On the Flip Side
Chapter 9: Will this night never end?
Disclaimer: I don't own the O.C.
A/N: Hope you like this chapter; it's one of my shortest. The next chapter will be fast-forwarding a little bit. Sorry if this one isn't up to par, I did my best…Thanks for the reviews, guys!
Winter rose—Thanks! Glad you like Rocky. Don't worry; he's not going to be the major "villain" in the story…
Theresa—Aw! You're so sweet.
Natalie- Marissa's past is going to be explored in later chapters, and it's definitely going affect her life and the lives of those around her…I kind of like the new Marissa too. I've only just realized who I've made her to be. When I first started, I set out to make her someone else, but I like who she's become.
LORA- thanks so much. Here's the next chapter, read on to find out what Ryan's next move will be. Plus the consequences…
Sis2ACesarSalad—Glad you liked it. Read for the answers to most of your questions…
Reviewer- Thanks so much! If there's anything you feel I can improve, feel free to tell me. I want all the chapters to be "really good". Wow, two reviews for one chapter J I'm excited. Hopefully you'll like what Ryan got her; it's going to have an effect on major events in the rest of the story. (i.e.: the possible downfall of Grace/Ryan)
Katieshaz—thank you so much! I'm so happy people actually like it. Sorry to hear about your virus thing, hope you feel better soon! Glad my story is keeping you occupied.
Lala456- Wow! Thank you so much, I try to make them realistic but I'm never quite sure if I'm doing a good job. I know now. One of my best friends used to hurt herself, and it was a really terrifying experience she went through. Happy to hear that you're not doing it anymore—it really does ruin your life and those around you.
Benzbabidoll-Thanks!! Read on to find out what happens…
Carpanthers21—Thanks! If you read on, I'm going to explain why Grace comforted her…hint hint, it has to do with something Grace herself did in the past…It also has to do with Grace's IQ, if you catch my drift…
Ben lover—Aw, you're making me blush. Yeah, their relationship is going to be long and drawn out—ish…lol, yeah, drunk Marissa is very truthful and to the point. I'm going to try and update every day, I have the chapters they just need to be typed and detailed…
Tai-Thanks! Here you go…
On with the story…
Rocky and Grace opened the door, announcing their presence once again. This time, Ryan didn't quickly shove Marissa away. He sat there with her head in his lap, holding her hand tightly.
"Ryan, let me take it from here," Grace ordered. Ryan complied, scooting over so Grace could tend to Marissa's scratched arms.
"Why are you doing this?" Marissa asked, wincing as Grace put an ice pack on her arm. "You should hate me. I would hate me, if I found my friend hitting on my boyfriend."
Just as Ryan had done only moments before, Grace smoothed Marissa's hair out. "Marissa," Grace explained, "I don't hold grudge matches."
Ryan rolled his eyes. Grudge matches? Why hadn't he seen this side of Grace before? The side with no brains…or was that both sides?
"Besides," she continued, "you're drunk, and Rocky and Ryan look similar. So duh, you confused Ryan for Rocky. How could I be mad at you?"
Marissa shrugged, teeth chattering slightly. "It's cold in here," she complained. "And Grace isn't mad at me."
Rocky, who had been standing awkwardly by the door, came over to the three. "Let me talk to her for a minute, alone," he said to Grace and Ryan. "You can come back in a second."
With one last longing glance, Ryan allowed himself to be led out of the room by Grace. She shut the door behind him, and began to plant kisses all over his neck. "I love you, Ryan," Grace murmured. Ryan didn't know what to say, honestly. So he just wrapped Grace in his arms and held her.
If only she knew…
"Marissa," Rocky said, lying down next to her on the bed, "do you like Ryan? Tell me the truth."
She twisted her body so she was facing Rocky. "No, I don't like him," she said smoothly. "I like you."
