The sun was setting when Ashlyn finally found Seth. She had looked everywhere, the rec hall, his cabin, the dock, and even waited outside the boys shower rooms until someone came out, but he wasn't there. Finally she decided to check the old rocky beach that ran along the tree line and there he was. He hadn't noticed her yet and she watched him as he paced along the water's edge. He had a handful of flat stones in his hand and he picked one and skipped it across the water. Ashlyn watched as it skipped six times across the water and smiled.

"That's pretty impressive... for a city boy" she said. Seth didn't respond, didn't even acknowledge her presence as he continued to stare across the water at the setting sun. "Hey Seth... I'm sorry alright? Can we please talk?" He whirled around and glared at her.

"I don't know Ashlyn. Can you?" She flinched at the edge in his tone. "'cause I already tried talking and you ran. Wait, you didn't run... you punched me and then you ran. Boy, I thought you were different and I was right. I didn't think different could be bad though." Ashlyn could feel a blush spread across her cheeks and she focused on a spot just above Seth's head, willing the tears not to gather in her eyes. She didn't want him to know how much his words really hurt.

"I, uh, I guess I deserved that." She mumbled, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "And I really am sorry alright? I guess you surprised me. I didn't know what to think. Especially after what Amberly told me." Seth just stood there glaring at her. "I guess I'll go now. And even if you don't believe me I'm sorry." Ashlyn's voice broke on the last word and she turned and started walking away before he could see the tears that were leaving paths down her cheeks. She was about ten feet away before she heard him groan.

"Aww Ashlyn! Wait! Please come back!" Ashlyn froze on the path and she heard footsteps coming up behind her. Seth put his hand on her shoulder and gently turned her to face him. She kept her eyes on the ground, tears still tracking down her cheeks. Keeping one hand on her shoulder, he put his other hand under her chin and pulled her face up to look at him. Guilt flashed across his features when he saw that she was crying. "Ash I'm sorry. I didn't mean those things I said. I was just angry. I'm not used to girls saying no to me." He flashed a quick smile and when she didn't smile back he sighed. "Come on Ash. I'm sorry. Please say something?" She looked into his eyes.

"Something" she smiled and Seth laughed, just relieved she was speaking to him again.

"I must say," he laughed again, "your punch was impressive... for a city girl" Ashlyn stuck her tongue out at him but laughed. "Can I ask you something?" he continued when she nodded "Will you punch me again if I kiss you?" She studied his face for a moment before a smile worked its way slowly across her lips. Ashlyn leaned up and put her lips to his ear.

"Why don't you find out?" He smiled at her before cupping her face in his hands and touched his lips softly to hers. Seth pulled back a little and gave Ashlyn a questioning glance, making sure this was what she wanted. She looked into his eyes and nodded slightly before pressing her lips more firmly into his.

They were still sitting on the beach half an hour later, Seth with his arm around Ashlyn's waist and with her head on his shoulder, with the sun just a small glowing orb disappearing behind the opposite shore. Ashlyn sighed quietly and hugged her knees to her chest. Seth studied her face.

"What's wrong?" he said quietly and Ashlyn just shrugged. "Come on Ash. What's bothering you?" She opened her mouth and then closed it again, opting to stare at the rocks at her feet instead. She was quiet for a long while, and just as Seth was about to say something she spoke. Her voice was barely a whisper and Seth had to strain to hear her words.

"How do I know you're not like the others?" Seth turned so he was facing her and looked into her eyes.

"I don't know what you mean. What others?"

"You know the ones. The stupid I'm-better-than-you-'cause-I'm-a-pop-star guys. The ones who let you fall for them and then aren't there to catch you. They play with your heart and don't care when they leave because they don't like you anymore, they find someone better." Ashlyn said this all in a rush and then put her head on her knees, looking away from Seth and over the water. Seth shifted over and pulled Ashlyn close to him.

"I guess you don't. You have to trust me. Trust me that I'm not like all those other pop-star guys or even my mom for that matter. Just trust that I'll treat you right because I promise you I will. You are an amazing girl Ashlyn and I would never do anything to hurt you." Ashlyn looked into his eyes and then away again; the last of the sun's light disappearing.

"I should go" she whispered as she stood up. Seth grabbed her by the wrist as he got up, causing her to stumble and both of them to fall back down. He caught Ashlyn in his lap and smiled at her.

"See, I caught you didn't I?" She smiled at him as she stood up again.

"Well that's a good thing, 'cause I think that I'm falling fast." Ashlyn turned on her heel and made her way towards the trees without a second glance, leaving Seth sitting on the rocky beach. He shook his head and chuckled into the darkness. She was definitely an amazing girl.