CHAPTER SIX: grace kelly
Marissa stood in front of her mirror, holding her hair up, then letting it fall down. She and Alex were going to the ball and she wanted to look gorgeous. The thing was, Alex had always thought Marissa was gorgeous, no matter what she wore, so all this getting ready was pointless. Marissa could have gone in jeans and a paint-stained shirt and Alex still would have flashed her that loving smile. So Marissa was absolutely clueless as to what to wear.
She had finally decided on a long light green dress that matched her eyes perfectly. Marissa glanced over at the clock. 7:07. Less than an hour. Damn, she was obsessing. She had tried to work after Alex had gone, but she couldn't seem concentrate at all. Finally, she had just gotten her stuff and left, one of the perks of being a manager. Marissa slipped off the dress and pulled on a tank and pajama pants. She fell back on her bed and closed her eyes. God, she was obsessing. Her eyes flicked open when the phone suddenly rang. Alex?
Alex rifled through her suitcases, trying to find something to wear to the 'Mack Ball', whatever the hell that was. She gave up, sighing and sat back on her heels. She glanced up at Alyssa who was looking down at her, amused.
"Having some trouble?" Alyssa asked. Alex offered a frustrated smile.
"I have nothing." She said. "What is this ball thing anyway?" Alyssa raised her eyebrows.
"Old rich people dancing and getting drunk." Alyssa informed her. Alex sighed.
"I'm going to have a blast." She said sarcastically. She went back to her suitcases. Alyssa watched her, an amused look on her face.
"You really missed her." The facts dawning on Alyssa.
"Who?" Alex asked, playing dumb. Alyssa raised her eyebrows.
"You know exactly who." She said, sitting on the bed. "And your freaking out because you have to see her again." Alyssa looked at the clothes scattered around the room, Alex sitting in the middle of them. "Oh my god, your in love with her." Alyssa said grinning. Alex shook her head, denying it.
"No, it's not like that. I don't- that doesn't even- what are you-" She stumbled through her words, not meeting Alyssa's eyes for more than a second, which only caused Alyssa's grin to widen.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Alyssa asked. "Get ready, go get your girl." Alex sighed.
"Hello?" Marissa asked, picking up the phone, hoping it was Alex.
"Hey babe." Ryan said. "Are you feeling okay?" Marissa sighed at the sound of his voice.
"I'm fine, why?" She asked, picking at the bedspread.
"You left work early." Ryan said. "Do you want to cancel that date with Alex?"
"No." Marissa said quickly, then calmed herself. "I was just a little tired." She explained. Marissa could almost see Ryan nod.
"Alright, love you hon." He said.
"Love you too." Marissa answered automatically. She hung up.
Alex sat surrounded by clothes. Alyssa had left a few minutes ago, with Alex just as screwed. She glanced toward the phone, considering calling Marissa and asking her what to do. Marissa was always good at this fancy clothes shit. Finally, Alex stopped thinking about it and just did it. It rang twice before Marissa picked up.
"I told you Ryan, I'm fine." Her voice was a bit stressed.
"Why wouldn't you be fine?" Alex asked, smiling. There was silence on the other line for a moment.
"You know exactly why Alex." Marissa said, her voice going all soft and thoughtful. Alex felt her heart break all over again.
"You still recognize my voice?" Alex asked randomly. I dream about your voice. Marissa wanted to say, but she didn't. God she was melodramatic these days.
"Yeah, you recognize mine." Marissa answered. Alex smiled because it was true.
"Do you still have that tattoo?" Alex asked, looking down at hers. Marissa sighed, not wanting to answer. She changed the subject instead.
"Why all the questions? What do you need?" Marissa asked, looking at the ugly scar on her finger.
"I need something to wear tonight." Alex got on subject.
"Ok." Marissa agreed, "I'll bring something by the hotel in a few minutes." She was mentally going through her closet to find something gorgeous for Alex to wear. But then, Alex looked gorgeous in anything.
"Thanks." Alex said and silence hung between them for a minute.
"Alright, bye." Marissa finally said.
"See you." Alex said and quickly hung up the phone.
