Few days after the last chapter. Marissa and Caitlyn are now living with Jimmy. Julie has yet to begun her therapy. It's the first day of school.

Seth cheerfully comes into the kitchen and starts rummaging through the fridge while Sandy and Kirsten drink their coffee.

Seth: "Aw yes, the pudding is still here... good morning parents what a wonderful day,"

Sandy and Kirsten just stared on, confused as to what was going on with their usually down to go to school Seth. Ryan walks in.

Ryan: "Hey," (Not cheerful)

Seth: "Ryan buddy, gotta hurry up man, school doesn't wait forever,"

Kirsten: "Ok, why are you so cheerful?"

Seth: "What I'm just happy to go to school,"

Everyone gives him a disbelieving look

Sandy: "I'm very confused..."

Ryan: "I get it; you just want to show everyone the new SUV,"

Seth: "Ryan! I am shocked... totally shocked that you would believe that material possessions mean so much to me,"

Everyone gives him disbelieving looks.

Seth: "Ok maybe I'm a little happy about the car,"

After breakfast the girls come over in Marissa's car.

Marissa: "Hey," (Smiling and pulling in to kiss Ryan)

Ryan: "Hey, ready for a new year of school?"

Marissa: "Oh yea... can't wait," (Sarcastically) "Ugh I just can't stand having to deal with Holly and her friends again,"

Ryan: "Don't worry, you have me,"

Marissa: "Right," (Smiling) "I have you," (Kissing him again)

Seth: "Ok this is a really touching moment but we have to go,"
Summer: "Cohen! Way to be sensitive,"

Seth: "You know you love it," (Kissing her)

Ryan: "Ok so I'm gonna go with Marissa you can take Summer in the SUV since that's probably what you've been dreaming about for days,"

Seth: "Yes! Let's go," (Dragging Summer out the door)

At school the gang got their schedules. They all got one class together and few scattered about with one another.

As they walked down the halls to Chemistry (Their only class together) Holly walks up with her group and gives a look of disgust.

Holly: "Oh my god Marissa I'm so sorry for you, having to settle with trailer trash like that after Luke dumped you, watch out he might get you pregnant too"

Marissa: "Shut up Holly, Ryan's ten times Luke, and for your information I broke up with Luke he didn't break up with me,"

Summer: "Ya get out of here skank,"

Holly: "Whatever Summer, you used to be cool, then you started going out with Emo geek here," (Pointing to Seth) "Have your little fun girls and then call me when your done and ready to come back to high society," (Walking off with her group)

Marissa: "I can't believe her, who the hell does she think she is!"

Ryan: "Marissa come on let's go to class, don't let her get to you,"

Marissa: "How can you say that? After what she said about you how can you stay calm?"

Ryan: "You get used to it eventually," (Walking into the class)

Marissa: "You shouldn't have to get used to it," (To herself)

Meanwhile at the Cohen home Kirsten is in the kitchen and Sandy is at work when the doorbell rings.

Kirsten opens the door to find non other than Caleb.
Kirsten: "What are you doing here? And what do you want?"

Caleb: "Calm down Kiki just wanted to see where you stood on my offer, I've given you more than enough time to think it through, I even gave you a few extra days,"

Kirsten: "Oh that's very caring of you," (Sarcastically) "I'm not backing down, my deal with the D.A. stays!"

Caleb: "And you're ready to face the repercussion of your actions... you're ready for Sandy to find out about your abortion,"

Kirsten was now shaking with anger, in her fit of rage and tears she managed to get out some words.

Kirsten: "How dare you!... You! Who made me have the abortion in the first place! You! Who wouldn't let me tell Jimmy! You have no right! Get out of my house!!! Get out of my life!!!"

With that Kirsten slammed the door on Caleb and sunk down on the cold tile and broke out into sobs.

Later at lunch the group got together and talked about their day.

Summer: "Oh my god my history teacher is like the most boring guy in the world! I can't stand him, this year is gonna suck,"

Marissa: "My math teacher's not much better, she's just as annoying and ends every sentence in "Ok...." Ugh I don't know,"

Seth: "So Ryan what about you? Hate the school even more this year?"

Ryan: "Nah, just glad to actually be here, I thought I was going to be going back to a violent Chino school during the whole Theresa thing,"

Everyone looked around and smiled, realizing how lucky they were and how good it was that Ryan was still with them.

Summer: "That's sooo sweet, I didn't know Chino had a soft side,"

Ryan: "Thanks Summer," (Giving her a sarcastic smile)

Seth: "So really man... there has to be something, in some class you can complain about,"

Ryan: "Actually ya... history... I have to sit with... Holly,"

Marissa: "What!"

Summer: "You have to sit with that skank!"

Ryan: "Ya, it's not that bad... she didn't really say anything to me today,"

Marissa: "Isn't there something you can do about it? Talk to the teacher Ryan,"

Ryan: "Already tried that; she said it's immature to bring in my personnel feelings into her classroom,"

Seth: "Wow this year is going to suck for you..."

Everyone gave him a look.

Seth: "I'm going to go get more pudding,"

Jimmy and Hailey are standing in a large mansion.

Hailey: "This house is beautiful!" (Looking around)

Jimmy: "I just can't believe the deal is sealed," (Looking around in awe) "This house is mine!" (Happily)

Hailey: "When do you wanna move stuff in?"

Jimmy: "Well, I'm gonna surprise Marissa tonight and we can do the moving and room painting stuff during the weekend,"

Hailey: "Wonderful!" (Kissing Jimmy) "I'm gonna go check out the bedroom," (Winking)

She runs off leaving Jimmy in the middle of the huge mansion smiling to himself.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring.

Jimmy: "Soon," (He says to himself)

Marissa had just walked out of Dr. Kim's office where she got the list of the events she would have to throw this year.

She walks out into the hall where she sees a guy she recognizes from her Math class.

Marissa: "Hello," (Politely passing by)

Guy: "Hi! I'm Sean, you're in my math class right?"

Marissa: "Ya, Marissa Cooper," (Shaking his hand) "I haven't seen you till this year, did you just move here?"

Sean: "Ya just came down from San Francisco, hey could you show me around?"

Marissa: "Actually... my boyfriend's kinda waiting for me,"

Sean: "Oh ya I saw him around with you at lunch, seems like a nice guy,"

Marissa: "Ya... well I could show you around tomorrow if that's ok?" (Just trying to find a way to leave)

Sean: "Thanks a bunch Marissa, see ya tomorrow," (Waling away)

Marissa then proceeded to walk to the front of the school where Ryan stood waiting for her in front of the car.

Ryan: "Hey," (Kissing her) "What took you so long," (Smiling)

Marissa: "Dr. Kim wanted me to help with event stuff, you know same old stuff as last year,"

Ryan: "Great, carnivals and black tie events," (Kissing her again)

Marissa: "Oh and there was this guy who stopped me in the hall... his name was Sean or something, he wanted a tour of the school and stuff,"

Ryan's face immediately turned to jealousy which Marissa could clearly see.

Marissa: "Hey, calm down, you know you're the only one for me," (Smiling and kissing him)

They get in the car and leave. Sean is seen standing on the school steps watching them drive off. Holly walks up to him.

Holly: "How did it go?"

Sean: "She fell for the bait,"

Holly: "Good, have fun today Marissa, your little dream world is about to collapse,"