Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Thanks for the reviews!
Alex woke only to find that she was still alone. The only thing worse than going to bed alone was waking up alone. She looked around the room. The articles of clothing lying around let her know that Marissa had come home at some point. Still, she had to make sure. She got out of bed and grabbed her phone off the nightstand. She dialed Marissa's number while she was picking up the clothes. She got her voice mail. "Hey, it's me. Just calling to say hi and to see how you were. I'm assuming you're at school. Let me know. Alright, hope to see you soon. Love you."
She threw the clothes in the hamper. She made her way to the kitchen. While rummaging through the fridge, she got a text message. Yes, I'm at school. Happy now? Alex breathed out a sigh. Despite all the changes, Marissa still went to school as promised. Still, there was a part of Alex that worried that it wouldn't be long before that changed too. She couldn't have that. She wasn't sure what she'd do if that happened. She pushed the thought aside, grateful that day has yet to arrive. Frustrated that she couldn't find anything appealing to eat, Alex gave up. She checked the time. It was a little after noon. She had about an hour before she had to go check on things at work. She decided to grab something at the pier.
When she got there, Alex took a moment to look at the water. She loved the water. She tried to remember the last time she went surfing. A wave of sadness washed over her when she realized she couldn't remember when that was. She made a mental note to do it again sometime soon. The Bait Shop was pretty much her life now. She worked there every chance she could. It kept her busy. It kept her mind off her relationship with Marissa. She had even joked once that it was good thing that her girlfriend didn't seem to want to spend time with her since she lacked the time to do so. But she would make time. All Marissa had to do was say the word. Alex could feel the tears starting to form, but she refused to shed them. She took a deep breath, glanced once more at the water, and continued her search for food.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was Friday night, and the club was packed. Alex liked nights like these. It kept her mind ocuppied. She was busy fixing up a drink when she heard her name.
"Hey, Alex."
She looked up to see who it was. She wasn't too surprised when she realized who it was. "Ryan."
"How's it going?" the boy asked.
"Same ol', same ol'," replied the blonde. "Where's Taylor?" Ryan had been dating Taylor Townshed for almost a year now. She had actually introduced the two. She came to the Bait Shop one day while it was still closed. She had meant no harm. She just wanted to check the place out. Alex told her to come back later that night to see it at its best. Taylor did. She hung out at the bar for the most part. Her family had just moved here so Alex was pretty much the only person she knew. When Marissa came by that night, along with Summer and the gang, she introduced Taylor to them. They seemed to hit it off pretty well. It was later found out that Taylor would also be attending Harbor High. Alex took a moment to recall her conversation with Taylor that next day.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, did you forget we're closed during the day? Are you sure you're Harbor material?" joked the blonde.
"Ha ha," replied Taylor. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you….well, ask you something."
Alex noticed the girl's shyness. "What's on your mind?"
"Well….it's about that guy-Ryan."
"What about him?"
"Is he seeing anyone? Just curious, you know?"
Alex entertained the idea of having some fun at Taylor's expense, but the girl was nervous enough as it was. "Nope. He's single. Very single."
"Really? I just thought that he and….Marissa were together. They seemed cozy."
Alex's smile dropped. Even to a stranger, it seemed obvious that Ryan and Marissa would be good together. She'd always be in his shadow. "Uh….no, they're not. I mean, they used to date. She's actually with me now."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know-"
"It's okay. Does it bother you?"
"That you're gay? Not really."
"I'm actually bi, but yeah."
"I'm sorry about my comment earlier. I didn't realize you and Marissa-"
"It's okay," interrupted Alex. "You didn't k now, and they do complement each other well."
"Yeah," was all Taylor could think of to say. An awkward silence fell between them. After about a minute or so, Taylor began to speak again. "So….do you think I have a chance? With Ryan?"
"I don't see why not," Alex answered.
"Think you could put in a good word for me?"
"The thing is….we don't really talk all that much. You know, given Marissa…."
"Right."
The bartender saw the look of defeat play across the brunette's face. It wasn't something she liked seeing. "But if the opportunity presents itself, I will."
"Really?" This instantly brought a smile upon Taylor's face.
"Really."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking back, Alex should've taken Taylor's assessment of Marissa and Ryan as a sign. It wasn't too long after that day that their relationship started to crumble. Another sign to add to the list. Great"
"Alex?"
She snapped out of her thoughts. She'd forgotten that she was partaking in an actual conversation. "Sorry. My mind seems to wander a lot these days. So where's Taylor again?"
"She should be here in a bit," replied the boy. "She's been stressed lately-with graduation on the horizon and all. College seems to be on her mind 24/7. She hasn't heard back from Berkley yet, and she's beyond freaked."
Alex nodded sympathetically. Alex pretty much fought tooth and nail to get Marissa to apply for college. There were many times that they fought over it. Fortunately, Alex was able to convince Marissa to apply.
------------------------------------------------------------
"I just don't see the point," claimed the brunette. "I mean, it's not like I'll have to work for a living."
"Marissa," sighed Alex.
"What? It's true. I don't."
"I know that sweetie, but this way you'll have options. I mean, I thought you wanted to do something fashion-related. What happened to that?"
"I changed my mind," Marissa answered simply.
"Well, what if you change your mind again? This way you'll at least have the option to pursue it."
"Have you forgotten? My mother's Julie Cooper."
"Wouldn't you rather do it on your own? I mean, at least apply. I'm not saying you have to go, but there's nothing wrong with just applying. Worst case scenario-you don't want to end up like me do you? A girl with no education to fall back on and pretty much nowhere to go."
Marissa fell silent. She had to admit, it hurt a little to not hear Marissa come to her defense. Yes, that was exactly what Alex was, but knowing that her girlfriend saw her that way didn't exactly produce any butterflies. "Just apply, Marissa. That's all I ask."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Alex!!!!"
"Huh? What?" Alex looked at Ryan. She have him an apologetic smile. "Sorry….again"
"No big, but….." Ryan gestured with his head, "you have some customers that might not be as forgiving as me."
Alex looked down the bar. "Right. Be back in a bit."