bHola, your girl is back from a long break due to…of course, school. I never knew being a sophomore would be so hard! I have too much work to deal with and to be honest its aggravating but my problems don't matter! You're reading for an update so here you go! I hope you enjoy this.

VV

Chapter Sixteen: There For Me

"So what made you suddenly want to go on a walk. You seemed to be having fun." Marina sighed as she stared down at her pink flip flops. She and Jimmy had been walking for about fifteen minutes and were now walking along the edge of a cliff that overlooked the ocean. Jimmy laughed lightly and she gazed up at him in slight confusion. What was so funny?

"You didn't seem to be having fun and I wanted to make sure you were alright." He responded locking eyes with her. They held a kind sincerity that made her smile lightly as she returned her gaze downwards once again as her cheeks were dusted with a light rose color.

"You tend to do that a lot." She muttered slowing down her pace until she came to a stop. He stopped as well but it was his turn to look confused. She chuckled as she pushed some hair behind her ear and lifted her head. His expression turned soft as he gazed at her sweet smile. "You always check on me." She elaborated.

"I do?" He questioned cocking his head to the side slightly. He knew that he did that but playing stupid was the best option right now as she laughed lightly and locked her aqua eyes with his deep blue ones.

"Yea…ever since I transferred to Roselia academy. You've always been looking out for me. You're always the first one to help me in my time of need." She continued placing her hands on her hips and quirking an eyebrow. He smirked at her. "Why?"

Just as he predicted.

"Didn't you look out for May when she first arrived?" He asked back. She furrowed her brow and her eyes darted from his. That was not the answer she was looking for; it's not what she had expected from him.

"So I'm a charity case? You feel sorry for me?" She said. Her tone came off much harsher then she intended and her heart seemed to drop to the bottom of a deep chasm that was not willing to give it back. She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. "Does it make you feel better to know you helped some defenseless girl?"

"Is that why you helped May?" He retorted in a much calmer tone. She glared up at him feeling offended that he would even inquire that. May was her very best friend.

"No! I love May! I knew what it was like and she became a friend that I hold close to my heart!" She snapped. Jimmy smiled lightly taking in her words and hoping she had just listened to what she just said.

"Do you get it?" He asked holding her by the shoulders. She tilted her head and gave him a strange look. He just continued to smile at her. "You're a person I hold close to my heart and I think it may deflate my ego a bit but I think it was love at first sight." He said nonchalantly. Marina's mouth opened but nothing came out. She quickly shut it only to open it once again hoping she could form a sentence but no such luck.

She hadn't been expecting that. She knew she had feelings for Jimmy and although when they first met she was a bit harsh, she liked him ever since. Right now she was regretting snapping at him like that, but regretting is one thing she should not be doing because the way she reacted happened for a reason that lead into something she had only dreamed of.

"Is your silence joyous shock or you can't seem to think of the proper way to reject me?" He sighed knitting his fingers behind his head, shifting his cap as he did so. Marina shook her head and the corners of her mouth were pulled up into a smile.

"Um…I…thank you!" She exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck. He gagged a bit as he was pulled down for her to pull him in tightly for a hug. His arms went limp at his sides as she tightened her grip.

"You're welcome…? Why are you thanking me again?"

"I'm thanking you for that first day of school, for the many issues that followed, and I'm thanking you for returning my feelings." She sighed the last part as she snuggled into his chest. He chuckled lightly before tenderly kissing the top of her head.

"Don't thank me, I'll always be there for you."

"How long has it been?" I questioned as I swung me and Drew's interlocked hands back and forth. The two of us were on their way back to the hotel and it had been a long time since we had seen Jimmy and Marina. The sun was setting and curfew was not that far away.

"I really wasn't paying attention to the time. I was too spellbound by the sight of you." He said as he kissed my cheek affectionately. I laughed lightly and pushed his head away gently.

"Where'd you get that line from? Ash?" Drew laughed at the remark and nodded. I giggled as well and rolled my eyes at him. "That was a sad attempt at charming me." I added shaking my head.

"Yea, but the question is, did it work?" He asked turning his entrancing emerald eyes on me. His gaze made me weak and I swallowed before answering.

"Do you have to even ask?" I asked back. My voice had lost its confidence. I mentally cursed myself. He was the one that had me spellbound. He was the only person who had that kind of control over me and before I found this rather annoying but now I didn't mind that much.

He smirked at me before slinking his arms around my waist and pulling me into him. I gasped lightly before it was cut off by his lips pressing onto mine. My eyes fluttered shut as I got completely lost in the kiss. My arms slowly made their way around his neck as I tilted my head back a bit intensifying the kiss. I got in deep enough to hesitantly open my mouth but as I did he pulled away.

I stared at him confused and he just smirked at me in a teasing manner. I pouted as he took my hands within his. I got on my toes, lunging for another kiss but he pulled away, a small chuckle coming from him.

"C'mon, let's get back." He said pushing my brunette bangs out of my face to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Sometimes he could be so…smug. He knew the effects he had on me and he used this to his advantage…ever since day one. Drew was always one step ahead of my; holding all the aces and the king and queens as well. Despite this I really don't mind because I know he's there for me.

"Drew, you are such a jerk." I muttered. He laughed openly as he pulled me along behind him.

"I believe you told me that before."

Yay all done with this chapter. The next two chapters will probably be the last two; that brings a tear to my eyes but that just leaves me open for more story ideas to come; that brings a smile to my face! I hope you liked this chapter because I found it intensely cute! I hope you agree and thank you for reading! Pweez Review!

V i V a V e N d E t T a . . .