On the Flip Side
Chapter 8: How's this for a birthday?
Disclaimer: I don't own the O.C.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! I love all of you guys! By the way, Ryan hasn't given Marissa her birthday present yet. Next chapter, she'll be getting it. Sorry to disappoint you, but I wanted to get this out quickly.
Sis2ACesarSalad—in the author's note, I said that I had to postpone it to this chapter. Expect some R/M lovin' as you read. But they're not getting together..yet.
Winterrose—Rocky is coming back. Woo! I actually like the guy, he's not bad, he just gets in the way of R/M. Rocky may be the Luke of the story…you'll have to find out, it could be someone unexpected! Luke will be making an appearance soon too, but he's not who you think he is…
Reviewer—glad it's one of your favorites. Here's your update!!
Ben lover – the r/m moments are some of my fave to write. Yes, the birthday party. It was all leading up to this anyway. Hope the butt-kicking action meets your approval.
Theresa- I try to make the new characters somewhat like the old ones. So yeah, Grace has a bit of Summer in her. Let's just say she's not hooking up with Seth, though.
LORA- no problem. I can tell we're both HUGE r/m fans. Don't worry, they're not getting together soon soon, but they'll be having their share of moments. Wink, wink. And it's going to be special (the present) I think…just read. Thanks, the story's only awesome b/c of great reviewers like you!
Ryansosexy- yeah, they are, aren't they? Aww, that really means a lot to me! You seriously made my day!
Lala456—this is your lucky day! This chapter has a bit more about her drug use and everything.
HOTTERTHNU- I will try to make longer chapters, I just feel like too much goes on in them when they're REALLY long. But just for you, I'll make an effort to move the story along faster. Aw, thanks. It makes me feel special that you think I have a knack for writing them, because you're such a great writer.
On with the story…
"Marissa, will you get that?" Summer yelled over the music, drink in hand.
Marissa gave her the thumbs up and went to the door.
"Hey," she slurred, slinging her arm around Rocky. "It's my birthday."
"No way," Rocky feigned shock. "You mean that's what this party is for?"
"Duh. This is a birthday party, Rocky," she said, not hinting the sarcasm. Rocky kissed her on the lips, and Marissa suddenly went limp in his arms. "Damn," he said, "I knew I was seductive, but I didn't know I was that powerful." Obviously he was joking.
Urgently, he shook Marissa, who soon snapped back to her normal state.
"You just blacked out for a second," Rocky told her.
Marissa tried to shrug it off. "It's no big deal, really. I've had worse happen."
"What did you drink?" Rocky asked, starting to get worried. He'd heard the rumors, but was never sure whether or not to believe them.
"A little bit of vodka, maybe half a bottle of banana rum," Marissa breathed. Funny, Rocky hadn't noticed how much her breath reeked of banana before.
"That it?" Rocky asked, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Nope," Marissa giggled. "I had some tequila."
"How much is some?" Rocky wrapped his arm around Marissa, leading her into the living room, where most of the kids where.
"This much," Marissa gestured with her arms, spreading them really far apart. "Just kidding." She brought them closer together. Rocky gulped. If Marissa was being serious, she'd had enough tequila to knock a normal person into unconsciousness.
"Why don't we sit down?" Rocky led Marissa to the cream colored couch, which probably wasn't the best color scheme Summer's stepmom could've chosen. After all, it was a known fact that Summer had wild parties every time her parents were out of time. Which was, like, every weekend.
"I'm going to go get you some water. Hang tight, okay?" Rocky made sure Marissa was situated on the couch, and that she wasn't laying on her stomach. He didn't want her throwing up and choking on her vomit, disgusting as it was.
As Rocky walked away, Summer, Ryan, and Seth walked up.
"Hey, Marissa, I know we've been together, like, all day, but I wanted to say happy birthday. I love you," Summer murmured, kissing her cousin on the cheek.
"Love you too," Marissa whispered.
"I bet this party is better than any birthday you've ever had before," Seth said, hugging Marissa.
With that, Marissa's face seemed to crumble. "Last birthday," she sniffed, "Josh Gro—"
"Shh, sweetie, you don't have to talk about it," Summer shot a warning look at Seth.
Marissa began to cry, loudly. Grace and a few of her friends started to walk over, obviously concerned, but Summer motioned for them to stay away. Marissa became limp again. "Seth, Ryan, help me get her upstairs," Summer ordered. Ryan swept Marissa up in his arms before Seth could bother helping, weakling that he was. Rumor had it that Summer had wrestled—and defeated—Seth on occasion.
Once they'd gotten Marissa upstairs and into Summer's bedroom, they carefully laid her down on the bed.
"Josh…why did you do it? I thought I could trust you," Marissa began to kick the bed with her legs and beat the pillows with her fists. Summer sat down on the bed, causing it to sag a little. She took Marissa's hand in hers and gently rubbed circles across her palm.
"Who's Josh?" Seth asked, quite curious. Summer shot him a look of pure contempt, and that shut him up, fast.
Ryan stood there, hands in pockets, not sure of what he could say or do. Obviously this Josh kid had hurt Marissa—whether it was emotionally or physically, he couldn't tell.
