As Rayne followed Dylan up the hill, she stumbled every so often, but his tight grip on her hand made sure she didn't fall. Rayne was actually pretty agile, as she was a gymnast, but the trek was unexpectedly uphill, and Rayne was somewhat distracted by the hand holding hers. It was as though Dylan never wanted to let go, he held on so tightly and made sure she cleared every obstacle and that she was always planting her feet on solid ground. It was almost as though Dylan regarded her as special, as important, as precious- no, she needed to stop being ridiculous. Dylan couldn't possibly want anything to do with her. And even if he did, well, she couldn't let that happen. Dylan deserved far better than her. What was she, some little teenage whore who had dated her teacher and was now having his kid? What boy could look at her and like he as anything other than the girl she had been before all this?

Rayne took a seat next to Dylan on the mossy area that looked out over the school, surprised that she'd never seen this place before. Rayne had wondered the woods some herself, needing time to simply be by herself and think. With everything with her and Mason, she'd needed lots of time to herself to be by herself. Dylan, apparently, was the same way. It was strange how alike the two could be. Dylan must've understood that they shared a certain sameness, which must be why he'd brought her here. Dylan was her friend, and must've known how much Rayne would appreciate having a place like this to come. That's why he showed her this place; it had to be. For Dylan to be showing her this place because he wanted to share something so important with her, because he felt something for her- well, it just couldn't be. Rayne couldn't let it be. It wasn't fair. Whatever she felt for Dylan, he couldn't return it. It wasn't right.

Rayne couldn't see that you shouldn't have to talk yourself out of someone liking you.

Rayne looked over at Dylan with a smile on her face as he played, beautiful music. It seemed to communicate his feelings, come straight from his soul. Rayne smiled, closing her eyes against the music, listening better than she'd ever listened to anything before. She felt like he was writing a song about her, not that she could explain why she felt like that. When he stopped, she turned toward him and smiled, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment as she listened to his question. "No, I have no guitar playing talent." She smiled at him, brushing some hair out of her face as a light breeze blew around them, perfectly counteracting the heat that always seemed to prevail in California. As her offered to teach her, one hand reached out and rested lightly on the guitar's neck, her other resting over one of Dylan's. She just felt so connected when she was with him. Her eyes met his, and she smiled. "I'd like that."

Rayne could sing, Rayne could dance, Rayne could read music, but before now Rayne hadn't been able to play and instrument. Not that she really felt like she was really playing or anything, but what she was doing was better than what she'd done before, which was nothing. She felt Dylan's arms around her, his hands over his hands, his body behind hers, holding her and the guitar, making music. She smiled despite herself, happy that they were where they were and together. It was a couple moment, even though they weren't a couple. As she strummed, she looked back over her shoulder at Dylan's face, which was focused somewhat intently on playing the chords. Suddenly, Rayne wanted to kiss him. She didn't, however, knowing how bad that would be for Dylan. She couldn't do that to him. She did, however, enjoy the moment as he held her hand in his and moved her fingers over the chords. Maybe for just a minute she could pretend that Dylan loved her. Maybe for just a minute she could pretend there was something more there.

Suddenly a breeze played over Rayne's shoulders, and she shivered a little against the cold. As Dylan offered her his jacket, Rayne automatically went to thank him but politely refuse. "Thank you but-" she felt a jacket draped over her shoulders and she smiled despite herself- "but I really don't need it, its not that cold." She, however, did not remove the jacket. She accepted his help in standing, turning to look towards to sunset with him. Rayne had always loved sunsets. She loved the beautiful rays that seemed to skim to sky, creating a million beautiful colors and patterns. She stood mesmerized for a moment, just watching the colors swirl, until she felt Dylan turn her toward him. He was looking into her eyes as though he cared about her, as though he liked her, as though he loved her. She could dream, right? But then he asked her, and her breath caught in her throat, and her hand flew up towards her mouth, and she smiled, wide eyed and happy. She opened her mouth but no words came out, so she smiled and nodded, hoping he understood.