Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The OC. I'm just a fan writing a fanfic. Please don't sue me.

Sequel to Secretly In Love

PG-13 – R (Just to be Safe)

Part I

After a few hours they finally arrived. Alex took off her shoes and hurriedly ran to meet the waves. Marissa giggled at Alex who was playfully running along the shore. Marissa took off her shoes and ran to Alex.

"Breezy…" Marissa said as she shivered.

Alex hugged her and gently rubbed her arms.

"Better?"

"Way better." Marissa eased into Alex's embrace.

"You think we'll make this work?" Marissa asked as she watched the waves.

"We'll make it work." Alex gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Marissa smiled.

"I love you…"

"I love you too…" Alex smiled back.

"Look… The tide just turned…" Alex whispered with a smile etched on her face.

Marissa turned to look at her girlfriend, feeling more love than she had ever felt years.

Alex turned and looked at Marissa then slowly she leaned and captured Marissa's lips with hers.

"ALEX COHEN!"

Alex snapped out of the trance. The professor glared at her while the rest of the class giggled as she slowly sunk into her seat. Marissa who sat beside her shook her head in amusement. Alex had the tendency to zone out when she was tired. Apparently yesterday's basketball practice still has remnants on her girlfriend's body. Marissa took her Alex's hand and put it on her desk, squeezing it gently. Alex needs a break from playing for the varsity.

It has been a year since that day in California. Since then, the two didn't hide the relationship anymore. Often called as MALEX on campus, they were one of the sweetest and rock solid couples that ever set foot on the university. And now as sophomores in Harvard, they were as happy as they can be. Alex lived alone in her Boston apartment but Marissa would come by after school to work on their homework. At times they were accompanied by their friends, Bianca, Dianne, Tiffany and Ching. Most of the time, they were just cuddling on the couch watching cartoons and some reruns of shows on TV. Jessie and Katie, Alex's neighbors, would sometimes help Alex in case Marissa wasn't around, especially when it comes to dinner. Marissa seldom stayed for dinner. Even though they have already given everything to each other, they knew they were too young to have the same intense physical intimacy day in and day out. They took their time. Because they know if they did, every moment would be magical. They were right.

Their friends Jodie and Summer were still together. Jodie was now a junior in Boston College, while Summer was also a sophomore in Harvard. Although Summer did thought about transferring, Jodie refused the idea. They hang out with Alex and Marissa on weekends. But would always take their alone time. It never hurts to get some alone time.

Lindsay, Marissa's sister, just graduated from Yale. She has an ongoing relationship with Ryan who is now back in Spain. On the contrary to most long distance relationships, Ryan and Lindsay remained strong mainly because of Alex and Marissa. Most importantly, they trust each other.

Seth was as goofy and crazy as he can be. He loved Alex and he was always there for her. Soon to be studying in UCLA, Seth dreamed of becoming a basketball star. He still had a knack for drawings. Alex would make storylines and dialogues for him to put sketches on, which amused their parents. They were one hell of a combination. Sometimes Kirsten and Sandy wondered if Pixar needed their kids to spice things up.

The parents of both Marissa and Alex: Caleb, Julie, Kirsten, Sandy, were proud of their daughters. Despite the fear of things to come for Alex and Marissa, the two constantly stood by each other. And if life did decide to blow away in Alex and Marissa's direction, they knew somehow, some way, the two girls will get through. They were still in the dark about any more intense relations of the two. But more or else they have felt they might have taken that step already. They trusted their gut-feel that they have raised their daughters to be responsible with the actions they take.

The bell rang and it was time for lunch. Alex who was still recovering from the professor's death glare slowly stood up and took her backpack. She also took Marissa's books which were under her girlfriend's chair.

"Honey, you should really reconsider playing for the varsity next year. I don't think it's helping your concentration in class." Marissa stood up and yanked her bag.

"They need me you know that… Besides, I still get A's" Alex replied holding out her hand for Marissa to take.

"Well I know hon. But it won't help if you get glares from our professors all the time." Marissa took her girlfriend's hand and started to drag her out of the classroom.

"I'll think about it… Wouldn't be UNCOOL if you're not dating a varsity player?" Alex grinned as they trekked to the mess hall.

"Like I need a jock girlfriend to make me cool?" Marissa arched one of her brows.

"I don't care about being cool. All I care about is you." Marissa added and gave Alex a kiss on the cheek.

"Aw… Honey you shouldn't be that all central on me. Try to care about children who don't have food to eat… old people abandoned by their own children…" Alex playfully trailed off.

It earned her a light slap on the back.

"That's not what I meant!" Marissa pouted and stopped walking.

Alex turned back to her girlfriend and gave her a kiss on the forehead. She smiled at her lovingly.

"I know what you mean Marissa. I know. Come on… I'm hungry…" Alex dragged a grinning Marissa.

----

"There is a reason for internships mother." Lindsay sarcastically explained to her mother.

"I know. But don't you think you're better off taking an internship here? At least we can see you…" Julie replied.

Putting her hands on her mother's shoulders, Lindsay sighed.

"Mom… I have to grow up and get used to not having the comforts of home. Not that I don't like it Mom… It's just… I want to know how to stand on my own. I would visit. Mom… Chicago is just a plane ride away."

"I still don't know honey…" Julie replied very teary eyed.

"Mom… You have to let go of me sometimes. You have to learn to let go of Marissa too when the time comes…" Lindsay hugged her mother.

"Oh Linny… It just seemed yesterday that I was carrying you in my arms…"

"I know my… I know…" Lindsay rubbed her mother's back to soothe her.

"It just seemed yesterday I changed your diaper at night…" Julie continued trying to suppress a grin on her face.

Lindsay slightly pushed her mother.

"MOM! That soooo totally ruined the MOMENT!"

----

Alex, Marissa and Summer were on their way home when they saw a tall guy deliberately push another student on the halls. It knocked the student flat on his butt.

"You know… I don't understand why people resort to violence." Summer shook her head.

Holding her girlfriend's hand Marissa replied.

"Anger at times gets the best of anybody."

She remembered how her anger and jealousy resulted into physically hurting Alex. She looked down to the floor as they continued to walk.

"I have to meet up with Jodie. I'll see you tomorrow." Summer waved and walked opposite Alex and Marissa's direction.

At the parking lot, Alex noticed her girlfriend's silence. As she opened the passenger seat door and let Marissa get in her car, she took hold of the brunette's hand.

"Part of the past honey…" Alex smiled.

She closed the car door and walked to the driver's side. She took their bags and placed them on the backseat. Sitting down and starting the engine, she held on the steering wheel for a while. Marissa's demeanor hasn't changed. Alex placed her hand on Marissa's chin and made Marissa face her.

"And for the record, you can throw balls at me any day as long as I get the same fiery kiss afterwards." Alex grinned and gave Marissa a kiss on the lips which made the brunette relax.