Sensing it was going to be a serious conversation, Riley stood up and quieted as Ben took a deep breath.

"Ok," she said. "What is it?"

"Do you…have you ever…if you were…" He sighed and started over. "What I mean to say is, have you ever felt like you've found someone special, like there's no body else in the world for you? Like you have to be with them and know them, or else your world will fall apart?" Ben glanced up to see Riley's reaction but quickly resumed staring at his feet.

Oh my gosh. This is it. Ben's gunna tell me he likes me. I just know it! What am I gunna say? Do I like him back? Does my breath stink?! Riley swallowed hard as her mind raced.

"S-sure, I guess so," she choked out.

"Well…" Ben said, finally looking up and locking eyes with Riley.

She swam a little closer to Ben, taking his hands underneath the water.

"I think I know what you're going to say, Ben, and I'm going to beat you to it," she smiled. He seemed confused at first, but then relaxed a little at her words.

Oooo man, I can't believe I'm doing this!

"You are an amazing friend. Honestly, you are one of the best I've ever had. And we've been through a lot, you and I. Fights and homework and friends and my parents…you've always been there for me; you're like my rock," Riley told him. "And over the past few weeks I've seen you in a different way. I see your honesty, your gentle spirit, your kind heart. Once I've seen those things, I can't just push them away."

"Wait," Ben commanded softly. "I wanna take over here."

Riley laughed delicately and allowed him to do so.

"Everything you've said just makes what I feel so much more real. Riley, I like you. I like you a lot. You amaze me every day that I see and talk to you. You are so full of life and despite your hardships you focus on the good in people and your circumstances; that's something I could never do. Just being around you makes me want to be a better person. And you've always been there for me, too. You're my best friend, but I...well, I want you to be more."

Riley could feel his hands trembling in hers and she smiled at his nervousness. Just knowing they shared the same feelings made a world of difference to the feel of his touch. She could barely breathe as he stared into her eyes, searching them to see what she was thinking. Taking a shaky, but slightly encouraged breath, Riley spoke.

"I do too," she whispered. "But I'm afraid, Ben."

His happiness faded as she said this. "Afraid of what?"

Riley dropped his hands and moved back a little. Ben wondered if he had done or said something wrong as an expression of worry crossed his face.

"I'm afraid this will be just like my last relationship, I'm afraid that we'll break up eventually and never be friends again, and most of all…" Riley trailed off with tears welling in her eyes. "I'm afraid you'll leave me, like my parents did."

"Riley, I would never let that happen, any of it!" Ben replied firmly, grasping her shoulders and keeping eye contact with her. "I will never leave you, no matter what happens. And if we do break up, then I promise we'll just be closer friends because of it. I want this to work, Riles. I'll do anything to make sure it does."

"That's…that's—that's what my old boyfriend told me!" Riley blubbered uncontrollably. "He said all of those things too and then he dumped me for my best friend! How can I be sure you won't do the same?"

"Because of one thing: I'm not your old boyfriend. I'm Ben. Remember? The one who played one-on-one with you; the one who helped you study late into the night; the one who helps you deal with your loss; the one who's here right now, and who cares for you so much it's seems impossible to him that you could feel the same way he does," Ben proclaimed. Riley sat in silence as her tears dried and she wiped at them furiously, angry that Ben had seen her like that.

"I know I can trust you, but it's just so hard to get close to anyone, you know? I just don't want to relive this summer again," she whimpered.

"Riley, I can promise you that I will try with everything inside of me, every fiber of my being, to protect you from that. I know I can't control everything, but I can try to. Trying is all I have left. You have to believe that and take hope in it. Have faith that we'll be okay and I know we can do anything. Don't you want to just take that chance and see where it leads? Without risk, life would be what it is; but with risk, life is what you make it."

The girl across from him smiled genuinely.

"You are an amazing guy. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with right now than you. And you're right about risks, and you're right about taking chances. I want to take that chance, but only if it means you'll be right beside me," Riley replied honestly. Ben reached out as she drew near to him, and he wrapped her in a hug. She then settled in the nook of his neck, his arm around her securely.

"Trust me, there's nowhere I'd rather be, Riley Brown."

She looked up at him with shining eyes. "Me either."

Ben gazed into her eyes and Riley's locked into his, allowing the piercing blue to penetrate through her entire body. He searched them, trying to see if she was thinking the same thing, and then inched forward ever so slightly. Riley moved towards him as well, slowly getting closer until she brushed the side of his nose with her own. She stopped then and closed her eyes, taking in the moment with steady breaths. Ben lifted her chin.

"Riley."

She opened her eyes and Ben saw a sweet innocence in them that made him smile; it was as if she had left all the baggage of her old relationships and parent's accident far behind her. Ben questioned her with his eyes and she bit her lip. Riley flicked her eyes up at his anxious face with a grin and almost invisible nod.

This is it, Ben. Just do it. Do it, do it, do it! Oh crap, I can't do it! I've waited forever for this and now I can't do it! Ben thought rapidly as Riley continued to gaze at him.

"Ben." Riley chuckled lightly and reached over to twist a lock of his chocolaty hair in her fingers.

He caught her wrist gently and then moved his hand so it intertwined with hers. Ben leaned down towards her as he plunged their hands under water, and Riley released his so she could encircle his waist. She brought her free hand up to Ben's face and lightly traced his jaw line, smiling.

Then, in one swift, passionate movement, Ben kissed her. The boy and girl were both thinking the same thing as hours seemed to pass by in the space of a second.

Finally.


A/N: FINALLY! gee, it took them long enough to kiss, didn't it? lol sorry this chappie is so short, i didn't want anything to ruin the moment!! reviews would be nice!