PART III

9:46 AM

Alex got out of the classroom, her thoughts still preoccupied by the letter and its mysterious sender. With a small smile, she hurried off towards the library, seeking some peace and quiet. She didn't want to bother her friends, Seth and Taylor about keeping her company. She wanted to deal with the uncertainty of her feelings towards the letter sender. Once she was in the library, she took out the letter and reread it again.

"And though the classes I spent with you were so much less than I could hope for..." Alex read softly.

"Hmm… Interesting…"

Alex was startled from a voice that came from behind her. She turned around to find a known personality. She let out a smile before greeting her friend.

"Kaitlin!"

10:00 AM

"Hey…" Ryan greeted Marissa as they met up in the quad.

Ryan Atwood was the star quarterback, only because Alex Kelly didn't play football. He falls fifth to Alex, Marissa, Seth and Taylor in student rankings. Popularity wise, Alex was the most popular person in campus. Enough said. There are some straight girls fancy him and some gay guys. Sadly for him though, the one he fancies likes someone else.

"Hey. What's up?" Marissa took a seat right across him, not wanting to be any closer.

"Thanks for coming."

"Yeah. So, what did you want to talk about?" Marissa asked obviously feeling uneasy with their conversation.

"I'm having a party tonight. Everyone is invited. I was hoping to invite you."

"I got the invitations already." Marissa furrowed her eyebrows, confused.

"I was hoping to invite you as my date."

"Ryan…" Marissa put a hand on her head.

They have been over this a number of times. Marissa didn't want to date Ryan. She wanted Alex. He can be stubborn sometimes. These sometimes were the moments Marissa would wish the boy had more sensitivity so she didn't have to say everything flat out.

"I promise you'll have a great time with me."

"Ryan, I can't."

"But…"

"We've been there Ryan. We just don't jive."

"But we can try again."

"I'm sorry Ryan, I just can't." Marissa let out a sad smile and left.

10:15 AM

"I heard you got a letter." Kaitlin whispered as she sat beside Alex.

"You too? Who slipped this time?"

"Johnny. He heard it from Trey who heard it from Oliver."

"I didn't tell Oliver anything." Alex replied scratching her head.

"Seth slipped." Kaitlin replied eyeing the letter.

Alex let out a soft sight of disappointment. She can never trust Seth or Taylor any secret. It's a proven fact now. Kaitlin giggled at her frustration though.

"What?" The older blonde rested her chin on the table, pouting.

"So worked up with letters…"

"It's not as easy as you think."

"Really? I find the secret admirer thing romantic."

"Kaitlin, I don't even know who's it from."

Kaitlin Cooper, junior, Marissa Cooper's sister, Alex Kelly's secret best friend. She has a good relationship with her sister and Alex. She's seeing Johnny who is also a senior now.

"Don't get so worked up about it. It's just a note. I'm sure you had your share of admirers." Kaitlin stood up messing up Alex's hair.

10:20 AM

"You're cute." Summer cooed caressing Jodie's cheek.

They were at the quad, cuddling under a tree.

"No. You are…" Jodie replied cheekily.

They were about to kiss when Marissa came out of nowhere.

"It has to be Kaitlin!" Marissa threw her hands up in frustration.

"Why would Kaitlin set you up with Ryan?" Summer asked.

"What? No. The letter Summ… She's the one who gave Alex the letter. They go out more than friends do. They always see each other in school…" Marissa started to ramble forcing Summer to stand up and calm her.

"Focus here Coop. Focus. Kaitlin is with Johnny so there's no way she's got the hots for your blonde. I told you to tell her."

"I can't. You know that." Marissa replied frowning.

"You could ask her out for tonight's party." Jodie suggested earning a confused look from Summer and Marissa.

"How's that going to help? I don't want her to know."

"Girls still go out with girls on parties. Group things you know. You can tell them we're going out with Kaitlin and the others. She won't notice. At least you're taking steps right?" Jodie shrugged her shoulders.

"Good idea. I think." Marissa tapped her chin thinking of the pros and cons but mainly where to find Alex Kelly.

10:30 AM

Kaitlin already left Alex alone in the library. Just when she thought she finally had peace to think about what she should do, Taylor and Seth walk up to her with wide grins on their faces.

"Hey. Heard you aren't going to the party." Taylor started to ask as she took the letter from Alex.

"I'm just not in the mood to party."

"Right. And Seth is superman." Taylor replied rolling her eyes.

"Hey!" Seth began to complain but Taylor spoke again.

"It was a joke. Duh?" She emphasized seemingly making it worse.

"Just shut it Taylor." Alex replied feeling her head throb.

"You should come, Alex. A party isn't a party without the president." Seth pleaded taking one of Alex's hands.

Alex thought for a while. She turned to look at Taylor and Seth who gave out the best puppy dog look they could.

"Alright. Alright. I'll go. I'll go see Kaitlin." Alex finally let out, standing up.

"Why would you go see the mini-Cooper?" Seth asked confused.

"I'm asking her out to the party dumb-dumb. See you later guys." Alex waved leaving the duo behind.

"That went well." Seth mumbled earning him a slap on the back of his head from Taylor.

10:45 AM

At the halls, Kaitlin and Marissa were talking about Alex's location.

"She was in the library. I doubt she'll still be there." Kaitlin shrugged her shoulders and watched Marissa frown in disappointment.

"You can try looking for her there." Kaitlin rubbed her sister's trying to soothe her tiredness.

"This isn't going to work out. I can't and I know I won't be able to ask her out even if it's a joke." Marissa let out a deep sigh.

"Well try to wear your sweetest smiles because here she comes."

"Hey Kaitlin. Hi Marissa." Alex spoke with a smile on her face.

"Hi Alex." The sister replied in unison.

"Right…" Alex smiled before continuing on.

"Kaitlin, can you go with me to Ryan's party tonight?" Alex asked turning to Kaitlin.

Kaitlin turned to Marissa who was about to hyperventilate. She knew she had to act fast.

"I'm going to the party with Johnny. Marissa's not going with anyone though. You could go with her." The young Cooper replied, smiling at her friend.

"How about it Marissa?" Alex turned to the other Cooper girl who appeared to be like a deer caught in headlights.

"Well how about it sis?" Kaitlin gave Marissa a light nudge bringing her back to her senses.

"Ah. Sure why not?" Marissa forced out a smile.

She actually felt she was going to faint in front of Alex Kelly.