Ryan glanced up at the clock for the hundredth time, unable to concentrate on the school books that were opened before him. Something wasn't right, a feeling he was having, but he couldn't put a finger on it. He tried once again to push the worrisome thought out of his head and get back to studying for the English exam he had the next day but after reading the same sentence over and over without comprehending it, he gave up.

Needing something to relax his mind, he slipped on a grey hooded sweatshirt over his white wife beater and exited the pool house. A time like this, a nice jog along the water usually helped him unwind and focus. Something about the moon casting a glow over the waves as they lapped up against the shore and then back out again soothed him as his heartbeat picked up from the workout.

Usually he would take it easy until he reached the faded white watch station that was all but abandoned and then turn around and sprint back to where he had left his car but tonight something caught his eye before he could turn back. Standing up against the rail of the watch tower was a sight even more beautiful and captivating than anything else around him on such a night and his breath was short to come though not because of the jog.

With the moonlight reflecting upon her face, Ryan now could say he knew what an angel looked like. Her brunette hair blew around in the breeze, her long, flawless legs stretched out to her full height, her breasts arched out as she leaned towards the water. Love at first sight was just a bunch of mushy crap out of a romance novel but as his eyes stayed locked onto this mysterious woman, suddenly it seemed possible if not true.

The only thing wrong with the picture in front of him was that she looked sad. He was too far away to notice if there were any tears but he would have bet on it. The way she was standing, starring out into the water like she had just lost her best friend made Ryan want to continue running – right up to her so he could wrap his arms around her and promise that nothing bad would ever happen to her again.

How anything bad enough could put a look like that on someone's face, Ryan knew all about. With no dad, an alcoholic mother who brought abusive boyfriends home, and a lawless abiding brother who stole cars and dealt drugs to support other bad habits, his childhood hadn't been exactly carefree and innocent. Luckily for him, fate had more in store for him than lifting cars and a jail cell.

Wondering what her story was, one that made such a beautiful face like hers so sad, he reluctantly pulled his eyes away and began running back the way he came. Outgoing social skills were not his strong suit, not around all these rich people he was now living amongst, and even if he could manage to gather enough courage to walk up to her he wouldn't know what to say. Instead he returned to his pool house where his thoughts and dreams were consumed with a moonlit beach and a beautiful stranger.

A week passed, grudgingly slow, and though he had jogged every night, to his disappointment he did not run into her again. He wasn't sure why but the only thing on his mind had been her. She invaded his dreams when he managed to sleep, occupied his thoughts out of nowhere, and was the center of his daydreams during class.

With finals, it was not the week for him to be unable to concentrate, but somehow he had made it though and now had the summer in front of him. He wanted to find a job, try earning a little extra cash as by this time next year he would no longer be a high school student and be forced to enter the real world. The thought had never scared him before as growing up he had fought just to stay alive but after living with the Cohens and realizing that dreams aren't just in your head but attainable, the future with so many possibilities was a new and horrifying thing. Thinking of all the doors now open for him that did not lead toward a life wasted in prison, he wasn't aware of his surrounding as he ran with his head lowered and crashed right into a pair of legs descending from a watch tower ladder.

"Sorry," he mumbled, looking towards the ground to see who he had bowled over.

"Could you help me up at least?" the beautiful stranger finally said as the sight of her made Ryan freeze up.

He reached down to take the hand she held up, waiting for her attacker to turn into her rescuer. Her touch was as smooth as he had imagined and the instant they made contact it felt like a million lighting bolts had just struck down around them. The small sheepish smile she gave him as she stood up nearly made his knees give out. He found himself lost in her eyes, the same color as the water behind her, and sucked in the sweet smell of her. Now that he was close enough to see the freckles that lightly dusted around her nose, he couldn't believe how incredibly gorgeous she really was. Her lips, glowing skin, mind blowing smile, and knock-out body were nearly too much for him to handle.

"My hand," she said, looking down to where he was still holding it and he quickly let it drop, "and next time you want to play football give me a warning so I can put a helmet on."

"Yeah, sorry about that," he somehow managed to get out, wanting to say more but instead turning to finish his run.

"Hey," she called out, making both his feet and heart stop, "What is it that you're running from?"

"Excuse me?" he replied, walking back toward her.

"Well, I've been watch- seeing you run a lot lately at night and it looks like you're trying to run away from something instead of exercising," she said, looking him over with those gorgeous eyes of hers.

"Maybe I guess," he replied, "When I've got a lot on my mind I run and somewhere along this beach everything gets sorted out without much effort on my part."

"It really works like that? Just take off running and your problems go away?" she asked skeptically, although her words were filled with hope.

"They don't go away necessarily but things make more sense. It's like I overanalyze everything and think too hard but when I run, my mind goes free and suddenly I've got an answer or solution or I'm so tired that sleep finally comes," he admitted.

"Maybe I should try that," she said more to herself than him, pain showing in her eyes.

"Starring out at the water doesn't do it for you," Ryan said before he could stop himself, revealing that he had been watching her as well.

"Well since it's apparent you can't take your eyes off me," she teased, grinning as he began to blush, "maybe we can try this running thing together?"

"It's a date," Ryan said quickly, turning redder than he already was, "I'm Ryan."

"Marissa."