Chapter 3 – Changes
Ryan woke up the next morning the way he felt the night before... exhausted. He didn't get much sleep after thinking about what Seth said the night before. Was she really going to do that again?
At lunch he figured that was the best time to find out. He noticed her sitting alone so he walked up to her. Marissa noticed him right away. She was worried what he was going to say to her now. She was not in the mood for it.
"Is this seat taken?" Ryan asked.
"No. Not really."
"Did you finish the drawings for the project?"
"I haven't gotten around to it yet."
"You need some help. The project is almost due."
"I got it covered. Thanks."
"Look that is not the real reason I came by."
"So tell me why?"
"Are you okay?"
"Fine." Marissa responded not knowing where he was going with this.
"I mean emotionally. Summer is worried."
"The she should come by and talk to me about it. I don't need you worrying about me."
"I wasn't." Ryan spoke out not meaning to say that.
"Good. I can take care of myself."
"Great."
Ryan was the one now who was walking out first. He didn't want to, but she didn't look like she wanted him there. Nothing that came into his mind seemed to help him in his situation. Soon he felt like it was a lost cause.
Later in the day Marissa called Summer. Luckily she was at home alone and she wasn't distracted. Now not only was she upset with Ryan, but with Summer also.
"Sorry Coop. I just knew he would probably get through to you because I know he still cares about you."
"He doesn't."
"Are you still mad at me?"
"No. I just. I don't know. I wish something was still there, but it's gone."
"Anything can happen. Look at Cohen and I. Who would of thought?"
"Once again Sum you are right."
After Marissa got off the phone with Summer, she grabbed her purse and coat and headed for the Cohen house. She felt like she needed to apologize to Ryan for acting like a bitch. The words coming out of her mouth lately were not the ones she wanted to use. He needed to know that.
Ryan was laying down on his bed in the pool house playing the model home mix cd Marissa gave him. He still cared even though he told her he didn't. Maybe he should go talk to her. See if anything was still left. He then heard a knock on the door. He was half way to the door when she opened it. They looked right in the eyes at each other.
"Sorry I didn't call and say I was coming by. I figured you wouldn't pick up."
"Nah. It's fine."
"You still have this cd. It's been awhile since I gave it to you."
The Jeff Buckley song played in the background. It set the tone just like it had once before. It reminded her of when he asked her to leave the first time. Hopefully this time would be different.
"I listen to it once in a while."
"Does it remind you of me?"
"How could it not?"
After a moment of silence, Marissa spoke up about what she really came here for.
"I came by to say sorry for acting like a bitch lately. Things came out that I didn't want to say."
"Are you sure about everything?"
Marissa then thought back about her saying I love you to him. This she did not want to take back. She couldn't because she still did.
"Well not everything."
She then sat down on the bed and he did not object. He could tell she meant everything she was saying.
"Could I stay the night? You know just to hang out."
"This sounds like déjà vu."
"Maybe it is, but I hope the outcome will be better than the last time. Will it Ryan? Will you push me away again?"
Marissa couldn't look at him while awaiting an answer. She kept her head down, but she didn't need to.
"Marissa...", she looked up, "I could never push you away. No matter how hard I try."
"You've been doing a good job trying."
"Really? You are here now so I guess it really isn't working."
That line caused them both to smile. It's been a long time since I have seen that smile Marissa thought.
"If I let you stay, there is one condition."
"And what's that?"
"You'll drive Seth and me to school tomorrow."
"I think I can handle that."
She slept on one side of the big bed and he on the other. Never once during the night did they touch. That would have made it too soon. Neither were really ready for that.
It was Thursday morning and Ryan woke up to a half empty bed. Where did she go? Why didn't she say anything about leaving? This made Ryan a bit nervous. He decided to call the Cooper apartment. Jimmy picked up the phone and told him that it seemed as though Marissa already left. If she wasn't in either place then where was she? Not being able to give it much thought, he saw her walk through the pool house door. "Where did you go?"
"I quickly drove home and picked up clothes to wear to school today before my dad realized that I never came home. I can't wear the same outfit two days in a row."
"Oh. That makes sense. I thought I did something wrong in my sleep."
"Nope. You were the perfect gentleman, and I just wanted to say thanks. You could have said no."
"It was appropriate this time."
After Ryan got out of the bathroom, she needed to ask him a question. One that had been on her mind since this morning.
"Ryan."
"Yeah."
"Are we alright? I mean about us trying the friends bit again?"
Deep down Ryan wanted to say no. He wanted to be more than friends and he realized that after last night. He didn't want to push things too far so he told her yes. They were going to try this friends business till she was ready to continue where they left off the first time.
School that day was a bit of a drag. Same crap, different day. Luke was happy to see Ryan and Marissa beginning to talk to each other as friends again. He even invited the whole gang to come by his house that Friday since he was throwing a party the next night. All agreed and things looked like they were turning normal again. Later that day the group of three finished their project at Ryan's house.
