Marissa walked groggily out of the bedroom rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She glanced over at the couch and found the blanket folded neatly with the pillow sitting on top. She passed through the living room, and saw Ryan standing in the kitchen over two cups of coffee.

"Morning." Marissa said quietly. Ryan turned quickly and smiled as he found Marissa standing sleepily in front of him. He picked up one of the cups of coffee and walked towards her.

"Morning." He said while extending the cup out to Marissa. She smiled and took it gratefully. "I picked up a few bagels, too…if you're hungry."

"Thanks." Marissa smiled and made her way towards the bag of bagels sitting on the kitchen counter.

"Is Alex still asleep?" Ryan asked curiously.

"No, she had to go to the club this morning."

"Oh…" Ryan sipped his coffee and eyed Marissa over the brim of his cup. Marissa leaned back against the kitchen counter and tore off a piece of her bagel, shoving it into her mouth and chewing viciously. Eventually, she noticed Ryan watching her, and shifted her weight uncomfortably. "Um…just let me hop into the shower, and I can give you a ride back home…" Marissa said awkwardly, trying to break the silence.

"No, it's okay. The rain has finally let up…I think I'm going to walk." Ryan said.

"Are you sure? …It's no problem."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Clear my head."

Marissa nodded hesitantly. "Oh, okay…" Ryan nodded as well and his eyes darted towards the floor.

Ryan took a hesitant step towards Marissa and raised his gaze to meet her eyes. "I know I said this, but…I just wanted to say thank you…again." A faint smile appeared on Marissa's face. "Well, you're welcome…again." Marissa's voice was shaky as Ryan crept closer to her.

"So um…I'll talk to you later…maybe…" Ryan asked hopefully. Marissa nodded her head, and Ryan showed off his classic half smile. Marissa's eyes dropped to the ground as another smile appeared on her face. Ryan noticed this, and stopped moving towards her. "So um…I think I'm going to go then…" Marissa nodded her head once again, and looked up at Ryan who was standing right in front of her. Their eyes locked, and they stood frozen.

After about a minute, Ryan snapped out of it and blinked his eyes furiously. "I guess I should…actually leave…"

"Yeah…"

The two continued to stare at each other, and Ryan apprehensively nodded his head. "Okay…um…bye…" Ryan turned and took a step away from Marissa. Without thinking, Marissa took a step forward, reaching out and grabbing hold of Ryan's arm. "Ryan…" He turned and looked at her, a small look of shock and confusion running over his face.

They stared at each other for a few more moments. Marissa's hand still firmly placed on Ryan's arm. He stared into her eyes, trying to read her, trying desperately to figure out what she wanted to say. Marissa's gaze fell from Ryan's eyes, suddenly filled with embarrassment, she pulled her hand off of Ryan's arm and took a step back. Confusion grew inside Ryan and he took a step toward her immediately. This time he reached out, his hand finding it's way to hers. Their fingers instinctively intertwined and Ryan moved closer still. Marissa's eyes welled and were immediately brought back to Ryan's.

"You okay?"

"Ye-" Marissa's voice cut out, she took a deep breath in and looked away from Ryan for a second. "Yeah…" She managed, finally forcing herself to speak. Ryan eyed her; he didn't believe her. Regardless, he recognized the fact that he was in no real position to do anything about it. He looked down at his fingers, which were laced with Marissa's. He didn't remember actually doing that…or her letting him. He slowly let his fingers slide out of Marissa's and took a small step back.

"You're sure you're okay?" Ryan asked, concerned.

"Yeah…I just…" Marissa's voice trailed off again, and she looked past Ryan.

"You know what, you don't have to explain."

Marissa's eyes immediately darted back to his. "Ryan…"

"It's okay."

Ryan smiled, and moved forward once again, he mindlessly ran his hand up and down Marissa's arm. The two got lost in each other's eyes, yet again. Ryan, seamlessly caught in the moment leaned in towards Marissa. She watched as he closed the space between them, her whole body tingling with anticipation. Suddenly, Ryan realized what he was doing and froze, mere inches away from Marissa's lips. His eyes closed, as he shook himself out of it. "I'm sorry…old habit." Marissa took a sharp breath in and nodded her head. "I'm sorry…" Ryan stated again as he stumbled back a few steps. "It's okay…really…" Marissa assured. "No…it's not. Just cause I'm single again, doesn't mean you are…and…it's not my place…" Ryan pressed.

"Ryan, really…it's fine." Marissa restated.

"Right…" Ryan nodded his head, trying to convince himself. "…I should really go now."

Ryan turned quickly and walked towards the door. He pulled the door open and looked over his shoulder at Marissa who remained in the kitchen. "I'll see you later." Marissa nodded for the last time, and Ryan walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.

Ryan let out a deep breath and leaned back against the door after he closed it. He replayed what had just happened in his head, and stood frozen outside the apartment building. He took a few steps down the stairs and slowly walked away from the apartment. Marissa remained in the kitchen, also replaying the recent events. She stood almost stunned, and breathing deeply. Had he really almost kissed her? Did she really say that? Did he? Her head was spinning and she slowly made her way towards the couch. She reached over and took hold of the pillow and blanket Ryan had used the night before. Marissa hugged the pillow tight against her body, faintly smelling Ryan's cologne. She closed her eyes and a few silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

---

Ryan plopped down on the large pool house bed. He'd been home for a few hours, and despite trying to keep himself busy, he somehow kept coming back to his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, thinking about Marissa…thinking about Lindsay, even Theresa. His entire life, he had loved exactly one girl. He tried to fight it, ignore it, he tried to make it go away – but it never would.

