Alex groaned as she rolled over in the morning.
"You too?" Ryan asked from his bed.
"I haven't done that in a while," Alex turned her head toward Ryan, "God I'm so sore."
"Me too," Ryan answered.
Alex rolled out of bed and walked to the bathroom. She looked at her face in the mirror. A bruise had formed around the cut over her eye and there was a large bruise on her forearm. She lifted up her camisole and noticed three more bruises across her stomach.
"Ouch," Ryan commented from the bathroom door.
Alex turned around, "Are there any on my back?"
Ryan shook his head. "Nah."
Alex pulled down her shirt, "How do you feel?"
"About like you do," Ryan leaned over and looked in the mirror. He had a bruise on his cheek.
Alex walked out of the bathroom and yawned, "I'm starving."
"Me too," Ryan added.
They walked over to the door and looked out. They could see Sandy and Kirsten walking around the kitchen.
"Fighting is bad," Alex said, watching the kitchen.
"Yeah," Ryan answered.
"What happened last time you got into a fight?" Alex asked.
"Nothing really," Ryan replied. He put his hand on Alex's shoulder, "They're not going to kick you out for defending the girls…and Seth."
Alex smirked, "Don't you mean the girls including Seth?"
Ryan chuckled, "C'mon let's go eat."
They walked outside and into the kitchen where Seth was already eating.
"Hey you two," Sandy smiled and turned from the coffee maker to look at them.
Kirsten saw them first, "What happened?"
Alex suddenly panicked and looked at Ryan, but Seth started talking first.
"Some drunk guy from Oceanside wouldn't leave Marissa alone last night," Seth explained, "Then he kept following the girls. Alex and Ryan took care of him and his cronies Rambo style."
Alex couldn't make eye contact with Kirsten or Sandy so she just ran her hand over the back of the chair.
Ryan added, "He swung at Alex first. I just went over to help."
"Where is this guy?" Kirsten asked, "He better be in jail."
"The bouncers just threw him out," Alex said quietly.
"Well are you okay?" Kirsten asked, "Any broken bones?"
Alex shook her head, "Just a few bruises."
Kirsten hugged Ryan and Alex at the same time, "I'm glad you're both okay."
"Oh and Alex," Sandy picked up a piece of paper, "Marissa called this morning."
"Okay," Alex nodded, relieved the Cohens weren't mad.
She picked up the wireless phone and walked into the living room.
"Hello?" Marissa answered.
"Hey," Alex smiled.
"How do you feel?" Marissa asked.
"I'm okay," Alex replied.
"So can I take you out for breakfast?" Marissa asked in a singsong voice.
Alex fell back on the couch, "Sure. Pick me up?"
"Okay," Marissa answered, "I'll be there in two minutes."
"Great," Alex smiled, "See ya." Alex walked back into the kitchen.
"I guess you have plans for breakfast," Kirsten smiled at Alex.
Alex nodded, "Marissa's taking me to breakfast."
"Have fun," Sandy told Alex as she walked out to get dressed.
Alex was soon dressed and as she walked to the driveway Marissa pulled up. The top was down on her convertible and her hair was back.
"Hey," Alex smiled and got in.
"Hey," Marissa beamed. She leaned over and pulled Alex into a long drawn out kiss.
When the pulled away Alex was a little stunned. When she snapped out of it, she smiled, "What was that for?"
"For being the best girlfriend in the world," Marissa smiled.
Alex fixed her hair, "No really."
"Really," Marissa answered.
"Okay," Alex raised an eyebrow.
They ate a quick breakfast at a dinner by the beach. After that they decided to go on a walk by the ocean. As they walked Marissa slipped her hand into Alex's and threaded their fingers together.
"Thanks again for last night," Marissa stopped them from walking and took Alex's other hand.
Alex smiled, "You don't have to thank me."
"You were going to take on all those guys that were three times your size," Marissa let go of Alex's hand and ran her hands up Alex's arms, "Alone."
"I just really wanted to make sure you were okay," Alex added, sliding her hands onto Marissa's hips.
Marissa moved her hands behind Alex's neck and played with her hair, "It really meant a lot to me."
Alex smiled, "You mean a lot to me." She reached up and touched Marissa's cheek with her finger tips.
Marissa felt a shiver run down her spine. She could feel Alex's breath on her cheek and swirl with the cool air blowing off of the ocean. Marissa swiftly captured Alex's lips and let their lips and tongues glide together until they needed to pull away for air.
Alex pulled Marissa against her body and just held her there. Marissa leaned into Alex and closed her eyes. They stood frozen in time as the cool ocean wind whirled around them.
Soon they were walking again.
Alex looked over at Marissa, "Shouldn't you be in school."
"Oh shit," Marissa said looking at her watch.
Alex smiled and pulled Marissa back toward her car.
Marissa pulled into a spot at her school. The courtyard was empty because Marissa missed the beginning of her first glass.
"The SnO.C.?" Alex smirked looking at the banner over the courtyard.
"Yeah," Marissa nodded grabbing her bag.
"Are you going?" Alex asked.
Marissa shrugged, "I don't know."
"Of course you are," Alex got out and walked to the driver's side, "You love that high society crap." She opened the door for Marissa took her bag.
Marissa smiled and got out, "But I don't have a date."
"I'm sure you could find one," Alex handed Marissa her bag.
"Will you go with me?" Marissa asked leaning back on her car and pulling Alex practically on top of her causing their lips smashed together.
"How could I say no with an argument like that?" Alex asked.
Marissa threw her arms around Alex's neck, "Thank you."
Alex chuckled, "You're welcome."
Marissa pulled Alex into another kiss, but before they could get too far into it Alex pulled away, "You still have to go to class."
"Oh right," Marissa smiled. She pecked Alex on the lips once more and started to walk off, "You're picking me up right."
Alex nodded, "Yeah."
Marissa waved before hauling toward her class.
Alex got into Marissa's car and looked back at the banner. "I can't be that bad," Alex drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. Alex backed out of the spot and took off toward the Bait Shop.