Title: Fall Away

Disclaimer: I do not own OC characters.

Summary: AU. Marissa is back to school after having her surgery. A new student shows up. But is she really who she says she is?

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews everyone. I never thought reviews would make me all giddy :) Anyway, just a quick answer to some of your concerns: Sorry if some of you were confused, my story is AU (I actually didn't get S2 here. Sucks I know) so things are a li'l (okay, a lot) different. The surgery, Alex's hair and more will be explained in future chapters so please, stick around :)

Chapter 4

Marissa moved her seat closer to Alex. "Why are we the only ones paired?" she asked, looking around the room. Their teacher had to rush off due to a personal emergency and had given them individual schoolwork to finish.

"Did you just imply you don't like to be paired with me?" Alex asked as she flipped through the pages of the book they had to give a report on.

"NO!" That sounded way too eager. "No. I want to be paired with you… I mean, I've no problem. It's fine..." Marissa had no clue why she was saying so many words. She wasn't usually like this since her replies would often consist of a mere "yes" or a "no"; more often, a simple nod or a shake of the head will do.

Alex looked at Marissa who was clearly lost in her babbling thoughts. "It's probably because we're both late. And a simple 'no' would've worked for me." Smiling, she went back to browsing their book.

But Marissa's babbling continued; "… and you're nice. And I like you. Because you, uh, have a bike and…" Until Alex's words A simple no… registered in her head. "What?" She turned to look at Alex who then had a look of surprise in her eyes, but immediately shook it away. Me and my big babbling mouth. Me babbling? What the…

Alex tore her eyes away from the book and turned to Marissa. "Aztecs. Uh, them… what are we even going to learn from them?"

Marissa shrugged. Mentally saying praises and thanks that Alex didn't hear what she just said. "Nothing really," she added. Whew.

"So where is Summer and Seth?" Alex asked as they walked towards their table. She and Marissa had spent half of their day talking, often getting caught and warned by their teachers.

Marissa though was having too much fun she didn't really care if they were constantly being reprimanded. And Alex certainly seemed like she didn't mind either. She likes talking to Alex and getting to know her. She likes being around Alex; there's something in her that lured Marissa closer.

Do I… like her? Alex? I like Alex? I like Alex. As a friend of course. Right.

"Are you okay?" Alex was looking at Marissa. She had noticed that the taller girl seemed to have been a little preoccupied – nodding and then shaking her head silently - since they had gotten to the cafeteria.

"Yes. It's just… a headache." Marissa replied as she pretended to massage her temple. "Oh and Summ and Cohen, they're gone for the day. Official school trip. Something to do with the report they gave last week."

"Speaking of reports, I should get your mobile number." Alex said calmly as she took a bite of her fries.

"My number?" Marissa suddenly found herself anxious. My number? With the sudden mental confusion she's experiencing, she didn't even realize she started staring at the other girl.

"Well…" Alex looked up to see Marissa looking intently at her. "Uh, if that's okay with you… in case I get… lost… with the report." Alex's usual calmness seemed to have abruptly left her.

"Sure." Shaking her head slightly, she began to look for a piece of paper inside her bag. Suddenly, she felt Alex's hand grab her arm.

"No need. Save it here." Alex handed Marissa her mobile phone.

"Do you always do this?" Marissa asked as she typed in her number. It's a surprise she was able to use her fingers when it felt like she was still shaking from Alex's touch.

"Do what?"

"Give your phone when asking for a number. What if I ran off with your phone?" She asked sporting her "devilish smile."

"I'm pretty sure you're not like that." Alex smiled back. "Besides, I don't think you're much of a runner anyway."

Marissa raised her eyebrow and teasingly hit Alex's arm.

"Okay. I take it back." Alex raised both of her hands in the air, feigning surrender.

Marissa couldn't help but laugh. She can hardly remember when she had laughed so hard over something so silly. At this time though, with Alex, she can genuinely say she's enjoying herself.