The sun shines bright. The track is perfect. But I'm not here to ride. No bike. No gear. And no one else is around at all. Odd.

"You and me have some unfinished business!!" A voice rings in the air. I turn to see Blake standing in front of me now. A blanket of wrath wraps itself around me.

"Lets do this!" I say, confident "Ninja Storm!"

"Thunder Storm!"

"Ranger Form! Ha!" We both cry out, full of emotion, as we morph. God this feeling is indescribable. And man, it feels good.

"So we end this...today!" The Navy Thunder Ranger scolds.

"We fight 'til there's only one of us left standing. 'Til the death!" I scream, drawing my sword.

"Maybe you should save yourself the trouble and say your last words now, old friend!" Blake wails, drawing his Thunder Staff.

"That's not gonna be necessary!" I lunge at him. Blake begins to run at me ready to attack.....

---

"Wake up sleepy head!"

"Tori? What are you doing here? Get out of here! You're gonna get hurt!" I yell. Tori shakes me.

"Dustin! Wake up! You're dreaming!"

"Huh? What?" My eyes slowly gain focus. What? Woah...dude that was sick...

"You were dreaming." Tori smiles down at me. I must have fallen asleep on the couch at some point.

"You're home already?" I'm so confused.

"Dustin, it's 10:30 at night!" She laughs, "Wake up and keep me company!"

I lay, my arms over my eyes. That dream was intense..it felt way too real. Way too real.. I peek over at Tori. She's smiling at me with her hands on her hips. I sigh, closing my eyes. Every time I see her, my heart rejoices and breaks into a million sad little pieces all at the same time. Suddenly, I feel warmth against my chest. Startled, I open my eyes to see Tori kneeling beside me, her head resting on my chest. I touch her soft, blonde hair. She turns her head to look at me.

"Your heart is beating really fast." She whispers, closing her eyes. She looks so innocent and pure....and beautiful. Right now, in this moment, I feel something more. Something more from her. I run my fingers through her hair. She softly smiles, her eyes still closed. Just then, my cell phone rings. Startled, Tori jumps up.

"Oh, man! That scared me!" She holds her hand to her chest.

"Awe.." I smile, sitting up on the couch. Shane's calling. I answer, "And how can I help you sir?"

"Dude?"

"Shane??" I sarcastically ask.

"Dude!! Hey man, you home?" Shane asks, sounding way distracted.

"Yes." I say, smiling at Tori as she imitates Shane's yapping with her hand.

"Tori's home?"

"Yeah, she's home. Why dude? You okay?"

"Oh yeah.... I just wanted to let ya'll know that I wont be coming home tonight." I hear a grin in Shane's voice.

"Really? Spill it.." I say. Tori jumps up onto the couch and leans in, putting her ear to the phone.

"I'm staying at 'Nessa's tonight.. hehehe.." Shane cackles.

"Oooohhh!!!" Tori steals the phone from me, "You're a bad boy, Shane!!" She laughs.

"Wow..you sure are in a good mood today, girl!" Shane sounds shocked, from where I'm sitting. Tori, laughing, hands me the phone. She starts to poke me in the stomach.

"Dude...you have fun...safe fun.." I say, distracted by Tori's finger. I poke her back, but she only pokes harder. My eyes widen as I look at her.

"You know it, dude! I'll see ya tomorrow!" Shane says. I can hear Vanessa's voice in the background.

"No doubt. Goodnight, man."

"Goodnight. Hey, tell Tor I said goodnight too."

"Of course."

"Later." Shane giggles.

"Peace."

-click-

"Wow.. I think they really like each other." Tori says, throwing her legs on my lap.

"Yeah..they do." And I really like you. I rest my hands on her legs. Tori sighs, wiggling her cute little toes.

"I'm so giddy today, huh?" She asks, smiling.

"Yeah, you really are!" I laugh, "I think it's cute." Our eyes meet again. She looks away, quickly.

"So what's going on with the whole Marah deal? Did she find anything out yet?"

"Not yet. She said she's gonna wait a week. Ya know, see if she misses her monthly buddy first. Or whatever you guys call it." I stick out my tongue in disgust.

"Well, that's smart." Tori nods. "What are you gonna do if she is?" Tori sighs, looking up at me.

"I don't know. Take care of it, I guess. I mean definitely." I do not wantto talk about this.

Tori looks down at her hands, "You know....Marah still likes you. A lot."

"That's fine. She can still like me all she wants." I bark. Is it wrong to just not give a shit? I don't think so..

