A/N I'm blown away by your feedback :) I hope you like this chapter just as much. Next chapter will definitely have some good R/M time, which this chapter kind of lacks for obvious reasons. Anyway, Read and Review, and I'll try to post as soon as possible! Enjoy!

Wednesday, 5pm

"Hey. It's me. Um, Ryan. You know my number… And now I'm rambling. Um, anyway… Riss, call me back. Please. Or text me. I'll even take a text. Anything. I just want to talk to you. I… Riss, I miss you. Please."

Wednesday, 6pm

"Hey. It's me again. Ryan. Right. You know that. I need to stop doing that. Um… call me. Please?"

Wednesday, 7pm

"Hey. It's me. Again. Look, I don't know if you're ignoring me or if you're just not getting my messages. If it's the first thing… Marissa, I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. You have to know that. You always have to know that. You're my best friend. For a long time it felt like you were my only friend. We've been through hell and back together. Please. Marissa… please. If you get this, call me."

Wednesday, 7:15pm

"Okay, I know you're getting my messages. My phone is working. I checked. Marissa, call me. Seriously. Call. Me. Now. Please. Pretty please?"

Wednesday, 8pm

"If you don't call me, I'm going over to your house. I'll knock on your window until you open up."

Wednesday, 8:30pm

"Okay, I'm knocking on your window. Open up. Marissa Cooper open the window. You hear me? Open up."

Wednesday, 9pm

"Okay, so you're not answering my calls and you're not home. Are you okay? Marissa. Is something wrong? Marissa, I'm really worried right now. Please tell me what's going on. Did something happen?"

Wednesday, 9:15pm

"Marissa… Marissa? I'm going out looking for you. I'll find you. I promise you. Hold tight. I'm coming. Don't worry, okay? I'll find you and everything will be okay. I promise. Don't worry. Don't be afraid. I'll make it better. I'll… I'm on my way."

Wednesday, 9:37pm

"I rode to the lifeguard station and you're not there. You're not at the diner or the pier. You're not at home. You're not in any of the hospitals. I called. No one by your name is admitted. I… where are you? Did someone take you? Marissa, please. I'm worried sick right now and I just need to know what's wrong."

Wednesday, 9:44pm

"So, Summer finally answered her phone and called me an asshat for not realizing that you're with Andrew. I have to say that I don't necessarily think that's safe and sound as she said, but I guess we'll have to just let that slide. So… I guess have fun? With Andrew? And if he does anything, Marissa, I swear. I'll be there. I don't know where he lives, but I'll find my way there and I'll be there if you need me. Don't hesitate to call or text or anything. But if you're fine and whatever… Um, have fun."

Wednesday, 11:45pm

"I'm assuming you're home now. I'm really tempted to stop by but you're probably tired and I guess you don't want to talk to me. I can't say I'm entirely surprised but I just wanted to say again that I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I know you're hurt. I know I messed up. We could talk about it if you just would actually talk though. I'll try to see you tomorrow. If you happen to listen to this, know I miss you. I really do. Goodnight, Riss."

XXXXX

Marissa was in a constant state of distress. Her best friend had somehow managed to mess up every single relationship she ever dreamed of having without her knowing. He had been possessive and unnecessarily violent in cases. She made sure to talk to all her ex boyfriends, who hesitantly admitted that yes, they were afraid of Ryan. He had gone behind her back and caused her pain unknowingly. He had held her and pretended it wasn't his fault. So she cut off all contact with him. She didn't need him in her life.

If only it were that simple.

Cause, of course, she was in love with Ryan Atwood. He had been her friend since they were little kids, and she desperately just wanted to talk to him and forgive him so they could hang out again. She missed his voice. She missed his smile. She missed his touch. Hell, she missed his warm body next to hers as they slept. She missed waking up with his arms around her.

His constant texts and phone calls didn't make it any better. It had been two days since she closed the curtain in his face, and he had to have left her at least forty voicemails. Sometimes he was upset. Others he was angry. Sometimes he was apologetic. Others he was worried. She told herself to just delete all the messages, but she couldn't. She missed him. She had never missed anyone this much before.

Of course, she had never had to say goodbye to Ryan yet either.

On Friday morning Marissa met Andrew at their lockers in the morning, her face set in a permanent frown. When was the last time she'd really smiled? Andrew smiled for them both, leaning in to peck her lips. "Hey. You feeling okay today?"

