This is a little shorter. I have a vague idea on what is going to happen it's just actually being bothered to write it. I hate being so lazy. And, yet, I dont.


Chapter 3: My Baby Shot Me Down.

"You proposed to her?" Ryan didn't know what else to say before he heard his brother laugh nervously. He obviously was hoping for his brother's support. "Dude, that's amazing. I always figured it would be you first."

"You're not mad? You don't think were too young or anything? Are you really okay with it?" Seth had obviously built up a lot of courage for this phone call and Ryan couldn't help but let his mind wander to how he had coped building up courage to propose.

"No, it's great." He actually meant that.

"Good. Because I need my best man to approve of it." He didn't want to be melodramatic or anything but Ryan couldn't help the smile that danced on his handsome face.

"I'd be your best man anyway." They both paused for a moment, not wanting to get too emotional. Men didn't do that. "So, when are you back? We should have a party."

"Early tomorrow. I hope anyway, Summer has been calling everybody she knows. It wouldn't surprise me if she's on the phone to your girl now." He heard Ryan sigh and narrowed his eyes, moving to the window in hope Summer couldn't hear the conversation. "You and Marissa are still okay, yeah?"

"I don't know. She's still distant, like, when I want to be close to her she pulls away. I don't know what to do, I'm there for her but she pushes me away." He licked his lips and looked out of the window. "But, it'll be okay. It's probably a phase you know Marissa. I have to go to work. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"It still amazes me you have your own business you know." Seth laughed into the sentence but his mind still worried about his brother. Everybody could see that Marissa was obviously pulling away from him, and he and Summer had talked about getting involved but choose not to. It wasn't their fight. "As small as the business is."

"It will be big someday." Ryan promised. He focused a lot of energy onto his business in architecture and had worked hard to get here. He was making money and that was what counted. "I'll see you tomorrow." After listening to a goodbye he hung up the phone, his eyes catching a small framed picture of himself and Marissa. Leaning back slightly, he sighed.

-

"It can't be pink and it can't have bows on it." Marissa stated down her phone as she sat on her front steps waiting for Alex to turn up. It seemed too casual to be comfortable but Marissa had woken up an hour early that morning and actually, for the first time in months, sang in the shower. Her mother had seemed impressed at her daughters change in mood and the two had a half-normal conversation about the new season fashion line in the magazine. Then she had left Marissa to go and do something else to satisfy her craving for attention.

"Don't be gross." Summer picked at her nails. "You can choose your own dress."

"I can't believe he proposed." Marissa figured she was probably more excited than her friend. She never became too excited about anything before, granted the alcohol slowed her actions. "Was it romantic and sweet? Or just plain Seth-like?" There was a pause.

"A mixture really." They both laughed. "It was on a beach and it was calm so he laid out a few candles and flowers, because our apartment was on the beach literally, but it was more romantic than cheesy. Then he stumbled on his words and when I said yes he almost fell over. I'm too happy to complain though."

"I can't wait until you get back. We'll have to do so much shopping."

"Will Ryan let you have the time off?" Marissa rolled her eyes at her friend's lame joke. Ryan had employed her as his 'Personal Assistant' at the business and Summer had teased her for about a month saying she should get a job away from the love of her life. Truth be told, Marissa was just happy to settle.

"Oh it's good for you Miss. Campaign Winner, or whatever." For Summer ever since she had gotten her job in saving the world she had gotten the largest amount of signatures possible and life was going very smooth. Marissa figured it was her looks. Seth had just stuck to his talent and was writing his comic book series. "And, yeah, he will let me have time off."

"Good." Marissa listened to her friend ramble on for a little while. "And, the bridesmaid always has to sleep with the best man so you're sorted there." Marissa pursed her lips.

"Yeah. Should be a really good night." She did try and put some effort into that sentence. Honestly. But she was distracted by the sound of a car approaching. "Sum, I have to go. My friend is here."

"Alex?"

"How did you know?" Crap, she probably didn't.

"A wild guess. I'll phone you when we get back tomorrow." Marissa issued a goodbye and stood up as she put her phone into her pocket watching as the blue Jeep approached her. She liked the red one better; they shared a lot of times in that. Marissa let out a tight smile and climbed into the car, taking position next to Alex.

