Disclaimer: You know the drill, I do solemly swear that none of these characters are mine.

A/N: Here's my next chapter...duh...shut up Katie...

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Marissa woke up several hours later to a pounding headache. She stumbled over to her dresser and found the picture of her and Ryan smashed. She picked it up and set it right-side up. Then she found her empty bottle on the ground next to her bed. She stealthily put it in a brown paper bag and tossed it in her garbage. She could hear the sound of pots and pans banging downstairs and realized she was hungry.

Checking the clock she saw it was past 6 p.m. 'I've been out for almost 8 hours!' she thought. Looking in the mirror, she thought it might be wise to brush her hair before going downstairs. On her way out of the room she popped a wint-o-green mint in her mouth.

She found her mother in the kitchen struggling with the stove.

"Oh, hey dear, just in time for dinner, have a seat," Julie said, trying to appear calm and collected, but failing horribly.

"Actually Summer called and I'm supposed to meet her at the mall in 10 minutes, so I gotta go," she grabbed an apple and headed out the door before her mom could say anything.

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They arrived at Chino around 5 p.m. Ryan hopped out of the car and started unloading bags from the trunk.

"Can I help with anything?" Thereasa asked, getting out of the car.

Ryan looked up, "Uhh...you probably shouldn't...I mean....you shouldn't strain yourself...Why don't you go inside and tell everyone we're here." He said and continued unloading, obviously trying to end the conversation.

"Okay, fine," she said, heading inside, "I'm not going to break you know." She said, and with that, disappeared into the house.

He smiled to himself and slammed the trunk closed. Ryan turned around and, with a deep breath, headed for the door.

He was surprised to find no one home. 'That's strange,' he thought, but paid no attention to it.

Thereasa didn't seem to notice the lack of people and set about, organizing the small living room.

"Uhh...Thereasa? Where is everyone?"

She stopped cleaning and looked up at him, surprised. "What do you mean 'everyone?' There's only going to be us here."

"Huh?"

She laughed, "don't you remember? I bought a smaller apartment for the three of us to live in while we wait for the baby. I told Eddie I was going to school so he wouldn't be worried. Ring a bell, Ryan?"

He had been so preoccupied, he had forgotten. "Oh yeah," he said, and smiled. She went back to cleaning and he brought the rest of the luggage back in.

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Marissa called Summer on her way over, but all she got was the answering machine. So she switched gears and headed over to see Seth.

When she pulled up to the Cohen household, Summer's car was in the driveway. 'She must have just gotten here.' Marissa, walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. No answer. She rang it again and knocked. Still no one came. 'That's weird, where are they? I know they're home...' She went around back to the pool house and found Sandy, Kirsten, and Summer all huddled together.

When she got closer she noticed they were all reading a piece of paper, and they were all crying.

"Ok, guys, what wrong?" Marissa asked. Slowly Summer turned to her and handed her a piece of paper. It was Seth's writing and it said:

Dear mom, dad, and Summer:

I can't stay here, I no longer belong. Without Ryan I have nothing keeping me from the dorky kid in science class. He was the only person who ever noticed me and cared about me. Without him, I don't exist. I love you all, but I can't stay here –

Seth

p.s. I'm sorry Summer, I love you

Marissa dropped the letter and went to Summer. The two girls sank to the ground crying and hugging. 'This day can't get any worse' Marissa thought, and all the pain she had been bottling up burst out. She cried for Seth, she cried for Ryan, and she cried for herself. 'I need a drink' was all she could think about.

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A/N: is it ok? Please let me know!!