A/N: So, I finally figured out what's up with this story. We're nearing the end.

Chapter 9:
It had been almost nineteen hours since Ryan had last seen his girlfriend, and he missed her. The emotion scared Ryan. He was terrified of a tiny blond girl who had stolen his heart.
Anna spotted Ryan leaning against his locker. Their eyes met and the electricity between them sizzled.
Ryan stood a little straighter.
Anna's pulse pounded unevenly and she forced herself to maintain her steady pace, and not race into Ryan's arms.
"You don't have to pretend anymore," Summer reminded Anna. Anna turned to Summer in surprise.
"What about Marissa?"
"What about her? Marissa is Ryan's ex. She's not going to be happy, but neither of you owe her anything. Stop making things hard on yourself. Stop pretending you can't feel Ryan's eyes on you and go to him," Summer advised.
"I don't know how to," Anna hesitated.
"You don't know how to walk?" Summer looked exasperated.
"I don't know how to do this! I don't know how to be public about Ryan," Anna was frustrated. Anna had been frustrated, one way or another, for months and it was getting old.
"Got it," Summer smiled gently. "You and Ryan are both private people, and the thing between you is private. I understand that. You should run your relationship your way. The thing is, I don't want to see you guys sabotage this thing you've got because you're scared."
Anna hugged Summer tightly. Summer laughed.
"Thank you Summer."
"Welcome. Now I'm going to go hang-out with my boyfriend before class. You go do whatever feels right to you," Summer instructed as she walked away.
Anna stood alone in the middle of the hallway. Like a magnet, Ryan drew her to him. She didn't remember walking, just that she was somehow in front of him.
There was an agonizing moment of awkward discomfort.
"Hey," Ryan said finally, and Anna breathed again.
"Hi," Anna smiled with relief, "I missed you."
"In all senses of the word?" Ryan asked as he put his arms around Anna's waist and pulled her to him.
"Definitely," Anna put her head on Ryan's shoulder. They stood together in peace for awhile.
"People are watching," Ryan noted.
"Does it bother you?" Anna asked.
"I don't think there's a good answer to that. If I say 'yes' you'll pull away, and if I say 'no'..."
"You'll be lying,"Anna didn't move. "Close your eyes."
"What?" Ryan asked.
"Close your eyes," Anna insisted. Ryan complied. "Now no one is watching."

"Hey guys," Seth joined Ryan and Anna for lunch. "How go the lives of the newly famous?"
"What are you talking about?" Ryan asked as Summer approached.
"You can't tell me you haven't noticed the-"
"Shut up Cohen," Summer greeted her boyfriend with a kiss. After, she exchanged a glance with Anna. "You coping?"
"We're keeping our eyes closed," Anna explained.
"Good."
"Hey guys," Marissa walked up to the table. "Anna! You decided to stay!"
"Um yeah," Anna looked down at the table. "I kinda got an offer I couldn't refuse."
"Well I'm glad," Marissa enthused. "It wouldn't be the same without you."
"I couldn't agree more," Ryan contributed, casually rubbing Anna's neck. "You're *really* tense."
"Yeah..." Anna agreed. "It's been a trying couple of days."
Marissa looked at Ryan suspiciously.
"Summer, I actually came by to talk to you," Marissa explained.
"What's up Coop?" Summer wondered, trying not to be annoyed.
"I just needed to ask you, you know, about the, um, thing?" Marissa indicated she wanted privacy.
"The thing?" Summer asked, and then glanced at Anna. Anna raised her eyebrows. "Oh, sure. The thing. I'll be right back guys."