Soon after, Ryan was released from the hospital. As much as he hated disappointing the fans, cancelling the concerts was the greatest thing his mother could have done for him. He had never in his life imagined how much he could enjoy a full night of sleep. He also enjoyed spending extra time with Tori.

Tori knew that Ryan was not one for musicals or chick flicks, but she had managed to talk him into watching one of her favorite movies, "Guys and Dolls". She figured he may take some interest in it considering it starred Frank Sinatra and was basically about gambling.

"I know the night, I live in it. It does funny things to you," stated Marlon Brando.

"Nighttime doing weird things to you?" said Ryan. "What a crock."

"What, you don't think it's true?" she asked.

"Hell no. I mean, night is cool and all, but it can't change the way you act."

"It's not saying that it changes the way you act, just that with it's beauty and enchantment, it becomes so mesmerising that you can become hypnotized by the silver glow of the moonlight and twinkling of the stars, and you can do things that you may not do otherwise. You're under the spell of the night."

Ryan stared at her for a moment. "I never realized how much of a romantic you are. You actually like this cheesy shit don't ya?" he asked.

"Of course it's cheesy shit," Tori replied. "I don't really like cheesy shit. It's too. . .cheesy shit."

"Ah, but you just said a bunch of cheesy shit, that was 100% pure sap," he replied while he started tickling her. Tori laughed and gasped for air.

"Don't blame me, it was the moon!" she yelled. "Oh god! Damn you for not being ticklish!"

"Oh but it's so fair," he said.

"Considering I can't fight back, I think not," she said.

"Well it's perfectly fair to me," he said as he straddled her waist, leaving her pinned and utterly defenseless. "Any ticklish spots I don't know about?"

"Now do you honestly think I'd tell you?" she asked as she poked at one of his bleach blonde spikes.

"Hmm, then I guess I'll just have to figure it out on my own," he said in an evil voice while proceeding to tickle her more. Tori squealed and struggled to hold in her laughter, but to no avail.

"Ryan, you can stop any-eek!-time now!" Tori squeaked. "Oh the pain, my stomach is killing me now."

"Aw poor baby, want me to kiss it and make it better?"

"No!" she said. "That'll tickle!"

"Oh really?"

"Oh shit, I shouldn't have said that."

"Oh fun," he said with a wide grin.

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes."

"Shut up with the 'oh' phrases already!"

"And what would you like me to say?" he asked innocently.

"I don't care," she laughed. "Just kiss me you dork."

"You're calling me a dork now?" he pretended to be hurt. "Okay that's it, nothing for you. I see how it is." He stood up and plopped back on the couch, keeping his obviously fake pout.

"Aww baby, it was just a joke," Tori teased. "You're not really a dork," she said as she crawled into his lap.

"Nope, damage is done, feelings are hurt."

"Bull shit Ry, I know you're joking with me." She lightly rubbed the underside of his chin with her index finger. Ryan stared blankly at her, and then something odd happened. He looked as if he were trying to hold in a laugh. "Oh my god, you do have a ticklish spot!"

"One, only one!" he said, and began tickling her back.

"Ryan it's turning into a tickle fest real quick now," Tori gasped. Ryan kept tickling her sides, and then suddenly stopped, giving her a long and deep kiss. He nearly caught her off guard, but she of course allowed the kiss. It was none the less enjoyable, she loved being in his arms as he loved holding her. A simple brush of his hand against her cheek was enough to send shivers throughout her whole body. His arms were her shelter, she felt safe within them. They felt as if time stopped for them whenever their lips met. The world knew no pain, fear, or sorrow. The only thing that mattered was the secret language they shared, lip to lip and from heart to heart.

At 15 years old, many would argue whether they were capable of being in love or feeling love, but love knows no age. It can strike anywhere or anytime. Ryan and Tori both wondered if what they were feeling was love, and if so, where they really in love? Their relationship had evolved out of the shadows, out of a dream, so quickly. They had spent tow and a half months as a couple, with each day bringing them closer together. But one question always remained dangling above their heads.

"Ryan, what's going to happen?" Tori asked as she stopped their gentle kisses.

"What?" he looked at her with confusion in his eyes.

"Someday, soon, the band is going to get really big, bigger than it is now," she said. "What's going to happen then. What about us?"

"Nothing," he said softly kissing her cheek. "Nothing at all. I'd still call you everyday, and I'd still watch our star in the sky every night. And I'd still love you." Tori stared at him for a moment.

"You love me?" she asked, a little shocked. She had never heard him say it before, yet somehow she had always known how he felt.

"Yeah I do," he simply responded.

Tori took a moment to let the words soak in. She smiled," I love you too." They kissed once more, happy that their words were finaly said.

"Um, Tori, don't get mad at me for what I'm about to say," said Ryan.

"Okay. . ."

"I love you. . .and you love me," he said. "I mean. . .uh. .maybe. . .I mean do you--"

"I think I know what you're trying to say," she said.

"You do?"

"You want to know where I stand on us. . ."

"Yeah," he swallowed. She sighed and looked him in the eye.

"Yes, I want to just as much as you," she said. "But--"

"Of course there just had to be a 'but'," he interrupted.

"But," she continued," not now. When the time is right, when we both know and feel together that the time is right."

"Is it right now?"

"Didn't I just say 'not now'?"

"No, that was then, in the not to distant past. This is now," he said, proud of his word trickery.

"You are such a dork Ry," she laughed. He kissed her cheek. "I'll know. And so will you, and it'll be beautiful."