Chapter seven: Marissa

Kirsten woke up the next morning with the worst hangover of her life. Her head was pounding wildly, and the bright California sunlight hurt her weary eyes. She quickly got up, pushed away the golden locks of hair that blocked her vision, and sat down on a stool in the kitchen. Once she removed her hand from her eyes, she saw a note with two red tablets next to it. The note read:

Dear Kirsten,

When I Got home last night, I saw you lying on the floor. I stayed with you most of the night, just to make sure you were alright. The pills are aspirin, I have a feeling you'll need them. Hope you are ok.

Love,

Ryan

She smiled at the note, and downed the pills with one sip of water. A knock at the door made her jump " Be right there!" she yelled at the door. She stumbled over to it , and opened it to see Marissa.

"Hi Mrs. Cohen"

"Hey Marissa" she said as Marissa embraced her with a hug.

" How are you doing?" Marissa asked with a concerned look on her face

" As good as I can be doing." Kirsten replied in a low, groggy tone"

Their discussion was interuppted by loud footsteps from up above " But mommy...I want a cookie!" Sarah said while holding her mother's hand, and walking down the steps.

"Sweetie, it's seven o' clock, you should have some cerea...oh my god Coop!" Summer said as she ran over to marissa. The two girls hugged and smiled at each other. Kirsten backed away from the girls, and picked up Sarah.

" Summer is that your daughter? She's adorable!"

" Yeah, she's five years old, her name's sarah... Sarah come here...meet your aunt Marissa"

"Hello Aunt Marissa" The little girl said with a big smile on her face

" Hey Sarah" Marissa replied with a grin. Seth soon came walking down the stairs

" God Summer, do you have to be so loud, half of Orange County is awake now"

He looks over " Hey Marissa!" He said while walking over, and hugging her.

Hey Seth!" Marissa replied

" Wow, The fantastic fou...wait, where's Ryan...RYAN!" Seth yelled, Kirsten covered her ears " God Seth, you don't have to yell."

Ryan walked into the house and saw her. He didn't know what to say, or how to react, he just stood there, amazed by her beauty.

"Hey Ryan" She said in a low tone, just loud enough for him to hear her.

"Hey" He managed to get out after a few seconds of blank stares.

" Well, this is deliciously akward, how bout some coffee?" Seth said trying to break the silence.

Later that day, Ryan was sitting on the poolhouse bed reading Kavalier, and Klay. It amazed him that eleven years ago, Seth told him to read it, and he never really did. While in the midst of a chapter, A knock on the door made him jump. "Come in!" he said without looking up from his book.

"Hey" A familiar voice spoke to him. He looked up from his book and saw her, just as beautiful as she was ten years ago. The sun was behind her, so all he could see was her face, the rest of her was a shadow. "How are you Ryan, we didn't really get to talk before...you kinda froze up." She said smiling at him

"Well I was suprised to see you...it's been too long." Ryan said returning the smile, but trying not to be too smiley. He didn't want to freak her out

"So, how's your life? Do you have a job? House?...Girlfriend?" She asked with a grin

" I have a decent house... I have my own construction company...but no girlfriend...what about you?"

"I live in a pretty big house, I work for a cosmetics company...but no boyfriend"

Ryan wanted to kiss her right then, but he controlled himself, and stayed in his current state.

"So...how's everyone dealing with it...Sandy I mean."

"Some better than others...Kirsten was a wreck for a while...but I think she's getting better...well as good as she can get. I'm ok, but I'm still sad. It's hard to tell with Seth sometimes...he hides alot of his emotions."

"Well I'm glad you're ok" she said rubbing his shoulder. He tried to fight back a smile, but he couldn't help it. Marissa smiled back at him, and looked into his eyes. For minutes they just sat there, looking at each other...that was until Seth walked in.

"Wow, house of wax" Seth said staring at his motionless friends "...Well anyways, dinner is served. You can come in if you want...or you can gaze at eachother some more I don't care." Ryan shot him an angry look, and Seth walked away.

"Wanna eat?" Ryan asked

"Sure" she said as they walked into the kitchen. Everyone was already there when they came in. Summer gave Marissa a questioning look, but Marissa shook her head, understanding the question.

"Kirsten this looks really good" Ryan said with a sweet smile in Kirsten's direction.

"Thank you, it took me a decade, but I learned to cook" She replied with a smile.

Several hours later-

Ryan was lying on his bed when he heard a knock. "Come in!" He responded. It was Marissa, who had a sad look on her face "What's wrong?" He asked jumping out of his bed and walking to her.

"My dad isn't coming. I haven't seen him years and he can't even come and see me."

"It's ok Marissa, I'm sure he has a good reason." Ryan said to her in a comforting tone. He started to rub her shoulders. "It's gonna be ok, he loves you, you know that. I'm sure he had something planned that he couldn't get out of...listen, sleep in here tonight, I don't want to make you find some hotel." Ryan said trying to calm her down.

"No, I can't intrude on you like that." She said while wiping away tears

" I don't mind. I'll sleep on the couch in the living room...I insists, stay here tonight" He said to her sweetly.

" Thanks Ryan... this means alot to me." She kissed him on the cheek, and then layed down on the bed. Ryan covered her up.

" Sweet dreams" He whispered to her as he turned off the light in the room. He closed the door, then stood there. He hadn't stopped to think how important she was to him. He knew he still cared for her...he knew he still loved her." He walked into the house and layed on the couch for a few minutes until sleep finally took him. Today had changed everything in his life. Little did he know how much more things would change.

Hope you are enjoying the story. This chapter was a little happier than the rest, but plenty of drama lies ahead. Please review if you get the chance. All feedback is greatly appreciated.