Ciao amici!

I wasn't sure when I'll be able to update again so I thought I'd give you something to tide you over! I'd love some more reviews. You can email me personally with your thoughts (email on my profile page) if you're not comfortable with everybody reading your thoughts. I like to have a feel for my "audience" so if you do review, add a little something about yourself, anything you feel is relevant. Even if you don't like my story and just want to drop me a line.

In conclusion, if you want to know what the future holds for our young lovers, R & R!

Chapter 14

If The Sun Is Shining, It's Morning.

The following morning Summer woke up with the smell of faint sweat and cologne in her nostrils and for a moment she was confused about where she was before the memories of the previous night came flooding back into her mind. When the full comprehension about were she fell asleep hit her she sat up and found that she was in a bed… A very comfortable bed… The smell all around her she could now place as Ryan's distinct scent. She fell back against the pillow, not willing to leave the safety of Ryan's bed even though she was troubled about how she got there.

As she lay in the bed, she thought about what Luke had said about Ryan being a 'player'. She found it hard to comprehend that Ryan could be so blasé about dating. She knew that what Marissa had done to Ryan was bad but she never realized that it would make Ryan distrust the entire female race. She thought about how Luke told her that if any one could break down Ryan's barriers, it would be her. That thought brought a new round of questions into her mind such as: 'Did she want to be the one who broke through?', 'Would Ryan really find another way to seclude himself?' and finally 'Even if she wanted to break through Ryan's stockades, would it all be worth while?'. In a moment of clarity and honesty she was willing to admit to herself that she never thought of Ryan as 'just a friend' – from the first day she saw him at the fashion show, she wanted more from him and she only settled for less because of Marissa. Her treacherous heart told her that she would always want more and that it was only a matter of time before the people around her recognized this.

As these thought kept running through her mind she heard the door open. She had forgotten about Ryan and her heart leapt to her throat when she realized that she had probably spent the night next to Ryan. She glance at herself and felt a little bit relieved when she noticed that she was still in her clothes from the previous night. She quietly crept out of bed, tried to straighten her hair out as much she as she could and went into the other room.

She was greeted by Ryan making himself a smoothie. "Hey there, Girly. Finally up I see?" To Summer it was unfair that he was so chirpy so early in the morning. She grunted before answering "You, Ryan Atwood, are WAY too happy for 7 in the morning… Where were you anyway?" Ryan downed his smoothie before replying "I went for a jog. Usually I just do about 4 miles a day but I had a bit of energy to work off so I went a bit further… How'd you sleep?" Summer could feel herself blush a little and decided to take the bull by the horns and ask Ryan about their speaking arrangements. "Yeah about that… I noticed that I slept in your bed so I was just, you know, wondering, where you, where you spent the night? That is to say, slept?" Summer was sure Ryan could sense her discomfort and her suspicions were confirmed when Ryan smirked at her from where he was perched next to the kitchen cabinet. "I'm hurt Sum, wasn't it memorable for you?" Ryan kept smirking at her and she blushed even more at his insinuations and even more when she realized she wished his insinuations were true. "Come on Ryan. I'm serious… What happened?" A look that Summer couldn't place settled on Ryan's face and he looked her straight in her eyes when he spoke "You fell asleep on my shoulder halfway during the movie. You looked so serene, so angelic, that I couldn't get it over my heart to wake you up so I picked you up and let you sleep in my bed… Don't worry though, I slept on the coach and I only snuck one peek. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Summer was both elated and despondent with what Ryan had said but she wouldn't admit that – she was still making peace with her feelings towards Ryan and admitting that she wanted to have him sleep next (and with) her, would only complicate things more… Ryan stood up and clapped his hands together and telling her she should help herself to anything for breakfast because he was going to take a shower before heading to class.

Summer was making herself an omelet when there was a knock at the door. She heard Ryan asking her to get it seeing as he just got out of the shower. She opened the door to a drop dead gorgeous blonde. Summer was a bit taken aback when the girl asked to speak with Ryan. "I'm sorry, he's just in the shower. Can I give him a message?" The girl eyed Summer with an antagonistic glare. "Okay… Just tell him Lacey stopped by." She paused before adding "Actually, you might also want to tell him his Friday night just got cancelled! Tell him I said he can take his new slut!" Before Summer could recover from Lacey's rant the door was slammed in her face. If she didn't believe Luke's revelation about Ryan she now had proof, without a doubt.

As she was still struggling to come to terms with the event that had just transpired Ryan appeared from his room. 'Hey, who was at the door?" All Summer could think about how good Ryan looked after a shower. "One of your conquests thought that I had stepped on her turf and has decided that you could find someone else to fill your Friday night slot!" The words were out of Summer's mouth before she could fully appreciate what she was saying and she couldn't control the anger that was surging through her body. To her surprise Ryan burst out laughing and said "I guess I'll have to find a new escort for the Chancellor's Ball!" Ryan's laughter was infectious and Summer found her anger ebbing away as she also burst out laughing. "Come on, Casanova. My food is getting cold!"

The next half hour was spent with Summer eating her breakfast and Ryan eating the omelet he coaxed Summer into making for him. Without any warning Ryan burst out "Come with me." Summer was confused about what he meant and Ryan continued "To the Ball I mean. As Captain of the football- and debate team I'm obligated to go and having someone there who I can talk to and have fun with would make the entire evening bearable." Summer was still considering whether she should go when Ryan pulled a trump card "Come on, you basically chased my date away. You owe me!"

Summer found herself agreeing to go. She knew it wasn't just because she was in part responsible for him not having a date anymore nor was it because it would be an honor to go to the Chancellor's Ball, it was also because she enjoyed Ryan's company and spending time with him would give her a chance to analyze her feeling for him a bit better. She refused to admit that it was because she was falling for him because, in her mind, it was impossible to fall for someone so fast…

ONE COULD DO WORSE THAN BE A SWINGER OF BIRCHES