-

They drove around quietly for the first ten minutes, listening to the quiet voice of some unknown singer on the radio. Marissa watched as Alex lent into her hand on her door as she drove and resisted the urge to move a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.

"Do you ever change that purple streak?" Marissa winced. That was a pathetic excuse for a conversation starter she had ever uttered. She noticed the small smile on Alex's mouth though and dared to continue it. "Not that I don't like it."

"I've changed it a few times. Blue, black, red and I had it a dark pink once but I guess I just like purple." She glanced at Marissa before focusing on the road. "Do you ever change the depth of your tan?" Marissa gasped sarcastically at the teasing statement.

"This is natural thank you." She huffed folding her arms. They stayed quiet for a few moments longer before Alex pulled into a deserted car park. Marissa glanced around; this was the one she was on the other day. "So, instead of being aimless. Where do you want to go?" She watched Marissa shrug and held back an amused smile. She wouldn't make a very good decision maker.

"We can stay here." She said softly, turning so she could get a better look out of the window. A few more minutes passed and both girls felt themselves becoming uncomfortable, it was usually more relaxed than this. It used to be easy. She felt the car stop fully as Alex pulled the keys out.

"So." She heard Alex's voice, obviously trying to gain some sort of momentum in their fragile relationship. "What's new around Newport?"

"Seth and Summer got engaged." She said automatically. "And they are both in pretty good jobs. We've all grown up a bit." Alex nodded and unbuckled her seatbelt so she could get comfortable. She swiveled in her seat and put her feet up, just next to the steering wheel.

"All?"

"Yeah, me, Summer, Seth and Ryan. We're all working and, oh, my step-dad received some more money so my mom is happier than ever."

"Working? My, my, how things change for the privileged." Marissa caught the tone in her voice. Alex never liked the idea of things being given to somebody on a plate just because they happened to be born into the proper family; she respected people more when they worked for their fortune. Alex felt the tension and moved on. "So, Seth and Summer? That's good."

"Yeah. I'm her head bridesmaid apparently. Ryan is Seth's best man. It'll be a good excuse for a party in any case." She moved some hair out of her face and looked at Alex, straight into her eyes before redirecting her look to her whole face. The sun highlighted her features and Marissa hated it.

"So you still enjoy those parties around here?" Alex didn't want to get onto the conversation of Ryan though his name had been mentioned twice and it was proving increasingly difficult to hide that small tinge of jealousy. She just hoped Marissa didn't notice.

"Without the alcohol though." Alex seemed shocked. "I went through some stuff and I realised I needed to sort my life out before I ruined it." She fiddled with her fingers; she didn't want to remember the past.

"You want to tell me?" Alex tilted her head. The conversation had taken the deep route. "Trust me, I have enough chips and soda in the back to keep us going and if we need to we can go back to mine and Jodie's." Her eyes lit up when she saw Marissa tense. She didn't want to be happy but she was.

"I'll tell you when you tell me about your past." Marissa sent her a look and Alex looked away. She hated her past and she hated that Jodie even knew.

"I don't think you would like it." She admitted. "It's complicated." Marissa felt guilty and her heart heaved when she thought she saw tears prick the other girl's eyes. It was that moment Marissa realised she was falling again.

"We can be complicated together, you know, mine isn't that great either." She needed to be there for her friend.

"Then I'd rather we went to my place." She didn't. She just wanted to be alone with Marissa out of the breeze. "It's easier to talk about it when I have a hot drink. If that's okay with you?"

"Perfect." Marissa's eyes danced. "What about Jodie? Won't she mind?" Here we go, Marissa thought, bring up the other woman. She smiled at the sentence, it sounded strange.

"No. She'll be busy doing other things." Or women. "She won't come home until tomorrow knowing her." She bit her lip and realised she should be more worried about Jodie but her heart was set on Marissa, like it had been for the past two years.

"Are you two, like, dating or something?" The question came right out and Marissa's eyes widened in shock. She almost slapped her hand over her mouth. Alex contemplated what Jodie had told her the night before and set her eyes on the brunette.

"Are you still with Ryan?" She watched the girl nod slowly and before she could stop them the words were out. "Then I'm with Jodie."


I know the title is very random but it was the song I had to at the time as I finished this off.