"Hey" He mumbled as he sat down next to her at the lunch table. She glanced up in suprise and looked away, avoiding his glance.

"What do you want?" She asked, trying her hardest to push him away like he had done to her.

"Summer, look, I know you could probably think up ways to kill me." He stopped, hesitating as her eyes met his dead-on, giving him the "I'm Summer Roberts, Queen of the World" look.

"Look, I know I haven't been the best of friend lately and I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

No words could describe how awkward the next few moments were. She remained silent, tracing the lines of the table with her finger. Ryan couldn't stand the silence, he wanted to jump up and shake her, kiss her, whatever. He just wanted to hear her voice.

"You did it because of Cohen, right? Because he suspected something between us when I turned him down?" She kept her voice cool and causal.

"Yes." He whispered. He looked up and saw a look of disgust in her eyes. Without a word, she stood up and started to walk away. He grabbed her arm before she could and met her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't..I don't know what else to say besides that. I know what I did was wrong, but I didn't know what else to do. But trust me, Summer, nothing like that will happen again. I need you in my life." She looked at him in shock, and he couldn't help but feel suprised at the words. Why was he admitting to needing her? Did he need her? He usually did not need anyone.

"You don't need me, Ryan. I know your type. Tough guy. Loners. And I'm the girl that can be flicked away. Do me a favor and don't talk to me." She whispered. She yanked her arm away and walked away. Neither of them noticed Marissa watching the scene, a look of shock upon her face.

~

"Are you with her?" The accusation bit right into him,causing him to move away from her. This only made her more suspicious.

"Answer me. Is this why you turned me down?" She whimpered.

"Dammit, no. The reason we're not together is because you blew it. You did not trust me. And that is why we are not together. Don't put this on Summer." He snapped.

She studied him for a moment.

"So nothing is going on?" She asked, pleading for him to confirm they were just friends.

"We're friends. That's all." He said, ignoring the tug in his stomach telling him otherwise. He turned and started to walk away, leaving Marissa with a dubious look on her face.

~

She felt like hell. No doubt in her mind about it. And here she was at the beach, trying to forget about everything. She had no idea why she still came to the place, it only reminded her of him.

Damn him.

He seemed so sincere in pleading with her this morning. And she did miss his friendship. It just seemed to easy though. He hurt her so much by turning away from her, and now when he gets approval, he wants their friendship back.

Screw it.

She didn't need him.

Hell, she was Summer. She was Miss Independent. Strong.

Weak is more like it.

She hated telling herself to be strong when the only place she wished she could be was in his arms.

No.

She can't let herself become this person. This love-sick puppy.

She wrapped her arms around herself, sheltering herself from the world.

"Hi."

She remained silent, trying to calm herself. Ryan sat down next to her, and she couldn't help but feel the warmth emitting from his body.

She wanted him.

"Hey." Was the brilliant response she came up with. He leaned back on his palms.

"I know you hate me, but, this spot looked too sad without me." He said, trying to lighten up the situation.

She stayed silent.

"Look, Summer-"

He was cut off by the feel of her lips crashing down on his.