Rocky chose to believe her. She'd given him no reason not to…except her kissing Ryan, but she was drunk. And possibly high. Did he mention she was really drunk? He leaned over, kissing her. She tasted like banana rum, and a bit of Jack Daniel's. At least that's what Rocky thought she tasted like; he wasn't a big drinker himself.
"I've got a special birthday present for you," he mumbled between kisses.
"What? Where?" Marissa managed to pick her head up and look around, as if expecting a clown to pop out of the closet any second now.
"Tomorrow," Rocky promised, silencing Marissa's protests with a kiss. "I've got to take you there, first."
"You're sweet," Marissa announced. "And you like me."
"That, I do," Rocky owned up. "I bet a lot of guys do, too."
And Marissa's lower lip started to tremble again, "Josh…Josh…he said he liked me, loved me. How could he? Would you?"
Clearly bewildered, Rocky said, "Marissa, I would never do that to you."
The tears still stood their place, ready to cascade down Marissa's cheeks when the time called. Rocky didn't know what to do. So he opened the door to Summer's room, causing Grace and Ryan to stumble into the doorway. They'd been getting friendly, and weren't too happy to have been disturbed.
"Marissa," Rocky explained, "she's crying again."
He gave Ryan a look that said 'help me' as the two ran into the vibrant pink room. Marissa was huddled on the bed, head in her knees, shaking uncontrollably.
"Sweetie," Grace attempted, but began to rub Marissa's back when she realized it was pointless. Marissa needed to cry; God knows how long she'd been holding those tears in.
"I think she could use some fresh air," Ryan piped up suddenly. The whole time, he'd been sitting at Summer's desk, spinning in the rolling chair. "Marissa, do you want to go for a walk?"
Still trembling, Marissa nodded. "I would go," Grace said, "But I've got to stay with Summer and help get this party under control." As if on cue, the sound of glass shattering could be heard from the hallway. Angry voices screamed at each other with horribly slurred curse words.
"Ryan, why don't you take her?" Rocky suggested, as if to prove to himself, and Marissa, that he believed her and Ryan's relationship to be placid.
Ryan shrugged. "You don't need me to help settle the party?" he asked Grace.
She stood on tiptoe to kiss Ryan, and shook her head. "I think with me, Summer, and Rocky, we'll have it under control in no time."
"Come on, Marissa," Ryan said, extending his hand. When she remained balled up on the bed, he scooped her up in his arms. And without a complaint, Ryan noted.
They slipped out the back door unnoticed, much to Ryan's relief. The last thing he needed were a bunch of his drunk friends seeing him and a girl other than Grace leaving the party, even though Grace had approved.
"Put me down," Marissa, who had been flitting in and out of consciousness, was apparently awake.
As soon as Ryan unwrapped Marissa's arms from around his neck and gently set her down, she curled up into a fetal position on the stone path. Sighing, Ryan picked her up again.
"Put me down," Marissa repeated, this time more urgently.
"Only if you promise to walk this time," Ryan gave in, and to his delight (and disappointment) Marissa began walking.
Their feet hit the dunes, and Ryan reached into his pocket and fingered the robin's egg blue box. Was it too much? Ryan wasn't sure, but he wanted Marissa to know that he wanted them to be. And that they would be, eventually. Or at least she'd know he kept her close to his heart.
"I got you a present," Ryan started, "just a little something."
"For me?" Marissa asked, swaying slightly on the uneven ground.
Ryan steadied her, and led her over to a group of people gathered around a bonfire. When they were close enough to be swathed in the dancing sparks but far enough that they were private, Ryan gently pushed Marissa down on the sand. He withdrew the box from his pocket, unsure if this was the right thing to do or not. It was too late now, Ryan figured. He'd already bought the gift, stuck it in his pocket, and before he knew it he was placing it in Marissa's outstretched hands.
Ryan's heart leapt like the flames from the bonfire as he saw the anticipation spread on Marissa's face when she saw the blue box with its white satin ribbon.
