A DECISION TO BE MADE

Marissa was pacing the room. It was 2 am and not even one sign or word from Ryan. It's not like she was expecting him to. After closing the door on him like that, of course he would give up; and it should be her going after him now, right? But that didn't matter. She was dead worried. She didn't know how to react. Obviously she knew she overreacted, but she can't help it. She was super stressed with school and her exams and the call she got two weeks ago... Ugh that's no excuse... But where is Ryan?! She thought.

Her phone started vibrating. She flew across the room to answer it.

"Hello!?" she spoke into the phone, not even checking the caller ID.

"Um, hello, is this Marissa?" the voice said on the other end.

"Yes, this is her. Who am I talking to?"

"This is Greg. I'm an intern at the same firm Ryan is... or was... working... Whatever. Anyways, he's kind of passed out drunk on my couch in my apartment. I thought I should give you a call and let you know."

"Oh. Thanks Greg, for calling... Is he okay? Should I go pick him up?"

"He's alright. Just had a little too much to drink. And it's cool, you go right back to bed. He can just sleep the night here at my place and I'll bring him home as soon as he wakes up."

"Okay. Thanks again for calling... I was getting really worried there..."

"No problem! And Marissa..."

"Yes?"

"You know Ryan way better than I do. So I hope you know he didn't do anything. He would never do anything like that to hurt someone he cares for. I do know Victoria and her ways... this is all her doing..."

"Yeah, I know..." was all she could say.

"Good. Well, goodnight!"

"Night." And the other end of the line went dead. Marissa sat down on the bed. Ryan was safe, so she didn't have to worry. But yet all she could do was worry. What will they say to each other in the morning? Different thoughts raced through Marissa's mind, Valentine's day was ruined, Ryan's passed out, she had that offer... Wait. Marissa carefully thought back to what Greg said, 'I'm an intern at the same firm Ryan is... or was... working...' What did he mean by 'was'. Did Ryan get fired?"

Marissa felt like she was about to throw up. This was the worst night of her life.

/

Ryan woke up early in the morning. He stirred from his sleep, finding himself still in the same clothes from last night and on a different couch than his at the apartment. He looked around confused. As he got up, there was a banging coming from the inside of his head.

"Ooh," he moaned in pain. How much did I drink?

"Oh good, you're awake!" Greg said from the dining table in the kitchen.

"What time is it? Why am I here?"

"It's almost 10. You don't remember anything?"

"I remember Lord of the Rings? The Victoria situation, the Marissa situation – Marissa!"

"Don't worry dude, I called her up last night after you passed out, letting her know you'll just spend the night here. You drank a lot after that phone call. You cleaned up my buddies and I's whole stock of beer!"

"Oh yeah... the phone call." His memory started to come back, "I remember that as well... And sorry, I'll pay you back."

"Good, the next party, beer's on you," Greg smiled. "But dude, we need to get you home. I promised Marissa I'd drop you off the minute you wake up."

"That's if she'll let me back in the apartment..." he grumbled. Ryan got up to put on his jacket, then immediately felt sick. He ran to the washroom and threw up.

Greg peeked through the doorway and saw Ryan's head in the toilet bowl. All he could do was laugh. "Wow, right on man!"

"It's not funny." He moaned. Ryan leaned back against the wall and held his head in his hands. "My head's killing me. Promise you won't let me drink this much ever again. I haven't had a hangover since I was in high school."

"It's pretty hilarious dude. And okay, okay I promise," Greg chuckled, "Why don't we stop by for a bagel and coffee and then we can face the girlfriend later." He offered Ryan a hand to get up.

Accepting it, Ryan gave a weak smile, "Sounds good."

/

Greg's car parked right in front of Ryan and Marissa's apartment.

"We're here!"

"Oh man..." Ryan sighed.

"Do you want me to come in with you in case she brings out the claws? I'm used to girls and their sassiness."

"No, it's okay. You've already done so much," Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car, "Thanks for everything..."

"No problem! And though we don't work together anymore, I'll still see you around?"

"Yeah, I'll see you." Ryan closed the door and slowly made his way to the apartment.

"Hey Ryan!" Greg called out of the car, "Let me know how it all goes down!" Ryan gave him a thumbs up.

/

Marissa was pacing the kitchen. It's almost 11 and he's still not home! She didn't get much sleep and she's been feeling extremely sick.

She grabbed her cell phone, tempted to call but knew she should just trust Greg when he said he'll take him home... right?

As Marissa continued to debate with herself, a knock on the door grabbed her attention. Oh my God, he's here. She ran to the door, grabbed the door knob, but stopped. What do I even say to him after kicking him out of the apartment? The apartment HE bought in the first place?

There was another knock. Before finalizing what she would just say, Marissa slowly opened the door to reveal an apologetic face.

"Marissa, please don't shut the door on me again. Let me explain." Ryan quickly pleaded.

Marissa stood aside, allowing him to enter. She closed the door and faced him. She still hasn't said a word to him, waiting for his explanation.

"Look, Victoria, she came onto me. She basically attacked me. But I bet the story you heard mixed that up, that I forced myself on her. I don't care who told you this, but you have to know that I'm not lying. I love you, you know that. I would never do anything to hurt you."

Marissa just stood there staring at Ryan.

