I do not own any of the original characters from the OC.
Chapter 22
Emily opened the door to see a weary looking Marissa standing there.
Emily: Hey Marissa. Come on in.
Marissa: Thanks.
Smiling she entered the door and looked around.
Marissa: Great house.
Emily chuckled.
Emily: Thanks it's my Uncle's. I own the backpack in my room.
Emily: Can I get you something to drink.. I have soda , juice
Marissa spied the bottle of water in Emily's hand.
Marissa: One of those would be great.
Emily: Coming right up. Pull up a chair.
While Emily was gone Marissa wandered about the room. She noticed the pictures and strolled over to take a look. For the first time she wondered about Emily. It hadn't crossed her mind before. She picked up a picture of a man, woman and a boy with Emily. Was this her family?
Emily: Here ya go.
Startled Marissa jumped a little as she turned around. A self-conscious laugh escaped her lips.
Emily: Didn't mean to scare you.
Marissa: I guess I'm just a little jumpy. Thanks.
She went to the couch and sat down. Emily sat in a chair across from her a questioning smile on her face.
Emily: So.. what can I do you for?
Marissa: I wanted to thank you for the other night. I was having a really bad time and you befriended me.
Emily just sat there looking at Marissa. Marissa squirmed a little in her seat waiting for Emily to say something, fearful she had done something wrong. Emily's eyes grew hard and her voice assumed an angry edge.
Emily: Marissa, I need to set something straight here. I have no, I repeat no tolerance for drunks. A little over a year and a half ago the family car was struck head on by some sorry piece of shit that had to get drunk. Everyone died.. my whole.. family died. I sat in the middle of the highway, in a pool of my brother's blood and watched him die...all because someone had to get drunk. For a long time I cried wishing I had died too. What I did for you, I would have done for my worst enemy to keep them out of a bottle and off the street.
Marissa was so shocked and shamed. She looked at Emily with naked pain in her eyes.
Marissa: My god, I am so sorry.. Dear god...
Marissa felt like she was going to puke. All of the times she had gotten in her car too drunk to walk let alone drive came flooding into her mind. She had used alcohol as a crutch, never really thinking or caring about what she was doing. All of the days she had spent hiding in a drunken haze. Her voice was a whisper.
Marissa: What must you think of me?
Emily watched Marissa. The slump of her shoulders, the way she was ringing her hands, her breathing shallow gasps. She assumed a more gentle air.
Emily: Hey, life has lessons, shit happens, karma.. however you want to label it, we need to learn from it. We need to be strong enough to stand up and go on. I'm right in the middle of that little lesson myself.
Emily gave Marissa an encouraging smile.
Marissa: I can see why Ryan likes you so much.
Marissa's words twisted in Emily's gut. Ryan could say she wasn't the main reason he was breaking it off with Marissa but deep inside Emily suspected that if she wasn't involved he just might have stayed with Marissa. He may not have been happy but he would have stayed. She didn't want to see Marissa hurt anymore.
Emily: Marissa, can I ask you a personal question? If you don't want to answer tell me to fuck off.
Marissa: Sure ask away.
Emily: I gather you and your Mom aren't on the best terms and you hate her husband so why are you there? Wouldn't you be happier with your Dad?
Marissa looked at Emily tying to judge just how much she could or should say. Making a decision to trust Emily she began her story.
When Marissa fell silent it was Emily's turn to stare in amazement. What the hell type of mother would do that to her own kid and what kind of human would blackmail a child into living in such a situation.
Emily: Then Caleb basically blackmailed you into living with them. He's not into you is he? Like making passes and shit?
Marissa: No.. nothing like that. It makes my Mom happy to have me there so she can try and make me as fucked up as she is.
The anger boiled in Marissa's words. The hatred she felt for her mother and her situation was evident in her face.
Emily: So if you could, you would live with your Dad? And he would want you?
Marissa: For sure on both counts. I was living with my Dad until Caleb forced me to move into that hotel of horrors. Why all the questions?
Emily tried to make light of her inquires.
Emily: What can I say.. I am an incredible busy body that thrives on gossip. Actually I was just trying to get the lay of the land, so to speak. This conversation has fairly sapped all my strength. However, in that kitchen I have a homemade peach cobbler that is a guaranteed to restore vim, vigor and vitality. . Could I tempt you?
Marissa: Could you ever! I don't remember the last time I had anything homemade.
Emily: Shall we adjourn to the kitchen?
Sitting at the counter, eating from large bowls of cobbler with vanilla ice cream both girls cautiously shared themselves with the other. Most of the conversation centered on general subjects but a comfortable camaraderie developed.
Marissa: Now can I ask you a personal question?
Emily: Sure go for it.
Marissa: It's about Ryan...
Emily stiffened. She hoped it wasn't too obvious to Marissa. Damn, what was she going to say.. She didn't want to lie.. it was Ryan's place to talk to Marissa. She should not interfere.
Marissa saw Emily stiffen. That gave her part of the answer she sought.
Emily: Ok, so what is the question?
Marissa: Do you really care for Ryan and I don't mean just as a friend?
Emily sighed. There it was.. now what was she going to do with it.
Sensing Emily's discomfort and before she might feel threatened enough to lie Marissa continued.
Marissa: Let me explain why I'm asking. My whole life I have always been with someone. For years it was Luke. Then Ryan came along. I always leaned on them... who am I kidding I hid behind them. I used them. I don't mean I didn't care for them but I don't understand exactly "how" I cared for them. I am so confused about so much but I know I need to learn to stand on my own. There is a me I have never met. I am going to tell Ryan we need to take a break from whatever kind of relationship it is that we have. No that's not right... we need to alter the type of relationship we have. I still want him in my life but not like he has been.
Emily: So what does that have to do with what you asked me?
Marissa: The very first time I saw you with Ryan, I saw something between you two. It scared me very badly. Then when we ran into you at that restaurant and you sat with us there was no denying it. I guess that was part of the reason those pictures and Summer's stories hit me so hard. Inside I knew.
Emily: I don't understand.
Marissa: I am telling you that I have no problem with you and Ryan. It hurts a little but nothing like it should, so what does that tell you? Ryan and I have been through a lot and are still close but in a different way. We both need to move on. I really hope you and I can be friends. I mean real friends not that fake plastic version of friendship that covers this place.
Emily looked at Marissa with a growing sense of respect. Maybe there was more than meets the eye to this girl. A soft smile played on her lips.
Emily: I think I'd like that.