Marissa shrugged, opening her locker. "As okay as I can be."

Andrew nodded understandingly. "I understand. It's been a rough week."

Marissa placed her books she'd taken home in her locker, then shut it, keeping only her first period book in her bag. She turned to Andrew and tried to smile, even attempting a weak one. Andrew was such a great guy. Marissa truly did have some feelings for him. She wasn't just using him; she genuinely liked Andrew. It was just that she loved Ryan. "I think that's an understatement."

Andrew opened his mouth to speak, but both their eyes turned to Ryan who had appeared. He looked between them awkwardly, then let his eyes stay on Marissa. He observed her silently, making sure she was okay. As hard as this was for Marissa, it was probably ten times worse for Ryan. While Marissa had pain and hurt, Ryan had nothing but regret and heartbreak. Somehow it felt worse than anything else. "Hey," he said quietly, his eyes meeting Marissa's for a second before she pulled away.

Marissa turned to Andrew and reached for his hand. "Walk me to class?"

Andrew looked between Ryan and Marissa, knowing they needed to talk eventually, but not feeling now was the right time to push Marissa. "Um…sure." He saw Ryan's eyes dim and his shoulders slump. Andrew felt genuinely bad for the guy, but his main concern right now was Marissa.

Marissa didn't even look back at Ryan as she walked past him, so Ryan reached for her arm, sending chills up her spine. "You can't avoid me forever," Ryan said quietly, staring at her seriously.

Marissa closed her eyes, willing herself not to let the few stray tears fall. With her heart breaking and her will cementing itself, she quietly said, "Watch me."

They were the first words she'd spoken to him in days.

Ryan felt like she'd physically slapped him again. His cheek burned as if branded. He let go of her, his fingers remaining open in air as if waiting for her to come back. "I'm not going anywhere," he called to her as she walked away.

Marissa didn't say anything in response. She just blinked, swallowed the tears, and reminded herself she was better off. She had to be. Maybe. Possibly.

XXXXX

Ryan had exactly one class with Summer Roberts, and they never talked or even looked at each other. Ryan liked Summer. He thought she was pretty and could be nice to those she cared for; he just liked Marissa more. He and Summer had never really hung out extensively, and he wasn't sure she liked him all that much if he were honest. She had this way of looking at him like Marissa could do better.

Honestly, she could do better.

Regardless, Ryan was on a mission. If Marissa wouldn't talk to him, he would find someone to talk to her for him and convince her that she needed to speak to him. Right now the only link between them was Summer, and Ryan was willing to sacrifice his pride to ask Summer's help. He just hoped she didn't hate him as much she pretended to.

After class, Ryan walked over to Summer's desk as she packed up her bag. She lifted her gaze to him and stopped cold. "Oh, hell no. I'm not meddling."

Ryan sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Summer, if you would just.."

Summer cut him off. "You got yourself into this mess, Atwood, and you can get yourself out. As far as I see it, you have a hell of a lot of explaining and apologizing to do and I'm not about to make it any easier for you."

Ryan nodded and said, "I know I have a lot of explaining and apologizing to do, but how can I do it if she won't even talk to me?"

Summer narrowed her eyes at him. "Considering all you've done, Marissa has every right to shut you out."

Ryan shrugged. "Debatable."

Summer swatted his arm. "See, that's your problem you asshat! Start owning up to your own mistakes and stop acting like you aren't in the wrong here!"

Ryan was growing frustrated now. "I know I was wrong! I know that I shouldn't have done what I did, but she won't even talk to me and it's all just making me very frustrated because I just want to say I'm sorry."

Summer rolled her eyes. "Well, you can look to someone else to be your little messenger. I have better things to do. Like anything else." She slung her bag over her shoulder and glared at him. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Ryan wouldn't budge. "Why do you hate me so much? I'm putting my pride away and asking you sincerely to just talk to Marissa for me." He sighed and all the fight left him. Lowering his voice and softening his tone, he said, "I don't know what to do anymore, Summer. I…. she's my…" He trailed off, glancing down at his shoes. "I mean I… I realize now that I…"

Summer softened just the tiniest bit, the fight also leaving her. "You're a complete ass for what you did," she said honestly, all the bite gone.

Ryan nodded, shrugging, his hands still in his pocket. "I just want to say I'm sorry. I just need her to talk to me again." He looked at her seriously. "I worry. About her safety. I'm not there to protect her all the time. I always was there to protect her. Now she's vulnerable." He sighed. "And I mean, I miss her."

