Chapter 10
"What are we doing for your birthday? You're going to be 19 be have to do something." Marissa and Alex were sitting on the couch watching an old horror movie.
For her part, Alex really wasn't paying much attention to the movie or anything but the thoughts going on in her head. All she could think about was what had happened a week earlier at the dinner with Jodie. She tried to Marissa but every time she was about to the phone rang or something came up and one of them had to leave.
Soccer practice wasn't the same either, Riley wasn't talking to her and a part of her couldn't blame her. Not only that they were getting worked since playoffs were right around the corner, and from what everyone was saying the northern teams were a force to be reckoned with.
Alex turned towards Marissa. "There's something I have to tell you…" Marissa's cell phone rang and the brunette was going to ignore it but it was her mothers ring tone.
"Hold that thought." Marissa kissed Alex quickly before answering her phone. 'I'm going to take this outside' she mouthed to Alex who let out a groan once Marissa was outside. By the time she came back in Alex was practically asleep on the couch.
"I was thinking for your birthday maybe we could just have some people come over, you know Summer, Seth, Ryan etc etc." Alex nodded. "What do you say to inviting your team? Or at least Riley, Chloe and them." Alex yawned. "Okay I think it's passed the babies bed time, so let's get you all tucked it."
I'm the biggest hypocrite ever to walk the face of this earth. Alex hung her head as she followed Marissa into their bedroom.
Alex's Birthday - Bait Shop
"Happy birthday babe." Marissa said walking up to her girlfriend who was putting up some posters.
"Mmm, thank you." She replied after Marissa kissed her. "Aren't you supposed to be in school though, not that I'm complaining, I'd much rather have you here with me."
Marissa tucked a stray strand of hair behind Alex's ear. "I have a spare last so I decided to come and say happy birthday since you were sleeping so peacefully when I got up this morning."
"You left me a note, and a huge teddy bear with a sign that said happy birthday."
"I had to say it in person though. I called the girls by the way, got their answering machines so I left a message with directions so hopefully they'll be able to make it." Alex nodded, she doubted they'd be there but she didn't have the heart to tell Marissa.
Two hours later the girls were just about to head home when Nat walked in and asked Alex if she could stay a little longer to help finish up before the doors opened for the night. Alex couldn't refuse so she told Marissa she'd see her at home later.
Marissa was now at the apartment waiting for Alex when there was a knock at the door. Turning off the tv she walked over and opened the door to be greeted by Summer, Seth and Ryan. "Hey come on in guys."
"Where's the birthday girl, I brought her a little hat." Seth pulled out the cone hat that said happy birthday on it from pulled his back.
Ryan and Summer shook their heads, both knowing Alex would never wear that and probably kill Seth for even trying to get her to. "She's at work, she should be home soon, Nat needed her help, but he promised her the rest of the night off."
"Did you get a hold of the other girls?" Summer asked.
"No, left a message though so hopefully they'll come, I think it'd mean a lot to Alex."
Seth whispered something in Ryan's ear who proceeded to nod. "I'll be right back." Ryan walked over and pulled out his cell phone. After a couple minutes he walked back and nodded to Seth.
"Alright we're moving this little fiesta over to the Cohen house."
"What? Why?"
"Well little miss Coop." Summer gave him a look. "Right sorry no calling you Coop, I apologize. If there are going to be all these people coming, seeing as though miss bad ass Alex happens to be quite the popular one, Kirsten Cohen, the party thrower that she is has offered the house."
"Wow, I just think Alex would rather be here and it's her birthday but I can run it by her and see how she feels about it." The rest of the group nodded as Marissa began dialling Alex's number.
"Hey you, I promise I'll be home soon."
"Great but actually that's why I'm calling, Kirsten offered to let us use the Cohen house for our, well get together for your birthday."
"Sounds good."
"Really?" Marissa was shocked.
"Yeah keeps me from having to clean the apartment." Alex joked causing Marissa to laugh. The Cohen's had become like a second family to her and compared to her parents, were a hell of a lot better.
"Okay so I'll meet you over there then?"
"Can't wait, I'm going to come home and shower first though, I just have to finish a few things, cool?"
"Awesome see you soon."
Apartment - Hour Later
Alex had just got of the shower and was changing when there was a knock at her door. She was surprised she heard it with the music on but thankfully she had. Quickly, she finished changing and went to answer the door. Her jaw dropped when she seen who it was.
"Close your mouth Kelly, oh by the way happy birthday." Chloe gave a her a hug. "You didn't think we'd miss yet another one of your birthdays did you? Let's face it your stuck with us."
Alex was speechless, she just stood there staring. "Are you going to at least let us in? Or did we drive all the way out here for nothing?"
She laughed and let her three friends in, looking outside once more before closing the door. "It's cute, I like it. I think I'm going to go home and tell the parents I'm moving out." Vanessa said sitting down on the couch.
"They'd be thrilled to hear that." Alex laughed.
"Quite a party you got here Alex." Meghan gave her a hug and then sat down next to Vanessa on the couch.
Alex scoffed. "For your information the Cohen's, ah Seth parents, you guys met Seth, offered their house so we're moving the festivities over there so my apartment doesn't get trashed."
"We wouldn't trash your apartment we only do that to pool houses." Alex gave Chloe a look. "Oh never mind lets just say we're not exactly the same girls you left." Alex nodded and walked into the kitchen.
"I just need to finish getting ready, do you guys want anything to drink?" She poked her head around the corner. The other three girls shook there heads so Alex walked into her bedroom.
Cohen House
"It's settled, Kirsten and I are coming to your next game." Sandy told Alex as they stood talking in the kitchen.
