Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry about the cliffhanger. I don't mean to tease. It just turns out that way sometimes. Not much here. It's their almost meeting in Seth's and Marissa's POV. There's a possibility of a malex encounter in the next chapter. Enjoy! :)
"Marissa," began Seth, "I admit this building is pretty aesthetically pleasing. The colors are just gorgeous, and I'm sure Ryan could tell you all kinds of fascinating things about it from an architect's point of view. However, I feel that it's in your best interest to tell you that I'm slightly claustrophobic, and if we sit in this car any longer, I might just go crazy and kill you. Yep. I just might."
Marissa gave Seth an apologetic look. The two arrived at Alex's work about an hour and a half ago, and they still have yet to get out of the car. "Sorry Seth. I'm just scared."
"Trust me," Seth said, "I gathered that from last night…and this morning."
Marissa gave him a sheepish smile. After they checked in last night, Marissa was starting to have a panic attack. She kept going through all the worse case scenarios. It took Seth a good while to calm her down. Seth woke up this morning to sounds of Marissa panicking again. It was a mini panic, but it still worried Seth. He kept reassuring her that everything would be fun, but deep down inside, he wasn't so sure. He hoped it would be. For Marissa's sake, he prayed it would be.
"Sorry about that too. I think everything's really started to sink in. It's been eight years, Seth. Eight years! So much has changed. What if she hates me? Not that I'd blame her. I mean, she's had all these years to reflect on how shitty I treated her. She probably doesn't even want to see me. I wouldn't want to see me! God, I'm so stupid. Of course she doesn't want to see me. This was a mistake." Marissa fumbled with her keys. "I'm so sorry I dragged you into this. Let's just go home and forget this ever happened."
Marissa was about to start her engine, but Seth's hand stopped her. "Hey, hey, hey. Wait a minute. Take a breath and calm down." Marissa did as she was told.
"Better?" Marissa nodded. "Good. Listen, yes it's been eight years. Yes, a lot has probably changed, but change isn't always bad. Hell, it was great for you…and I mean that in the nicest way. Okay, maybe she does hate you, but you need to at least try. You need to tell her why you acted the way you did. You owe her at least that much. She may hate you, but maybe there's a part of her that's still wondering that. Even worse, what if she's been blaming herself all these years? Do you really want Alex to go on living believing such a lie? Could you live with that?"
Marissa shook her head. "No."
"Great! Now, get your ass out of this car cause we're going to run out of air soon, and I'm too young and pretty to die."
Marissa laughed at her friend's dramatic words. Still, Seth was able to return her courage…again. "Okay, lets do it! However, let me open your door for you. Give you the royal treatment…sorta.
"That would be nice." Marissa chuckled and got out of her car. She made her way to Seth's door and opened it for him. She even curtsied as she held it open.
Seth got out and gave Marissa's action a curt nod. He took in a deep breath. "Thank god! Oh fresh air, I've missed you!" Seth took in another breath. "Marissa, doesn't the air-"
Seth's words were cut off as Marissa pushed him back into the car. Marissa went in right on top of him. "Marissa, what are you-"
Marissa covered Seth's mouth with her hand. "Shhh! There she is." Seth looked in the direction Marissa was looking at and said something. However, with her hand still on top of his mouth, Marissa didn't understand a word he said. "What?"
Seth removed her hand from his mouth. "I said, that that's not Alex. That's some brunette with another brunette."
Marissa adjusted herself atop of Seth so that she was more comfortable. "Yeah, Alex's a brunette now."
"And you didn't think to mention this?"
"What difference does it make?"
"Oh, I don't know. Hair color change is pretty vital information." Marissa just shrugged her shoulders. Seth rolled his eyes. "How do you know that's her anyway?"
"I know," Marissa answered simply. "I'll always know."
Seth was about to respond when the position that they were in finally registered. Without realizing it, Marissa was straddling him. "Well! I can honestly say that I never thought we'd be in this position. Wanna make out? Steam up the windows?"
Marissa took in their position, but didn't bother to correct them. Instead she gave Seth a slap on the shoulder and an annoyed look. Seth just shrugged his shoulder. Marissa looked back at Alex.
"Who's that guy with her?"
"I don't know, but he's kind of hot." Marissa gave Seth a look. "What? He is." Marissa had to admit that he was. She didn't like that fact. She definitely didn't like the fact the he was in Alex's company.
"Look," said Seth. "They're splitting up. Now's your chance."
Marissa felt her nerves come back. "I don't know. What if-"
"Oh for god's sake woman!" interrupted Seth as he all but threw Marissa out of the car. He got out afterwards and closed the car door. "Enough with the 'what if's'. Just go up to her!"
"Right! Okay, I'm going!" Marissa started to move towards Alex.
"You go girl!"
Marissa turned to look at Seth. She gave him an incredulous look before she continued her walk towards Alex. When the only thing that was separating them was a row of cars, Marissa stopped. She watched as Alex ducked inside her car to get something. As she was struggling with her task, Marissa was mentally preparing herself for the confrontation. She was thinking of a good opening line when she saw that Alex had obtained what she looking for. It was a booster seat. Interesting. Well, she does have kids. Marissa ran a hand through her hair to try and calm her nerves. Then, she saw that Alex was getting ready to turn her way. Marissa prepared herself for when their eyes would meet. However, at the last minute, Marissa turned around, and not a second too soon.
Seth, having seen the whole thing, did the same as he saw Alex's eye wandering in his direction. About a minute later, he heard footsteps approaching. They stopped right beside him. He didn't have to look to see who it was.
"What was that?" he whispered a little too harshly.
"I panicked."
"Obviously. You were so close Marissa."
"I know," Marissa replied, defeated. Then, they both jumped at the sound of a horn beeping. It was followed by a man's voice telling Alex to hurry up. Then, they heard the car approaching.
"I think it's coming this way," whispered Marissa. "We can't let them see us. We can't let Alex see us, see me."
"It's okay. We'll just subtly turn as it get closer. You want to maybe make out to throw them off track?"
"Seth!"
"I'll take that as a no." The two were able to avoid being seen by Alex. When they car drove out of the parking lot, they pair let out a breath.
"Marissa…"
"I know, I know. "I'm sorry. I was just-"
"Scared. I know."
"Now what?" wondered Marissa.
"I guess we wait. Can we at least get something to eat? I'm starving." Seth saw a look of panic wash over Marissa's face. "Don't worry. We can grab something from a nearby fast food joint and come back here to eat it. We should probably move the location of the car anyway."
"Thanks Seth. For everything."
"You won't be thanking me when my claustrophobia takes full control."