Summer sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly, knowing she'd probably regret this. "I can't promise anything."

Ryan smiled just the tiniest bit, knowing that Summer didn't completely hate him. "Thank you."

Summer stared at him seriously. "Don't thank me yet."

XXXXX

Marissa was really growing annoyed now. Forget how much she missed Ryan. Right now in her strongest moments she could forget all the wonderful things he had made her feel. Now she just wanted to be able to go somewhere without automatically thinking about him. Literally everything reminded her of him. School was the last place she'd spoken to him. Her room held all the memories of movie days and him sleeping over. She'd driven him to school every day in her car. They'd had so many meals at the diner she didn't even look at the menu anymore. They'd spent hours at the beach just hanging out, not to mention that's where she first kissed him. They'd been to the library to check out books, the pier to talk, had driven down every single road in Newport together.

Every friend she had was someone who knew Ryan. For a while, Summer at least didn't mention him, but suddenly now even Summer thought they needed to talk. It felt like the only person Marissa could spend any time with without going insane was Andrew, but she felt guilty knowing she couldn't be a wonderful girlfriend for him when she couldn't stop thinking about Ryan all the time. It wasn't fair to Andrew, but he was so understanding that it made her feel worse.

So far the only person in her life who hadn't told her it was time to talk to Ryan already was Andrew. He understood that she needed space, at least. She could tell he had a lot he wanted to say, but he remained silent. She spent most days hanging out with him just to keep her mind off things. For the most part it worked. Now all she had to do was worry about nights alone in her room.

On Friday night Marissa was just getting home from a date night with Andrew when her cell phone rang. She figured it was Ryan and bit her lip, feeling a surge of longing to just talk to her best friend. He was annoying as hell and totally in the wrong, but he did have some strong will. He never gave up on her. If anything, it made her love him just the slightest bit more, which she found even more annoying.

Glancing at her phone, Marissa was surprised to see Dawn's name on the screen. She instantly opened her phone, questioningly saying, "Hello?"

She had briefly wondered if Ryan was stooping so low now to use his mom's phone and trick her, but it was actually Dawn on the other end. "Um. Hey, Marissa. Long time no see."

Marissa bit her lip, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. I'm sorry. It's just that me and Ryan… we.." She trailed off. What were they?

Dawn immediately said, "Oh, it's fine. I know what happened. Sort of. As much as I could get out of him. You know how he is with talking sometimes. If he doesn't feel like doing it, everything sounds more like a grunt." Marissa smiled just the tiniest bit, knowing Dawn was right. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about his birthday."

Marissa sighed, closing her eyes, feeling completely horrible. Yes, she was aware Ryan's birthday was next week. Her present for him sat on her nightstand, a constant reminder that she had loved Ryan enough to order it especially for him. Yet, she didn't know if she was ready to face him. It was his birthday, but Marissa didn't know if she could just swallow all her anger and heartbreak and pretend to forgive him. "Dawn…" Marissa began, but the older woman cut her off.

"Look, I know you're upset. Ryan definitely hurt you." Marissa sighed, sinking down to the edge of her bed, putting her face in her hand. "But I also know you and my son. I know that Ryan can't even begin to be okay on his birthday without you there, and I know that you would never forgive yourself if you didn't come over to our house for dinner."

Marissa furrowed her eyebrows. "Dinner?"

She could practically see Dawn nodding on the other side of the phone. "I decided we should have a little get together. Henry will be there, and I think even Seth will be there. Now all we need is for you to be there…"

Marissa sighed and shook her head. "I can't."

Dawn remained silent for a beat past comfortable. "It's his eighteenth birthday."

Marissa blinked a few times, her heart breaking all over again. She had always told herself she would make Ryan's eighteenth birthday special. She didn't know how, but she would. She had dreamt of it since she was a child, and now here it was and she couldn't even look at him without wanting to simultaneously burst into tears and yell at him. "He hurt me."

Dawn remained silent for a long time again. Finally, she said, "I hope you reconsider. Ryan would love for you to be there, and I know I miss having you around here." Marissa wanted to cry all over again. She wasn't just losing Ryan. She was also losing Dawn Atwood, the only mother-in=law Marissa had ever dreamt of having. "Well, if you change your mind, you're welcome. Bring a guest if you want."

