Hey, sorry I haven't posted, I've been busy. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Recap:

He wanted to tell her he cared about her. That he wanted her. That he needed her.

"And I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner sometime this weekend."

"I'd love to."

Where was Marissa? He grabbed his sunglasses and keys, and headed out the door. He could only think of one place where'd she be that she wouldn't tell him about.

Kyle blasted music as he drove to the house. He wasn't sure what he was doing. She wasn't cheating, he knew she wasn't cheating. She couldn't be cheating. She was just…looking at the house. Yeah.

Marissa waved goodbye. "Bye Ryan! I'll, um, see you..soon!"

He smiled and waved. "Bye."

She opened the door and climbed into her car. Marissa started it up, and waved one last time, before pulling out of the driveway. Ryan smiled and watched her drive away. He still couldn't get the image of Marissa smiling at him out of his head.

Marissa drove in silence, then reached over to turn on the radio, when she noticed her phone laying on the floor of the car. She reached down, and picked it up. "Hmm, 2 missed calls?" She said to herself. She dialed the number for voice mail. "First Voice Message. 'Hey Coop…Well, I can't really call you Coop 'cause you're getting married…well, I can't if you change your last name…are you? Umm…anyway…uhh, oh yeah. Where the heck are you? Lying to Kyle, are we? Call me!'" Marissa bit her bottom lip. "Crap." She thought to herself. She didn't know what happened, but she did know that Kyle had figured something out. "Second Voice Message: 'Hello, Darling. Guess who! Okay, enough being nice. I'm just calling to warn you I'm coming down to see you next week, to plan for the wedding and stuff. Bye!"

Marissa sighed and hung up her phone. "Great!" She said out loud, sarcastically. "This is great."

Kyle drove up the driveway, just as Ryan was driving away. He slowed down, and rolled down the window. Ryan did the same.

"Hey Ryan, nice to see you."

"Uh, Hey."

"Have you seen Marissa by any chance?" Ryan looked confused. "She was just here." He thought, but something stopped him from saying it. "Oh, no. I haven't. She's not with you?"

Kyle shook his head. " I don't know where she is."

"Oh, well, good luck finding her." Ryan began rolling up his window.

"Wait!" Ryan stopped.

"You're sure you haven't seen her?"

"Yeah, man. She's not here, if that's what you mean."

Kyle didn't reply, he just turned and stared at the house. "Okay. Well, then, bye." He drove off before Ryan could reply.

When Marissa got home, she wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't sure if she should call, or leave, or…stay. She flopped down on the couch and turned on the TV. After flipping through a few channels, she settled on a marathon of The Bachelor. After about 40 minutes, Kyle burst through the door. "Oh, so you're here?" He said angrily. Marissa sat up, and nodded. "Have been for um, like…awhile."

"Where were you before?" He questioned. Kyle eyed her suspiciously. "Shopping." She lied.

Kyle: "Oh, what'd you buy?"

Marissa: "Nothing."

Kyle chuckled. "You didn't buy…anything?"

Marissa nodded.

"That's a first." He said quietly. She looked away. Kyle suddenly realized what he was doing. He was being a jerk. He walked from the doorway to the couch, not even bothering to close the door. "Listen, I'm…sorry. You've just been acting weird lately, that's all."

Marissa was silent. Kyle went on. "Are you hungry at all?"

She shook her head no, keeping her eyes on the television. Kyle mumbled something, and walked to the kitchen. Marissa exhaled loudly, then she heard her name being called from the hallway. "Marissa!" She sat up and turned around, to see Summer standing in the open doorway. "Marissa!" She repeated, her eyes wide. "What were you thinking? What were you doing…" Summer stepped closer into the apartment, and her face turned white when she saw Kyle standing in the kitchen. "…not buying that skirt!" She added quickly. "It was sooooo cute. You'd look so good in it. I don't know what you were thinking. I think we need to go back." Summer went on. She smiled at Kyle. "Oh, Hi Kyle." She giggled.

"Hi, Summer."

An awkward silence fell between the three of them. "So, ummm, Marissa." Summer interrupted. "I think I left my, eh, sweater in your car.."

Summer looked at Marissa and nodded slightly. "Oh, uh, right." Marissa said. She got up, and grabbed her car keys off the coffee table. "We'll be right back."

Marissa quickly walked out into the hallway, Summer at her side. "Okay, what the hell is happening?" Summer questioned when they were farther down the hall. Marissa looked down at her bare feet, wondering how she could tell Summer about Ryan; how she felt about Ryan.

"Nothing." She said plainly, but Summer didn't take that for an answer.

"Nothing!" Summer repeated, as Marissa pressed the down arrow for the elevators. "You're trying to tell me that nothing's wrong..you just decided to lie to Kyle? Is that it?" Marissa could hear the elevator coming down to her floor. "Well, um…" She began, but the elevator doors opened with a 'ding' and she stepped inside. Summer stayed in the hall, staring at Marissa in bewilderment, before joining her in the elevator. The girls were silent. Marissa dared to sneak a glance at Summer. Her friend's cheeks were red, and Marissa could tell Summer was frustrated. She did suffer from rage blackouts. Summer looked up, and caught Marissa's glance. Suddenly her eyes became softer. "Listen, Marissa. Just..tell me. I'm not going to tell Kyle or anything."