"Would you give her a second chance?" Tori asks.

"No."

"Oh.." Tori's mood suddenly seems to change. She's not as happy go lucky as she was just 5 minutes ago.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothings wrong..Why would anything be wrong?" Tori defends.

"I dunno...you got kinda quiet." I rub her bare legs. She's wearing blue shorts with a matching top. She must have changed her clothes while I was fighting Blake...

"I wanna show you something." Tori blurts. She gets up and runs into her bedroom, closing the door. I sit, confused, in silence, alone on the couch. What is she doing in there? About 3 minutes later, she walks out of her room wearing a blue leopard print string bikini. Her hair is down and slightly tossled. Oh...my....God.....

I swallow hard, my thoughts racing. My eyes study every inch of her visible flesh, only imagining what she looks like underneath the small pieces of fabric. I know a slight taste of what she feels like...

"Well...what are you waiting for?" She says, standing there. Intoxicating me. What does she mean? What am I waiting for? I don't get it... I mean, I know what I want her to mean..but...no...she can't mean that! Dude! Can she? Does she?

"Uh... I'm not sure... what...uh.." I lost my words along with my train of thought. Along with my regular breathing and heart rate.

"Go put on your swimming shorts!" She laughs. Does she know what she is putting me through right now? Very cruel...very, very...cruel..

"Ok." I run to my room and quickly rummage through my drawers to find my yellow shorts. Got 'em! I strip down to my birthday suit and slip my shorts on as fast as I can. I run out to where Tori is, but she's not there.

I hear running water. Slowly, I sneak over into the bathroom. There she is, bending over the tub, running the water. I lean against the door, mesmerized by her body...her curves...her ass is perfect...her strong thighs....

"I know you're there, Dustin." She says, "Come here."

I walk over to her, closing the door behind me. She grabs my hand and leads me into the tub with her. I don't know exactly what's going on here, but I am not complaining...No way...

Here we are. Sitting in the tub, facing each other. The water is not too cold. Not too warm. Perfect temperature. The tub is less than half full, and the water is still running. Tori holds her hand under the running water.

"This sounds really stupid, but..." She starts to speak ..."Sometimes I sit here and just, well, hang out with the water. Befriend it. You know?"

"That's not stupid. Not at all." Still entranced, I'm staring at her. Hard. Taken aback more than I've ever been by her insane beauty.

"Yeah, kinda....it's so tap water! Ha!" She laughs.

"It's more than that." I place my hand with hers, underneath the running faucet.

"Here...watch this.." She takes my hands in hers and closes her eyes "Close your eyes." She says. Ishutthem, slightly. I can't stop looking at her. She's deep in concentration. Her face like stone. She squeezes my hands, crinkling her brow. Then,a slight grin finds its way on her face. Suddenly, the water starts to move around us. Like fluttering waves. Tori opens her eyes, smiling brighter than ever as the water tickles our skin. She squints in deep concentration, smirking. Just then, the faucet handle slowly turns on its own causing the water to stop running. Another big smile from the most amazing girl in the world as I sit confused, but way too happy to care...Suddenly, a burst of raining water falls on us, as the shower turns on.

"Oh, shit!" I blurt, laughing.

"Hehehehe!!" Tori giggles, still holding my hands in hers. We are now completely drenched, and showered on..the water still falling onto us in droplets.

"You totally like, did some Ninja magic tricks! Sweet!" I laugh.

"The water and I have an understanding, you can say." She looks amazing wet. But even more so now, than when she's surfing on the beach. She moves up closer to me. We sit, squinting from the water, but managing to keep our eyes locked.

"I mean, i knew you could do that, but.." I pause. "You are...amazing...Tori." I can't help it. So what if I just blew my spot... I don't care at this moment. I'll scream it off of the roof top!

Tori sighs. The water hitting the shower curtain is the only sound heard as Tori's face inches closer to mine. I squeeze her hands slightly, feeling chills throughout every inch of my body. She's like a hot piece of metal and I'm being pulled in closer and closer like a magnet. She releases her right hand from my grip and caresses my drenched face as our lips touch. She hesitates, pulling away slightly. I can't take it anymore! What the hell... I take her face in my hands and bring her in for out first kiss. Our first, real, passionate kiss. She grabs the back of my neck as we make out intensely under the water. She pulls her body in, towards mine. She sits on me, wrapping her legs around my waist. Instantly, my manhood rises and she's right up against it. She lets out a moan, as I poke her. She breathes intensely, between the making out and the moans. She's rubbing herself against me. Our bodies are soaking wet. Our swim suits sticking to us like second skin, leaving no imagination to what's underneath. Tori's hand makes its way inside my shorts. My eyes bulge from my skull as the warmth of her hand firmly wraps around me. Oh God....Oh yes..

