They climbed out of Marissa's car and walked towards the schools grounds. Marissa briefly described everything on the way there while Alex just smiled and nodded at her. Marissa carried on describing random things, not even sure of what she was saying. Suddenly Alex gently put her hand over Marissa's mouth.
"That was a nice mini-tour to the school but you were babbling on about the weather for the past five minutes," Alex smiled, her face was close to Marissa's again. What's happening? Weather? Why can't I stop looking at her eyes? Staring contest? All these random little thoughts kept on racing through Marissa's brain.
"Marissa?" A male voice came from behind them. Both girls spun around to see who it was.
"Mryan?" Marissa said muffled. Alex looked at where her hand still was and quickly took it back from over Marissa's mouth. She also took a big step back. "Oh my god!" squealed Marissa as she ran towards the boy standing on the steps. "When did you get back?" She hugged Ryan.
"Erm… Marissa I think you're forgetting someone," Ryan pointed to Alex.
"Oh god! Alex! I'm so sorry! Here let me introduce you guys," She grabbed Ryan's hand and she grabbed Alex's hand. "Ok, Ryan this is Alex, she's new to the school and she's just moved here, Alex this is Ryan, he moved here last year from Chino."
"Cool, nice to meet you" Alex shook his hand.
"Likewise," Ryan smiled.
"So when did you get back?" Marissa asked again. Ryan and Marissa began to chat again. Alex just stayed in the background. She coughed into her hand and they both looked at her.
"Hey, I can look around the school myself and anyway, I need to talk to the principal of the school," Alex said. She knew when she wasn't needed.
"You sure? I mean like, I cant come with you." Marissa offered. She felt bad because she was supposed to be showing Alex around the school.
"Nah it's ok. You guys catch up. Talk about the good times." Alex joked. "But maybe I'll see you later, some other time. Thanks for the mini-tour guide, " She took a step towards Marissa and put her face close to hers, Ryan just looked puzzled. "And thanks again," Alex whispered. She turned around and walked away. Marissa just stood there staring after her.
"Thanks again for what?" She asked. Alex turned around while walking.
"For driving me to school, duh!" She shouted. Marissa just looked at Ryan.
"What?"
Hours passed until school was finished. Marissa and Summer walked out of the school, arm in arm. Talking about all the things they had gotten up to in the holidays.
"Oh my god, you didn't, did you?" Marissa asked shocked.
"Ew! Coop!" Summer pushed Marissa. They both laughed. Marissa saw Alex walking out of school with a bunch of people. They were all joking and laughing and one of the girls had their arm linked with Alex's. It was just like what her and Summer were doing but it just somehow bugged her a little. Marissa just shook off the feeling.
"Hey Alex! Over here!" Marissa waved at the blonde girl. Alex looked over and saw Marissa. She walked over leaving the group of people behind her.
"Hey Marissa, what's up?"
"I just wanted to introduce you to my best friend, Summer." She elbowed Summer in the side.
"Ah – hi!" Summer waved sheepishly.
"Hey I'm Alex, new here. Nice to meet you." Alex waved back.
"You need a ride back to your place?" Marissa offered.
"Thanks, but I'm going out with new friends I made in my classes." Alex pointed over to the group of people who were climbing into a jeep. The girl who had been linking arms with Alex ran over and grabbed her hand. Marissa just felt another pang of jealousy.
"Come on let's go!" She said. "Sorry about this." She apologised to Marissa and Summer.
"Whoa! Sorry see you some other time!" Alex was dragged off. Marissa watched her jump into the jeep and it drive off. She felt a tug on her arm.
"Well she seemed… nice." Summer commented. "Come on, Coop! Let's go shopping! We're meeting Cohen and Ryan at the mall, remember?" And Summer dragged Marissa off.
