As all the other stories say, I don't own any of the characters or anything to do with the o.c. show. This story begins after the episode of The Goodbye Girl.

After Theresa left her house, Marissa sat back down on the couch and just started at the t.v. not really paying attention to it. Ryan's past seemed to be in his past now for good. Theresa was probably going to marry Eddie and maybe Ryan would finally accept it. Or so she hoped he would. Seeing her with him made her cringe, but she had to remain strong. Hopefully the help she offered helped him see that she was not as fragile as she used to be. Maybe both learned a lesson.

Not knowing what to do next, she decided to call Summer over. She had some issues with Seth also so this can help both of them to have a shoulder to cry on. Summer arrived not long after that with an extra bag of clothes since she was going to stay overnight. They needed some girl bonding time more than ever.

They began their discussion over a carton of rocky road ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. The name of the ice cream was a great fit on how their relationships felt at that moment. Definitely rocky road.

"So Coop, she just left and that's it? No cat fight, or anything?"

"I didn't know what to say. She did all the talking, handed me the dress and left."

"Wow. You held your composure. I don't think I would have."

"Had no choice. I didn't even have the chance."

"So what's going to happen next? She is out of the picture now?"

"Who knows? I don't feel like talking about Ryan anymore. Tell me why you are upset with Seth?"

"See I'm not upset that he wants to see Anna off, or that he will miss her, but the fact that he might not want to be with me after she leaves."

"I'm not following for once. You need to explain better."

"That competition is not there. He will get bored. I think he liked being the one being chased."

"Summer he loves you. Don't worry about it. He realized that when he was with Anna."

"I guess you are right."

"Trust me Sum."

They went back to watching "The Valley" and that helped them forget their troubles. Meanwhile back at the Cohen house, Ryan and Seth were enjoying their bonding time just like when he first arrived. After coming back home from the pier, they enjoyed a couple of games of playstation. Since Seth for once did not want to talk about himself, he opened the floor with some questions he had for Ryan.

"So Ry, I don't want to pry, but what are you going to do now? I mean, like, Theresa looks like she is gone for good to Eddie and that might not be a bad thing."

"Well there is nothing I could do about Theresa, and don't ask about Marissa. All I see are questions."

"Just like the Joker in Batman." Seth joked trying to make the situation less intense.

"I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to go to bed. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

Ryan walked back to the pool house with the same thoughts as before...Theresa. But his thoughts were not about what one might think. He was thinking about Theresa because he felt guilty now that he slept with her. Sure the sex was good, but not how it used to be. Marissa popped into his head during the process and he just kept blocking her out. He had been doing well until now. She still looked good even in just a simple black dress. No, he was not going to think about her. She didn't trust him after all the things he went through for her. He had to keep telling himself that maybe they didn't belong together. Maybe the Oliver fiasco was all he needed to confirm his suspicions that they were from two different worlds. The only problem he had now was he felt like neither place fit him relationship wise. He now had to sleep with this on his mind.

Summer woke up late the next morning, but Marissa woke up early. She had a lot to think about. Most of the feelings involved were guilt. She felt like she made a deal with the devil. No one knew what she did except Eddie and he wasn't going to say anything so why should she.

"Coop, why are you already up? It's a Sunday. A day to sleep in."

"Um. I was hungry. So do you want breakfast?"

Summer's cell phone began to ring so Marissa went back into the kitchen while Summer picked up her phone.

"Hello."

"Hi Summer. I just wanted to say sorry. You know about yesterday."

"I know Cohen. She was a great friend, even to me."

"So do you want to come by? I missed you."

"Alright. I'll just let Marissa know."

"She should come by too. We could all hang out like the good old days."

"Sounds like a plan."

Marissa walked back into the room.

"What sounds like a plan?"

"You and me going over to the Cohen house."

"I'm not up for it. You can go."

"Come on Coop. I thought you were over this. She is not in the picture anymore. Time to get him back."

"I feel like staying home."

"Fine, but if you change your mind you know where I'll be."

Summer made her way to the Cohen house alone. She felt bad for Marissa, but it was up to her what she wanted to do.

"Hey Summer. So where's Marissa? I thought she would come along." Seth asked.

"She decided to stay home. Didn't feel like going out."

"Well then I guess we could go up to my room. You know hang out."

"I'm right behind you."

Ryan just caught a glimpse of Summer making her way upstairs. Never did he once think he would be jealous of Seth and his relationship. Now he was the one who had the free time and nothing to fill it up with. He then decided to head to the local hang out to just get out of the house.

When he arrived there he asked for the booth in the back. While he waited for his order, he thought about the first time he wanted to leave and go to Texas in this exact spot. It was also the time when Marissa and him were getting to know each other a bit more before Luke showed up. This time it wasn't Luke; it was Marissa. He spotted her as soon as she walked in. No one looked like her. She was something special. Hopefully she won't notice him. Too late. She began walking in his direction.

"Is this seat taken?"

"No. You could sit here. I already ordered so."

"It's okay. I was jut going to order some coffee."

Ryan tried hard not to look into her eyes. He knew he would see pain so he tried to avoid it. Her pain would then lead to him feeling pain and he didn't want that.

"So how is Seth doing after seeing Anna leave?"

"He accepted it. Now he is happy with Summer. He was able to close a chapter in his book of life."

"Kind of like you right?"

"Maybe. I don't know.

Ouch. That she did not expect. He liked putting her through pain she thought. Two can play this game.

"Well not if Eddie has anything to say about it. It was quite funny seeing you finally getting what you deserve for sticking your nose in where it didn't belong."

"You know I don't have to sit through this. I'm leaving!"

"You just don't like hearing the truth!"

"Neither do you. I told you the truth about Oliver and you didn't give a damn and now you can't handle the price you had to pay."

"That's right. I can't handle it. Cause I still love you even though it is obvious that you have already moved on. Maybe I should too."

"Good."

"Fine."

Marissa then stormed out of the place not looking back. She was done with Ryan. No more hoping for things to go back to normal. They never would be. Not after today.

See this is what happens when I open up, Ryan thought. Giving just a look avoids all this drama. He had already had enough. Now it might actually slow down.

The rest of the day Marissa cried in her room and didn't leave. She didn't want to see anyone, or hear anyone. Luckily her father got the hint and didn't bother her, and the fact that Summer didn't call her helped.

Ryan on the other hand started to become pissed when he arrived at the pool house. He let her get to him. Damn her. Why did she seep into my skin? This was not over Marissa, but Theresa. If he just had done nothing. Why did his feelings have to come back? If she never showed up then there was a great chance they would have gotten together. Now it was out of the question.