The day was slowly creeping by and lunch had finally arrived. Marissa and Seth were eating at the table that they used to eat at with Ryan and Summer the year before. They always sat there, Ryan would often sit with them, but it never did much for the conversation. Summer and Zach would join them sometimes, which was often quite entertaining for Marissa, but somewhat miserable for Seth, Summer and Zach. Nevertheless, the two sat at the table together, Seth had his I-pod headphones in his ears, and was munching on his tuna sandwich, while Marissa was flipping through a magazine as her untouched salad sat on the table. A few minutes later Ryan appeared behind Seth and tapped him on the shoulder. Seth pulled his headphones out of his ears and looked up at Ryan.

Seth: Hey man.

Ryan: Hey, mind if I join you?

Ryan cautiously looked over at Marissa who immediately went back to reading her magazine.

Seth: Yeah, pull up a chair.

Ryan sat down at the table placing his tray of food in front of him.

Seth: What's going on man?

Ryan shrugged his shoulders and unwrapped his burrito taking a bite. Seth looked at Ryan for a second before placing his headphones back in his ears. Ryan had been eating his lunch, and carefully sneaking glances at Marissa who was trying very hard to stay concentrated on her magazine. Ryan glanced over at Seth quickly and saw that he was staring out into space, or possibly the direction of Summer, sometimes he couldn't tell.

Ryan: Not hungry?

Marissa looked up at from her magazine and looked at Ryan, this went on for a few seconds before Ryan motioned towards her untouched salad.

Marissa: Oh, not really.

Ryan: You know, I really wish it didn't have to be this way with us…

Marissa: Us?

Ryan: I…

Ryan's head was scrambling trying to come up with something to say that wasn't going to sound totally idiotic. Marissa caught on to that and mustered the nerve to speak first.

Marissa: Ryan, I don't even know how it's supposed to be…neither of us does.

Ryan didn't know what to say, and apparently after her last comment neither did Marissa. The two sat and stared at each other before being interrupted by Lindsay who had approached the table.

Lindsay: Hey guys, can I sit with you?

Ryan and Marissa immediately looked up at Lindsay.

Ryan: Uh…yeah…

Ryan looked to his right and noticed the vacant chair that was once there had been snagged by a neighboring table.

Ryan: Um…

Ryan continued to look around the courtyard for a chair that wasn't in use. Marissa took notice of this and decided it was a perfect time to get out of there, she didn't want to sit at a table with the two of them anyway.

Marissa: Here Lindsay, take my seat.

Lindsay: No, really, it's okay.

Marissa: It's fine; I was going to go to the library anyway, I'm not really hungry. Enjoy your lunch.

With that Marissa grabbed her purse and gave Seth a wave, and Ryan a short look before disposing of her lunch in the trash can and walking off, interestingly enough, in the opposite direction of the library. Lindsay took Marissa's seat and dug into her lunch, while Ryan watched Marissa walk off. He watched her until she was completely out of sight. Ryan tried to push Marissa out of his mind, but just couldn't seem to do it. The rest of their lunch was fairly unentertaining, Lindsay kept trying to make conversation, but Ryan wasn't biting and Seth wasn't really paying attention. Finally the bell rang, signaling lunch was over. Seth stood up from the table first, walking his tray over to the trash can before returning to the table.

Seth: Hey Ryan, don't forget I have to work after school, so meet me at the Rover right after school, so I can drop you off at home.

Ryan: Yeah, no problem.

Lindsay: I can drive you home Ryan.

Ryan looked over at Lindsay.

Seth: Actually…if neither of you mind…I'm probably going to be late if I have to drive you home…

Ryan: Yeah, it's cool. Thanks Lindsay.

Lindsay: Anytime.

Lindsay and Ryan walked off towards their AP Physics class, Seth stood back watching them go. Seth walked off in the other direction, thinking that he probably should have just been late for work instead of giving them another reason to be alone with each other. It wasn't that Seth disliked Lindsay, she was one of his friends…but he seemed to have a growing distaste for anything that was keeping them from being how they once were. Seth sighed as he turned into his classroom, in the far right corner, sat Summer and Zach, sneakily smooching before class started. Seth rolled his eyes and let out a groan before sitting in the seat farthest away from them.