The next day Summer arrived at Marissa's place. Marissa was sitting in her room working on some homework assigned on Friday.
"Coop! It's Saturday, put that away." Summer said, "Let's go do something."
Marissa looked up, "But I have some much stuff to do."
"Coop, you have all day tomorrow. Who studies on Saturday any way." Summer said, "Besides Cohen."
"Ok, what do you want to do?" Marissa asked.
"Let's go for lunch and than hit the beach." Summer replied.
Marissa put her books away and grabbed her bikini, "Let me just quickly change."
"Good." Summer said.
Marissa met Summer down by the door and the two left for the crab shack.
"Did you and Seth have a good time last night?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah we didn't stay at the carnival long, Cohen's parents were gone out so we went back to his place." Summer said smiling.
"Oh when the parents are gone the kiddies do play!" Marissa joked.
"And you and Ryan weren't at anything last night?" Summer said throwing her paper towel at Marissa.
"Ryan and I don't do those sorts of things." Marissa replied.
"Right and money grows on trees!" Summer laughed, "Did you and Chino go back to your place last night?"
"We did and he started singing to me. I had to almost beg him too but he did. I think I fell in love with him all over again." Marissa said glowing.
"See I can't see Chino sing, he must be a different person around you." Summer said.
"He's the most amazing guy I've ever met." Marissa replied, "But I'm sure you feel the same way about Seth."
"Sometimes." Summer laughed, "So what are you ordering, I'm starving."
Summer and Marissa ordered their lunch and a little while later they were eating. Marissa's cell phone started to ring half way through.
"Sorry Sum, it's Ryan." Marissa said and answered the phone.
"Hey Ryan." Marissa said.
"Hi, you busy?" Ryan asked.
"I'm justing eating. What's up?" Marissa asked.
"I was just seeing if you wanted to come over." Ryan said.
"I'd love to but I made plans with Summer. We're at the Crab Shack eating lunch and then we planned to go to the beach. What are you doing later?" Marissa asked.
"Hanging out with you?" Ryan asked hopefully.
"Good, around 8?" Marissa asked.
"Anytime, just come over." Ryan said.
"Why don't you come to my place, dad has plans again tonight." Marissa suggested.
"You're place at 8." Ryan replied and they hung up.
"When the parents are gone the kids do play." Summer moched as Marissa put her phone away. Marissa tossed a fry at Summer and laughed.
"Exactly!" Marissa said putting a fry into her mouth.
Ryan headed downstairs to find Seth. Seth was at the kitchen table doing homework.
"Come on man, lets play station it." Ryan said closing Seth's book.
Seth looked up at Ryan. He thought about commenting on Ryan's move but then changed his mind, "You're on."
For the next few hours Seth and Ryan hardly left the living room; except to grab drinks and snacks. At 6 Kirsten came in and told them that supper was ready to eat. They boys stopped for about 15 minutes and went straight back to playing the game.
A couple hours later Kirsten entered the room, "I can't believe you two are still playing that. Ryan you're wanted on the phone, it's Marissa."
"Marissa? What time is it?" Ryan asked pausing the game.
"8:30." Kirsten replied passing him the phone.
"Sorry, I lost track of time." Ryan said as he put the phone up to his ear.
"It's ok, what are you doing?" Marissa asked.
"Seth and I were playing play station." Ryan answered.
"If you don't want to come over you can stay there with Seth." Marissa offered.
"No, I'm coming. I'll be there shortly." Ryan said hanging up the phone.
"Sorry man, got to go." RYan said.
"Ok, maybe I should call Summer, see what she's been up to today." Seth said.
"She was out for lunch with Marissa earlier and then they went to the beach." Ryan offered, "Do you need the Jeep or can I take it?"
"It's all yours." Seth said.
"Thanks." Ryan replied and headed out the door.
When Ryan got to Marissa's he knocked on the door and Marissa let him in. She gave him a quick hello kiss and shut the door.
"My dad is here, I don't know if he's leaving again or if he's staying in." Marissa said leading Ryan to the couch.
"No problem." Ryan replied and sat next to her.
Jimmy appeared from upstairs, "Ryan hey. Did you like the guitar?"
"Yeah it was great." Ryan replied looking up at Jimmy.
"I was begging Marissa to give it to me but she would hear tell of it, it's nice isn't it." Jimmy said.
"It is, do you play?" Ryan asked.
"A little. Did you two have a good time last night? How was dinner?" Jimmy asked.
"We had an amazing dinner and then we went to the carnival." Marissa said, "But we had a really good time."
"That is great." Jimmy said.
"What are your plans tonight dad?" Marissa asked.
"Hailey was supposed to come over here tonight." Jimmy said.
"Oh, should we leave?" Marissa asked.
"No it's ok sweetie, we're renting a movie you both can watch it with us." Jimmy offered.
"Maybe." Marissa replied.
