Thank you SO MUCH for all the reviews! Love you all!
welcometotheOC: I got to see Closer because my dad thinks I can appreciate those sorts of movies. Where do you go to school? Did you go to the selective school? Coz I have friends in almost every school so they probably know you.
Disclaimer: don't own the OC…excuse me while I down a bottle of vodka
"Hey guys!" said Lindsay
"Happy birthday Marissa! Sorry, I know it was just supposed to be a family thing, but I figured, 'hey none of them are her really family' so it'd probably be ok for me to come over"
"They are my real family"
"Right. Anyway-"
"What do you mean we're not her real family?" asked Ryan butting in
"Well none of you are actually related to her."
"Some bonds are thicker than blood and harder to break. No matter what happens" Marissa stated.
"I'm going in now, thanks for stopping by Lindsay."
"What was that about?" Ryan asked Lindsay
"What?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes
"Attacking Marissa about who she considers her family, on her birthday no less."
"Well excuse me! I just came over to wish her a happy birthday and make sure you weren't doing anything you'd regret," Lindsay spat
"You were checking up on me? And people say I have trust issues"
"Well it's a good thing I did! I walk out here and you guys are practically making out!"
"Come on Lindsay, it was just a hug. Lots of people get hugs with no romantic attachments."
"NOT WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL EX-GIRLFRIEND'S WHO THEY NEVER REALLY GOT OVER!"
"WE'RE JUST FRIENDS! WHY CAN'T YOU ACCEPT THAT YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY GIRL IN MY LIFE? IF YOU'RE ASKING ME TO CHOOSE BETWEEN YOU AND MARISSA, I WON'T."
"I guess I got my answer then" she said acidly and slammed out of the house.
Ryan walked back into the house. Sandy and Kirsten had gone to bed and Seth, Summer and Marissa were playing video games.
"Did you guys hear that? I'm so sorry. Sorry to ruin your birthday Riss, it's just…complicated,"
"Yeah, I know" she said with a slow, sad smile.
"Don't worry, my birthday's not ruined, I got to spend it with my family and there's not a Cooper-Nichol in sight,"
"You guys," Summer said
"in light of the situation Lindsay put Ryan in tonight I propose we make a pact. I think that we need to promise each other that no matter what happens, and even if we can't really spend time with the others much, that as long as we wear these-"
She pulled a silk pouch out of her pocket and tipped its contents into her hand. Four tiny gold B's fell on to her palm
"-we'll stick together. Because after tonight, Ryan might not be able to talk to his best friend in the world to save his relationship. So these are like, symbols of our pledge to each other. To be there when someone's falling…and to catch them,"
"Well I think this is one of the most worthwhile clubs to join, so I'm in. Go super B's! Just wondering, do us guys have to wear bracelets? 'Cos I don't want to look…unmanly" said Seth
"like anything you wear could make you more unmanly Cohen, anyway I got you two rings the B's attach to and Coop and I get prettier rings,"
"What happens if we take off the B's?" asked Ryan
"We lose you and you keep falling." said Marissa said softly
They each took a ring from Summer and slipped it on.
"I'm going to go now, ok you guys? Thanks so much for everything,"
"Yeah, I'm probably going to head off the bed now."
Hugs and farewells were exchanged all round. Marissa left after giving Ryan a tight "it's going to be ok" hug and receiving an "I'll always be here" kiss on her cheek from him. Ryan left Seth and Summer making out on the couch for the sanctuary of the pool house.
Glad you finally came to your senses
How? By royally pissing off my girlfriend and ruining my best friend's birthday?
No, by defending your princess
I shouldn't have yelled at Lindsay like that. If she asked me to choose, I'd choose her.
Over my dead body you would. Yours too. If I remember correctly you didn't choose her an hour ago. And we both know, you argue with your head not your heart, unless that person has your heart. So that was your completely rational side choosing Marissa. She's your princess, oh gallant white knight. She's your Lyra to Will, your Juliet to Romeo. Hell, she's your Summer to Seth! Not matter how much you deny it; she is where your heart is.
No, she's my Willow to Buffy, my partner in crime, my best friend. Nothing more than that. Lindsay's my princess. I-I lo-I love her.
You did not just say that.
Yes I did. Lindsay's perfect for me nice, stable-
-Boring, plain-
-pretty, reliable. Like a rock. What I have with her, it's what I need. It's special. Its love.
You sound a little too like you're trying to convince yourself. What you have with her isn't love. You're trying to have your happily ever after with the wicked witch in the MIDDLE of the book. You're denying the happily ever afters of three people.
Three?
I'm not going to explain something that's staring you in the face and dancing naked.
And with that Ryan's heart fell silent and Ryan sighed.
My relationship with Marissa was a mess. I may have loved her, but I love Lindsay now. Ryan reassured himself. But you should a little too like you're trying to convince yourself… kept floating through his head.
I love her, I do. And with that Ryan betrayed his heart and called Lindsay to apologise and say three words that she never should have heard from him.
At school the next day Ryan greeted Lindsay with a very long kiss.
"I'm so sorry,"
"I knew you would be, and I'm glad," said Lindsay and hugged him. Ryan looked over her shoulder, trying to ignore the very violent protests his heart was making. Then he saw Marissa walking down the hall, saw her see him and Lindsay, turn and begin walking away from them very fast. The last Ryan saw of her was the sunshine one her hair and the glint of it off her charm bracelet and B ring. He immediately felt sick and heard his heart whisper.
We love you princess.
