I do not own any of the original characters from the OC.

Chapter 2

By the end of third hour Marissa's mind was numb from drinking. She was nervous and she was worried she might have overdone it a little. Concentration was next to impossible. She even felt afraid to speak lest she slur her words.

As she made her way to her locker to drop off her books before lunch, she spied Ryan and Seth in the hall talking to a strange girl. As she got closer she recognized the rider on the motorcycle from this morning. She knew she was in no condition to see Ryan and she should go the other direction but something about the way Ryan leaned toward the girl as she spoke and the way the girl looked directly into his eyes as she talked made Marissa afraid. She headed straight for their little group.

Marissa: Hey Ryan...hey Seth

The boys turned to meet her. She hoped she was walking straight. Her smile felt fake and lifeless.

Ryan watched her approach with his teeth clinched. Damn, she was drunk. Not just drinking but drunk. If she got caught there would be hell to pay.

Marissa claimed Ryan's hand in one of hers. She directed her gaze to Emily and extended the her hand

Marissa: Hi. I'm Marissa Cooper, Ryan's girlfriend. I don't think we've met.

Emily: Glad to meet you. I'm Emily Tate.

Marissa tried hard to focus on this new girl's face. She was pretty enough. Beautiful hair and the most arresting eyes but not nearly as pretty as she was. Marissa knew well how beautiful she was and there were few girls that could compete with her.

Seth: Marissa, have you seen Summer? Ryan and I invited Emily to have lunch with all of us, since she doesn't now anyone.

Marissa: She should be along any minute.

Marissa continued to focus on Emily and the new girl began to feel uncomfortable. Maybe lunch with all of them wasn't a good idea. All of a sudden she didn't feel very welcome. Before she could beg off Ryan took hold of Marissa's arm and pulled her off to one side.

Ryan: Hey guys, I'm really sorry but I just remembered something Marissa and I have to take care of during lunch, so we won't be able to join you.

Marissa: Ryan, what are you taking about? I don't remember any plans we had for lunch other than eating.

He gripped her arm tighter and spoke through clenched teeth.

Ryan: That's because I forgot to tell you. Now come on let's go.

Seth: Ryan, see you later, huh?

Ryan: yeah, later

Ryan and Marissa made their way down the hall and out of the building. He still held her arm firmly with his hand. Seth knew what was going on. He felt miserable at his inability to help Ryan.

Seth: umm.. sorry about that Emily. Summer will be along here any minute and then the three of us can see if the food is still as bad as it was last year.

Emily: That's ok Seth. On second thought I had a really big breakfast and I 'm not very hungry. Maybe we can all have lunch another time, ok? I think I'll just go to the library and study. See ya later.

Seth watched her walk down the hall. Yes she did indeed have a "hot chassis" but there was much more to her than that and for some reason he felt this was going to be a very interesting school year. He turned as he heard his name called. Summer came up beside him and brushed his lips with a soft kiss.

Summer: Where is Coop and Ryan?

Seth: umm. Ryan said they had a pressing engagement and to eat without them. I can't imagine anything that could be more enticing than dining at Chez Salmonella but you know how Ryan can be.

Rolling her eyes Summer led the way to the cafeteria.

Ryan abruptly stopped when they reached Marissa's car. He turned toward her and leaned into her face. His eyes were blue ice.

Ryan: You are drunk! How could you risk everything like this. I've known you were still drinking and you were lying to me but I just kept thinking you would work it out. That you just had to get over the hump. Damn me for the fool I am!

Tears flowed down Marissa's face. She reached out to pull Ryan into her embrace but he pushed away her arms.

Marissa: Ryan, please. Don't be mad. I'm sorry. I am trying, I really am. It's just so hard. I love you. Please don't be angry.

Marissa's sobbed convulsively and slowly fell to her knees in front of Ryan.

Marissa: Please don't leave me Ryan. I need you. I can do it if I have you.

Ryan looked down. What could he do. He didn't know if he still loved her but there was still some kind of feelings for her. They had been through so much together, he couldn't turn away from her now.

Ryan: I'm not going anywhere right now Marissa but I told you long ago I won't go through this again. I spent my entire childhood being a nursemaid to a drunken mother. I have a chance to have a normal life. I will not go back to being a nursemaid for another drunk. I will not! I will help you anyway I can but you have to quit drinking if we are to have any future at all.

Marissa: I will, I will Ryan... I love you... I need you

Marissa's sobbing continued as Ryan helped her into the car and drove her home. No one was home so he helped her to bed.

Ryan: I'll bring your car back after school. Get some rest and we'll talk more later.

He leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead as sleep claimed her. He stood for a moment just watching her." My God she is so beautiful", he thought. He kissed her softly on the lips and left.