It didn't really matter. Ryan wanted to beat the kid to a pulp, right then and there. How dare he hurt Marissa to the point of bawling!
Just then a loud crash emanated from below the bedroom. Seth and Summer exchanged stricken looks. "I should go check on that…" Summer said, eyes growing round with worry. "Marissa, will you be okay if I leave you here with Ryan?"
"I'll be fine, I'm fine right now, honestly, Sum," Marissa coughed and tried to stand up, but could barely swing her legs over the side of the bed to a sitting position.
"I don't bite, Summer," Ryan retorted. He and Summer exchanged worried glances, then Summer and Seth ran out of the room.
"Ryan, why did he do it?" Marissa wailed, tugging on the bottom of Ryan's shirt. Ryan felt compelled to sit down and comfort the girl.
"Sometimes, when people love you, they hurt you, even though they don't mean to," Ryan fed her the line, which they both knew was bullshit. Even in her altered state of mind, Marissa could see past this.
"You don't understand," Marissa whimpered, "He—Josh, he rape—"
By this point Ryan had had enough. If she talked any more about Josh, Ryan was going to hunt him down and kill him. "Shh, baby, it's okay. You don't have to say it. What Josh did was wrong."
Marissa looked at Ryan's blurred image. His eyes were pools of blue, and Marissa couldn't see the emotion caught up in that spidery web of cobalt. Had he just called her baby?
"I love you Ryan," Marissa whispered. Ryan's hand found the small of Marissa's back, and began to trace letters on her shirt.
"This is hard for me," Ryan said, preparing to turn Marissa down once again. But this time he couldn't. His lips just fell into place on hers.
"Marissa, are you okay?" Ryan and Marissa froze, hearing Grace's voice on the other side of the door. Before they could untangle their limbs, Grace and Rocky had entered.
"Oh my god!" Grace screamed. "Marissa, you promised. You said you didn't want him. How could you?"
And before any of them knew it, Marissa had lunged at Grace.
"He came onto me, you idiot," Marissa screamed, grabbing a handful of Grace's golden tresses.
"I don't believe you," Grace yelled back, digging her nails into Marissa's arms.
"Stop it!" Ryan snapped, grabbing Grace by the arms and restraining her. Grace did the whole helpless girl thing pretty well; she stopped fighting as soon as Ryan drew her in closer to him. Rocky held back Marissa; she continued to fight, until, realizing her escape was futile, began to breathe heavily.
"I'm drunk," Marissa announced to no one in particular. "I mean, really, really drunk. Have you ever been drunk like me? You've got to mix your drinks, don't pay attention to what's going in, or it isn't as fun. And wash it down with a few pills, for kicks."
"Shit, Marissa, do you know what you're doing to yourself?" Rocky asked sharply.
"Rocky, don't start," Ryan warned, but Marissa had already broken down again. She collapsed in Rocky's arms, sobbing hysterically. Sighing, Ryan let go of Grace and the two of them approached Marissa. Grace gingerly hugged Marissa.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I guess I deserved that."
"You're right," Marissa spat, kissing Grace on the cheek. She gently slapped the blonde girl. "Just a little dumb sometimes."
"Want me to get you some ice?" Grace offered, gaping, horrified, at the bright red marks forming on Marissa's arms. Marissa nodded, and slumped down Rocky's body. She curled up on the floor at his feet. Rocky looked bewildered, so Ryan decided to take charge. He picked up Marissa and placed her on the bed, stomach up.
"I'll go with you, Grace," Rocky rushed out the room. Marissa was surprised at his behavior. She had figured he was used to getting majorly wasted, or at least seeing his friends like this. Obviously she wasn't aware of just how wasted she was.
Ryan sat down on the bed. "I'm sorry about Grace," he whispered, wiping away a tear on Marissa's rosy cheek.
"She loves you," Marissa whispered, on the verge of drifting off into dreamland. "I love you."
"Shh," Ryan pleaded. Marissa looked so…vulnerable. He wanted to whisk her away to fantasyland. Of course, he couldn't, seeing as their significant others, if you will, were coming back soon.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. I only hurt myself," she explained, and then began to hum softly. Ryan couldn't make out the tune, but Marissa had a sweet, melodic voice. "Have you ever smoked?"
Ryan nodded, as Marissa cracked her eyelids open a bit. "No, I mean, have you smoked pot? Or taken Ecstasy?"
Ryan shook his head at the more specific question. He'd never done drugs in his life, and didn't want to.
"I have. Promise me, Ryan, promise me you won't ever do drugs," Marissa became solemn, and Ryan actually thought she was being serious. "Promise me," she pleaded, her voice becoming more urgent.
"I won't," Ryan kissed the top of Marissa's head. Her fine, wispy hair was baby-soft, just like he'd always imagined it would be.
Again, tears threatened to inundate Marissa's face; already they'd taken over her troubled eyes. "I almost died," she confided, "and no one ever cared."
Now Ryan was the one ready to explode with emotion. He and Marissa had never really talked about her past. Learning about it, Ryan was pretty sure he knew why Marissa never wanted to talk about it.
He leaned his head against the headboard, ignoring the thump that sounded.
What was he going to do?