Ryan and Marissa are walking out of the auditorium together. Marissa notices Jess hanging out in the corner by himself. She looks at Ryan, who doesn't see that Jess is there.

Ma: Hey, I have to go use the bathroom.

Ryan turns around.

Ry: Oh okay.

Ryan responds plainly.

Ry: Do you want me to…

Ma: No go ahead, it's cool.

Ryan nods.

Ry: All right… so I guess I'll see you later.

Marissa nods slightly. There's a pause. Ryan walks out of the school. Marissa looks over and walks toward Jess in the corner.

Ma: I'm surprised you had the guts to show your face here.

Marissa says, teasing Jess. Marissa walks closer to Jess.

Ma: You don't have to worry, after tonight nobody is talking about the game anymore.

Jess looks down. There's a pause. Marissa sighs.

Ma: So what are you doing here anyway? I mean if you are just going to be the silent shadow in the corner of the hall then what's the point?

Jess pulls out a cigarette from his pocket.

Ma: Why does every guy I meet have to be a smoker?

Marissa questions.

Je: What, Seth smokes?

Jess asks, finally speaking. Marissa doesn't say anything. Jess smiles and nods.

Je: You mean Ryan, Ryan was a smoker wasn't he?

Jess challenges. Marissa looks up at Jess.

Je: But he gave it up right?

Jess predicts correctly. There's a pause.

Je: Are you ever going to stop comparing me to him?

Ma: I…I don't compare you to him…

Marissa says defensively.

Ma: Why would I do that?

Marissa wonders. Jess shrugs.

Je: I don't know, isn't it natural for girls to compare their ex-boyfriends to their new boyfriends.

Marissa shakes her head and smiles slightly.

Ma: You're being a little presumptuous don't you think?

There's a pause. Jess is pacing back and forth near the wall. He stops and pulls the unlit cigarette out of his mouth. He walks closer to Marissa. There's a pause.

Je: The reason I came here tonight was to ask you if you wanted to do something sometime.

Marissa laughs at Jess.

Ma: Of course I would.

Marissa responds quickly.

Ma: I do a lot of things a lot of the time, otherwise I'd be doing nothing and that would be pretty boring wouldn't it?

Marissa teases. Jess looks away. He smiles slightly back at Marissa.

Je: Would you like to do something with me sometime?

Jess asks more specifically. Marissa looks at Jess.

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Please Read and Review

For the first time ever, I will incorporate a preview of next episode. I think from now on I will do this at the end of every episode. Here it goes:

Next week, on Best Friends episode 8, "The Forbidden Fruit":

Does Marissa say yes to a date with Jess? How will Ryan react to her response?

When Seth feels de-masculinated by Summer and Marissa, how far will he go to re-gain his manhood?

Finally, when Kris tempts Seth, will he hold out or will he make a big mistake?

I'm going on vacation on Friday and won't be able to update again until I get back near the end of February. Thanks for reading and please review.

David