The golden California sun seeped down into Alex's house. Marissa was gently stirring awake on the couch, and Alex was sat by the window with a mug of coffee. She enjoyed staring at the world from where she was safe, it calmed her down, and lately, she seemed to need calming a lot.

Marissa was watching intently at Alex thinking. It was clear she was thinking by her wrinkled brow. She sipped the hot coffee, then relaxed a little, Marissa still watched her every move.

"I know you're watching me" she let out a sly grin but didn't turn to meet Marissa's line of vision.

"Sorry" said Marissa in a rather sleepy and shy way. Just before burying her head up to the eyes in soft blanket.

Alex walked over and tousled Marissa's hair, she smiled and sunk completely under the blankets. She heard Alex set her cup down in the kitchen and re enter the room. She heard nothing else.

There was a sudden disruption of the blankets, Marissa moved around trying to free her head from the confines of her soft red prison, she soon figured out Alex was holding the blanket down on her head, and let out a small smile. Alex tunnelled under the blanket and faced Marissa, there was just enough light so they could make out each other's features.

"What are you doing?" questioned Marissa.

"What are you doing, a simple "thanks Alex, for letting me stay and abuse your house""

"Thanks…but, what abuse?" she said with a wry smile.

"That" indicated Alex to a drool patch on the arm of the couch. Marissa looked away from her, in an embarrassed way. Alex got her index finger and traced it across Marissa's cheek. Gentle, but with enough force to make her turn and face her. There was a prominent "nose graze".

"You never have to be embarrassed around me". Marissa inhaled with a small gasp and trembled a tiny bit. Their faces were so close. Alex paused and withdrew her head out of the blanket, and miles away from Marissa.

A "moment" had definitely exchanged, and Marissa was thankful.

Using her judgement less than wisely, she took Alex's reluctant behaviour as a sign to leave. Standing up and smoothing out the wrinkles from her clothes, she picked her purse of the table and started for the door.

"I'll see you later" she said, turning back to face Alex who was stood leaning on the back of the couch, staring at her feet from a curtain of blonde hair. Who quickly snapped her head up.

"Wait!" exclaimed Alex. Marissa was still facing the door, and smiled. She turned again, and walked to the couch. She stood on the other side of it, the couch becoming a makeshift barrier between the two. They stared at each other intently. Both not saying anything. Conversation sometimes seems irrelevant between them. Marissa landed on the couch and reached for the blanket that made her feel so safe.

Alex landed next to her, and grabbed her share of the blanket too.

"What do you want to do today then?" chirped Marissa, ignoring the "almost-exit" that just took place.

"Have you given up on school completely?" she smiled. Alex wriggled her hand around under the blanket to meet Marissa's, she toyed with it first dragging a finger along it then smiling. Marissa accepted and gently squeezed her hand in return.

"Not completely" she said "it's just an unnecessary distraction lately, I'd much rather be doing something else" she said with a glint in her eyes.

"How about we go to the beach? It'll be pretty deserted at this time, what with everyone being in school and all"

"It seems a little foggy…but ok." She paused and looked down at herself. "Hate to ask again, but can I borrow another shirt?" Alex had already cut her off. With a simple "yes". And a small laugh. It was routine that Marissa would steal a new shirt every time she stayed over.

"There's a black one in the third drawer"

"Can't I borrow your blue one?"

"No"

"Why?" she said looking mock outraged.

"I'm wearing it today, and besides you look so much hotter in dark colors"

at first Marissa didn't know how to take the statement. But she blushed accordingly and continued.

"It's ok, you look so Good in blue" trying to counter balance the compliment, in a way that only seemed logical within the minds of the two. "Well I'll just go shower then, is that ok?"

"Sure. I need to clean up anyway" Marissa stood up and without further words went straight to the bathroom. Alex picked herself up, folded the blanket and hung it on the back of the couch, then headed for the kitchen sink. She turned on the faucet and watched the water fall down in a violent stream of icy cold and noise.

Alex began to think about Marissa. Just feet away in the next room, probably naked by now. Yet these weren't feelings of lust, she found other things much more sensical. Although she wouldn't object to reaching that point with her, there was so much more to her than just a pretty face. She began to ponder what exactly it was about Marissa she liked so much; there hadn't even been a proper kiss. Or any kind of confirmation, Alex's mind panicked slightly that things were moving so slowly, but just like a nice care ride, you take the scenic route so you can enjoy it for longer. Alex's mind always had a away of rationalising any doubts within a few seconds of the original panic; this was probably why she appeared so composed.

"Alex!" yelled Marissa. "What the hell?" She gestured to the over flowing sink and smashed coffee cup. Cold water had spread all over the kitchen floor, soaking Alex's feet through her socks. She still appeared distant, and looked around confused. Marissa ran over in her towel and turned the faucet off, she appeared unperturbed by the icy cold water lapping at her toes. She took Alex's still hand, and turned to face her.

"What was that about?"

"I don't know" she said after a pause, she was looking more aware now, but still looking away from Marissa.

"Are you ok?" she said looking a little more concerned than needed. Alex merely nodded. Marissa let out a small "hmm" and reached out to hug her. She accepted reluctantly, and stared still. She was shocked she let her feelings for someone distract her. Normally that would never happen so she was taken aback to say the least. Occasionally she did have moments like that; where her thoughts would just arrest her within her own mind, and it would take a lot to shake her out, but never over anybody else before.

She quickly came to the fact Marissa was resting with her head on her chest. She inhaled deeply and was relatively back to normal, when she realised she was cradling a half naked Marissa she had to stop herself.

"I should clean this up"

"Ok…I'll just go dry off"

Alex fell slowly to her knees to attempt to clean up the mess. Instead she just fell back into thought, the water slowly soaking her as she just collapsed slowly to the ground.

She had always had a habit of wanting what she couldn't have and she knew chances with Marissa seemed slim. She started to doubt everything, whether she could even trust her, whether she should tell her how she felt. Everything suddenly seemed to be posing a problem, choking back a small bout of tears; she laid and imagines a time when she might be happy.

Marissa came in again; she stood and looked down at a momentarily emotional Alex. She kneeled down in the water next to her, which was now rapidly drying. And held her hand in hers. She knew this was a time when questions shouldn't be asked, and words shouldn't be said. She took Alex into her chest in a tight hug, and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm sorry Marissa," she said

"Why?"

"I don't know" she giggled and returned the kiss on her cheek.

"I think you're special"