Seth took a step into the pool house, immediately noticing a hopeless looking Ryan on the bed. "Come on man…you've got to stop brooding." Ryan let out a groan and rolled over in bed, pulling one of the pillows over his head. Seth let out a small sigh, and looked down at Ryan. "Look man, I know you miss Lindsay…" Ryan rolled his eyes beneath the pillow, while Seth continued. "…But you've got to get out of bed. Do something…get out of the house…"

Ryan lay motionless on the bed while Seth continued to stare at him. Seth let out another sigh and moved to one of the pool house chairs, taking a seat. He propped his elbow up on the arm of the chair, and let his chin rest in the palm of his hand. He continued to stare at Ryan, deep in thought, when suddenly, he realized something. "Where were you last night?" Seth questioned.

Ryan's head peaked out the side of the pillow. "What?"

"You didn't come home last night…"

"I was um…" Ryan glanced around the room, his eyes eventually making their way back towards Seth. "…Out." Seth squinted his eyes and looked at Ryan suspiciously.

"Do I have to remind you what happened last time you broke up with a girlfriend and then spent the night out?"

"Seth!"

"Hey man, this family has had its fix with teenage pregnancy."

"Trust me…I didn't have sex with anybody last night."

"Last night?" Seth questioned quickly, a sly smile on his face.

"Seth, give it a rest." Ryan stated firmly.

Seth looked up at the ceiling briefly, contemplating something. "No. Don't think so…who were you with?"

Ryan let out a loud groan, and rolled onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling once again. "Marissa." He stated softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What!" Seth yelled, popping out of his seat.

"It's nothing." Ryan said quickly.

"Oh yeah…you spending the night with Marissa is nothing." Seth replied quickly, walking towards the bed. "I didn't spend the night with her, I spent the night on her couch…" Ryan said, his eyes immediately darting away from Seth. "…Err…Alex's couch…"

"You went into the belly of the beast!" Seth shouted, a bright smile suddenly appearing on his face. "Did you see anything?" Ryan rolled his eyes and shook his head, continuing to stare at the ceiling. "Y'know…I was over there yesterday…they were both there…" Seth's voice trailed off, as he became lost in thought. Ryan continued to stare blankly at the ceiling, as Seth snapped out of his daze. "So you're telling me that you spent the whole night there and…nothing happened?"

Ryan glanced over at Seth, and spoke affirmatively. "Nothing happened." Seth skeptically nodded his head, and silence filled the room. After a few minutes, Seth turned towards Ryan again. "Dude, something had to have happened…"

Ryan remained silent and lay still on the bed for a few moments. "I'm getting out of here." Ryan popped up from the bed, and crossed to the back of the pool house.

"That's the spirit Atwood!" Seth clapped his hands once, a smile on his face. "I'm proud of you. Getting up, getting out; it'll do you some good…" Seth nodded his head, agreeing with himself. Ryan picked up his grey sweatshirt, pulled it over his tank top, and zipped it up halfway. He glanced sideways at Seth, who now had a look of confusion running over his face.

"So, uh…where are you going?" Seth watched Ryan as he made his way back to his nightstand; he picked up his watch and strapped it to his wrist. "I'm not sure…" Ryan answered softly, before brushing past Seth, and walking out the pool house doors.

---

Dark clouds filled the sky and the wind whistled in the air, as Alex stepped out of the front doors of The Bait Shop. The club was closed that evening, and she'd spent her day preparing for the live show the following night. Alex brought a cigarette up to her lips as she walked down the pier towards her apartment building. The wind had been blowing all day, and had just recently begun to really pick up. She cupped her hands around the tip of her cigarette and managed to get her smoke lit. She strolled up the pier, walking only moderately fast. Her thoughts had been plagued with images of Ryan and Marissa the entire day, and that look on Marissa's face when she said she'd never stop loving Ryan. It wasn't easy for Alex to take, especially since she was falling for this girl. But at the same time she knew. She knew the whole situation and experience was new to Marissa, it was experimental, it was fun. It also didn't hinder the fact that Alex had real feelings for her.

Alex let out a sigh as she continued to shuffle up the pier. She flicked the ash off the tip of her cigarette, allowing the wind to carry it away behind her. She looked up at the sky, noticing the barrage of dark grey clouds that seemed somehow fixated over Newport Beach. She had always enjoyed the rain, but something about this particular day wasn't settling well. She shook her head slightly and brought her cigarette to her lips again.

She glanced up and down the almost empty pier. A few people were scattered around, most of which were moving quickly towards shelter of some kind, eager to get inside before the rain started again. She took the last drag off her cigarette and flicked it to the side as a few small droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. The people around her began to pick up their pace, when suddenly Alex noticed a lone and motionless figure standing next to the rail. He didn't seem to notice the fresh raindrops falling from the sky. He looked solemn; he looked lonely. He looked like Ryan.

Alex slowed down as she realized who it was, but never stopped walking. Ryan had his back to her; completely unaware she was watching him. He looked as he had the night before, except this time he didn't have Marissa standing by his side. To Alex, that seemed to be the only good thing about this situation. She continued walking, eventually having to look over her shoulder, in order to see Ryan. He remained motionless, staring out at the crashing waves of the ocean. The rain started to pick up, and Alex quickened her pace on her way home.

---