Alex's Thoughts

I cannot believe Marissa! She's going out with Jody! My best friend! And, I mean, I know I gave her the okay and all to go out with her, but seriously! I didn't think she would actually listen. I mean... Her and Marissa are such wusses... Usually.

But I guess I underestimated Marissa. I'm always underestimating her. I've got her mostly figured out, but then she'll just go and do something totally out of character. I told them no lovey dovey stuff in front of me... But then I walked in on them making out, and I felt a uncontrollable urge to beat the crap out of Jody. Odd, considering she's my best friend.

I mean, why did she have to pick Jody, my best friend? Am I trying to get with her best friend, Summer? Hell no. She could at least repay the favor.

Ugh... And now I've got those pictures of them kissing ingrained in my brain. Ewww. I don't want her to be making out with her... They were SO obvious about it too... In the doorway, for crying out loud!

Wait, why do I care? I mean, sure, it's weird... But what hasn't been weird about Marissa working with me? Everything's been all screwed up since I got this job. Everything.

I mean, it's weird and all, but why do I care? I guess I don't want Jody telling her my secrets... Y'know, the whole Alexandra thing... Nope, that's not it...

Wait... No! It can't be! I am not that kind of girl!

I can't... I don't... It's insane! I don't feel... anything. Especially not for Marissa.

Ugh. I cannot believe that I like Marissa. No, no, I don't like Marissa! I just want her... I'm attracted to her, that's all, nothing more! That's what happens when you're around them all the time. You start over thinking things and before you know it, you've started crushing on your employees...

No, I am not crushing on Marissa. I like her. Sorta. Kinda. Maybe.

I like my pain in the ass employee. I want Marissa. This is insane! I've officially lost my mind. I'll just try and avoid her... That'll be easy, and before you know it, the feelings will be completely gone! I'll just keep my mouth shut so I don't screw everything up.

You know what? I'm not that girl either. I do not suffer in silence. I do not suffer. If I want it, I get it. That's what kind of girl I am. I do not pine after girls from afar. I am not some noble type. I am Mrs. Cool. I mean, I upset Marissa much more than she upsets me.

Damnit, I bet this is exactly what she wanted.

Because I'll be damned if she isn't under my skin. Ugh. Now I know how it feels to be on the other side. Ugh. This sucks.

Yeah, I'm not that kind of girl... So I shouldn't even try. I don't want to be something I'm not. If I want something, I go after it. And I don't stop until I've gotten it. But if I do go after Marissa... What'll happen? I would have to be really subtle, because if she figures out what I'm doing, then I'll have no chance with her... Listen to me, talking about getting a chance with Marissa... Like I've become some monogamist.

Ugh... I feel like I'm Sebastien from Cruel Intentions. Minus the froo-froo name. Being attracted to my employee, though with an employee as hot as Sarah Michelle Gellar, who wouldn't be? Ugh, it makes me feel so wrong and sick and dirty. Stupid Marissa... Stupid me.

I've got to formulate a plan.

But first, I've got to break up her and Little Jody. It might hurt, but it's really for the better.

Why do I want Marissa so bad? Damn, living with her around is gonna kill me! How am I going to do this for so long before we're together?

I don't know, but I guess I'll have to find out...

Still, I can't believe I like Marissa... Of all people, I like the one I can't have, the one that would not give me the time of day, the one girl at work who simply cannot stand me...

Well, I've always liked a challenge.

And it just figures, doesn't it?

Things have been weird lately.

Marissa's Thoughts

Which is saying something, considering how crazy things normally are around here... I know what it is. It's because Alex walked in on me making out with Jody in the doorway. Her best friend. That's what you get when you're dating your boss's best friend. It's crazy, but lately, everything's been crazy.

Which is why I need to talk to Alex. You see, George is going away for a weekend... entirely alone this time. Sami's staying at her grandmother's house, and Lizzie and Tyler are going to go to the beach houses for the weekend. This time, she chose to inform me about the boss leaving. It's better this way. This way I don't freak out. Jody's going to be there helping out... Which is really why I'm okay with it. The big night's on Halloween, actually. It's going to be a costume party, sorta cheesy, I know, but Alex is in charge with me, so it's bound to be cool.

I mean, somehow they think Alex is hot and cool and all that... To this day, I still don't get how they think that. All I see when I look at her is a played-out overly-flirtatious slacker-idiot. And that's keeping it tame. Of course I'd probably never tell Alex that. I'm the bigger person here, remember?

We seriously need to talk. I cannot have this... weirdness up in the air between us. George has to buy that we're going to keep good care of the club when he leaves. So we have to maintain the status quo. I mean, Alex was avoiding me yesterday. She didn't even look at me. And then, when she actually had to, she was nice to me! I know, can you say weird?

I asked Tyler where she was (because I've been looking for Alex all night). He just shrugged and said something like: "I dunno... The bathroom?" Yeah, really helpful of him. So here I am, standing outside of the bathroom, not even knowing if Alex is even here. All I know is that she isn't in the den... Or her office... Or the kitchen. And honestly, what would that girl be doing in the laundry room or the basement, for that matter? She's not in the attic because I just went up there, or my office or Lizzie's (at least, I hope not... That would be creepy and weird) or Sami's...

