Caught!

Chapter 3: All I see is nothing

A/N: I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks so this weekend I'll be trying to post new chapters for all my stories before I leave...except for Best Days—no I haven't forgotten about it, I just got a little sidetracked...so yeah!

A/N2: So here's the third part of the story. Remember, this is all from my imagination. Usual disclaimers apply. Also, the title of this chapter is the last sentence in this chapter. I just liked the ring of it, so I chose it as the title! Onwards...

Marissa asks for Ryan. I dial his number on my cell phone and tell him where she is. Then we sit there, in an uncomfortable, awkward silence. I'm nervous. Summer Roberts is known for her rage blackouts, but I've been subjected to more than my share of Marissa Cooper rages.

And this is the quiet before the storm. When we were dating, she would get all sullen and withdrawn. Delicate, and I'd be afraid to approach her. And when I did, she would explode.

Ryan arrives at the pier a few minutes later. I'm impressed with his swiftness. Then I remember, he loves her. And he's got to do damage control. Duh, Luke. How much more thickheaded can I get?

Okay, don't answer that.

Marissa collapses into Ryan's arms, and I take this as my cue to exit stage right. I know where I have to go. I'm dreading it, God knows I am, but I've got to talk to her.

I drive to the Cooper house, parking farther down the street so that the Cohens and other neighbors won't see my car there. Being with Julie taught me secrecy; I'll give her that. I ring the doorbell and nervously fix my hair. Not that it helps; it's still soaked from the deluge of Marissa's tears and rain.

Kaitlin answers the door. My throat tightens at the sight of her. Her wide, innocent eyes that greet me. Marissa told me that she has had a crush on me since she could walk. Great. If only she knew what I've done. Then she wouldn't have a crush on me, I bet. She'd probably be disgusted. It's only natural. I'm disgusted myself. That's why I try not to think about it.

"Hey Kaitlin," I say, giving her a shaky smile. "Is your mom here?"

"Sure, Luke," she grins, and bounces off. I hear her yelling for Julie, and I consider following her down the familiar hall. I decide against it; Julie probably wants to talk outside, where Kaitlin can't hear us.

Julie appears at the door, her green eyes flashing with rage. "Hi, Luke," she says evenly, and I wonder when the malice in her eyes is going to show in her voice.

I run my hands through my hair. "Can we talk?" I gesture outside. She nods, and yells something to Kaitlin.

She shuts the door behind her as we walk outside. "What is it, Luke?" she sounds exasperated.

"Marissa," I manage to croak out. "She knows."

Julie's eyes grow wide as saucers, before narrowing again. "I thought we had an agreement. You weren't supposed to tell anyone."

"Shit, Julie, did you think she was never going to find out? And I didn't mean to tell her. You know that Ryan and Seth know. They saw us at the motel. Guess it wasn't far enough away from life. I told Ryan that I ended it with you, but Marissa was there," I explain, absentmindedly cracking my knuckles. I shouldn't be scared of her. Why are my knees shaking? She's the one that did the bad thing. I'm the kid.

"Look, was there a point to all this?" Julie waves her hands, and for a second I wonder if I'm supposed to interpret her apparent sign language. "I mean, what did you come here to talk to me about? Besides to remind me that a boy young enough to be my son dumped me? Or to remind me that I could get in deep shit for all of this?"

I groan. "No. I came to tell you that you should talk to Marissa. Not that she'll listen. She thinks it's all your fault. She didn't even get mad at me. I think she's in shock, really. But you need to do something to show her that you're sorry. If that's even possible for you," I snap. God, is the woman *that* stupid?

Julie places her hands on her hips in the typical Newpsie fashion. "I don't need you telling me how to raise my daughter, Luke," she says coolly.

Oh, yeah? Two can play that game. "Oh, no. Don't get me wrong. I just thought you might want to put in a good word for yourself before Marissa tells Jimmy, and all of Newport."

I can tell I've hit a nerve, as Julie flinches. "Goodbye, Luke."

I walk to my car, feeling slightly down. What is her problem? We had this amazing relationship, and the sex...okay, I'm not going to get into that. But we had this major thing going on, and she has the nerve to treat me like shit? I was only trying to help her. Maybe she's got multiple personalities. Because the Julie Cooper I just talked to is not the same one I was at the Mermaid Inn with. Believe me.

Reaching under the seat, I grin when I feel the cool, smooth glass. It's my emergency bottle. For stress and tough times only. I think this qualifies for a time of distress. Don't you? Don't answer that.

The tequila burns my throat as it slips and slides down. It feels good, numbing the emotional pain I'm feeling. No wonder Marissa has such a horrible relationship with her mother. Julie really knows how to play with your feelings.

I hardly notice that it's gotten dark out. I guess I didn't realize it, since it was cloudy and raining all day. It's down to a slight drizzle, so I don't bother turning my lights on. As I turn out of the neighborhood, I take one last swig of my drink and stash it back under the seat. Hopefully Ryan managed to qualm Marissa's fears and tears.

The tequila has distracted my mind from the mess I've made with the Cooper women, as that last thought of Marissa drifts away.

I barely hear the cars honking at me, wondering why I'm swerving all over the road while it's dark and rainy.

Two headlights, coming straight at me. Then all I see is nothing.