*Alrighty then! Next chapter...and since all of you did a very good job of reviewing I

decided to give you a gift. I have written two new chapters.. Two plot filled, juicy

chapters, might I add. So all I want you to do is do what you do best: review. I think that

is a fairly simple request. Does anyone else feel all empty inside. A Tuesday night and

no O.C. A void is in my life, one that only can be filled with Ryan, Seth, and the rest of

the gang. One that can only be filled on October 30. So anyways, the first part of this

chapter is just a lot of friendly Marissa/Summer stuff, just their thoughts on each others

friendship because friendship is where its all it, nawmean? But there will be more juicy

stuff towards the end..I promise! So on with the story!*

"Girl, I could so almost not go clubbing tonight and just go back to the room and

sleep," Summer said lethargically.

Marissa shot her a disbelieving look.

"I said ALMOST!" she said.

They both dissolved into laughter, not caring about a thing in the world. One's

parents were getting a divorce and her boyfriend was cheating on her. The other's

mother was long gone with the aerobics instructor living in Greenwich Village and her

older brother whom she has looked up to forever is so hooked on drugs and it will be a

hard road coming back. But neither of them are choosing to think of these things now.

All they care about is that they are in Mexico, living it up with friends. And there is

nothing like amigos to relieve you from worries. But even the best of friends cannot

console you about everything. And things don't stay perfect and carefree for long.

"Thank God we're back," Seth said, "I am so sweaty and need a shower!"

"Yeah, you're right," Ryan said, waving his hands in front of his nose.

"Ha Ha," Seth said sarcastically, while the girls laughed.

"We really need to go and meet everyone for dinner. It is already six thirty,"

Marissa said.

"You go, Coop, I am so dead on my feet. I'll see you back in the room."

"Are you coming, Ryan?" Marissa asked.

"I guess so," he answered, "What about you Seth?"

"No, I'm gonna go take a shower."

"OK, then we'll see you two later then," Marissa said, walking the opposite

direction with Ryan. When both Summer and Seth were out of earshot. Marissa turned to

Ryan.

"Bets on when they hook up?"

"Excuse me?" he asked, disbelievingly.

"When do you think they'll hook up?"

"What makes you think that'll actually happen..I mean I know he loves her,

but it takes two to tango."

"How could you not see it? They are so flirty, and she's all, 'Oh Seth, carry

me!'".

"You actually do have a point...OK, I bet...ten dollars on the last day of the

trip."

"Alright, I'll match that bet, but I am going for tonight, after we get back from the

club."

"You're on," he said.

They shook hands, and then collapsed into giggles.

The teenagers walked into the club, shaking their hips to the beat of the music.

"Usual?" Seth asked Summer.

"Of course," she answered.

The night went by, just like Summer's drink order, as usual. Marissa and Luke

danced, Summer and Seth danced, Ryan sat and watched, occasionally sharing a short

dance with Marissa. They ended their night, actually earlier than usual, around 11:30.

"That was an excellent night," Holly slurred.

"Yup," they all agreed.

"It sucks that we only have one more night here," Luke commented.

"I know," Summer said, "We definitely need to do this whole thing again next

year."

A murmur of agreement escaped all of their lips as they climbed into the car.

The drive back was short and silent. They exited the car and headed into the hotel. They

exited the car and headed into the hotel.

"Night," Luke said, kissing Marissa, "Love you."

"Love you too," she said, going into her room.

"Are you tired?" Summer asked Seth.

"Not really. I mean after I took my shower, I took about an hour long nap."

"Me too..I don't really feel like going into the room 'cause Coop'll want to go

to sleep."

"Do you...I mean, Ryan seems tired and we can't go there, so do you maybe

wanna walk on the beach or something like that?"

"Yeah," she said shyly, "That might be good."

Luke waited for about twenty minutes, and then dialed the number of Holly's

room.

"Hey," she answered.

"Hey," he responded, "I am sure everyone is asleep or at least in their rooms for

the night. Marissa seemed like she was about to pass out on her feet."

"I'll be right over," she said, hanging up the phone.

Marissa ran a comb through her wet hair. She had decided to take a shower

tonight so that she could wake up later the next morning.

"I wonder who'd be calling me now," she said when she saw the message light on

her cell phone blinking.

"Daddy," she thought and pressed the redial button.

"Hello," her father answered.

"Daddy? Did you just call me?"

"Sweetie. Hi...I uh just wanted to call and tell you something."

"What is it? Are Mom and Caitlin.."

"They're fine. Your mom and I, we just...we just couldn't work it out. I'm

sorry Pumpkin."

Marissa, her eyes clouding with tears, pressed the end button on her phone. She

hastily wiped at her eyes and opened the door to her room. She ran down the hall and

knocked loudly. She heard the padding of feet to the door and the locks opening.

"Marissa? What's the matter?" asked a concerned Luke.

"My...My..can I come in?"

"I...uh don't think that it's the best..."

"I just wanna talk. I'll just sit on the bed," she said, stepping into the gap between

Luke and the door.

But as she went to sit on the bed, she discovered that it was already occupied.