A/N: Hey everyone, soz for late update again! Work has been crazy and I've completely changed the way my story is going to go. This is where the story starts to change. So I hope you enjoy. Also I gave no time scale for this story; it is all set over one summer in Newport.

TKAMB aka Becky

-x-

Chapter:

Annie was in a daydream thinking about that evening that she was anticipating. She was so nervous and so happy at the same time that she felt like she was floating on air. Seeing something famous from outside of the OC was a rarity and it made her feel she had more determination to leave the OC. But it was soon replaced with the thoughts of Ben…. And his smile

"Annie? … Annie!" Annie fell out of her daydream and came face to face with her mother and grandma Kirsten

"Yes? Sorry … I … um" she nervously looked down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear

"What is with you today, you're acting like you're hiding something" Annie placed a hand dramatically on her chest and laughed as Kirsten sat next to her

"Me? What have I to hide?" she asked before blushing slightly

"Well I was a young girl once" Kirsten said as Sandy entered

"What was it like in the 1800's?" he asked to which Kirsten looked shocked at him then Annie

"He's the one who said it" Annie pointed out and fell into another daydream. The next thing Annie knew she was being brought out of a dream by her uncle Seth and the whole family were around her as they were getting together for dinner. Annie however was going to the exhibition.

"Annie can I see you in the kitchen for a moment?" Summer asked and dragged her by the hand to the kitchen before Annie could open her mouth. Marissa was inside the kitchen handing up the phone

"Ok dinner is on the way" she said turning to them.

"Ok dish the dirt, what is going up with you?" Summer asked clutching Annie's right hand.

"What are you talking about?" Annie asked and Summer rolled her eyes towards Marissa.

"The far off looks, the constant quietness, and the fact that you keep yourself locked away more in your room pondering over your mobile. We are not idiots, so what is his name?" Marissa asked and Annie stared at her open mouthed

"It doesn't matter" she muttered and lowered her head "He never called me back after a week of me calling him, I was stupid to think he would like me"

"Are you nuts! You are the hottest girl in your generation age group with my Hannah and Isabelle being the hottest of theirs" Summer said raising her voice

"And May being the hottest of her" Marissa said giggling which made Annie give them a half smile. "Honey, seriously, just because one guy knocks you down the right one is just around the corner"

"Or at least the right one for now!" Summer said still with her raised voice attracting attention. Annie felt her eyes fill with tears and as a single tear fell Ryan entered the living room.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asked looking concerned

"It would seem that Annie's had her first taste of having her heart broken" Summer muttered to him to which he was slightly taken aback looking at his daughter who was being embraced by her mother

"Who is he?" Ryan asked and Annie looked up at him

"What does it matter...? I want to be on my own for a while; I have to get ready to go out with Nick"

"You don't have to go" Ryan said approaching her

"Yes I do" she replied, stood up and casually walked passed him not letting him comfort her at all.

"What is up with her lately?" Seth asked which startled the three of them who had not noticed him standing in doorway to the back of the kitchen

"I don't know" Ryan replied

---

"This is so amazing" Nick said looking up at the Monet painting that Annie was looking at. It was one of her favorites of Monet's' paintings. It was entitled 'Impression, Sunshine (blue)' and Annie felt a small tear trickle down her cheek as she stared at it. She didn't notice anyone around her except for Nick. "Annie … are you ok? You're crying"

"What? I am?" she asked suddenly pulled out of her thoughts and stared at his concerned face.

"Yes, here dry your eyes" he handed her a tissue which she accepted with a small smile. "I know you have a passion for art but I didn't realize you were this passionate about it" Annie laughed as she wiped her cheeks dry

"It isn't just the art … it's … it's everything. I think I'm starting to crack" he led her out of the room to an empty side room and closed the door behind them

"I don't understand" she looked at him for a moment in silence "Annie, you're scaring me" he said softly

"I think that if I don't leave soon … Nick you must promise me something" she grasped his hands in hers

"Anything" he whispered

"Promise me that if the time should come, I need you to tell me a lie to save me" he stayed silent for a few seconds as he didn't know what to say

"I promise, Annie what is this really about?" she let go of his hands and folded her arms

"Ben never called me back; I was such an idiot for believing him, I…" the tears began to fall again and she felt his warm embrace around her body.

"Then he is a fool" Annie looked up slightly to the window and saw Ben stood outside the window staring at them. Annie went to say something to alert Nick to which Ben shook his head and put a finger to his lips. He pointed to the beach and walked away to which Annie looked confused.

"Thanks Nick, you know I have loaded a lot on you these passed few weeks. You must really think I'm a fucked up girl" she said parting from him

"No, I think you're the only sane one here. Well I think we have seen enough paintings for today, would you allow me to escort you home?"

"Thank you Nick but I'd rather be alone for a while, just to get my head together. I'm sorry I've spoilt the day"

"No you haven't, believe me. I'll call you later" she hugged him once more and watched him leave the room. As soon as he closed the door she ran from the room through a side door and rushed to the beach. Stood by her life guard hut in the secluded area of the beach was Ben, waiting for her.

"Why didn't you call me?" she asked before he turned to look at her

"Annie I'll be your friend believe me I will but I can't cope with you as a person" she was taken a back causing a few moments of silence

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" she yelled, overwhelmed by her emotions

"Jesus Christ Annie! You think you are the only lonely person in the world! The reason why I didn't call you was because I didn't want you to feel shame towards me. You're rich; I'm poor, end of story. If it progressed into something more then you would give me up in a heartbeat"

"That is not true! Alright then answer me this. If you knew that when we met then why the hell did you talk to me in the first place?" she asked with the tears becoming heavier pouring down her cheeks.

"Because you were that lost spirit that I thought you could see past everything but in the end you are just a stuck up, spoilt, little brat who lives in daddy's pocket. You snub people out of your loop because that is the spoilt little way you have been brought up! All you care about is the next dress you are going to get, or the car you are going to get for your birthday or graduation! You don't give a damn about what people really feel deep down inside where the eternal darkness lies! So why don't you listen up to this. Inside you is a little girl who sits in that eternal darkness and she screams at the top of her lungs all day long. But you don't hear because you are too proud to acknowledge her. So here is your truth handed to you on a plate the way you want it to be. I've heard the stories from people about your family, about who you are. I know all about you and from what I hear, the sooner I get away from you the better" Annie composed herself and walked right up to him. She took a deep breath and slapped him hard across his right cheek. He didn't move for a few seconds and nor did she before he looked right at her and passionately kissed her.

"Now the girl who just slapped me, that is the real you I saw, and that's why I spoke to you" he whispered before turning his back on her and walking away.