Lost in You

~Nine~

Friday came much quicker than I wanted. I walked to school in a haze, trying to drown my thoughts with my music. It seemed to be working, until I actually reached the school.

Wrapping my headphones around my iPhone and putting them in my pocket, I walked into the school. After going to my locker, I stood, debating whether I should visit Ryan's or not. I had been every day this week and it was a bit desperate. I was about to decide against it, when Peyton came running up behind me.

"Summer! Summer!" she called. "Guess who's back?!" she chirped.

My eyes lit up as I deserted her in the hallway, pushing past people to get to Ryan's hallway. Once I did, I saw him. He was standing with his back against his locker, looking down at his shoes. He seemed quite out of place. But that's why I loved him.

Woah! Summer?! Did I just think that? I don't love... well, do I?

As I was standing there thinking to myself, Ryan noticed me and began walking towards me. I ran up to meet him halfway and enveloped him in a giant bear hug.

"Ouch," he said jumping back. I didn't think I hugged him that tight?

"Oh! I'm sorry!" I exclaimed, taking a step back.

"No, it's fine." He stepped towards me and hugged me, much lighter than I had. I hugged him back, but much lighter than the first time.

"Where have you been?!" I asked frantically.

"Oh. I was.. got sick," he said looking down at the floor. Was he hiding something from me?

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. Come one, let's get to class. We can talk at lunch. Don't want you to be late," he said as he guided me gently to my classroom.

"Again..." I mumbled, thinking of the couple times this week that I had been late because I was waiting for Ryan.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," I answered, smiling as I walked into my class, leaving him in the doorway.

~*~*~

By the time lunch came, I was dying to talk to Ryan. I just wanted to hear his voice, see his face, look into those deep blue eyes. I rushed into the cafeteria and immediately spotted Ryan outside. I tried to walk slowly towards the doors that led outside, but it was no use. I was outside in fifteen seconds flat.

"Hey," Ryan said looking up at me and smiling. I sat down next to him.

"Hi," I greeted, returning the smile. I sat there picking at my lunch. I couldn't help notice the sapace between us, or more like non-space. We were both sitting cross-legged in the grass, and our knees were touching.

"So, how was your week?" Ryan asked, breaking my thoughts.

"Good," I answered. I was about to ask him the same thing, when I saw his face fall a little. It was barely noticeable, but I guess I was paying close attention. "I missed you," I said, risking the embarrassment if I read his expression wrong.

He didn't answer for a moment, but then he whispered, "I missed you too, Summer."

Ryan suddenly got very tense. I wasn't sure what it was. Maybe, he felt like he should've said it back, but didn't really mean it.

"Soo..." he started to say something but trailed off.

"What is it?" I asked poking him in the arm with a smile on my face. He laughed at me, but then looked down at his feet.

"Um.. Well, the thing is.." his cheeks turned rosy as he tried to babble out his sentence.

"Come on, spit it out!" I encouraged, sticking my tongue out at him.

"Ok, ok!" he blushed even more. "I know this drive in movie place, and they're showing Avatar tonight. I was wondering if you might want to come?"

Was he asking me out on a date?! May as well go ahead and embarrass yourself now, Summer. "Like.. a date?" I asked like the dumbest person in the world.

"Uh.. Yeah." He scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide his now scarlet face. God he was so cute.

I smiled ear to ear. "I'd love to, Ryan."

He finally relaxed and let out a deep breath. "Gosh, I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I couldn't breath!" I laughed at him.

"So what time?" I asked. I hoped I would have at least an hour to get ready.

"Pick you up at eight?" he said like a gentleman.

"Perfect." I bit my lip and smiled like an idiot.