"I'd love to have you there."
Sandy let our a small laugh. "Seth was never into sports and Ryan, well he played for awhile but, well he had to much going on to put all his attention into in." Alex knew what he was talking about, Marissa had told her the story. "You better get outside and I'm going to get that." He said referring to the door bell that had just rang.
When Alex walked back outside the first thing she seen was Marissa's smiling face. The girl was happy and that made Alex happy, but at the same time broke her heart, because it made it ten times harder to tell the girl about what had happened with Jodie. She knew she was being a hypocrite and she told herself that everyday.
"There you are, dance with me?" Alex nodded and wrapped her arms around the taller girls waist. "Where's Riley?" Alex didn't say anything. "You two got into a fight?" She nodded. "So that's what's been on your mind, I'm sure you'll work it out though, Summer and I always do so I'm sure you two will." She smiled, at that moment she needed the reassurance because she wasn't sure.
Everyone was sitting outside around the pool, the adults inside talking, when Alex excused herself. She needed some breathing room so she decided to take a walk down to the beach. Just after she left the door bell rang again. "I'll get that." Sandy said as he stood up and walked towards the door. "Hello."
"Hi, I'm Riley Williams, Alex's friend."
"Nice to meet you Riley, Sandy Cohen, please come in." He shook the girls hand. "Everyone is outside in the back, make yourself at home." He showed her to the back door, and left to go back into the living room.
"I thought you died." Chloe said from where she sat by the pool.
Riley shook her head. "Hey, come one sit down, can I get you anything." Marissa greeted her.
"No, I'm good thanks."
After a few minutes Riley asked where the birthday girl was and Marissa told her she had gone for a walk. She talked to Marissa for a few minutes before the brunette pointed her in the way of the beach and smiled.
It didn't take her long to find the blonde. She walked the rest of the way to her and sat down, somewhat startling Alex.
"Hi, I didn't think you were coming."
"I had a break in my schedule." She tried to joke without succeeding. "I had a class and I couldn't get anyone to cover. You seriously thought I wouldn't come?" Alex nodded. "I might be mad at you right now, but I'm always going to love you."
"What is it with you using my own lines against me?"
Riley shrugged. "Happy birthday Alex." She leaned over and gave the girl a small hug before turning her attention back to the water.
"It's your life Alex and I'm not about to tell you how to live it." Riley broke the silence between the two but continued to look out at the water. "I just get scared sometimes that's all, but the choices you make in your life are yours to make. You've probably already realised I'm not the same girl and neither are you, we've both grown up. I just don't want to see Marissa get hurt, and you either for that matter."
Alex nodded. "I know, I'm just trying to find a way to make it all right. I love her Ri, and I just have to find a way to make it right."
The girls continued to sit on the beach for a little while longer. "Want to head back, you're missing your own party? Besides I have something to give you."
"You didn't have to get me anything."
"Don't worry it's not much." Riley laughed. "I just hope you liked it, and I didn't know what to really get you."
"I'm sure I will or I'll just say I do." The two girls laughed. "Wait." Alex said as Riley went to get up.
"Yeah."
"Can you tell her I'm sorry, for everything next time you talk to her?"
Riley shook her head. "That's something you have to tell her. I can give you her cell number if you want?" Alex hesitated before nodding. "I'll write it down for you when we get back. Come on you're going to miss Seth getting thrown into the pool."
"What?"
"Just seems like Summer would be the first to push him into the pool."
Alex laughed. "Sadly, you're probably right."
Hours Later
"We're going to head, before the sun comes up." Chloe said standing up.
"Nonsense, you girls should stay here tonight, we have plenty of room." Kirsten told them. The four nodded and followed her out of the room.
Summer stood up and yawned. "I'm going to head home, I have breakfast with my dad in the morning, or well a few hours. Happy birthday again Alex."
"Thanks."
"I'm tired myself, I'm going to go change into my spidey pj's, see you guys tomorrow." Seth waved and headed upstairs.
"And I have to spend the night in his room." Ryan rolled his eyes. "Happy birthday Alex." He shook her hand and left.
The remaining two girls looked at Sandy asleep on the couch. "I guess it's time to get you home to open your present." Marissa whispered in the blondes ear who's eyes immediately lit up.
"Lead the way."
Just before they got to the door Riley stopped them and handed Alex a piece of paper and smiled before yawned. "Bedtime. See you in a few days." The other blonde hugged Alex and then Marissa. "Thanks for inviting us, we had fun."
"Anytime." Marissa said, as the two girls left.
Apartment
Marissa and Alex were laying, Alex had her cell phone in her hand. "What did Riley give you on the way out?"
Alex took a deep breathe. "Brianna's phone number."
"I'll be back."
"Where are you going? Stay? Please." Marissa nodded and laid back down.
Alex grabbed the piece of paper off the nightstand and dialled the number. Her hand was shaking as the phone rang, and rang before someone finally answered.
"Hello Bri's phone, this Danielle. How can I help you this morning? If you want breakfast I don't deliver."
Alex was somewhat relieved that it was Danielle who had picked up. Nonetheless she was speechless, so she just hung up the phone.
"No answer?"
"Danielle answered, but I just couldn't say anything."
Marissa nodded. "I should probably call Kaitlin, but if I called her now she'd hire someone to shoot me and get rid of my body." Alex laughed. "What you wouldn't even protect me?"
"From Julie Coopers twin, I mean daughter, are you crazy? I happen to want to live."
Marissa rolled away from Alex. "Fine, I hope you like to sleep in the cold."