The next morning Ryan woke up and found Marissa gone. Last night went better than he thought it would go. He was able to open up to Marissa more than he had before. Maybe this was the obstacle that they had to overcome to bring them closer together. I wonder what she thinks about all this.
Ryan hopped in the shower before starting a brand new day. When he came out of the bathroom he found Marissa standing by the table in the room putting down some coffee and breakfast she brought up. There was a bit of tense silence that filled the room before it was broken by Marissa.

"I thought you would be hungry. I just brought up plain bagels since that is all they had available."

"Plain is fine. Thanks." He said trying to avoid her gaze.

"Ryan, look at me please." Marissa pleaded.

He didn't know why, but he found it hard to look her straight in the eye. Maybe he was afraid of what she was going to say, or not say for that matter. He wanted to please her since he still loved her so he raised up his head.

"You don't know how much it meant to me to hear all that you said last night. I don't need to hear anymore than I did. Everything that was said covered it all. I realized this morning watching you sleep that I don't want what we have to end, no matter what."

Normally Ryan was silent because he wanted to hold his tongue, but this time he was silent since he didn't know what to say after all of that. Marissa got a little worried and decided to continue.

"I guess I felt the same way that I did that day on Thanksgiving again and I let it get the best of me. Maybe I just don't deserve you. I should never have pressured you even though now I know some more about you. I liked what I heard. I would probably even like it even if it were something horrible. Listen I am just rambling now and I don't even know what I am saying anymore."

"It's okay. Let it out. I am here to listen."

"I'm so confused. This is just so complicated."

"It's my fault Marissa. I am the one who is not understanding here."

"What do you mean?" Marissa asked confused.

"You have been in a relationship before and I never had. I never had to explain myself as much as I had to with you and I guess that just was a bit scary for me. I did not want to be judged again for my past."

"I would never judge you. Remember I never said a cross word about you coming from Chino. This should have given you the first indication that I saw more to you."

"I guess I saw it too late and I destroyed anything that we have."

"Don't say that. Please don't say that." Marissa felt tears start to form.

"I've caused you just so much pain. This is more than you can bear right now."

"I know a lot has happened to me, but you are the only thing that is keeping me afloat right now."

"I am not the right person to do that."

"Ryan, you are. You just don't see that yet. Let me show you that you are."

There was a knock on the door...

"Let me get that." Ryan suggested.

Room service was bringing them some breakfast to their room. Ryan was a bit confused cause obviously neither of them ordered so he asked who sent for this and the man said that a very attractive woman put in a request. He knew that it must have been Summer. If it was any other time he would be annoyed at the interruption, but this time the timing was perfect. He paid the man a tip and closed the door.

"Isn't this nice of Summer and Seth? I was starving." Ryan mentioned to avoid the previous subject.

"I guess. I'm going to go over to thank Summer personally." Marissa said before departing.

How am I going to take another five days of this? What should I do to help him see this is the best thing for both of us? We belong together. I know it. Maybe he is right. Maybe he isn't the right person.

Marissa did not go to Summer and Seth's room like she told Ryan. She rented out a ski suit and hit the slopes. It was about time she cleared her mind and thought everything through. Just the open air, the snow, and endless possibilities.

"Have you seen Marissa? I want to try snowboarding with her." Summer said when she entered Ryan and Marissa's room.

"Wasn't she with you?" Ryan asked confused.

"No. Haven't seen her all day. The best place for me to look for her would be with you. I know things have been rough, but Seth was with me so you are the last option."

"She told me she went to talk with you. I haven't seen her since."

"She can't be too far away. This place is not that huge. Let's just see if she is somewhere downstairs, or something. I'll get Seth."

"I'm right behind you." Ryan said sounding concerned.