"Well I'm going to head out. I'm having dinner with my dad." Luke spoke as he walked towards the door.
"See ya man." Ryan called out.
Marissa sat there in the living room not knowing if she should leave also. She really didn't want to and having Ryan ask her if she wanted to stay for dinner helped her situation. Dinner came and went. Seth made more jokes about Kirsten's cooking as usual. Sandy and Kirsten were happy too to see that Ryan and Marissa were okay again. When she left, he had to admit that he missed her. Last night was nice that she slept over. Even though they didn't touch, just smelling her perfume was enough. A little bit still lingered in the pool house. This helped him sleep a bit longer that night.
The next day at school, Luke, Ryan, and Marissa gave their presentation without a hitch. They were happy to get it over with. All any of them could think about was the party tonight. No parents, no rules, no worries.
An hour before the party was to start, Summer was mulling over what to wear. She just could not make up her mind. Nothing in her closet pleased her. Marissa kept insisting what she had on was fine. After about twenty minutes, she picked an outfit. All that was left now was to pick up Ryan and Seth.
When they arrived at the party they noticed some familiar people. A couple were even the same ones that ignored Luke before. It seems as though some people did change. The group of four even saw a pretty blonde looking very interested in Luke. Things were turning around for him also. The four of them walked up to him.
"Hey Luke. Great party." Seth observed.
"Hey guys. Thanks Cohen. Um... meet Liz here. She is new in town. Just met her last period in school."
"Hi." Liz spoke up.
The four greeted her and then Luke whisked her away. Since it was a great turnout, the couples got separated from each other. Seth and Summer when into a corner and began making out. Ryan and Marissa went to the bar to get some drinks.
"Don't worry dad. This soda has no alcohol in it." She joked.
"I know. I watched."
"My own personal spy. How much are they paying you again?" she asked sarcastically.
"I would do it for free."
"I should be so lucky. Umm. I like this song so I'm just going to go over there and dance to it since you don't dance. Is that okay master?" she mocked.
"Go right ahead."
He watched her as she got her so called groove on amongst the people. Then he noticed that Jeremy started to dance with her. Ryan did not like that guy at all. The song that was being played was 311's version of Love Song. Not only was this upsetting, but seeing her smile and enjoying it hurt him more. Then he realized they weren't a couple. They were just friends.
Ryan woke up the next morning the way he felt the night before... exhausted. He didn't get much sleep after thinking about what Seth said the night before. Was she really going to do that again?
At lunch he figured that was the best time to find out. He noticed her sitting alone so he walked up to her. Marissa noticed him right away. She was worried what he was going to say to her now. She was not in the mood for it.
"Is this seat taken?" Ryan asked.
"No. Not really."
"Did you finish the drawings for the project?"
"I haven't gotten around to it yet."
"You need some help. The project is almost due."
"I got it covered. Thanks."
"Look that is not the real reason I came by."
"So tell me why?"
"Are you okay?"
"Fine." Marissa responded not knowing where he was going with this.
"I mean emotionally. Summer is worried."
"The she should come by and talk to me about it. I don't need you worrying about me."
"I wasn't." Ryan spoke out not meaning to say that.
"Good. I can take care of myself."
"Great."
Ryan was the one now who was walking out first. He didn't want to, but she didn't look like she wanted him there. Nothing that came into his mind seemed to help him in his situation. Soon he felt like it was a lost cause.
Later in the day Marissa called Summer. Luckily she was at home alone and she wasn't distracted. Now not only was she upset with Ryan, but with Summer also.
"Sorry Coop. I just knew he would probably get through to you because I know he still cares about you."
"He doesn't."
"Are you still mad at me?"
"No. I just. I don't know. I wish something was still there, but it's gone."
"Anything can happen. Look at Cohen and I. Who would of thought?"
"Once again Sum you are right."
After Marissa got off the phone with Summer, she grabbed her purse and coat and headed for the Cohen house. She felt like she needed to apologize to Ryan for acting like a bitch. The words coming out of her mouth lately were not the ones she wanted to use. He needed to know that.
Ryan was laying down on his bed in the pool house playing the model home mix cd Marissa gave him. He still cared even though he told her he didn't. Maybe he should go talk to her. See if anything was still left. He then heard a knock on the door. He was half way to the door when she opened it. They looked right in the eyes at each other.
"Sorry I didn't call and say I was coming by. I figured you wouldn't pick up."
"Nah. It's fine."
"You still have this cd. It's been awhile since I gave it to you."
The Jeff Buckley song played in the background. It set the tone just like it had once before. It reminded her of when he asked her to leave the first time. Hopefully this time would be different.
"I listen to it once in a while."
"Does it remind you of me?"
