Summer was getting ready to go and get Marissa when she heard phone ring. "Hello?" she said into the phone as she applied mascara. "Hey, Sum, it's Sadie. Ryan's about to leave and I'm totally bored tonight. Wanna go shopping?" Sadie said knowing Summer wouldn't turn up the chance to go shopping. Or so she thought. "I would, but I'm busy with Marissa. Damn, I'm late, see you tomorrow," Summer quickly hung up the phone. Sadie scowled. Marissa had only just started school today, and already, was stealing her best friend.
"Oh my God, I'm sorry I'm late!" Summer said as she barged into the Cohen's home. Marissa who was sitting in the kitchen gave a puzzled look. "Sum, my class doesn't start for another hour," Marissa explained. "Oh, well, that gives us an hour to hang out," Summer smiled. Marissa smiled in return. "Well, what do you want to do?" she asked. "Let's find Seth and you can witness me kicking his ass in video games," Marissa let out a laugh. "Sure. Oh and speak of the devil. Hi Seth," Marissa greeted as Seth walked into the kitchen with Ryan behind him. "Hey, Marissa. And hello my beautiful Summer," Seth gave Summer a kiss. "Hey, Cohen, Atwood," Summer said to the two boys. "Atwood?" Marissa questioned. "Oh, Ryan's adopted. His last names Atwood," Marissa nodded in understanding. "Yeah. Summer has a thing for calling people by their last name. Except Sadie," Seth informed. "You're totally right, Cohen. Marissa, what's you're last name?" Summer asked. "Cooper," Marissa replied simply. Summer thought for a second. "Coop. That will be your new nickname," she announced proudly. Marissa smiled. "Anywyas, to the living room!" Seth said! Summer and Marissa laughed and followed the boys into the living room.
Summer and Seth were sitting on the floor, really into the game. Ryan and Marissa were on the couch, extremly quiet. "So, when did the Cohen's adopt you?" Marissa suddeny asked. Ryan, releived that she broke the awkward silence, repleid, "I stole a car when I was sixteen, Sandy got me out of jeuvie and they adopted me," "Oh," Marissa said. "Well, not that I don't want you here, but why are you?" Ryan asked. "Well, I got into professional dance classes, here in Newport, so you're parents offered to let me stay here," Marissa explained. Ryan was intrigued. "Wow, that's really cool," he said. Marissa smiled as thanks. She looiked at the clock. "OH my God, Sum, we have to go!" Marissa said. Summer immdiatly dropped the controller. "Bye guys!" they said and Summer and Marissa ran out of the Cohen house, leaving a very confused Seth and Ryan.
"Ryan, man, we are in
serious need of some Seth/Ryan time!" Seth said, sitting next to
his brother. Ryan nodded, knowing he wasn't going to get out of this.
"So you and Saide are good?" Seth asked. Ryan nodded. "Yeah
thigs are going well," he said kind of distracted. "Well,
Marissa is really pretty," Seth said, because he noticed the way
his brother looked at her. Marissa's name brought
Ryan back from
his thoughts. "Yeah, she is," he said. "Well, Her and
Summer are getting pretty close. I mean Summer gave her a nick name.
Sadie doesn't even have one," Seth said. Ryan nodded. Marissa
was something else. And he wasn't going to deny it, he was starting
to get feelings for her.
Summer's face was in awe as she watched Marissa dance. The class was just about over, and Marissa had danced hip hop, latin, conteporary and jazz all perfectly. Her teacher's face was almost as shocked as Summer's. "Well, guys that was awsome. See you next weekend for the first competition," the instructor said. "Oh my GOD that was amazing!" Summer said as her friend approached her. "Thanks, but it wasn't my best," MArissa admitted. "Well, honey. if you can do better, I'm totally coming to your competition next weekend! And I'll bring Seth. And I expect to see your best. Although it's hard to beleive you can do any better than that," Summer said. Marissa just smiled. Maybe Newport was a lot better than she thought.