Marissa bit her lip. "I'm sorry," she offered.

Dawn finally sighed. "I know, Marissa. I am too."

XXXXX

Ryan's mom had to work on Saturday, which meant he was pretty much alone all day. Usually whenever his mom worked on the weekend, Ryan spent his day with Marissa watching movies or going to the beach. Now, he knew he had nothing but silence to look forward to all day. While he rather liked solitude, now he just missed his best friend.

He'd given up calling Marissa every fifteen minutes. Now he called her every ninety minutes. He wouldn't give up on her. He didn't care how long it took, but he knew he would have his best friend back in his life. Marissa just needed to hear him apologize, and then everything would be okay. He knew it. It was that simple.

At about noon he heard a knocking at his door, surprising him. Maybe Seth had come over to keep him company. As much as Seth could get on his nerves, he wouldn't mind having the guy keep him company today. If anything, he'd rather appreciate it.

Answering the door in only a wife beater and some jeans, Ryan's eyes widened in surprise when he saw Andrew standing in his doorway. Andrew offered a smile, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets. "Um. Hey."

Ryan didn't even think of inviting Andrew in, too in shock. "What are you doing here?" he asked, utterly confused.

Andrew shrugged and said, "I asked Seth where you live."

Well, that answered one question, but not his main question. "But why did you need to come here…?"

Andrew finally sighed, looking at Ryan very seriously. "I think we need to talk." At Ryan's still-confused gaze, he added, "About Marissa."

Something finally began working in Ryan, so he moved aside, letting Andrew walk in. Closing the door, Ryan turned and tried to see his house through Andrew's eyes. Ryan didn't know where exactly Andrew lived, but he knew it was in a gated community somewhere close to Marissa. Maybe not as expensive as hers, but close enough that Ryan's little house probably seemed run down.

Andrew looked around, walking to the living room area. "Nice place," he said, which annoyed Ryan.

"Are you making fun of me?" Ryan asked seriously, feeling embarrassed, his neck burning knowing this kid probably had a living room larger than Ryan's entire house.

Andrew turned and looked at Ryan, tilting his head in confusion. "No. I meant it." He pointed to the creamy colored walls. "I like the colors. Very homey. I personally can't stand pure white rooms. I took a class on the psychology of colors one time just for fun, and it said that this color in a living room really makes something feel warm and inviting." Observing Ryan's blank stare, Andrew smiled a little. "But of course you don't really care about that. Sorry."

Changing the subject, Ryan looked at Andrew with great concern. "What's wrong with Marissa?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Andrew sighed, looking down at Dawn's discarded gossip magazines on the coffee table. "Well, you," Andrew said seriously. At Ryan's look, Andrew added, "She misses you, man. Seriously misses you. She's just too stubborn and hurt to admit it."

Ryan folded his arms over his chest, subconsciously guarding himself from Andrew. "Did she ask you to come here?"

Andrew shook his head, letting out a short laugh. "Um, no. She'd kill me if she knew I was here. You know how she is." At Ryan's sad gaze, Andrew sighed, his face softening.

"Then why are you here?" Ryan asked, not understanding.

Andrew shrugged, scratching the back of his head. "I care about her, Ryan." He looked at Ryan very seriously, which somehow made Ryan feel worse, knowing Andrew was telling the truth. "I mean, obviously I don't care about her as much as you do. I haven't known her as long. But I do care about her, and I know she's just hurting. It's something I can't fix." He shrugged, turning to look at the TV, silently watching the Animal Planet special Ryan had blankly watched earlier. "I let her just stay quiet. She doesn't want to talk about you. She's tired of thinking about you. I can tell these things. But I do think you two need to talk."

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, blinking a few times. "Is she… I mean… does she…" He trailed off, knowing he didn't make any sense. "I mean, is she okay? Other than the obvious? Is she eating? Sleeping? Keeping up with school?"

For some reason Ryan couldn't understand, Andrew smiled genuinely. "You worry about her so much. It's really sweet." He nodded, turning to Ryan. "She's sleeping some. Eating a little. Trying to focus on school instead of you." He offered a small smile.

Ryan nodded, picturing Marissa in his mind. It made his heart hurt that much more. "I miss her," he admitted quietly, not looking at Andrew.

Andrew nodded, sighing. "I know." He rubbed the top of his head as he thought. "Seth says your birthday is next week. You're having some get together, right?"

