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: Some people were confused again, so just to tell you--last chapter was a flashback. Please read the author's note (if there is one) at the beginning of each chapter in order to understand what I'm doing here. This is in the present, and the rest of the chapters (there are fourteen) will be in the present too.

Chapter 6: And Not To Kiss Again

When an irresistible force such as you
Meets an old immovable object like me
You can bet just as sure as you live
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give
Somethin's gotta give

When an irrepressible smile such as yours
Warms an old implacable heart such as mine
Don't say no, because i insist
Somewhere, somehow, someone's gotta be kissed

So, en garde, who knows what the fates might have in store?
From their vast mysterious sky?
I'll try hard ignorin' those lips that i adore
But how long can anyone try?

Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight it with all of our might

"Something's Gotta Give"

"You get it yet?" Ryan asked. Marissa was lying on her bed, feet dangling over the edge, eyes poring over the algebra text. Ryan was trying to teach her some of the concepts of algebra for her test, but Marissa was just not getting it. And she had an exam in two weeks--not exactly a sufficient amount of time to re-learn all the concepts.

Marissa shook her head glumly. "I think I'm a hopeless cause."

Ryan got up from his position on the floor and sat down on the bed next to Marissa, patting her back. "No," he insisted, "I'll do whatever it takes to make you understand. I promise."

All Marissa really needed was a kiss, maybe a hug, and to know that someone loved her. Namely, Ryan. But he didn't. She did somewhat understand the math, thanks to him. But so much was preoccupying her mind right now, it was hard to concentrate. Like how close Ryan was to her and the feeling of his hands on the small of her back. She wondered what he would do if she just reached up and kissed him…

"Why don't we take a break?" Ryan suggested. Being with Marissa made it hard to concentrate on teaching her algebra. He was well aware of how close he'd gotten to her, and had to constantly watch his hands to make sure they didn't travel to inappropriate places. After all, they were just friends. It wouldn't be right. Especially when Marissa loved some other guy. Even sitting this close to her on the bed was risky. But she didn't seem to be saying anything. He wondered what she would do if he just leaned down and kissed her…

"Good idea," Marissa agreed. She rolled off the bed, somewhat reluctantly, after all, Ryan's body had been touching hers, and the heat flowing between them had been undeniable. She went over to the mini fridge and took out two root beers, tossing one to Ryan.

"Thanks," Ryan said, opening his can and taking a swig. Marissa did the same, and an awkward silence settled about the room. "So…how are things with that guy?"

"I haven't talked to him, actually," Marissa admitted. "I'm not sure it's the right thing to do."

Ryan shrugged. "What do you have to lose?"

You, Marissa thought, and your friendship. And my heart. "Nothing, I guess," she fibbed. Ryan looked at her curiously. "Really, I guess I should tell him. Maybe part of my heart is telling me not to, that I'm not in love with him, even though I think I am." That couldn't have been further from the truth. Marissa knew she loved Ryan, with all her heart and soul. But he didn't know that he was the guy.

"Well," Ryan boldly took a step closer to Marissa, who in turn lay down on the bed. Ryan followed suit, so their heads were touching, as were their thighs and legs. Marissa turned on her side so she was facing Ryan. "Maybe you should date other people, you know, to see if you really love him or not." What was he doing? He was describing their situation precisely. But Ryan didn't realize it. Marissa, however, was much more perceptive, and immediately realized this. She decided against saying anything though. Maybe she'd speak with her lips…No, she couldn't do this, because Ryan was so obviously not talking about their present situation. He definitely didn't know that he was the guy. She couldn't let him know, not when he was blindly giving advice he himself had used.

"I don't know, we both know how that ends up," Marissa laughed uncomfortably, before she could stop herself. Ryan raised his eyebrows.

"Do we?" Ryan asked, lowering his voice.

Marissa shrugged and bit her lip, embarrassed. "Sorry, I didn--"

"Don't be," Ryan cut in sharply. "I guess we haven't really written the ending to our own story."

He gently cupped Marissa's chin in his hands and kissed her, and both let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, Marissa thought, one of us was bound to do that sooner or later.

Finally, Ryan thought, one of us was bound to do that sooner or later.

He wrapped his arms around her neck and began to nibble on her lips, very tenderly, and Marissa moved down to leave a feathery trail of kisses on his neck. She rolled on top of Ryan, pinning him down, and the passionate urgency of their kisses intensified.

"I--I can't do…we shouldn't do this…" Marissa stammered, coming to her senses--what senses?--and standing up. Ryan looked at her with a confused expression on his face.

"But…" he stuttered, sitting up, "What--?"

"It was a mistake," Marissa snapped at him, "A momentary lapse of judgment."

Mouth agape, Ryan stared at Marissa. What was she talking about? He wanted her, oh so badly. But her heart belonged to this other guy, obviously. How could he have been so stupid, making a move on her while she was in love with another? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Marissa blinked back tears as she grabbed her purse. Why was she doing this? She loved him, wasn't this what she wanted? Oh, it was, but for some reason unbeknownst to Marissa, her body was telling her no. She didn't know why, and knew that her heart was breaking at this very moment--as was Ryan's, judging by the shocked look on his face--but nevertheless she took a deep breath and said, "I have to go…think…I…don't…what I…want…"

She left Ryan sitting helplessly befuddled on her bed.