"I wish I'd never broken up with her."

"Don't beat yourself up. It was mutual, remember? Cheer up Riku."

"No, if I hadn't been so stupid, it never would have happened."

"That was a while ago, Riku. It's been what, a year? Move on."

"Sorry Sora, but not all of us have perfect relationships."

The spiky headed brunette sighed. Riku and Olette had dated in their sophomore year of high school, and then broken up after graduation. Sora had never really understand why, but whenever he asked, Riku would mutter something about "Stupid changes…" They were now finishing their freshman year of college, and Riku hadn't dated anyone since her. They were home to Destiny Island, bringing back their things and getting ready for a relaxing summer.

Well, it was supposed to be relaxing.

The previous night, while at a bar, Riku and Sora found out from Kairi that Namine and Roxas had come into town, along with Olette. Kairi also told them that the other three were meeting them at the bar later. Riku sat frozen at the bar until Roxas, Namine and Olette entered. One look at her and he decided that he had only two options: 1. Ignore her and spend the night having fun with his friends, or 2. Get so drunk he would have to be carried home.

He chose option two.

Luckily for him though, by some chance, Olette didn't feel well, and went back to Kairi's house before she could see him get so plastered that he stood on top of the bar and sang "Spaceman" by The Killers.

Sora patted Riku on the back. "Well, she won't be here long. And she's staying at Kairi's house. You won't have to see her if you don't want to. But Riku, be happy. I don't think avoiding her will make it better." Sora walked away and left Riku alone on their couch with a cup of coffee and something to think about.

"It's getting bad, Kai. He doesn't want to do anything, because he thinks he'll see her. You saw him last night! And now he won't even move off of the couch." Sora said quietly into the phone.

"I know. And Olette isn't too great, either. She faked sick last night to avoid him, and she won't leave because she claims that she 'still feels bad'. And you know what else? She's using a photo strip of them that they took in that photo booth at the festival last year as her bookmark! And you know how much she reads! She sees that thing everyday, at least! She also still has his vest that he let her borrow last year at the festival. I'm worried about her." Kairi said,

"Well, the most we can do is get them outside. They need to work it out themselves."

"You're right. I'll take Olette to the beach, or shopping, if you could just get Riku to go somewhere.

"I think I can do that. See ya, Kai. Love you."

"I love you, too. Bye." Kairi hung up the phone, and went to wake up Olette, who had claimed not to be feeling well. She burst in, and found Olette reading in her bed. "Get up. I know that you're feeling fine. Now, we're going out, because you are NOT going to sulk around here all summer. We're going to go out and do something."

Instead of protesting, and arguing that she really was sick, Olette merely mumbled "Fine." And threw the covers off her bed. "But I'm going for a jog first." Kairi took her cue and left the room, so Olette could change.

Well that was easier than I thought… Kairi thought as she grabbed her essentials: swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, flip-flops, and money. She made coffee as Olette came out wearing orange jogging shorts, her normal tank top, and no shoes. Her hair was up in a ponytail, which made her normally messy brown hair look sleek. She had an iPod strapped to her arm, and a water bottle in her hand.

"I'll be back in half-an-hour." Olette said, making for the door.

"Fine, but you're not allowed to be too tired to go when you get back. We're going to beach whether you like it or not!" Kairi shouted after her.

Olette began running the second her feet hit pavement. She had taken up running after she and Riku had broken up. There was something about the rhythm of her feet hitting pavement that relaxed Olette. That, paired with the beat of the song she was listening to, "Point/Counterpoint" by Streetlight Manifesto, propelled Olette to run especially hard this morning. It was just her bare feet and the nearly empty streets of Destiny Island.

Meanwhile, Sora had just managed to kick Riku out of their house, and he was making his way to the bookstore. She's not going to be there. He told himself. Why are you even going? Turn back, stupid. She's going to avoid you as much as she can. Stop putting yourself through this! What are you going to say to her if she's there, anyway? TURN BACK! He couldn't stop. He kept walking to the bookstore.

He walked in and browsed among some other people who were looking around at 9:00 am on a Saturday morning. He picked up a book on the shelf. Hmm… 'We Are Quiet, We Are Loud'. Olette loved this book. Maybe I'll finally get around to reading it. He thought. He remembered that it was a compilation of short stories and poems about nearly everything.

He took the book up to the gum-chewing, bored girl behind the counter.

"Do you want a bag for that?" She asked as she popped her gum.

"Nah, it's small. I'll carry it in-hand."

Just as he stepped out the door, he walked into someone who was walking in. They both fell, and the book slipped out of his hands.

"Ouch." He said, getting up. He had landed pretty hard on his back. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you. Are you okay?" He asked, grabbing his book with one hand and offering her the other.

"Well, to be fair, I was runing pretty fast. Probably too fast to be running towards a door, but I'll live. Are you okay?" She asked, still looking at the ground. She grabbed Riku's hand and levered herself up with it.

"I'm fine. And so is my book, so no harm done." The stranger seemed farmiliar… that shade of brown hair, that voice…. She looked up into his face and smiled. Her green eyes lit up her face, and then realization sweeped over her. Her smile disappeared and was replaced by blush.

Riku's face was the same, but wide-eyed, jaw dropping, shock.

They stayed frozen for a moment, neither knowing what to do or what to say.

Finally, Olette, did the most logical thing to do.

She ran away.

The beat of "Bounce" by The Cab was pounding into her eardrums as she sprinted to Kairi's house.

Watching her run away, bare feet digging into the pavement, body gaing speed, Riku couldn't help but think, There's no way I'm over her. I need her back.