"How could it not?"
After a moment of silence, Marissa spoke up about what she really came here for.
"I came by to say sorry for acting like a bitch lately. Things came out that I didn't want to say."
"Are you sure about everything?"
Marissa then thought back about her saying I love you to him. This she did not want to take back. She couldn't because she still did.
"Well not everything."
She then sat down on the bed and he did not object. He could tell she meant everything she was saying.
"Could I stay the night? You know just to hang out."
"This sounds like déjà vu."
"Maybe it is, but I hope the outcome will be better than the last time. Will it Ryan? Will you push me away again?"
Marissa couldn't look at him while awaiting an answer. She kept her head down, but she didn't need to.
"Marissa...", she looked up, "I could never push you away. No matter how hard I try."
"You've been doing a good job trying."
"Really? You are here now so I guess it really isn't working."
That line caused them both to smile. It's been a long time since I have seen that smile Marissa thought.
"If I let you stay, there is one condition."
"And what's that?"
"You'll drive Seth and me to school tomorrow."
"I think I can handle that."
She slept on one side of the big bed and he on the other. Never once during the night did they touch. That would have made it too soon. Neither were really ready for that.
It was Thursday morning and Ryan woke up to a half empty bed. Where did she go? Why didn't she say anything about leaving? This made Ryan a bit nervous. He decided to call the Cooper apartment. Jimmy picked up the phone and told him that it seemed as though Marissa already left. If she wasn't in either place then where was she? Not being able to give it much thought, he saw her walk through the pool house door. "Where did you go?"
"I quickly drove home and picked up clothes to wear to school today before my dad realized that I never came home. I can't wear the same outfit two days in a row."
"Oh. That makes sense. I thought I did something wrong in my sleep."
"Nope. You were the perfect gentleman, and I just wanted to say thanks. You could have said no."
"It was appropriate this time."
After Ryan got out of the bathroom, she needed to ask him a question. One that had been on her mind since this morning.
"Ryan."
"Yeah."
"Are we alright? I mean about us trying the friends bit again?"
Deep down Ryan wanted to say no. He wanted to be more than friends and he realized that after last night. He didn't want to push things too far so he told her yes. They were going to try this friends business till she was ready to continue where they left off the first time.
School that day was a bit of a drag. Same crap, different day. Luke was happy to see Ryan and Marissa beginning to talk to each other as friends again. He even invited the whole gang to come by his house that Friday since he was throwing a party the next night. All agreed and things looked like they were turning normal again. Later that day the group of three finished their project at Ryan's house.
"Well I'm going to head out. I'm having dinner with my dad." Luke spoke as he walked towards the door.
"See ya man." Ryan called out.
Marissa sat there in the living room not knowing if she should leave also. She really didn't want to and having Ryan ask her if she wanted to stay for dinner helped her situation. Dinner came and went. Seth made more jokes about Kirsten's cooking as usual. Sandy and Kirsten were happy too to see that Ryan and Marissa were okay again. When she left, he had to admit that he missed her. Last night was nice that she slept over. Even though they didn't touch, just smelling her perfume was enough. A little bit still lingered in the pool house. This helped him sleep a bit longer that night.
The next day at school, Luke, Ryan, and Marissa gave their presentation without a hitch. They were happy to get it over with. All any of them could think about was the party tonight. No parents, no rules, no worries.
An hour before the party was to start, Summer was mulling over what to wear. She just could not make up her mind. Nothing in her closet pleased her. Marissa kept insisting what she had on was fine. After about twenty minutes, she picked an outfit. All that was left now was to pick up Ryan and Seth.
When they arrived at the party they noticed some familiar people. A couple were even the same ones that ignored Luke before. It seems as though some people did change. The group of four even saw a pretty blonde looking very interested in Luke. Things were turning around for him also. The four of them walked up to him.
"Hey Luke. Great party." Seth observed.
"Hey guys. Thanks Cohen. Um... meet Liz here. She is new in town. Just met her last period in school."
"Hi." Liz spoke up.
The four greeted her and then Luke whisked her away. Since it was a great turnout, the couples got separated from each other. Seth and Summer when into a corner and began making out. Ryan and Marissa went to the bar to get some drinks.
"Don't worry dad. This soda has no alcohol in it." She joked.
"I know. I watched."
"My own personal spy. How much are they paying you again?" she asked sarcastically.
"I would do it for free."
"I should be so lucky. Umm. I like this song so I'm just going to go over there and dance to it since you don't dance. Is that okay master?" she mocked.
"Go right ahead."
He watched her as she got her so called groove on amongst the people. Then he noticed that Jeremy started to dance with her. Ryan did not like that guy at all. The song that was being played was 311's version of Love Song. Not only was this upsetting, but seeing her smile and enjoying it hurt him more. Then he realized they weren't a couple. They were just friends.