Disclaimer still stands.
A/N: Thanks guys for all the support and reviews. And special thanks to Converses Rolled Down for the dedication and for suggestions for the story. So, without and further a due, here is chapter 21.
Marissa was in her car, not knowing weather to start it and go to Ryan's or weather to take her other comfort. She decided to go to Ryan's since she had already promised. As she turned the key the car sprang to life and she rolled it out of the driveway. Maybe she'd pick up Summer on the way and they could all go to a late movie. As she drove to Summer's house she changed her mind. 'No, I need to be with Ryan alone,' she thought. The car quickly brought her to the Cohen's house. She parked the van out in front and made her way to the back and eventually to the pool house. There was no need to knock anymore, she just slowly opened the door. Once it was fully opened she realized that she should have knocked, maybe as some warning because the open door revealed Ryan and Lindsay, sitting together on his bed. It didn't mean anything of course but to a hurt and confused Marissa, it could mean anything.
"I, I'm sorry, I should've knocked." As she said the words they felt like paint out of her mouth. Then she thought, 'no, Ryan is my boyfriend, and I can see him when I want, why would I have to knock, they shouldn't be together.' She started walking away.
"Marissa waits!" Ryan ran after her.
"Leave me alone Ryan." she walked into the Cohen house, running past Kirsten in the kitchen. Kirsten gave Ryan a look of worry but he had no time to explain. Marissa ran her way toward the bathroom and locked herself in it. She drew out her knife and was about to cut when there was a pounding on the door.
"Marissa, Marissa, open the door."
"Go away Ryan!" Marissa screamed.
"No. I know what you're doing and I won't let you."
"Like you can," she replied coldly.
"No, but I know people who can." At his words Marissa stared at her escape. It was sharp, it felt cold against her skin, and it scared her. Yet she kept using it as her way out, as relief. She traced the outline of it with her fingers and it cut her finger. 'Ow," she thought. 'That hurt.' Then she realized. 'It is hurting me, but not just me, everyone I love.' She put it back to the place she was keeping it and then she stared at her scars. They were ugly and they reminded her of her pain. She didn't need any more of a reminder. After a while of staring at them and thinking, she slowly got up and unlocked the door. Ryan was waiting for her on the other end. 'He's my relief,' she thought. 'He'll always be waiting for me.' She looked into his eyes, they were full of love but worry too, and she wanted to take the worry away.
"Are you ok now?" he asked.
"I, I need some help, but I'll be fine."
"I'm glad you finally admitted that." She smiled.
"Me too." He pulled her into a hug.
"I love you Ryan."
"I love you too." He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. "Uh Kirsten? Where's Sandy?"
"Oh he's in the office honey. Anything I can help you with?"
"Not unless you know some pretty good doctors."
"What's going on?" Marissa lifted up her sleeve. "Oh God. I'll call Sandy." She reached for the phone.
"No Kirsten," Marissa began. "It's ok. I can wait."
"Are you sure?" Kirsten asked, as she put the phone away.
"Yea."
"Ok, he'll be home in a couple hours, hang out here and you can talk to him in a while ok?"
"Thanks." They walked into the pool house and found a confused Lindsay still sitting on Ryan's bed.
"Is everything ok?" she asked innocently.
"No, but it will be," Ryan answered.
"I'm sorry if I was of any trouble."
"Uh… it's ok but—"
"But could you please leave?" Marissa cut in.
"Oh, alright. Hope everything works out." Lindsay gathered her things and left, sensing that she really didn't need to be there.
"I'm…"
"Sorry?"
"Yea, very. When I asked you to hang out I was hoping Lindsay would be gone, guess my timing was wrong."
"And she was here because?"
"Physics."
"Oh, of course. Oh yea, I was meaning to ask you about that. What would you say if I joined your class?"
"You want to join physics?"
"Sure. I'm not as stupid as everyone thinks I am."
"Who thinks your stupid?"
"Lindsay does."
"Well, then I guess you'll prove her wrong."
"Yea, I guess I will."
They kept talking until Sandy arrived. Once he did they all had a talk and he got Marissa connected with some good therapists.
"You're all set kiddo."
"Thanks Sandy."
"No problem. It's what I'm here for." Ryan walked Marissa to the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow ok?"
"Thanks again Ryan."
"I'm always here ok?"
"I know." She walked away, and to her car. Her life felt like it was going to be ok for the first time in a long time.
That's chapter 21. Ryan saved her and that was the whole concept of having her start cutting in the first place, I wanted Ryan to save her, well also to create some drama. Don't worry though, the story isn't over, in a sense, it's just begun. So I hope you guys liked this. And if you did, review and tell me why, and even if you didn't, review and tell me why you didn't like how I handled it. so basically, go, go review. Please!!! Ok, so till next chapter.