"No..no..no..no.." Tori says to herself over and over between kisses and she pulls her hand from me and out of my shorts. No? Dammit...I can't even breathe between the making out and the water and I don't care. I want her more than I've ever wanted anything or anyone right now.

Tori's lips make their way to my neck then move down to my chest. She's kissing me all over as my hands explore her wet flesh. I move my hands from her toned stomach up to her breasts. Her nipples poke through the fabric of her top and I slide my hands underneath, cupping her bare flesh....

"Woah.." I say, quickly realizing that the water started to overflow onto the floor. I turn the faucet off and the water stops. Nothing now but the sound of a single drip. Oh man...the moment.. is broken...now, is where it gets weird..

Tori's eyes are glued to mine. Her skin is flushed and I can't place a single emotion to the look on her face. She's soaked and beautiful, breathing heavily. She's still sitting on me, her legs still around me. I feel her heart racing through her chest, competing with mine. Awkward silence once again. What do I say? I swallow hard, completely turned on to full blast. At least now, I hope Tori has an idea of what she does to me. She shakes her head as she softly kisses my lips. Her hands are holding my face pulling me towards her. She starts to push herself against me, causing our bodies to slip against the side of the tub. I grip my hands firmly around her bottom. She lets out a slight moan into my ear. Oh..dude...

Suddenly, she stops completely and looks at me with a weird face. She separates herself from me and stands up, adjusting her bikini. Without saying a word, she grabs for a towel and runs out of the bathroom, leaving me confused, alone and dripping wet. And not to mention, With a massive boner.

What did I do this time? I get up and follow her, dripping all over the place.

"Tori..." I say, peeking my head into her room. She's sitting on the edge of her bed, wrapped in her towel. She looks like a deer caught in head lights. "You okay?" I walk over to her. I hover next to her and place my hand on her shoulder.

"Dustin..you're dripping all over my bed.." She calmly says.

"Sorry." I step back.

"It's ok.." She says, her eyes looking everywhere else but at me.

I sigh, taking notice of a picture of her and Blake on her mirror. And in an instant – hopes are destroyed...

"Dustin.." Tori giggles. What now? How much more can I possibly suck?

"Yeah.." I sadly speak, looking away from her.

"Your thingy is still at attention." She giggles like a school girl. I'm way too drained to feel embarrassment at the present time. Whatever... I glance down at my shorts. Yeah..so what...

"Sorry." I sigh.

"Don't be sorry." Tori's voice grows serious.

"Well.. I am." I say. What else can I say? I can always tell her the truth. I mean, I don't think I'd be out of line...she did touch my...you know...

Tori sits, wrapped in her towel. She looks up at me. Her eyes, big and glassy.

"What is happening between us, Dustin?" Her voice is soft. She seems confused. Like she's feeling every emotion all at once. Kinda like me. But I can't even tell with her anymore. And what do I say? Oh dude...

"Um.. I .. I don't know." I cross my arms as I stand, still wet, near her door.

"You don't know what's going on..or you don't know how you feel?" She asks. Does she want me to spill my love? Is that it? Maybe she's waiting for me to say something..maybe she's hoping that I wont say anything...

"Both." I lie. But why? Dammit! Why can't I just tell her? I look away. I feel like shit under her shoes. And not because that's how she makes me feel, for the most part... I stand here trying to gather the words to tell her..I don't know if it's the right words I need or the straight up courage. What would I say? How do I even start? How would she take it? Something tells me this is just a physical thing..something tells me I don't know what the hell to do or say or feel or think..what the hell is going on??? I'd rather be guessing for the rest of my lifethan knowing that she can't be with me. That she doesn't want to be with me. That she's in love with Blake...

"Are you sure?" Tori asks. I couldn't be more sure about what I feel for her..but...

Tori sits, waiting for my answer. Waiting for something. Anything. And I stand, waiting for her to give me a sign. Anything. As if what had just happened wasn't sign enough..

Tori sighs, "Dustin.." She starts, "Are you sure?" She stares at me with the saddest eyes. Big blue glassy eyes. I look at her and can't help but lose myself in her stare. What do I say? Dude, I can tell her everything.. I can tell her so much...

