I'm so sorry! yark! you know how highschool gets. all of this "all-girl- school drama" doesn't leave a kid with much free time. IOU all a long chapter...unfortunately, this isn't it. sorry! I'll update again...soon. VERY soon.

At cheerleading practice the next day, Marissa took the air with the same zeal as the day before. She was practically throwing herself up in the sky, rising about a foot higher than the rest of the cheerleaders. Then, it happened.

Marissa was possibly in her highest jump ever when something in the distance, either in the sky or the parking lot, broke her concentration, and, without intending to, she jerked her shoulder slightly. Her flip turned into a total belly-flop. She landed hard on the ground, and the cheerleaders heard a vague cracking sound. In the next instant, she was writhing on the ground, clutching her right arm.

"Missy, what's wrong?" Joanna said, kneeling next to her. "Somebody go get Doc! Something's up," Within thirty seconds, he was coming over.

"What's going on?" he said. Marissa was panting heavily, but was slightly calmer.

"There's something wrong with my arm," she said, her eyes tearing up slightly. "I can't move it." He kneeled down next to her, prodding and bending her arm.

"Pulled a muscle, from what I can tell. It might even be worse," he said. "You won't be doing much cheering for about two weeks at least. You need a ride to the hospital, right now. I'll make the call and tell them to expect you. Bosley, get over here," Alan came running over. "You got a car?"

"Yessir," Alan panted.

"You know the way to the hospital?" Doc asked. Alan nodded. "Get her over there as soon as possible." He pushed him forward, and he helped Marissa up, bringing her over to his car. While they were walking, Marissa looked back over her shoulder.

"Hey, Sunshine," she called hoarsely, "Everybody's still on for later, right?" But she didn't catch an answer as she ducked into Alan's car. "You know, my arm isn't that bad."

"Then bend it," Alan said, starting his car. Marissa looked down at her shoes. "You can't move it, can you?" Marissa rolled her eyes. "And you're thinking about when everybody's supposed to meet for your phone call to Kip Tyler? Are you ever going to learn how to take things seriously?"

"It's an arm," Marissa snapped, "I can dial with the other hand. What are you getting at?"

"I'm not saying anything," Alan said, annoyed.

"Then what are all those words doing falling out of your mouth? I guess you just DROPPED them by accident?" she said. "I need a doctor, not some big-headed speech."

"Well, lucky you, because you're getting both." Alan snapped. "You know, it really sucks to be the one listening to you say nothing's wrong when any halfwit could tell that there's a whole lot that is,"

"I'm sorry, then," Marissa snapped. "But I'm not exactly ecstatic right now." They pulled in front of the hospital, and Marissa got out, Alan following behind.

It turned out that Marissa didn't need a cast, but she'd need to keep her arm in a sling for three weeks. When she came out, she was thinking much more clearly. The first thing she did was run over to Alan and give him a one-handed hug.

"I'm sorry about being in such a bad mood in the car," she said.

"Aw, I can't blame you," he laughed. "Come on, we're not too late for the end of practice." They hurried outside and back to the car. Now, Alan switched on the radio. About two months ago, the speakers would have been pouring out country music, but it seemed that being a Titan had changed his taste.

Upon getting back to the field, the cheerleaders all ran over to Marissa.

"Really, I'm fine," she laughed. "I just have to skip out on the next few games. I'll be on the sidelines cheering, but you can't count on me to hold your hand through the routine anymore."

"She just broke her arm and she's already talking about us staying in shape." Joanna muttered. "Count on Marissa to keep us on a tight leash."

"A leash," Marissa muttered in mock contemplation. "That's really not a bad idea." Joanna looked at her in disbelief. "Just kidding!"

"You don't need to follow me. I really mean it!" Marissa said, getting out of her car and started up her driveway to the front door. Rev had insisted on walking her home, since she had walked to school by herself that morning. She had sworn that she was fine and that he could leave, ever since they reached the end of her street, but he wouldn't let her go off alone. "Rev, I swear, if you don't quit it, I'm gonna break that right wrist to match the left." She tried to slam the door in his face, but he caught it and walked in after her. She wheeled around to face him, looking annoyed. "When people try to close to door on you, it usually means that they don't want you to come in,"

"Look, you don't need to get all twisted up about it. I'm just trying to check up on you," he said with a serious tone in his voice.

"I ain't twisted up about anything." she said, crossing her arms, "And I really appreciate the gesture, but I don't need anyone patronizing me,"

"You aren't thinking straight." Rev said. "I mean, I never knew the guy, but I bet your dad would probably be disappointed to see you moping around like this and totally knocking yourself senseless over some loser."

"My dad walked out on my mom," Marissa said, now quite heated. "Then he got himself drunk and hit by some train or something. I was a stupid kid, so no one really bothered to tell me what happened anyway! He didn't even bother to drop a not saying, 'See ya, kid. Gone to get run over!' I don't really care what he'd think. Don't get me wrong. I mean, I'm glad you're worrying about me and all, but you don't know a thing."

"I know more than you think," he said. "My father left my mom just a couple days after I was born to marry some white lady he'd just gotten pregnant. The only time I've ever seen him is in this picture." he dug into his wallet and pulled out a rumpled, yellowing piece of paper. Marissa looked at it inquisitively.

"That can't be him," Marissa said matter-of-factly. She repeated it a few times as if she was trying to convince herself.

"Yeah, he was white," Rev said. It had been something he never liked talking about. People had assumed that his father and mother had just divorced, or that he was killed in the war...but no one would suspect what was really true. "He was white," Rev repeated, shrugging.

"And he was also...my dad," Marissa said. "Rev, come on, is this really him, or are you just trying to pull one over on me?"

"That's him," Rev insisted.