I don't know though... She could be at a friend's house or something... She does that a lot, you know. Skip work and go to a friends house. Or she could have moved from somewhere else... Whatever. I'll just do this and then I'm giving up and putting it off until tomorrow.

Hesitantly, I reached out and slowly placed my hand on the doorknob. Why was I being so slow? It's not like Alex is in there. Rolling my eyes at the strange feeling that was telling me not to do this, I twisted the doorknob and flung the door open. I saw a flash of skin before Alex pulled the towel around her, looking somewhat surprised.

Crap. She was in here. Crap. Not that I saw anything... Not really, that is... I mean... Wait, okay, why am I even analyzing this? I didn't see anything. Alex has fast hand-eye coordination from all that hockey, which is a very good thing, because if she didn't, I would have seen my boss naked. Which would not have been good.

Wow, I can't believe it. Alex is actually smirking. I walk in on her and she's somehow still smirking... I don't think I'd be able to do the same. Yeah, I definitely wouldn't... "Like what you see, Marissa?" Alex drawled, leaning against the wall and giving me this look. Like she's trying to be James Dean or something...

Please tell me she did not just insinuate that I'm staring at her because I think she's "hot". I'm not Summer looking at beach guys surfing! Honestly... I can't believe the nerve she's got.

"Oh, please... We need to talk," I stated bluntly, rolling my eyes at her and crossing my arms over my chest. To my surprise, Alex actually nodded, pushing herself off the wall and walking towards me. Suddenly, I felt very uncomfortable here, all alone in the bathroom with my half-naked boss.

"You're right. We do need to talk," Alex replied smoothly as her gaze locked with mine. She paused. I couldn't bare her stare... Great, and now I'm rhyming. So, avoiding her gaze, I looked down at my feet. "I mean, you're breaking your own rule..."

My head shot up at her words as I frowned, confused. What did she mean? My own rule? "What do you mean, Alex?" I asked, bewildered. Alex gave me a look, rolling her eyes. As if I should already know what she was talking about.

"Jeez, Riss... You know, the whole knocking rule... The one you made a huge deal about at dinner the first week you were here? Looks like you're the one who needs to learn how to knock," Alex retorted, leaning in a little closer, as she always did when we argued. As she said this, I could feel myself blush.

Oh, that rule. Stupid, stupid Marissa. And hey, since when can she call me Riss? Like she knows me... Well, okay, so she works with me! So what? That doesn't mean we're close or intimate or anything! Most certainly not... intimate. I mean, ew, that's Alex we're talking about! "Oh, yeah, that rule... Um, sorry."

Alex shrugged, that stupid uncaring look on her face again. "It's nothing, Marissa. I mean, you didn't see anything, right?" Alex responded coolly. Once again, I avoiding her stare.

"Nope... Nothing," I muttered, though my cheeks still felt hot. Alex nodded, immediately relaxing a little and moving her hands to her hips. She let out a deep breath, looking at me expectantly.

"So, Marissa, what did you want to talk about?" She inquired, sounding bored. She wanted one of us out of that room, that much I could tell. I took a deep breath and met her eyes, trying not to fiddle with my hands. I had to get this all out now. Then everything would go so much smoother. Like the party...

"I don't exactly know how to put this, but... Things have been weird lately," I began slowly, biting my lip and pausing awkwardly. Alex said nothing but leaned over and shook out her hair, which was still very damp. Then she slowly moved back into her former position, her hips jutting forward a little.

She was still wet, I noticed. Alex stretched languidly, throwing her arms over her head and flexing and twisting her muscles. And suddenly, I realized that I was staring. Before I knew it, my eyes had swept all the way from her feet up to her chest. She had strong, defined muscles... Hockey sure does a bodygood. Beads of water trailed down her shoulders. And I was staring at her almost shirtless, practically naked body.

I mean, come on... This is Alex. A-L-E-X. The very same Alex who's made my life Hell. She gave me the nickname Monkeyballz. She's the reason why everyone still thinks I'm a suck-up. She made out with my cousin Cassandra, for crying out loud! Cassandra! She is a total barbarian... She thinks she owns the place. Drinking straight out of the carton, eating eggs straight out of the pan, and then spitting them back in... Ew. Pig.

It's Alex. I am not staring at Alex. I mean, I'm dating Jody, remember? Jody... Alex's best friend! Jody. Think Jody. You like Jody not... no, don't say it! No! If you say it, that means you're considering it... Which you're not... Because it's wrong and sick and she's your boss. B-O-S-S. And an ass. A complete, total ass... Speaking of which, her butt's not that... Okay, no, I'm not thinking about this! No... It's Alex, for crying out loud.

My period's coming up soon. That's it... I'm hormonal and I'm losing my mind because of the hormones. Now, I was saying something... What was it? Oh, yeah... About the party. "Especially... With you and me..." Well, no kidding, Marissa! You were just checking out Alex. Alex. Practically lusting over Alex. Alex. I mean, are you daft or something? Moving on! "And it's been that weirder ever since you sort of, um, walked in on Jody and me, uh, kissing..." I explained nervously and shakily.

