Chapter 9

When Ryan got back to the poolhouse, Marissa was already outside waiting for him.
"Hey Marissa."
"Hi Ryan."
There was an awkwardness between them, as both tried to avoid direct eye contact.
"So are you gonna tell what's going on?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah. But I think we should do it inside,ok?"
Ryan went over and opened the door. "After you." he said.
As Marissa walked in, her mind went into a panic. "Look Ryan," she started, "Lately things between us have been a little off."
"Yeah."
"And well, I don't want you to hate me after what I tell you."
"Of course I won't hate you." He reassured her. "Come on, you can tell me anything."
Marissa breathed in deeply then preceeded to tell Ryan the truth.
"I'm so sorry Ryan but I think we should take a break. I've kinda fallen for someone else."
Ryan's face dropped. "Who?" he asked.
"You can't hate him either. Promise me." she pleaded. "You have to promise me, because you can't hate him, you just can't. It's not his fault that this has happened, ok?"
Ryan sat down on the bed. "Please, just tell me who it is."
"You need to promise me first."
"OK. I promise."
At that moment a tear ran down Marissa's face, and her bottom lip started to tremble.
"I'm so sorry."
"I know you are. Just tell me."
"It's Seth"
After that, Ryan said nothing. His empty gaze was fixated on the copy of Legion that was beside him.
"Ryan. Please say something." Marissa begged. " We couldn't help it. It just kinda happened. Please Ryan, we both really love you and we didn't want to hurt you."
"You didn't want to hurt me?" Ryan whispered.
"No we didn't."
"My best friend and my girlfriend are fooling around behind my back and you didn't want to hurt me."
Marissa couldn't say anything.
Ryan stood up and started towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Marissa called out.
Ryan stopped and turned to look at her.
"What do you care?"
"I do care. You're one of my closest friends and I love you." She told him. "Of course I care."
Ryan took a few seconds to reply.
"I'm going to find Seth. I need to hear it from him."
Marissa walked towards Ryan.
"Please don't hurt him." she sobbed.
"What, like he hasn't hurt me!" Ryan shouted. "I can't believe this is happening."
With that Ryan turned back and left the poolhouse. Marissa felt a complete numbness envelop her body. "What had she done?" she thought. "I have to warn him."
She took out her cell and phoned Seth.
"Seth. It's Marissa. No, there's no time for that. You have to get back to your house right away. I told Ryan everything. About us. He's gone to look for you. He's gonna hurt you. I'll meet you in your room. Bye"