Meanwhile, Ryan and Marissa were sitting in the pool house, exchanging words in the random conversation, but mostly just remaining lip locked. Things seemed to be heating up in the pool house, but before the two could get anything started, they heard the Range Rover pull up the driveway.
Ryan: They're home all ready?
Marissa: Maybe it was a dull party.
Ryan: So much for having the whole house to ourselves.
Marissa: (Smiling) That's okay…we always end up in the pool house anyway.
Ryan smiled and leaned in for another kiss. The happy couple were making out when Seth stormed into the pool house.
Seth: Ryan, I need to talk to you.
Ryan and Marissa immediately pulled apart.
Ryan: Will you ever learn to knock?
Seth: Maybe…but not today. It's important.
Ryan looked over at Seth and then got up from the bed.
Ryan: (Turning towards Marissa) I'll be right back.
Seth turned and exited the pool house with Ryan following him. The two entered the kitchen and found Summer standing there sipping a bottle of water.
Ryan: What's going on?
Seth: Well…how should I put this…
Summer: Luke's here.
Ryan: He's here?!?
Ryan started looking around the kitchen.
Seth: Not here in the house…here in Newport. He was at the party.
Ryan: What?
Seth: And that's not the bad part.
Marissa: (Standing in the doorway) What's the bad part?
The three teens immediately stopped talking and looked over at Marissa, wondering just how much she had heard. Marissa looked cautiously at her friends and entered the kitchen, and was standing next to Ryan. Nobody spoke, and everybody was trying to avoid to eye contact.
Marissa: Okay, what's going on?
Once again nobody spoke. Nobody wanted to be the person to tell Marissa that Luke was in town. Marissa carefully eyed her friends, but was getting nothing, finally she relied on the one person she knew she could count on.
Marissa: Ryan…what's going on?
Ryan knew he would ask her, and he knew he would have to be the one to tell her. He had just been hoping that it would have been a lot later, rather than right now.
Ryan: Um…
Ryan's gaze dropped to the floor.
Marissa: Ryan, tell me.
Ryan reached out and took Marissa's hand in his.
Ryan: Apparently…Luke is back in town.
Marissa: What are you talking about?
At this point Summer decided to pipe in, knowing all to well that that was the most information Ryan could give Marissa.
Summer: He was at the party.
Marissa quickly looked over at Summer.
Marissa: Okay, so I'm assuming that that wasn't the bad part.
Summer: Okay…so, we don't know exactly what is going on, but he's staying till the end of the week and while we were there…your mom called him.
Everybody braced themselves waiting for Marissa to erupt in either tears or furious rage. But she didn't, she just stood there; as if she'd seen a ghost.
Ryan: You okay.
Marissa gave no response, she tried to back away from the group, but Ryan wouldn't let go of her hand.
Marissa: I…I just need to be by myself…
Marissa worked her hand out of Ryan's and ran out the back door. Ryan carefully watched her go making sure she wasn't actually leaving. When he saw her enter the pool house, he turned back towards the others.
Seth: Well that could have been worse.
Ryan and Summer: (In unison) Shut up Seth.
Summer: (Looking at Ryan) What are we going to do?
Ryan: I don't know.
Summer: You should probably go check on her.
Ryan: Yeah.
Ryan turned and walked out the kitchen and into the pool house. Ryan found Marissa in tears, pacing around the pool house. Marissa didn't notice Ryan as he entered the room.
Ryan: Is there anything I can do?
Marissa looked over at Ryan and wiped the tears from her eyes.
Marissa: I just want to be alone.
Ryan took a couple steps towards Marissa.
Ryan: I think we both know that's not what you need right now.
Marissa: Look, Ryan, I don't want to talk about it.
Ryan: That's fine, I was never big on talking.
Ryan sat in one of the chairs by the door while Marissa kept pacing. Ryan could tell there were a million things running through Marissa's head.
Marissa: (Talking to herself) I have to get out of here.
Marissa reached for her bag, but before she could grab it Ryan was standing right next to her.
Ryan: You're not going anywhere.
Marissa: (Quickly) And why not, because I can't take care of myself?
Ryan: No. Because your answer to everything is to run away, and that doesn't fix anything.
Marissa: Yes it does.
Ryan: Marissa!
Marissa jumped slightly and looked at Ryan.
Ryan: You don't have to run, you don't have to go anywhere.
Ryan reached out and placed his hand on Marissa's arm.
Ryan: And you especially don't have to run away from me. Whatever happens we can figure this out…together.
Marissa and Ryan's eyes locked and Marissa looked as though she had been defeated. Ryan pulled her in and the two embraced. Ryan had his arms wrapped around Marissa while Marissa was lightly sobbing on Ryan's shoulder.
Ryan: (Whispering) Besides you know I'd find you and bring you back anyway.
Marissa suddenly let out a slight laugh and raised her head from Ryan's shoulder. Ryan cupped Marissa's face in his hands and softly kissed her. When the kiss was over Ryan let his forehead rest on Marissa's.
Marissa: I just can't believe she would do this…they would do this…after everything that happened. Even after she got married.
Ryan: Marissa, I don't know what's going on with your mom and Luke, but if something is going on, then it's pretty apparent that they're going to do what they want regardless. So I think the best thing that we can do is just try to enjoy the last part of this week, and let it go.
Marissa: Let it go, how can I let it go?
Ryan: I just mean, he's leaving in a few days, after that it will all be over.
Marissa: Oh, it's far from over.
Ryan looked at Marissa and was slightly worried. Ryan knew that Marissa hated her mother, she wanted to take her down, and now with Caleb out of the picture, there was nothing to stop her…all she needed now was good timing.