Alex nodded, eyes narrowing in frustration (how was she only angry with me now?). She chose now to get short with me? "Yeah, so, what's your point? It's supposed to be a bit weird when you walk in on your employee making out with your best friend... Especially when I asked you two to not do that in front of me," Alex snarled angrily, perhaps a bit too furiously for the situation. After all, what did she have to be mad about with Jody and me? Is she trying to guilt me into not dating her? Am I supposed to feel bad that poor little Alex sees me kissing my girlfriend? I mean, the girl could (somehow) get any girl in LA... So it's not that she couldn't have one if she wanted... I mean, she made out with Cass, didn't she? And she's really picky.

"Look, Alex... I'm just doing this for the party... It is important that George trusts us, and if he doesn't... He won't let us stay here and run the club, they'll send that Higginbotham lady, which is something neither of us wants to happen, and you know it. You being weird is not helping matters any. So, Alex, whatever beef you've got with me... You better get over it or just forget about it because it's a long weekend and this is a small club. Okay?" I snapped bossily, fed up with all her crap. Great, now I was starting to sound like the idiot. Not that she's made me have a mental breakdown yet, but whatever...

Alex scowled at me with a bitter, enraged, almost murderous look in her eyes. I had never seen her so angry, and, trust me, I'd seen her angry. It sort of scared me... I guess she really must not like me telling her what to do. Whatever, she's gonna have to get over that. Did I just make things worse? However, as suddenly as it came, the glare vanished from her face.

She licked her lips, giving me a dismissive look, jerking her head upward suddenly in a rude nod. She is so unreadable! "Consider it forgotten," She hissed frostily, looking past me at the door, hinting. She wanted me to leave, but I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Oh, please, Alex! You didn't forget about it at all! You're only bottling up your anger," I countered, calling her on her insincerity. Alex rolled her eyes, stepping back from me a little. Not her usual style. Alex's all about getting in your face and invading your personal bubble. This means she's going to play it cool. Or should I say try to play it cool? I won't let her.

"Maybe you ought to be glad I'm not expressing my anger, Marissa. If I didn't, I might do something stupid like ki...kill you," Alex growled, brow furrowing in rage. She ran a hand through her hair quickly. I hadn't ever really seen her hair down like this. She won't kill me. Alex draws the line at yelling at me and making me run errands.

"Ooh, I'm so afraid of Little Alex..." I taunted, pantomiming being afraid of her. I laughed at my pantomiming, but Alex remained unamused. I merely rolled my eyes at her idiocracy once again. Alex frowned, and for a moment, it seemed as if Alex was fighting an internal war with herself. She looked conflicted, confused, but most of all, frustrated.

"Maybe you should be, Marissa," Alex said quietly. Her sudden mood swing, not to mention the way she said the words, managed to thoroughly freak me out. It seemed to freak her out too because as she came out of whatever mood she had been in, she was oddly quiet. "Fine, co-worker... You win. I'm over it. There. Happy now?" She groaned, almost as if in pain, finally surrendering. I didn't fail to notice the brief grimace that came over her face as she called me co-worker, or, for that matter, the slight wince that happened as she said it. I don't get it. She's called me co-worker before. After all, we are co-workers... By contract!

I can't believe she gave in! And so easily, too! Today must be my lucky day or something. Though maybe Alex should get a blood test or something. She seems a bit off today... Actually, come to think of it, she's been off all week. I smirked at her and answered her question. "Very."

"Hey, Riss? I realize that I'm hot, but you ought to leave before you see me naked again. Unless, of course, you want to... I'm totally cool with that. Or, you know, if you want to take off your clothes and make it a real party... I've got no qualms with that. In fact, I encourage it..." Alex drawled nonchalantly, leaning forward a little and sliding her hand across my shoulder. Ugh, sleaze!

Please tell me she wasn't just hitting on me... Please! I mean, it sure sounded like it... You know, I need to relax. I mean, it's Alex. She was just doing one of her funny jokes. Ha-ha. Boy, that was funny... Not.

And she called me Riss again! Argh. Alex raised an eyebrow, giving me an interested look. Her hand fell to the towel. "Seriously?" I didn't know what she was asking, but I bolted out of the door, slamming it behind me, before I could find out.

I pressed my ear against the door and heard Derek sigh in relief. Relief? "Finally," He mumbled right before turning on the shower once again. But when I came in there she was still wet! How can this be? Who takes two showers in a row?

Wouldn't a better question be: Who listens to their co-worker in the bathroom? Besides, I have work to do.

And daydreams to dream about, Jody... not Alex.

No, now I'm going to go in my room and listen to girly music and read. Hmm, I'm thinking Unsensored maybe... Great band, really.

Yep, they would help me get my mind off of Alex's troubles. Seriously, that girl needs mental help. Maybe by playing the role of concerned sister, I could help convince George... Hmm, now there's an idea!