(Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all. So don't sue me. Please.)

A Note from the Author: Heh, maybe updating is like my new hobby or something. Anyway, I'm just fiddling around with the rating because I don't really know how graphic I'll get in the future and whether I'll be able to write it well if I do decide to go 'R'. So I guess it'll be PG-13 for now, and there's always the off-chance I'll change it later (or I've been toying around with the idea of a co-author – any takers?) Oh well. Onwards to the Alamo (or Chino), whatever.

Chapter Five

Ryan was watching The Valley when Summer strolled into the pool house and plopped herself on the couch. She didn't have to ask him what he was watching, being that she had memorized every single episode, but she got a small kick out of the fact that he was enjoying it so much.

"Whatcha watching, Ry-an?" she teased.

He just let out an annoyed grunt, and Summer could tell he was really into the show.

"Oh, so this is the episode they're airing today. Do you know Colin, like, makes up his mind in this one? Yeah, between his childhood best friend and the new girl in school, he ends up choosing –"

Ryan clamped his hand over her mouth and shot her a warning glance.

This just amused her even more so. When he removed his hand and obsessively turned back to the T.V., Summer watched him a bit more closely.

The weeks spent together with him were, well, I guess you could call them fun. And although Ryan was usually against anything Summer wanted to do (shopping, tanning, and so on), they managed to spend countless hours with each other without getting bored.

And she got to see his endearing side, and how he made an effort to wear that wrist cuff every day (although she would've preferred to see the leather pants, but still). He had been a really good friend to her, even though he was Seth's 'brother' and was supposed to be on his side, and all.

But that was alright. Ryan was Seth's friend, but now he was also hers too.

Ryan gave an audible gasp when Colin decided on the new girl, and she bit down hard on her lip to stifle a laugh.

The episode's ending credits now rolling onscreen, Summer turned to Ryan and grinned. "Chino!"

"What?" Ryan already knew this nickname had become a sort of affectionate term, and so it didn't really bother him anymore.

"I'm bored." Summer pouted.

Ryan turned to her and rolled his eyes. "So get, like, a manicure or something."

Summer's eyes brightened. "Really? Do you know how to paint nails, because I can never get my right hand to match my left and I really, really need help with that. And like, ooh! Maybe I can give you a manicure too!"

Ryan's eyes widened. "Um, no… that's, that's okay."

Summer was getting even more excited. She moved her face closer and examined his eyebrows. "You know, you should really get them plucked. You wouldn't want to look like Mr. Cohen."

Ryan was a little scared at that comment, but he was growing increasingly aware of the nearness of Summer's face. He always thought she looked hot, but in her excited state right now, she was looking pretty adorable. He didn't know when she made the transition from being obnoxious to adorable, and he wasn't sure why he felt just a little nervous.

Summer, also, hadn't pulled her face away yet and wasn't planning to. At first she was just remarking on his eyebrows, but now her gaze shifted to his entire face and focused on his very nice lips. And then she realized that maybe, just maybe, she might have a little thing for Ryan Atwood, and well, things just got a little fuzzy and out of focus as their faces got closer and closer.

When they kissed, it was like nothing else they had ever experienced. It was, essentially, mind-blowing.

They were really getting into it, until Summer pulled away and exclaimed in horror, "Ew! You were chewing gum?"