Alex and Marissa walked into the Cooper mansion hand in hand.
"What about NYU?" Marissa added, "I heard they have a good fashion merchandising program."
"Awesome," Alex smiled, "I'll start looking for apartments."
"So you're really going to come with me?" Marissa asked, "All the way to NYU?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah. I can open an office there. Maybe a club. It would be fun. But cold."
Marissa smirked, "I'll keep you warm."
Alex smiled as Marissa turned in front of her and wrapped her arms around Alex's neck. "In that case…" Alex started, "I'm kinda cold right now."
Marissa was about to kiss Alex when the clicking of heels made her pull away. Julie descended the stairs, completely oblivious to their presence.
When Julie got to the last step, she finally saw them. "Oh," she paused, "Hi girls."
Alex raised an eyebrow. She expected something much meaner.
Marissa was still stunned by her mother's reference to Alex as something that wasn't derogatory. She let her hands slide down Alex's arms and drop to her sides, "Are you okay?"
Julie shrugged, "Why wouldn't I be? Oh I'm going meet a man from work."
"Like a date?" Marissa asked.
Julie nodded, "I guess you could say that."
Marissa smiled, "Go mom."
"Don't wait up for me," Julie told Marissa.
"I won't," Marissa watched her mother walk out.
Alex raised an eyebrow at Marissa, "That was weird."
"Do you wanna go get something to eat before you have to go to work?" Marissa asked.
Alex nodded, "Sure, but can I take a shower first?"
"Sure," Marissa smiled.
Marissa lay on her bed waiting for Alex to get out of the shower.
"What's taking so long?" Marissa called through the door.
"I've only been in here for ten minutes," Alex called back.
Marissa smiled to herself. She started to get off of the bed to join the blonde in the shower, when Alex's phone rumbled on the nightstand.
Marissa picked it up and saw Alex had a text message from Jodie. Figuring it was about work, Marissa opened it. She read the message. Had fun last night. 3 Jodie
Marissa blinked. Alex said she had to work late at the bait shop last night and that's why she had to cancel their movie date.
"You ready?" Alex asked coming out of the bathroom in the clothes she kept in Marissa's room.
Marissa nodded and stood, grabbing both their phones.
Alex took Marissa's hand as they walked down the stairs and when they got out the door, she turned around and kissed Marissa. Noticing that Marissa was not really responding, Alex pulled away.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked.
Marissa just nodded.
Alex didn't believe her but decided to let it go for now.
Once at the diner, Marissa watched Alex send and receive a few texts while pushing her food around her plate.
"Who are you texting?" Marissa asked.
"Sorry," Alex put her phone down, "I didn't mean to be rude."
Marissa noted that Alex didn't actually answer the question.
"Are you really okay?" Alex asked, "You've been really quiet."
Marissa shrugged, "I guess I'm just tired."
Alex let out a seductive smile, "Then I guess we should get you to bed. I'll go pay." Alex got up and walked to the register.
Marissa stared at Alex's phone until it vibrated again. She couldn't help herself and picked it up. She opened the phone and read another message from Jodie. See you tonight
As Alex walked up, Marissa stood and met Alex halfway to the door.
"Do you feel okay?" Alex looked over at Marissa.
Marissa nodded.
When the got to Marissa's house they both got out. Alex walked with Marissa to the door. Alex opened the door and followed Marissa in.
Before Marissa knew it, Alex had scooped her up and cradled her like a baby. Marissa couldn't help but smile and wrap her arms around Alex's neck. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making sure you get to bed okay," Alex said sweetly.
Marissa rested her head on Alex's shoulder and melted into her. When they got into her room, Alex pulled the covers back on Marissa's bed and laid Marissa down then covered her up.
"Can you stay?" Marissa cuddled into her pillow.
Alex looked at her watch, then down at Marissa and smiled, "Just for a few minutes."
"That's all I need," Marissa took Alex's hand and pulled her down into bed.
Alex was wiping down the bar after a slow night. She seemed to be really focused cause she didn't see the person walk up to her before she said, "Hey."
Alex jumped a little before she realized who it was, "Hey Jodie."
Jodie leaned on the counter, "You look like you're having fun."
"Oh yeah," Alex rolled her eyes with a small smile.
Jodie jumped up on the counter and sat on it.
"Jodie," Alex sighed, "I just washed that."
Jodie laid out on the bar and stretched out as far as she could.
"Jodie!" Alex groaned, "Get off!"
Jodie smirked and sat up facing Alex. She got really closed to Alex's face and narrowed her eyes, "What are you going to do about it?"
Alex grabbed Jodie's waist and pulled her off of the bar.
Jodie saw something move out of the corner of her eye and smiled slyly. She moved quickly and pressed her lips to Alex's wrapping her arms around Alex's waist.
There was a clanging on the stairs and Alex immediately pulled away. She looked to the stairs were Marissa stood, her purse on the ground at her feet, the contents slipping through the stairs to the ground below.
"Marissa?" Alex hopped over the bar and walked over to her.
Marissa smiled bitterly, "I knew it."
"What?" Alex asked, "What are you talking about?" She turned to Jodie, "Damn it. Why did you do that?"
Jodie just shrugged and started to get herself something to drink, "I was in the moment."
There was a clamoring on the balcony and Alex turned to see Marissa flying out the door. Alex carefully hopped over Marissa's purse and ran up the stairs. When she got outside, Marissa was gone in the dark, cold night.