"You swear?" she said in a hushed tone. "You swear to God?"

"Yeah," he replied. Marissa realized it had to be true. This was Rev...the Rev. He wouldn't swear to God unless he really, truly, meant it.

"But that means that you and I—" Marissa paused. "Ugh! This means that for two weeks, I had a crush on my brother!" The two started laughing uncontrollably. "Thanks," she muttered, giving him a hug.

"For what?" he asked.

"I sort of thought that there wasn't anything left for me out here," she said. "Now, at least I got you."

People were gathered at Marissa's house, even outside her window, crouching by the bushes. It seems that Sunshine had taken the liberty of inviting a few...dozen...people to hear her phone call to Kip Tyler. But, since they had Blue and Julius acting as bouncers, nobody could get close enough to hear anything but Marissa's quick replies.

"Hey, it's Marissa," she said. She would have been fine if she was just making the call alone, but now there were people watching, waiting for her to get turned down. She had her fingers crossed at her side. Guys didn't usually like girls with the guts to call them. Hopefully, for the sake of Marissa's ego, Kip wasn't one of those guys. "You didn't think I'd ever call? Well, why not?...So, if you don't have plans tonight, I was wondering if we could meet up...Really? I didn't think anyone from Groveton went to Hal's that often. I was about to go myself...Right now? That's sounds great! I'll see you there." She hung up and walked up to Alan. "I need a ride," she laughed.

So, weaving through the crowd, she told him the whole story as they ran out to his car, and he dropped Marissa off at Hal's. "Good luck," he said, driving away.

The next week at practice, Marissa, though she had been able to take the sling off a lot earlier than expected, obviously wasn't doing many flips. But the way her cheers seemed to echo more than made up for it. After a while, it got cold, so she walked out to her car to get a sweater. In the parking lot, she found Alan had cut out on practice early, and was sitting in his car, listening to the radio.

"Tut, tut," she laughed. "Someone throw the bookie at the boy playin' hookie. Boone's gonna kill ya,"

"Step into my office," he replied, "You seem to be skipping out on your practice, too" Marissa rolled her eyes and opened the passenger-side door. "How'd things go last night?"

"Depends," Marissa shrugged. "Don't get me wrong. He's not mean or anything. He's a sweet guy. It's just that he's a little bit different from me. He's strong as an ox, and about as smart as one too."

"Ouch," Alan laughed, "Is it really that bad?"

"Yeah, it's that bad." Marissa said.

"You know, I may not be the smartest guy in the world either," he began earnestly, "But—"

"Alan, get real," Marissa said with a smile. "Look, you're a great guy and everything, but it might take a little while to think of you as more than just a friend,"

"I'm not implying anything," Alan said defensively. "Straight up, I've thought you were drop dead gorgeous since square one. Then, you turn out to be a great person, and it gets a little crazy pretending I never noticed you,"

"Well," Marissa said, squirming uncomfortably, "I don't see what you expect me to do right now. Actually, I'd be more comfortable if you didn't expect me to do anything,"

"Whoa, no pressure," Alan said. "I mean, I swear, we can be totally civil about this. If it just doesn't click, then we'll just call it off and laugh about it sooner or later." He moved his hand close to her face and twirled the baby hairs at the nape of her neck. "Come on, how can you say no to this face?"

Marissa laughed. Truth be told, she had always found that baby-face, paired with that easygoing attitude, totally charming. He made her think of the perfect guys that she had always fallen for but never approached, and here was her big chance to change that. Now, he was asking her if she could say no to him..."I can't," she leaned over and kissed him. He pulled the door shut with his foot. Needless to say, it was a more than welcome change from the cold weather outside.

Meanwhile, someone had just caught word of Marissa's little rendezvous with Kip Tyler. Ray walked into the parking lot, knowing full well that he wasn't welcome. Of course, it didn't really matter. He needed to know if the rumors were true, and he saw the perfect way to find out for sure.

He saw Alan's car with the windows fogged. Okay, so he was with a girl. A quick question wouldn't hurt. He walked over and rapped lightly on the window with his knuckles.

"Hey, man, you got a minute?" he asked.

After a slight pause, Alan answered irately, "It's unlocked." Ray pulled the door open and found Alan in the backseat, still fully clothed but in a rather awkward position.

"So, you seen Marissa today?" he asked. "I couldn't find her anywhere."

"It ain't like I'm hiding or anything," she said, peering out from under Alan. "Now, if you don't mind, you're sort of interrupting," Ray narrowed his eyes and slammed the door. They got back to it for about five more minutes, until they heard people hooting outside the car. She slipped out from under Alan, who opened the door.

"Well, it looks like Bosley found a way to keep warm today," Blue laughed. "So you two got together—"

Marissa and Alan looked at each other and answered simultaneously, "No,"

"No, eh?" Gerry laughed.

"The chemistry just isn't there," Marissa said, blushing profusely.

"Well, you guys had enough chemistry to fog up that car," Petey said, elbowing Alan.

"We're just friends. That was just sort of an experimental kiss," Marissa said. "Besides, I have plans with Kip tonight."

"I thought you said he was dumb as an ox," Alan laughed.

"Well, I guess even an ox isn't dumb enough not to ask me on a second date," she laughed. "So, if you don't mind, I'm going to go get ready."

"You dig her," Rev said, laughing.

"Nah," Alan said. "I mean, I did about half an hour ago, but that felt like kissing my sister,"

"When you were actually kissing my sister." Rev said.

"Kip Tyler," Sunshine said out loud. "You guys, why don't I get a good feeling about this?"

Kinda crazy, hectic chapter...With the whole big revelation about Marissa's dad, and the whole "experimental kiss" with Alan. Plus, her whole little injury. You can tell that the girl's got a lot on her plate right now.