I swallow hard. I sigh. I attempt to speak but nothing comes out. My heart is in my throat.

"Fine!" Tori blurts, coldly , "I see how it is." She stands up and walks over to me, "Go away. Just leave me alone." She pushes me.

"What?" I ask, confused. Tori is way confusing. I don't get her, sometimes.

"I see how you are..just leave."

"Wait Tori.....wait a minute." I say, holding her arms from attempting to force me out of her room. Sighing, she pulls her arms from my grasp and crosses them to her chest. I have to say something... I have to...

"What is it, Dustin?" Tori seems annoyed with me, as usual. But with all these mixed signals I just can't tell anymore. As I try to find the words, I sigh. I have to say something.

"Well.." Tori waits impatiently for me to speak.

"Tori...um.." C'mon Dustin...C'mon...dude, tell her..just tell her...

"Dustin..Just say it.." Tori uncrosses her arms. She reaches her hand out to touch mine.

"Tori..there's...something.." I fight to get out words that make some kind of sense. My heart is pounding, my palms are sweaty. I feel my body shaking and I can't tell if it's from my nerves or the water still dripping off of me.

"Yeah.." Tori motions with her hands for me to keep talking. Just get on with it. Make a point. Make some sense,dude.

"Well..you know.." Uuggh! Is that it?

"Look, D.. I .. I really don't know.. ok.. I don't know whats going on..everything I thought I knew, I ... I just don't know anymore...does that make any sense to you?" Tori squeezes my hand in hers.

"Well..yeah.. I mean.. it could..it..makes sense." I stutter. I'm talking gibberish.. I really am slow and doofy. Dude, the girl of my dreams is half naked in front of me, wide open, and I can't even make a sentence. This is what I wanted..a chance to tell her everything.. a chance to spill the story of my aching, longing heart to her and hope she'll feel the same. Or at least understand and be ok with it. With me. With this entire complicated situation...

"Oh..forget it..nevermind.." Tori eases her grip and lets go of my hand. She spins around and walks over to her bed. She picks up her pajamas and lays them out as I stand there watching her, still trying to speak. Tears build up behind my eyes. I love you...God, I love you..now say it out loud, dude. Just fucking say it you asshole!

"And yeah, it was just a mistake..just a mistake...That will never...never...happen again." Tori firmly scolds, staring at me coldly, "Got that? I'm gonna change, now...do you mind?" Tori kindly kicks me out of her room. She looks at me, looking at her. A tear leaks down my face. "Um..leave.." Tori says. What the hell? I turn and angrily walk out of her room, slamming her door a little harder than I had intended to.

"Bitch!" I mumble under my breath. Why do I feel bad for saying that? Why? What the hell is wrong with me? What am I doing? She was all over me! She was fighting herself from going further...fighting herself..not me...But it's just what I thought anyway..physical...Big fucking mistake..I don't get this! This is bullshit! How can she just come out and say all of this hurtful stuff to me? To her best friend...if I ever said anything to hurt her I am so sorry...maybe she's still mad at me for the argument we had the day of the party...maybe she's still disgusted with me for how I acted at the party.. I just don't get her.. I don't get her at all... and maybe that's why I can't say anything.. I can't seem to get the words out.. maybe its for a reason... maybe it's a sign.. I was looking for one and there it is... screw this whole deal..screw this entire situation..screw my feelings.. I've been hurt before.. and this should be no different... I'll just forget all of this... I don't think I really have much of a choice at this point.. my heart can't take no more.. I don't want to take no more... not if it's going to kill me... and I'm already dying... maybe I'll just move out... that's the only other option if I want to salvage this friendship...

I pace around my room, angry...hurt...I hold my chest...God it hurts..my heart hurts... I lean against the door and slide down onto the floor. I can't hold back my tears..God this hurts...I pick up my cell phone off of the floor, where the rest of my clothes that I rushed to take off earlier, lay. In a rage, I throw my phone across the room, sending it crashing into the wall...oops...

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A/N: Hello all! This has got to be one of my favorite chapters...I know, I know....what the hell is wrong with Dustin?? Can't he just tell her already! It shouldve so happened just now, but...then if that was the case...the events in the next chapter would be in vain...actually Blake still wouldn't have given a shit...ssshhhhh.. I'm not saying one word...thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews..this story is reaching its end...very soon...let me know what you think.. oh man do I wish I was Tori in this chapter lol

cyn