Marissa sighed, and began to tell Summer everything. By the time she was done with her story, they were in the parking garage. Summer folded her arms across her chest and looked at Marissa's car. "Hmm" was all she said. Marissa blushed.

"So, you…like, have a thing for Ryan."

Marissa nodded, agreeing with Summer's remark.

"But, I mean..I don't know. Of course I love Kyle, I mean..we're getting married. It's just…Ryan's so different, and-" "Wait, so when are you two going out for dinner?" Summer interrupted. Marissa shrugged. "I don't know, he's supposed to call me." Summer raised her eyebrows.

"Well, Coop, I don't know what to say except…do what your heart tells you to." Marissa smiled, but looked unhappy. Summer patted her back softly.

"I knew you liked him." Marissa looked towards Summer, who was smiling. "That day we went to the house.." She continued. "I just…knew it." Marissa smiled. Summer sighed, then continued. "But, honey, you're getting married. And do you know how much it would hurt him if he found out about..this? He really loves you, Marissa. Even though he may yell, or be overprotective, or jealous, or whatever the hell he does, he…he loves you." Marissa bit her bottom lip. "I wish someone loved me like that."

Marissa looked at Summer. "Zach.."

Summer suddenly seemed annoyed, like Marissa acted when she was around Kyle. "Zach." Summer repeated. "He's, uh, he's great. I love him, I guess..but I'm not in love with him. He's just someone to be with, but not exactly Mr. Right."

Marissa looked down at her hands, right at her engagement ring. Now everyone who had seemed perfect wasn't so perfect anymore. Summer and Zach, Kyle and Marissa. They were all once the perfect couples. They were supposed to be the perfect couples. Summer sighed. "Let's go back." They both started walking back.

Once they were in the elevator, Summer turned to Marissa. "Riss, I think we need a break."

"What?"

"We need a break. From these boys. C'mon, we could go to L.A. for the weekend and go shopping."

Marissa nodded. "Yeah." Summer smiled. "So, it's set? We can leave tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good to me."

The girls walked back into the apartment. Kyle was now on the couch. He turned when they walked in. "Hey Kyle!" Marissa said cheerfully. "Summer and I were thinking…tomorrow we wanna go to Los Angeles for like, the weekend? You know, just do some shopping."

Marissa smiled, and joined him on the couch. Kyle nodded. "Oh, yeah, sure. Go ahead."

Marissa gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thanks honey!" She got up and walked towards the bedroom, then stopped and turned around. "We're leaving tomorrow morning, I think."

"Okay." Marissa smiled, then turned and disappeared into her room, Summer close behind. Kyle smiled, pleased that the tension between them was gone.

Summer sat on the bed, and watched as Marissa packed a small suitcase. "That was quite a mood swing." She said softly. Marissa looked up. "What do you mean?" She asked as she folded a polo and put it in her suitcase.

"I mean, you're fed up with Kyle one minute, and it's hard to tell you two are even together..and then the next minute it's like 'aww.'"

Marissa looked down at her suitcase.

Kyle woke up and looked at the clock. 8:17. He rolled over at looked at Marissa. She was still asleep. And as he lay there watching her, all he wanted to do was wake her up and ask her for the truth. He had a million questions, like what was she actually doing yesterday? Because it was obvious she wasn't shopping with Summer. Kyle sighed. He slowly got out of bed. As he was walking towards the bathroom, he heard Marissa's cell phone ringing in the other room. Since she was still sleeping, he decided to answer it, expecting it was Summer. He walked into the living room, saw Marissa's cell phone laying on the floor near the sofa, and picked it up, not even bothering to look at the number.

"Hello?"

"Um, Hi. Is this…Marissa's number?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, um, is she there?"

Kyle sat down on the couch. "No. I mean, yeah..but she's sleeping."

"Oh, okay."

"May I ask who's calling?"

There was silence on the other line. "Uhh…It's Ryan."

Kyle leaned back against the couch. "Oh, Hi. Do you, um, need something?"

Ryan: "No, just, uh, just tell her I called."

Kyle: "Is it something with the house? I mean, that's the only reason you'd be calling, right?"

Ryan was silent.

"Just tell her I found her bracelet.." He finally said. And it was true. He held it in his hands. It was a silver chain with a heart charm, the words "Tiffany & Co" engraved in it. That wasn't exactly the reason he was calling, but since Kyle answered the phone he decided he shouldn't tell him about their dinner plans..just in case she hadn't told him.

"What?"

"I found Marissa's bracelet…she must have lost it at the house the other day. Just tell her I called, alright? I have to go, bye."

Ryan quickly hung up the phone before Kyle could reply. He knew Kyle didn't like him.

Kyle hung up the phone after he heard a 'click.' He threw Marissa's phone on the couch as he stood up. He wasn't going to tell Marissa Ryan called. He could handle this himself.