"Well I'm going to go pick Hailey up, see you two when I get back." Jimmy said leaving the house.
"Sorry, when I called you he wasn't home. Do you want to watch a movie with them?" Marissa asked.
"I don't care, what ever you want to do is ok." Ryan said.
"We can wait to see what they're watching and then make our minds up." Marissa suggested.
"Sounds good. How was the beach today?" Ryan asked.
"Nice, Summer and I had fun hanging out." Marissa replied stretching her legs out across Ryan's lap.
Ryan rubbed his hand over her calves.
"What did you do today?" Marissa asked.
"Seth and I played play station." Ryan replied.
"All day?" Marissa asked surprised.
"All day." Ryan replied smirking.
The week went by slowly Ryan had a huge test coming up on Friday and spent the entire week studying for it. Ryan didn't hang out with anyone outside of school because of the test. He had also made plans to go visit Theresa on Saturday.
On Friday evening Ryan retired to his room to take a nap, he was exhausted from the week of studying he had. Marissa was starting to miss him because the only time she got to see him was while the were driving to and from school. She decided to visit him Friday evening.
Marissa knocked on the door and Kirsten answered.
"Hi Kirsten, is Ryan home?" Marissa asked.
"Sure, he's up in his room. Go on up. How are you doing?" Kirsten asked.
"Good, I just haven't seen Ryan in a while because of the test." Marissa replied.
"Were you writing the same test?" Kirsten asked.
"No, I'm not taking that course." Marissa answered.
"Oh well he's up in his room." Kirsten replied and Marissa headed upstairs to his room.
His door was shut so Marissa lightly knocked on the door but there was no answer. She slowly opened and noticed the room was dark and Ryan was asleep. Marissa was about to leave but decided not to. She crawled onto the bed and cuddled into him and fell asleep as well.
A few hours passed and Ryan woke up surprised to see Marissa in bed with him. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight. Marissa awoke and lookekd over at Ryan.
"Hey." She smiled.
"Hi, when did you get here?" Ryan asked, "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Around 6:30. You looked so peaceful and I was going to leave but we hardly seen eachother this week. I missed you." Marissa said.
"I know, sorry about that, that test was a killer." Ryan replied.
"I understand, school should always come first." Marissa said snuggling her head between his shoulder and neck.
Ryan kissed the top of her head, "What do you want to do tonight?"
"This." Marissa replied softly.
Marissa rolled over so she was facing the same direction as Ryan. Ryan wrapped both his arms around her and held her really close. As they were lying there Kirsten came into the room.
"Ryan you didn't eat supper, are you hugnry?" Kirsten said, "Marissa I didn't think you were still here."
"Ryan was sleeping when I got here, so I laid down with him and fell asleep." Marissa said, "Is that ok?"
Kirsten looked at the two and smiled, "Sure. Are you two hungry? There's left overs downstairs."
"Yeah, I'll be down in a little while. Thanks." Ryan replied.
Kirsten nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Ryan kissed Marissa's cheek, "Are you hungry?"
"No not really." Marissa replied.
Ryan didn't say anything for a few minutes, he just kept hugging her tighter.
"I missed you too this week." Ryan sighed with his chin rested on her shoulder.
"Good." Marissa replied which made Ryan slightly laugh, "Let's go get you something to eat."
Marissa and Ryan got up off the bed and went downstairs to the kitchen. Kirsten was making 2 plates up from the take-out containers.
"Kirsten, I'm not that hungry." Marissa informed.
"Well try to eat it and if you can't we'll just toss it." Kirsten said setting the two plates at the table.
"Where is everyone?" Ryan asked wondering where Seth and Sandy were.
"Sandy is working late tonight and Seth is gone over to Summer's." Kirsten replied.
"Oh, did you eat by yourself earlier, cause you could have woke me." Ryan said.
"Seth was here with Summer, they ate with me. You were so tired, there's not way I would have woke you up." Kirsten said.
"Thanks, I didn't even hear Marissa when she came in. I only noticed her in the room when I woke up not to long ago." Ryan replied.
"I got some work to do, I'll be upstairs if you need me." Kirsten said.
Marissa picked at her food, Ryan finished his and Marissa gave him the rest of hers. Once they cleared the table they went to the livingroom to watch tv.
"I'm going to visit Theresa tomorrow." Ryan informed Marissa as they cuddled on the couch.
"Oh, how is her mom? Is she doing any better?" Marissa asked.
"No but she's no worse, which is good I guess." Ryan replied, "I was actually going to ask you to come with me, are you busy."
Marissa was surprised but happy he asked, "No I'm not busy, I'd love to come with you."
"Good." Ryan replied and gave her a nice kiss.
Ryan got up around 9 and Seth was already eating breakfast.
"Are you still going to Chino today?" Seth asked while spooning another pile of cereal into his mouth.