"Ryan," Marissa murmured, carefully untying the bow. "You didn't have to…you shouldn't have."
"I wanted to," Ryan left it at that. And it was enough, really.
"Ohmigosh, Ryan." Marissa was close to tears. The perfect single tear slipped past her eye and ran its course down her cheek. Then Ryan knew he'd done well. Really well.
Silently he thanked Kirsten for sending him and Seth to etiquette school when they were fourteen. Mrs. Johansson had taught him how to pick out the perfect gift, among other things, such as how to be a gentleman. Ryan was pretty sure he'd mastered both.
Lying in Marissa's palm was one of those silver Tiffany bracelets, part of the sets all the girls received from their boyfriends or best girl friends for their Sweet 16's.
"Look at it closely," Ryan instructed. Marissa complied, and suddenly their bodies were very close. Ryan could feel the heat of Marissa's body…or was it the fire? He wasn't so sure.
On the bracelet were the words:
R & MA tiny, flowing heart had been engraved underneath.
Although ecstatic at the special, sincere gift, Marissa was a bit disappointed that it wasn't more personal. She understood Ryan's reasoning; he had a serious girlfriend and it would be dangerous to write out his whole name.
With hesitating lips Ryan connected to Marissa. She let the bracelet fall with a clink back into the box; her hands were now free to roam elsewhere. Wrapping her arms around Ryan's neck, Marissa forgot about all of her problems and let her hormones run rampant.
Responding to Marissa's cries of pleasure, Ryan slowly left a trail of heat down Marissa's neck until he'd reached her collarbone. Then he began to plant a neat little row of kisses across her shoulders. She moaned with contentment; and Ryan knew he'd found one of her sweet spots. He was sure there'd be more…in other places.
Suddenly there were blue and red lights flashing in Ryan's eyes, and he was pretty sure they weren't the fireworks people talked about when they were in love.
Flashlight shining in his eyes, Ryan squinted. There, standing before him, was a police officer. Had he done something wrong?
"Get outta here," the officer grumbled. Ryan grabbed Marissa's hand, making sure she had the Tiffany box secured in her other hand. He hadn't noticed before, but the beach was strangely dark. Ryan's guess was that the officers had come to break up the little bonfire on the beach, and caught them in the process.
It was funny, he and his friends went there frequently after dark, and had never—not even once—been kicked off even when the beach was supposedly closed. There was another moment with Marissa—ruined.
They crept up the path that led to Summer's neighborhood. Right before they got to the gate, which would take them back into Summer's backyard, Marissa rested her hand on Ryan's shoulder, sending delicious shivers down his spine.
"Ryan, I just want to say thank you," Marissa admitted. "For a great birthday. The best I've ever had, truthfully."
Opening his mouth to say something, Ryan found an obstacle: Marissa's tongue. Grinning, and wanting to savor the moment that couldn't last forever, Ryan explored her mouth for one last time that night. Then, taking her by the hand, Ryan prepared to go back to Summer's house. Back to Grace, and back to a suddenly dull life with Marissa by his side.
"Sorry about earlier…I was overreacting," Marissa whispered. For some reason they had always communicated in whispers…Ryan didn't know why, but it felt devious to him. And devious was good, in this case. Besides, in Newport, money wasn't the only thing that talked. Walls, fences, no one was safe from their secrets and the secret lives of their neighbors and friends.
"No," Ryan affirmed, "You weren't." Suddenly he was angry, really, really angry. That Josh kid was toast, if Ryan and his cronies ever happened upon him.
They walked along the stone pathway to Summer's back door.
"You ready?" Ryan asked. They both knew that nights like these would be rare. Marissa shook her head but forced herself to open the door. She peeked her head in, and saw a very disturbing sight.
"Actually," she said, quickly shutting the door before Ryan could see, "Let's go back. I mean, not to the beach, but somewhere, anywhere. Just not here."
"Why?" Ryan asked, trying to push past Marissa and open the door himself. "We should probab—oh…"