Marissa woke up at about 8:45. She could hear the shower running in the bathroom. She got out of bed and stretched, before walking to the kitchen. As she was making breakfast, the phone rang. It was Summer, saying she'd be there in about 10 minutes.

Kyle got out of the shower just as Summer arrived. "Bye, Kyle!"Marissa blew him a kiss from the doorway. "Bye." He said plainly, and watched from the doorway of the bathroom as Marissa closed the door. He could hear the two girls talking as they walked down the hall, but finally the voices faded and he was alone.

Marissa laughed as they walked back to Summer's car, bags of Cheetos and sodas in their hands. "Ew, the bathroom was so gross!" Marissa said, as she looked back at the rest-stop behind them. "Haha, I know!" Summer agreed. Both girls got into the car, Summer driving and Marissa in the passenger's seat. They drove for awhile, when Summer finally declared that they were lost. "Su-mmmmer." Marissa complained. Summer laughed. "God, where are we?" They drove a little longer, then Summer decided to stop and ask someone exactly where they were. The first person they saw was a boy a few years younger than them, and he was sitting on his bike in front of a small grocery store. "Hey There." Summer gave him one of her classic, flirty smiles. "Can you, um, tell me where I am?" The boy stared at her strangely, but finally replied "Chino." Summer looked surprised, and as she drove away Marissa could see the boy laughing.

"We're in Chino!" Summer giggled. She turned town a street, then another, and they were driving through a small neighborhood. "Summer, let's stop and ask for directions."

Summer quickly shook her head. "Nuh-uh." She replied, then added "It's Chino. What if we get shot or something?"

Marissa smiled.

"Fine, but can I drive? I've actually, um, been here before." Summer nodded, and they pulled over to switch places. They kept driving a few blocks, when looked Marissa noticed a shirtless man in a mowing a lawn a few houses in front of them. They continued to drive closer, but his head was down, so Marissa couldn't see his face. "Let's stop and ask him…" Summer suggested, and Marissa nodded. They got closer and closer, and finally, he looked up. Marissa was sure he heart had stopped. "Cutie!" Summer said under her breath, as she rolled down her window, not realizing exactly who it was.

"Hey, we're on our way to LA, and well, um, we're lost." She laughed. "Mind helping us out?"

Ryan nodded. He was sure he had seen this girl somewhere. Marissa thought she was going to faint. "Summer" she whispered. "That's him."

Summer turned around, looking at Marissa in shock. "Ryan?" She mouthed, and Marissa nodded. Summer smirked, then turned back to Ryan. He was now curious to see who this girl was talking to. He strained his neck, and was surprised to see that he recognized the girl. "Marissa?" He said aloud, and she leaned forward in the car. "Hey." She said, smiling. "Hey." He grinned back. There was a minute of silence, with Marissa and Ryan just grinning at each other, when Summer interrupted. "Umm…" Ryan looked to Summer, and he remembered her now. She was Marissa's friend.

"Oh, um, right." He carefully explained to them how to get out of Chino, and to L.A. Marissa couldn't take her eyes off Ryan. She didn't mind this little detour anymore. When he was finished giving directions, he seemed to sense Marissa's eyes on him. Their eyes locked, and she automatically grinned. He smiled, and for a second, she actually thought she was in love with him. Marissa finally pulled her eyes away when a screen door behind him slammed. He turned around, and Marissa knew who it was. A girl about Marissa's age appeared next to Ryan, holding two glasses of water. "Hi Theresa." She heard him say. She observed 'Theresa.' She was a pretty girl, with wavy black hair all the way down to her torso. Marissa instantly knew she was jealous of this girl. She seemed to have a not-so-innocent side to her. Maybe Ryan liked that. The girl, Theresa, stared at their car like she had never seen anything like it. Maybe she hadn't. Her eyes slowly made their way down to Marissa, and the two of them just stared at one another. No one spoke, until Summer interrupted the silence yet again.
"Hi, we were just, uh, asking for directions."

Theresa frowned, her eyes confused. "Oh." She finally replied. She didn't seem to like them. Theresa looked at Marissa again. She thought she had recognized her from somewhere, but she couldn't be so sure. To her surprise, something suddenly clicked, and she knew. She remembered when Ryan first started meeting with Marissa & Kyle O'Connor about their new house. She had decided to tag along, but later decided she was too shy to talk to anyone from Newport. So she hid in the car, and had seen a quick glimpse of Marissa. Now she looked back at the same girl, into the same emerald eyes.

"So, thanks…bye." Summer added. Theresa was aware that all their eyes were on her.

"Bye." Ryan said softly. And they drove off, before Theresa could say good-bye, but she doubted she would have anyway. She felt betrayed by this girl, even though she had never even talked to her until then.

Marissa watched Ryan in the rear-view mirror as she drove away. He followed the car with his eyes. Theresa still stood next to him, holding the glasses. A feeling of sorrow came over Marissa. For a second there, she actually thought she had fallen in love with Ryan Atwood.

Reviews are always welcome. :)