"Yeah around 11." Ryan replied getting a bowl out for himself.
"Cool." Seth said.
"How was your night last night?" Ryan asked trying to make conversation.
"Good...we went bowling...fun times." Seth said pausing between each set of words.
"Bowling?" Ryan said, "Wow."
"Hey bowling requires skill, skill that I seem to have." Seth said.
Ryan just laughed at him, "Where are your parents?"
"Gone grocery shopping, our fridge seems to be getting fairly empty." Seth replied.
Ryan opened the fridge and it was stocked of course, if Seth only knew the way his fridge used to look when he was in Chino, Ryan thought to himself.
"Did you tell the girlfriend about your trip to Chino today?" Seth wondered.
"Yeah she's actually coming with me." Ryan replied sitting down next to him.
"Oh, Theresa and Marissa together. You're day should be fun." Seth replied.
"I'm not worried. Eddie will be there with Theresa." Ryan stated.
"Right." Seth said.
Once Ryan was finished he went to jump in the shower. When he returned downstairs Marissa was in the kitchen with Seth, Kirsten and Sandy.
"Leaving for Chino soon Ryan?" Sandy asked as Ryan entered the kitchen.
"Soon, around 11." Ryan replied sitting next to Marissa.
"Are you going along with him Marissa?" Kirsten asked.
"Yeah, I'd like to see Theresa and see if there is anything I could do for her." Marissa replied.
"That's really nice of you, Ryan would you find out if there is anything we could do. Will you give her and her family our sympathy?" Kirsten asked.
"Sure." Ryan replied, "Marissa did you breakfast?"
"Yeah, dad made me french toast this morning." Marissa said.
"You're father made you breakfast? Was it etable?" Kirsten laughed.
"Actually over the last year he's gotten really good at cooking." Marissa replied.
Ryan looked down at his watch, it was 10:30. "Marissa ready to go?"
"Sure, when ever you are." marissa replied and stood up with Ryan.
Sandy passed him the cell phone he always took with him to Chino and told them to call when the got there. Ryan agreed and lead Marissa out to the car.
They arrived in Chino around 12:30 and went right to the hospital. Ryan lead them up to Theresa's mom's room.
"I'll wait out here, take as much time as you want." Marissa said squeezing Ryan's hand.
"Thanks." Ryan said giving Marissa a half smile and walked into the room.
Theresa was there with her mom. He glanced over at Theresa's mom and couldn't barely reconize her. "I thought she wasn't doing any worse." Ryan thought to himself and Theresa noticed his facial expression as he looked at her mother.
"The doctor said the medicine is making her look the way she does, don't worry. She's sleeping right now but she should wake up in an hour or two." Theresa offered.
Ryan looked over at her, "How are you doing?"
"I'm ok, Eddie has been really good at keeping my spirits up." Theresa replied.
"Good, I'm happy he's been there for you." Ryan replied.
"Yeah." Theresa said, "Why don't we go get some coffee or something until mama wakes up."
"Sounds good, uh Marissa is here, she umm came with me." Ryan informed.
"Oh, was she affraid to let you come by yourself?" Theresa asked.
Ryan gave he a look, "No, I asked her to come with me. You're ok with that right?"
Theresa looked up at Ryan, "Yeah, of course."
Ryan opened the door letting Theresa walk our first and then he walked out behind her.
"Theresa." Marissa said standing up, "I'm sorry about your mother, how is she doing?"
"As good as she could be I guess." Theresa replied.
"She's sleeping right now so we thought we'd go down to the cafeteria." Ryan replied.
After an hour they went back up to see Theresa's mom. Ryan stayed with her for a couple hours and Marissa went in to say hi. Later on Theresa, Marissa and Ryan went back to Theresa's house, Theresa had to meet Eddie.
"Ryan, hey man." Eddie said as they entered the house.
"Hey." Ryan said shacking his hand.
"How are you doing Marissa?" Eddie asked.
"Good, yourself?" Marissa replied.
"Ok." Eddie replied.
"Ryan and Marissa came to see how mom is doing. We just came back from seeing her." Theresa said sitting down.
"How is your mom doing?" Eddie asked.
"She's really tired but she was really happy to see Ryan." Theresa replied.
"What time are you two heading home?" Eddie asked.
"I don't know." Ryan replied.
"Why don't we all go grab a bite to eat....remember we used to go to Brown Bag It...I'm sure Marissa's never been there." Eddie said.
Ryan looked over at Marissa who nodded.
"Let's go." Ryan said.
An hour and a half later Ryan and Marissa were on their way home.
"How did you like supper?" Ryan asked.
"It was good, you used to eat there?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah, Chino's Brown Bag It is like Newport's Crab Shack. That is where everyone used to hang out." Ryan replied.
Marissa smiled at him.
All of a sudden both of them were surprised by a huge bang, a car horn and bright lights.