Ryan's eyes found Andrew's again, surprised. "Yeah."

Andrew nodded, looking at Ryan seriously. "I'm going to convince Marissa to go."

Ryan looked at Andrew incredulously. "Why would you do that?" As far as Ryan saw it, Andrew finally had Marissa all to himself. Why bother with Ryan?

Andrew's gaze softened again. "Because you mean the world to Marissa, and I know she means the world to you. And as much as it hurts me to admit it, you two need each other. It's as simple as that." He took a step towards Ryan to convey his sincerity. "Look, I'm not going to lie – it would be great if you weren't as important to her. It would make my life so much easier. But at the end of the day, I know you two are just like me and my best friend Jessica." He shrugged, turning his eyes away. "And if her boyfriend had been as understanding as I am, I think it would have saved everyone a lot of heartache in the end."

Ryan hated Andrew, and he knew he had no reason to. It made no sense. Except, in his mind it did. And all of this just made him hate Andrew ten times more. "I'm in love with her." Andrew looked at Ryan very seriously now, gauging his sincerity. So, Ryan was the one to take a step closer to Andrew now, staring him straight in the eyes. "I didn't know it before, but I know it now. I love her. I'm in love with her. I always have been."

Andrew blinked a few times, scratching his head again, turning away from Ryan. He paced a little bit, visibly distraught, his eyes darting back and forth as he thought. Finally, he looked back at Ryan, nodding. "I know." He stuffed his hands back in his pockets. "Before, if you had said this, I would have backed down." He paced a little bit, shaking his head "But now?" He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. "You two have stuff to work out. I'm not going to lie. You have a lot of stuff to work out. And if at the end of everything Marissa decides to give you a chance, all the power to her." He opened his eyes, looking at Ryan very seriously. "But right now you're not right for her. You hurt her and she's off in her room probably crying right now because of you, and I can't in good conscience just let you go to her with all this unresolved stuff between you two. One of us has to look out for Marissa instead of the amazing 'Ryan and Marissa,' and the truth is at this moment in time, you two aren't meant to be together. Not yet."

Ryan wanted to be angry, but he just couldn't get the picture of Marissa crying in her room out of his head right now. "So what are you saying?"

Andrew walked past Ryan to his front door, pausing and turning around before he opened it. "I'm saying if you want any chance with Marissa, get your shit together, man up to your mistakes, and then maybe I'll be the good guy and back down." He grabbed the doorknob. "Until then, I'll talk to Marissa and get her to go to your party. I'll try to help you rebuild your friendship with her. But that's it. Right now you simply aren't ready for her, Ryan, and I say that with the deepest condolences and sincerity."

Andrew opened the door and began to leave, but Ryan said, "I don't like you." Andrew paused and turned around to face Ryan, an unreadable expression on his face. Ryan took a step closer, looking at Andrew very seriously. "I actually hate you." Andrew raised his eyebrows in slight amusement, not knowing what to say. "But not for the reasons you think."

Andrew nodded slowly, looking down at the floor. "Okay, I'll bite. What do you mean?"

Ryan stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You're always right." Andrew looked at Ryan, the amusement gone. "You're so incredibly infuriating because you're always right. I don't belong with Marissa right now. I wish I did, but I don't. Not until I apologize." He looked at Andrew very seriously. "I'm sorry."

Andrew's eyes widened just the tiniest bit. "For what?"

Ryan rolled his eyes and laughed a bit. "For what I did. For hurting you. For hurting Marissa. For having incredibly bad timing and telling you I'm in love with her while she's with you." He laughed a little more, more bitterly than amused. "I have horrible timing." He looked at Andrew again, meeting his eyes. "I hate you, but I respect you. You are a million times better for her than I am, and I know that. But don't think for a second that I'm not going to try and change that."

Andrew smiled a little bit, nodding. "You know, I think a part of me hopes you succeed." With that, he walked out the door, leaving Ryan feeling very lost and confused.

XXXXX

That afternoon Andrew and Marissa lay on his bed in his room, flipping through their English homework together. After an hour of productivity, Marissa looked over at her boyfriend and almost smiled. He looked very serious reading whatever passage he had open, and if her heart wasn't so broken it might have fluttered.

Andrew sensed her watching him and turned to see her staring at him, the ghost of a smile on her face. He smiled slightly. "Find something you like?"

