Alex's p.o.v.

Before bed, the tears start to fall, though I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's because this is only for a summer and then it's back to my old life and my old friends. Not that they're bad or anything, it's just that I'm really going to miss Lisa and hanging out with Tristan and Reese. I collapse on my mattress, overcome with grief and hopelessness. For a second I think of Tristan, and wonder if he would come here to comfort me, should he hear me crying? But I quickly dismiss the thought. Why would he? Why should he care about my problems? I know I'm nothing more than a girl to him. I always have been, and always will be, alone. With this thought, I climb into bed and pull the covers over my face, crying myself to sleep.

***

I feel no better in the morning, and I want to stay in bed all day. "Hey," Tristan says as he walks into my room at about nine o' clock in the morning. "Go away," I say, turning away from him. He sits down on my bed and puts a hand on the small of my back. "What's wrong?" he asks, rubbing it slowly. "Nothing," I reply, my tone flat and emotionless. He rolls his eyes and continues patting me. "Come on, princess," he coos. "Come play tennis with me."

I shake my head mutely. "Come on, babe," he says. "Please." "Play with Reese," I mumble. He rolls his eyes. "Reese sucks at tennis! Come on, please come and play with me!" I groan and roll over so I'm facing him. "No. I want to sleep." "Denied!" Tristan says, and yanks me up and out of bed. I stumble as I stand up, clutching Tristan for support. I have a brief moment of panic before I realize that my nightgown is long-sleeved, therefore Tristan can't see my arms. "Are you okay?" Tristan asks worriedly. I sigh weakly and lean my head against his chest. I'm not sure whether to lie and say yes, or tell the truth and say no. So I don't say anything. "Hey," he says, stroking my hair. "What is it?" I just shake my head and release myself from his grip. I use all of my effort to muster up a smile for him. "I'll be out in a few minutes," I say as I walk into the bathroom.

I manage to get a shower and do my hair up nice. Then I instruct Tristan, who's waiting outside, to toss me some shorts, a tank, and my hoodie, which he does after making some perverted comment about me changing out there instead. I change quickly and march outside. Plastering on my most convincing fake smile, I slip on my sneakers and follow Tristan to the tennis courts behind the house.

We get rackets and balls, then go to our proper positions. We warm up before he makes the first serve, a nasty shot that I somehow manage to return. Next, he bats it back with enough force that I'm unable to catch it. The score now stands 1-0.

*15 Minutes Later*

The score is tied, 10-10. If I can get this next serve, I'll beat Tristan and his huge ego! He sends a mean shot, and I dart my racket out, just barely snagging the ball. He returns it and I send an easy power shot his way. It flies to the other side and right past Tristan! Smiling triumphantly, I walk over to him. "Thought you could beat me, eh?" I say, teasing him with a wide smile. He flips me the bird before walking inside, probably to get lunch. I'm hungry, too, so I jog after him.

When I get there, I see that he's not making himself lunch, but perched on a chair, video chatting with Amanda. I don't want to be forced to talk to her, so I quickly duck out of sight, trying to control my raging emotions.

I know I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I'm still dying to hear what Tristan has to say about me. So, against my better judgment, I freeze my body and listen.

"Hey, babe," Tristan greets her. A pang of jealousy hits me, but I shove it away and keep listening. "Hey," Amanda's crystal-perfect voice replies. "How's everything down there?" "Fine," Tristan replies, but there's a stiff edge to his voice. "Great!" Amanda bubbles. "When are you coming home?" I smile at this. If I ever get a boyfriend, I'll probably be this clingy. "Amanda, I just got here." "Sorry," she says. "I just miss you." "I miss you, too, darling," Tristan drawls. Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them away. As they continue talking, my hurt grows worse. At the very end of their conversation, I hear Tristan say, "I love you." Unable to take it any longer, I dart out the door. I make a dash for my motorcycle, but then I realize that I'm crying. And, as I can tell you from experience, crying and driving a motorcycle are definitely not a great combination.

So instead I wander blindly around town, tears streaming down my face. Eventually I stumble upon a small, cozy little beach with hardly any people around. I sink down underneath a large palm, bury my face in my hands, and sob.

I don't even know why I'm crying. It's not as if I didn't know until now that Tristan's taken. I've known since they started out. Hell, I've even met Amanda! So why the fuck am I breaking down like this?

As I ponder the question, heavy footsteps approach. "Alex?" a familiar voice asks. "Is it really you?" I lift my head, tears still staining my cheeks, ruining my mascara. A familiar tremor of panic runs through me as I stare at my visitor. I suddenly wish I look better. An involuntary shiver runs down my back as I stare up into the cobalt brown eyes of someone I thought I'd left behind forever.

Chad Wilkins.

AN: CLIFFHANGER!! MORE SURPRISES TO COME!!! You're all gonna hate me ;) Anyways, comment vote all that good stuff.

All my love,

Em