Sorry this has taken longer than usual, I've had a lot of schoolwork. But here it is. Enjoy

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"I'll never forget it," Ryan said quietly, his mind already far off even as he held Marissa in his arms. He went back to that night, back to that moment that would turn out to be one of the most pivotal in his life. "I still remember exactly how I felt as I walked down that driveway, my mind going crazy but I was trying not to show it…and then I looked up and saw you. It was like everything else just disappeared."

Marissa felt the blood rushing to her cheeks. Every time he complimented her, it sends a happy shiver down her spine. As if, it only meant something coming from him. Smiling warmly, she huddled closer into his chest. If this has the last day of her life, this was where she would want to be. Like always. Seth, being his whacked out self, accused them of being 'whipped' all the time. And, they never denied it. They were 'whipped', and proud of it.

'I've thought about it many time's since then', Marissa replied eventually, 'You fascinated me from the start. I was so used to prissy boys with rich parents. And, then you came along. Those boys are good looking, sure, but you had... I dunno, you had it.' It was somewhat awkward to say this openly, but she was the one pushing for honesty. 'You looked sad…my eyes were finally opened.'

Ryan pulled her closer, running a few fingers through her hair.

'That was', she giggled, 'until you opened your mouth!'

He groaned, rolling onto his back. Marissa threw her head back and laughed. He eyed her mock angrily, poking her gently in the ribs.

'I can't believe I said that!'

'Yah, I was about ready to smack you with my purse!'

Giggling harder, she planted a kiss on his forehead.

'Well,' Ryan said, 'I was scared'

'What?' she said in disbelief, 'Am I that scary?'

You have no idea, he thought to himself. That night, he, a boy of the bronks had no one. When he went for a walk, he expected to be alone, only to find the most beautiful, exquisite girl standing there, all innocent. What was a guy to say but something stupid?

'But then Luke had to turn up', Ryan said, obviously changing the subject, but she didnt protest.

'I swear, when he turned up, I didnt want to get in that car. I wanted to stay with you, and talk. You were...amazing'

Caught in the mood, Ryan leant foreward and carefully kissed her on the lips. Leaning into him, she smiled against his soft skin. She always enjoyed these moments. Until, that is, Seth walked in, or Kirsten, or Sandy, or Summer. When sh ethought about it, Marissa realised she hardly got her own time with Ryan.

Pulling away, she regretfully pushed him back.

'c'mon, we are supposed to be talking'

'Okay,', Ryan relplied, dissapointed, 'What came next'

Marissa thought for a minute, biting her lip in concerntration. Ven though his was irritated, it still brought a smile to Ryan's face. She looked unbelievably cute whenever she tried to look serious.

'Oh, I remember', she finally said, 'the fashion parade'

Ryan new two things when she walked on that catwalk. One, she was drunk, and two, he wanted to get to know her. Though, Luke hated it. At that very moment, the two young guys were on. Most probably, Luke realised that this new guy could take away his girlfriend. Yet, the relationship was well over.

'You were...amazing. I knew then, that I wanted you. Luke knew it too'

'Hmm, wish I wasn't drunk though'

Ryan was suprised she even brought that up. Usually, she avoided anything to do with alchohol. Ever since he left after Theresa got pregnant. He admired her strength.

'You wern't, SUMMER was drunk. But, anyway, it didnt matter, I loved you from the start. Summer was swaying, dammnit.', Ryan laughed at the memory.

And, as if on cue, Seth and Summer burst in. Lucky that they wernt doing anything though, because Seth would have paid the couple out for weeks.

'Ok, no sex! Gee's, what have we told you?', Seth teased, 'But seriously, Sum and I are heading to the Crab Shack. You's wanna come?'

Marissa and Ryan looked at each other. They needed a break anyway. You could only talk so much. Smiling at one another, they bounded up and out the door, hand in hand.

'Lets Go!'

'Oh my god, if I eat anymore carbs I think I am gonna chuck', Summer groaned, flopping down on the wide, white shore.

Shells lined the edge, in numerous heu's and sizes. Out of all the Newport beaches, this one was their favourite. The water was always aqua, the sky always clear. And, a nice big Lifeguard Shack was further up. This was the same beach that Ryan punched Luke. That night was forever glued in Ryan's mind. The pulsing anger he felt towards the water polo player, and vice versa.

'Yah, I know how you feel!' Marissa agreed, pulling off her top to reveal a pale green bikini. Then her skirt, and obviously the bottoms matched the tops. The colour complimented her exotically tanned skin, as well as her bluey-green eyes.

Ryan's breath was caught in his throat. And, as usual, Marissa noticed straight away. Smiling flirtingly at her boyfriend, she plopped down into his lap. His lips caressed his, her hand slipping his top over his blonde head.

'Coming in?' she taunted, before bounding down to the water with Summer

'Oh, yeah', he mumbled in reply, though no one heard. Standing up, Ryan walked slowly down with Seth at his side, watching in amusement as Summer and Marissa played around together. Summer squealed as Marissa pulled her down, and the two giggled happily. Boys seemed to gather around the shore, watching the two tragically beautiful girls play in the sun. Seth looked uneasy.

'Um, that freshman is looking a tad bit to interested in Summer, I better go teach him a lesson'

Ryan laughed, 'Yes, you go do that'

But, it didn't take long for Seth to abandon the idea and retreat to Summer's side, grabbing her round the waist and pulling her in for a kiss. Summer didn't protest, and seemingly left her best friend standing there. Looking at Marissa, he stretched out his arms, welcoming her into his embrace. She nuzzled her head into his shoulder, enjoying the quiet time. Everyone was blocked out around them, for, at this time, it was only them.

But soon, the time had come and passed and they were all out in knee deep water, splashing about like 13 year olds. Seth, in his geeky ways, was wearing big black sunnies that made everyone stare, but the three had learned to put up with it.

Yet, when it came to Ryan and Marissa, they always looked good together. Marissa loved her fashion, and, well, looked good in rags. Ryan, too, could wear what he liked and got dreamy looks from girls. Put them together, and it was an unbeatable combination.

'Did I ever tell you, that girls always stare at you? I'm a little worried, Atwood', Marissa teased, whispering in his ear.

'You have nothing to worry about', he retorted softly, 'But you get your own fair share of glances, there are so many freshman's around you I think I am going to need to invest in a cow prodder'

Marissa broke out laughing, tossing her salt hair back. Ryan shook his head in disbelief. She was the only one who found him remotely funny, and he was the only one who found her funny. They just had a connection.

Running his hand up and down the small of her back, Ryan was fighting the urge to press further. And, so was she. Slowly, Marissa placed one hand under his chin and kissed deeply, floating out further to sea. Soon they were just able to stand, only their heads out of the water. Hands wandered into now known places, but they didn't dare go further. They both knew better than that.

'Ryan', Marissa said, scared. 'I don't like sharks'

'It's ok', he soothed, pulling her closer to his own body. The warmth travelled through the water, and as if up to the shore. It seemed to make Seth turned 'round, and to see how far out they really were.

'Holy crap', he said to Summer, pointing out to the seemingly dots in the distant, 'They're out far!'

She concentrated, putting one hand above to shield her deep brown eyes. They, he face went pale. This only happened every now and again, but when it did it always sent a shiver up his spine. Concerned, he followed her gaze.

'Seth, a boat is coming! Shit, help them!' She screamed once it all came back to reality. She pushed her arms in the air, waving about frantically and shouting. But, it was too late as the boat slammed into the couple.