"And Victoria, having all the connections, got her revenge. I got a call from Lily last night informing me that I was let go. Now my one shot at becoming an architect is gone. So please believe me that I did not initiate anything towards Victoria. Because losing my position at the firm... I cannot lose you too."

Marissa suddenly burst into tears and ran to Ryan's arms. Ryan was confused but immediately held her. It was like a natural instinct for him. "Whoa, hey, hey..." he soothed her. She continued to cry even harder. "I'm sorry for all the misunderstanding. I still love you no matter what, okay?"

"Ryan please," Marissa said in between sobs, "I don't want this to be hard."

"Why, what are you talking about? I do love you."

"Stop please."

"Marissa I DO! I'm not going to stop saying it. If you don't believe me and want to break up then fine, but I still love you and will only love you." He held her even tighter as Marissa did the same.

"I got a call from New York saying they want me." Marissa let out.

Ryan's eyes shot open. "What?"

"Fashion Institute...I applied ages ago for this fashion program! I didn't think I'd get in... But they called a couple weeks ago saying they want me and..."

"You're going?!" his voice raised.

"I don't know okay?!" Marissa let go of Ryan and was now standing a couple feet away from him. She ran a hand through her hair in frustration as tears continued to stream down her face. "Look, I don't want to break up."

"Well, good," Ryan said stepping closer. But Marissa only stepped further away.

"But this is my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now I can actually study fashion and maybe it is possible for me to sell my designs."

"You've always told me that it's just a hobby. All those drawings and pictures -"

"Well I lied. I love drawing up dresses and outfits. When I found out I got in, I couldn't help but be excited that my 'just drawings' can actually be real clothing!"

Ryan didn't know how to react. It's over the top wonderful Marissa got in and he couldn't be any happier for her. But New York is on the other side of the country.

"What did you tell them?" he asked, in a much gentler voice.

Marissa slowly calmed down and wiped the tears trickling down her face, "I told them I'd get back to them in two weeks... two weeks ago. So... tomorrow."

"And have you decided? When would you leave?"

"I don't know yet... But if I were to leave, I'd have to fly there by next week."

"NEXT WEEK?! Why have you not mentioned any of this to me? Were you even thinking about us?"

"That's all I could think about! Us!" Marissa ran to the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

Ryan slowly followed her steps towards the bedroom, but before opening the door, he just sat down against it. He could hear her crying and so badly wanted to comfort her. But how? What could he say? Tell her she should go? But where does that leave us?

This was not helping his hangover.

/

After an hour passed, Ryan finally decided he should check up on Marissa. He brought over a bowl of soup and slowly opened the door. He saw her on the bed, curled up into a ball, still sniffling. He set the bowl down on the side table as Marissa heard him and sat up.

"No, it's okay, you don't have to get up." Ryan said, sitting down on the bed. "Come here."

Marissa hesitated, but then slowly laid back down, her head on Ryan's lap.

"So... tell me more about this program you got into..." Ryan said, trying to lighten the mood as he was stroking Marissa's hair.

"I don't even know if I'm going..."

"Let's not jump into anything, I'm with you there. But c'mon, just tell me what it's all about."

"It's just a fashion program. I'd be gone for almost a year; five or so months in school, learning. Then I get a little break, then another five or so months working with other designers and a little bit of designing yourself."

"Wow, that sounds..." But Ryan couldn't say the words. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But saying that would just throw them in another loop.

"Yeah... By the end of this program, it's said that I can even be ready enough to start my own line."

Ryan immediately thought back to reality, "Marissa, you're going to have to decide real soon."

"I know..." her voice cracked.

"Don't cry..." he continued to stroke her hair. "I want you to know that yes this may affect our relationship, but it won't change the way I feel - regardless of whatever you choose to do. And whether we try to do the long distance thing or even I go with you... it doesn't really matter."

Marissa sat up and looked at him straight in the eye. "Really?"

Ryan saw those eyes: red and swollen from the crying. He could only smile at her beauty. He leaned in and gave her an assuring kiss. "Really." They then shared a sweet comforting hug. A hug they both needed. A hug telling them both that, in the end, it's going to be okay.

/

The sun beamed through the blinds and into the bedroom and Ryan woke up with it in his eyes. He looked around and realized he fell asleep. It was 4 o clock and Marissa wasn't in the room. The bowl of soup disappeared and he was now in just his boxers and a wifebeater. Marissa walked in, dressed in Ryan's clothing as well.

"Hey," she said sadly. "You're up."

"Yeah, and you're sad." He replied, sitting up.

"Yeah well..."

Ryan clicked in, "Right... Sorry. I kind of thought it was a dream."

"A lot happened in the last 24 hours, kind of felt like a dream." Marissa said, sitting down on the bed.

"Are you sure we're not just still dreaming?"

"Unfortunately, yes I'm sure. We both just fell asleep after everything. I woke up an hour ago and I just changed you into more comfortable clothing and ate lunch – thanks for the soup, by the way."

"Ahh, yes the soup. It wasn't a dream..." he commented. Marissa let out a light giggle. Ryan looked up and saw the small smile on her face and couldn't help to smile back. Even though it was just half a second, at least he saw that smile again. After everything that's happened, it seems like ages since they both were happy.

But quickly, the smile faded and Marissa turned serious. She played with her fingers. Slowly, she looked up to meet eyes with Ryan's who was trying to read her.

"Marissa?"

"Ryan... I think... I think I've made my decision."