The next day at lunch, Summer and Marissa joined Seth and Ryan at their table. "Hey, girls," Seth said. "Hi," Summer replied. Marissa and Ryan smiled at each other. This did not go unnoticed, by Summer. "Cohen I forgot my ice cream! Come with me and get it," Summer pleaded. Seth nodded and followed Summer. Ryan and Marissa were left alone. "So, where di you guys go yesterday? I didn't see you come back," Ryan asked. "Oh I went to my first dance class," Marissa said. "Oh. How did it go?" Ryan asked. "Good, I guess. Summer was completly blown away though," Marissa stated. Ryan smiled. "Well, I'd love to see you dance," he said. Marissa's face lit up. "I'd like that. I have my first competition on Saturday," she said. He smiled again. Everytime he did, it completely made her melt. 'stop it Marissa! he has a girlfriend!' she thought to herself. They sat for a few minutes just looking into eachother's eyes, neither finding the strength to look away.
Suddenly, Sadie interupted. "Hi, baby," she said suductivly, completly ignoring Marissa, as she sat next to Ryan and kissed him. "Hey," he replied. He then noticed Marissa's uncomfortable expression. "So Sadie, this weekend, I thought it'd be cool if we went to Marissa's dance competition. You know for support," Ryan said to his girlfriend. Sadie felt like punching Marissa in the face. 'What is so great about her? First she steals my best friend and now my boyfriend wants to see her more?' she thought angrily. But she pushed her anger aside and gave a fake smile. "Oh that sounds great," she said. Marissa noticed that Sadie was staring daggers at her. " Well, I'm gonna be late," Marissa got up flashed a smile, that didn't exactly hide her uncomfort, and left. Ryan watched her leave, knowing exactly what made her go, and it wasn't the time.
"Did you see that Cohen?" Summer asked as they headed back to the table. "See they way Coop and Ryan were eyeing each other? Yes, I noticed," Seth said. "First off, don't call her Coop, and second there are some definite sparks. I can sense it. Do you think Ryan would ever dump Sadie for Marissa?" Summer said. Seth thought about it. "I don't know. I mean, he really likes Sadie doesn't he?," he said. Seth then stuck his hand out. "Summer, my precious, would you join me in playing match maker?" he said. Summer playfully slapped him. "I don't know. I mean, I love Marissa, but like, Sadie's my best friend," she said. "Well, looks like I'm on my own," Seth said and walked back to Ryan and Sadie before Summer could argue with him.
"So are you guys going to Marissa's dance competition?" Seth asked. "Yeah. You guys have to come. She's amazing!" Summer added. Sadie put on another fake smile. "She's that good? Well, I'm excited to see her perform," Sadie said. Ryan noticed that Sadie's tone was full of sarcasm. "Sadie. It's not a secret. We know you don't want to go. If you're going to be like this, I suggest you just stay home," Ryan said as he got up and left. Sadie rolled her eyes. "Is that true? Why don't you want to see her? She's really good. You'll be very entertained, I promise," Summer said. "What's the big deal with this girl? Why do you guys always want to be near her. She may look like she's something special, but she's not!" Sadie yelled. People turned their heads to look, but she just ignored them. Summer then stood up. "What's your deal? We want to be around her because, she's funny, and interesting and she's the first girl in Newport I've met that's not totally plastic! And who the hell do you think you are to judge her? You don't even know her? Maybe if you would stop being so jealous of her, you'd know why we like her so much!" Summer yelled back. Sadie simply stared at her, shocked. Summer had never yelled at her before. Summer then grabbed Seth and left without a word.
Ryan was looking for Marissa in a hidden part of the parking lot, but when he found her, he didn't like what he saw. Volchok was cornering her, and Marissa was staring at him terrified. "Volchok," Ryan said as he approached them. Ryan noticed the look of relief that came over Marissa's face. "What do you want, lil bitch?" Volchok spat as Ryan got closer. "Back off her, man," Ryan said, which simply made Volchok take a step closer to Marissa. "Now if you'll get the hell away from us, we have some unfinished buisness to tend to," Volchok smiled slyly and started to move his hand up Marissa's skirt, while the other held her down. Marissa stood there, unable to do anything but squirm, until Ryan pulled Volchok off of her and punched him in the face. While Volchok was on the ground, Ryan grabbed Marissa's hand and ran. They stopped in front of the school. "Are you OK?" he asked, scanning her to make sure Volchok hadn't done anything to her before he got there. Marissa started to cry. Ryan simply pulled her into his arms and let her sob onto his shoulder. Suddenly, she said, "It's him,"