Title: I've Loved You Forever
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own the O.C.
Chapter Ten: Mirror, Mirror, Lie To Me
Ryan heard the sound of the shower go off and he stiffened at the end of the bed. A few minutes later, Marissa walked out of the bathroom with a towel around her and almost screamed when she saw Ryan's back.
"Oh, my God, you scared me!" she said, letting out a breath. He didn't say anything. Instead, he stood up and turned around to face her, a combination of anger and sadness on his face. She looked at him closely and gasped when she saw it. An almost empty bottle of vodka dangled in his hand.
"Ryan, I can explain-" she started. His eyes narrowed. He turned around and screamed as he threw the bottle against the wall, the sound of the pieces softer than his yell. Marissa stepped back. He turned to her again, his eyes sad.
"How could you do that? I thought you told everyone that you quit."he whispered
"I did quit!" she yelled.
"Oh, what was this just here by mistake?" he yelled louder.
"No, I started when you left." Marissa started out screaming, but ended in a whisper.
Ryan cast his eyes down.
"So, this is all my fault?" he whispered. "It's my fault that you're still drinking, it's my fault that you can't love me... it's all my fault. Maybe I should just go back to Chino."
Now it was Marissa's turn to widen her eyes. "No! You can't do that!"
"Why not? It doesn't seem like many people would miss me."
"Of course they would! Seth would leave again, the Cohens would be devastated, and I..." she stopped.
"You what?" he asked, walking toward her. "You wouldn't miss me. You have your own love. And right now, it's dripping down the wall."
Ryan swung around and walked out the door, slamming it, leaving Marissa there, crying, encompassed by the cold, dark alone.