Marissa nodded, leaning in and kissing him lightly on the lips. Andrew's hand found its way to rest on her hip, and Marissa pressed her lips against his a little bit harder. Maybe this would finally get Ryan off her mind. For a few minutes, she actually managed to lose herself in her boyfriend.

Except, suddenly he pulled back and said, "I think you need to talk to Ryan."

Marissa stared at him, feeling almost betrayed. Everyone had gotten on her case about talking to Ryan except for Andrew, and now here he was. "I thought we came her to make out, not talk about Ryan," she said lightly, trying to change the mood.

Andrew pulled back, not taking the bait. Marissa sighed, pulling herself away from him, no longer feeling like being around him. "Marissa, we both know it's necessary. You miss him. He misses you. He's sorry."

Marissa glared at him. "And how would you know that? For all you know, he could be plotting the next time to 'rough you up' and maybe this time he won't be as gentle."

Andrew propped himself up on his elbow, looking at her seriously. "I know because I talked to him."

Marissa's eyes widened and all the anger left. "You… when?"

"Earlier today before you came by. I went to his house. We talked, and he told me he's sorry." At Marissa's unwavering gaze, he added, "To both of us."

Marissa finally softened, completely surprised. "He… he apologized to you?"

Andrew nodded. "Yeah. I think we came to an understanding." He looked at Marissa seriously, reaching for her hand. "He's not such a bad guy. We both know that. He just made a lot of mistakes, and now he wants to make them better."

Marissa sighed, rolling her eyes. "I can't believe you're bombarding me with this."

Andrew smiled slightly. "You need him in your life. If only to just talk to right now. I think you both just need to talk. Do you realize how amazing that concept is?" At Marissa's glare, he added, "I know he's having a little get together on his birthday…" Marissa's eyes widened again at how much Andrew knew. "And if I remember correctly, you were really excited about this amazing gift you bought him?"

Marissa sighed, feeling the fight leave her as she exhaled slowly. "Yeah, but that was before I knew what an ass he was."

Andrew smiled and Marissa curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest. He wasn't as strong as Ryan, and he didn't make her feel a hundred percent safe, but he was comfortable at least. She knew if she stayed with him, she would always feel comfortable. Andrew kissed her temple, wrapping an arm around her. "I know, I know. But you know you're going to go to that get together. You knew the moment you found out about it."

Marissa didn't like how easily Andrew could read her mind sometimes, but she knew he was right. She would go simply because that's who she was. She was Ryan's best friend, and he was hers, and it would take a long time to get back to where they were before, but they did need to at least talk. "Fine. But you're going with me."

Andrew smiled, feeling victorious. "I think I can manage that."

XXXXX

Individual Replies:

Riss: I think you may be onto something with your guess about my oneshot ;) Next chapter will still be a lot of tension between Ryan and Marissa. You can't exactly call them friends, but Marisa'll at least hear him out and attend his little gathering (how long will she stay? That's the question)

Skillz37: It's really impressive that I allow myself to tweak it as I go because I get so attached to some scenes in my head that it's really hard for me to let them go for the sake of tweaking haha.

TVDaddict22: Summer will be important in Part 2 for sure, and Part 3. I need to introduce her relationship with Ryan and Marissa a little bit more, but I've been so busy trying to deal with Casey and Andrew that it's a little difficult for me to find time for Summer too. Patience though, she will be included :)

Guest: I think that Andrew is secretly my favorite. No just kidding, of course I love Ryan and Marissa. But Andrew is a good friend.

Jen: I tried updating as fast as possible haha :)

Fatedtopretendd: Word, word. I think I'll die defending Marissa. Ryan will slowly realize how badly he messed up. He's getting closer to it :)

Sara: I think that next chapter is going to be a bit of a shock to you and everyone else. At least the ending. It'll definitely end with a bang. Perhaps it will seem random, but it makes sense in my head haha.

Guest: You used the quote! I can't tell you how happy I was about your review.

Nadine: Poor Andrew indeed. I think poor everyone. Such bad timing.

xoElle23: And I adore you for your lovely reviews :) Everything will definitely work itself out in the end cause I think I've handled enough unhappy endings to make sure I don't want to write any anytime soon.

Cammie: I can't believe I've made people hate Ryan either. Do you realize how incredibly hard that is haha?

Devon: lol, your review made me laugh.

Guest: Aw, that means so much to me!

RMforever: You have a couple more chapters until Ryan's love confession :)