy. His best friend.

"Bri..." Poppy goes to grab his hand, but he pulls away.

"No, tell me Poppy." Brixton felt his heart thumping. "Tell me."

"I-I'm seeing Marlon." Poppy admits, her eyes now filling with tears.

"What?" Brixton looks at her, betrayal in his eyes. "How could you—How could you not tell me?"

"I'm so sorry, Bri. I—."

"You guys want to know what I wrote?" Brixton looks around at them. "Nothing because I knew something like this would happen! But I hope you all know, you guys are all pieces of shit and have a thing for tearing each other down! We are far from a team. There has been only one person who has been my sanity and he isn't even here right now. You guys are pathetic and need to grow up. I'm sorry, Summer."

Brixton storms past Poppy, pumping shoulders with Griff as he makes his way back to the campsite, only wanting to get this night over with. He wanted Baxter. He needed Baxter.

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Brixton sat with his legs against his chest, arms on top of his knees as he lays his head against them. He was so tired, so mentally tired. He wished everything could go back to the way it once was, but then that would
mean, no Baxter and he couldn't see himself in a world without him.

Brixton lifts his head up, when he hears the sound of his tent flap, being opened. "Summer, I'm—."

"Not Summer." Baxter enters the tent with a certain board in hand. He closes the flap again before finding himself next to Brixton who stares at the beautiful board in disbelief. "It's yours."

"Bax..." His eyes go towards the B that was placed towards the top of the board. "I can't..."

"I made it for you. I want you to have it." Baxter sets it down next to them. 

"You made me a board." Brixton says, still in disbelief.

"We made you a board. I just finished it up."

"What can I do to repay you, Bax?" Brixtom finally looked up at the pink haired boy.

"Give me a chance." Baxter declares.

"Bax..."

"I will do anything." Baxter reaches forward and takes his hand into his. "I promise to protect and guard your heart. I promise that I will not let you down. I just need you to have faith in me and give me a chance. Just-Just say okay..."

Brixton bit his bottom lip as he stared down that their hands, he nods slowly. "Okay. You have a chance."

Baxter smiles widely before grabbing Brixton and pulling him in to a soft, warm kiss, that made both their insides flutter. This was going to take some getting use to, but it was so worth it.