Just Friends

Disclaimer: Sadly, this all belongs to a man named Josh. Oh, and Frank Sinatra (along with Billie Holiday) sang the song Just Friends. All songs quoted are by Frank Sinatra.

Author's Note: This entire chapter is a flashback. If it's too confusing, let me know and I'll clarify it in the next chapter.

Chapter 5: To Think of What We've Been

Day by day I'm falling more in love with you

And day by day my love seems to grow

There isn't any end to my devotion It's deeper dear, by far than any ocean

I find day by day you're making all my dreams come true

And come what may I want you to know

I'm yours alone, and I'm in love to stay

As we go through the years day by day

"Day by Day"

Marissa finished putting her dangly earrings in her ears, ignoring the incessant knocking at the door. All three of her roommates were in the dorm room, but none had the stamina to answer the door. It was understandable— midterms had kept the girls up late almost every night for the past two weeks, studying and cramming. But each girl had taken her last exam today, and could now relax for the next two months. Or six weeks. Whatever.

She hobbled to the door, one shoe on and the other in her hand.

"Coming!"

Marissa opened the door, still struggling with her shoe. Two hands reached down to steady her small frame, and she finished putting the second shoe on. Then two bright blue eyes found their place across from hers, and closed as they came closer and closer. Ryan kissed Marissa and she closed her eyes as well.

Ryan opened his eyes. "You look gorgeous." And she truly believed it. Coming from him, it was sincere and not just a ploy to get in her pants. After all, he was her boyfriend and could do that anyway. But he meant it.

"Thanks," Marissa replied. "Let me just get my purse."

Ryan nodded and headed into the living room. He sat down on the black leather couch, and turned on the TV. 'Let me just get my purse' was akin to 'Let me just fix my makeup and spend thirty more minutes in the bathroom doing God knows what'. But surprisingly, Marissa was standing in front of the TV, hands on her hips, in less than a minute.

"I said I was just getting my purse," she said.

"But…you always take more time…" Ryan said, realizing how stupid he sounded afterwards. He pointed the remote at Marissa and the TV clicked off. "You ready to go?"

Marissa nodded. Ryan stood up and took Marissa's hand. They walked out of the dorm and shut the door behind them, but didn't bother to lock it because Marissa's roommates were still there. Once they reached the parking lot, Ryan opened Marissa's door and helped her get into the Range Rover. Marissa kissed him lightly on the lips. She was so lucky to have a guy like Ryan. She loved him so much and he loved her as well. And he was the perfect gentleman.

"So where are we going?" Marissa asked. Ryan shrugged. "Ooh, a surprise! I like surprises."

Soon they came to a stop outside of the architecture building where Ryan worked a few days a week, in between classes. Ryan saw the disappointed look on Marissa's face. "Don't worry," he assured her, "This isn't where we're going. I just forgot something important. I'll be out in a minute."

He left the motor running and got out of the car, leaving Marissa to wonder what he could've possibly forgotten, and what was so important about it. She looked at the keys in the ignition. On the chain was a picture of her and Ryan, kissing. Ryan had his graduation cap in front of their faces, but you could still tell they were kissing. It had been taken on the day of their high school graduation. Such a happy day, and Ryan wanted to remember it. He was so incredibly sweet. His entire wallet was filled with pictures of Marissa, of him and Marissa, one or two pictures of the Cohens, and one picture with him, Marissa, Seth, and Summer. But it was obvious who was the star of his wallet, and who was at the center of his heart--Marissa.

Ryan walked back outside and got into the car. He was empty-handed. "What did you forget?" Marissa asked curiously, "And where is it?"

Ryan shrugged. "Are you ready?" Seeing that Ryan didn't want to tell her--at least not yet--Marissa decided not to press Ryan for details. Instead she nodded her head and kissed his neck. "If you do that, I won't be able to drive," Ryan said, as he let out a small moan. Marissa's kisses always tickled him and gave him a warm, tingly feeling inside.

They arrived back at the campus parking lot and Ryan parked. "That's it?" Marissa asked. So she'd gotten dressed up to go to Ryan's office to pick up something? That was very unlike Ryan.

"Just wait," Ryan told her. He turned off the car and was around to Marissa's side of the car to open the door before she could respond. He took her hand and locked the car. Ryan led her across the grass and she stumbled over a hole in her three inch stiletto's. Ryan caught her by the arm and she gently fell backwards into him. Marissa giggled. Ryan was always there for her--literally.

Soon they approached the willow tree, their willow tree. A black and white checkered blanket was spread out beneath its branches, and a large picnic basket was in the middle.

"I couldn't find a red and white blanket," Ryan apologized. Marissa rested her head against Ryan's shoulder.

"It doesn't matter." And it didn't. Ryan and Marissa sat down on the blanket and he opened the basket, taking out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. "Oh, Ryan, this is gorgeous." He'd begun to light two candles and placed them in candlesticks that he'd also brought along.

"Just like you." Ryan smiled and took out a bottle opener. He opened the champagne and poured its bubbly contents into the glasses. "Cheers."

Marissa clinked her glass with Ryan's. "To us."

"To us."

Marissa leaned in and kissed Ryan, tasting like champagne and mints. He gently nibbled on her lower lip, then pushed his tongue between her lips and passionately explored the innermost confines of her mouth.

Champagne forgotten, the kisses increased in urgency and passion. Ryan ended the kiss abruptly. "I have something for you."

He reached into his pants pocket and withdrew a small black velvet box. He opened it, and Marissa gasped. "Oh, Ryan…"

"Shh…" Ryan said, taking the white gold ring with its pink sapphire and two diamonds out of the box and placing it on Marissa's slender finger. "It's a promise ring."

"Ryan…this is too much," Marissa whispered, a tear of joy rolling down her face.

"Not for you, Marissa. I love you."

"I love you too." Marissa's lips met Ryan's. This was perfect. Ryan was perfect. They would last forever. At least Marissa hoped they would. She had the sweetest guy in the world, and never wanted to let him go.

Ryan opened his eyes but continued to kiss Marissa, his girlfriend. The moonlight filtered through the shade of the willow tree and cast a magical light on Marissa's face, her ring, and her entire body. Anyone looking at them would've thought the pair were glowing. And they were right. Ryan and Marissa were glowing with a pure love for each other.

Ryan hoped this night would last forever, though he knew it couldn't. All he could do was hope for many more nights like this one, with the love of his life under the willow tree.

Marissa knew she'd never forget this night. A beautiful moonlit champagne picnic with the one she loved, Ryan, what more could she ask for? Many more nights like these, hopefully many more years like this year, and a whole life with him. They were meant to be, she knew it.