A/N- Nothing much to say...just thanks to the people who want me to continue. And please send me more reviews/suggestions. They keep me going!

Shout out to Sars, becuz she has given me some great ideas for this story!

Chapter 11

About a week later, Marissa awoke to the sound of the alarm clock. She suddenly realized where she was, seeing Ryan lying beside her. He groaned and sat up in the bed. They hadn't really "slept" together, yet, but they would sleep in the same bed pretty much all the time. Seeing that Ryan was awake, Marissa sat up as well.

"So, Newport today," Marissa said through a yawn.

"Yup, Newport," Ryan replied, yawning himself.

"We are so not morning people," Marissa said, leaning against Ryan's chest.

"Tell me about it," Ryan said. "Come on, we should pack." He got out of the bed, Marissa following.

Ryan and Marissa emerged from Ryan's dorm about half an hour later and met Seth and Summer outside Seth's range rover. Seth had been spending most of his nights with Summer at Marissa's dorm while Marissa spent most of her nights in Ryan's.

"Who's driving?" Summer asked, looking at her self in the mirror.

"I am driving!" Seth declared.

"Cohen, I don't want you to drive," Summer whined.

"Why not? It's my car!" Seth whined.

"That time you drove to Tijuana…it took us forever to get there! You also crashed us into a ditch!" Summer shot back.

"Well, I was provoked. You were annoying the hell out of me," Seth complained.

"I'll drive!" Ryan said out of nowhere.

"Fine, Chino drives," Summer agreed, saying Ryan's old nickname.

"That's old Summer. Don't call me Chino anymore," Ryan said.

"Whatever Ryan, you know that you always loved your nickname," Summer replied saucily. She turned to Seth. "Come on, Cohen, I'll sit with you in the back." They got into the back and Marissa and Ryan got into the front. This was going to be some car ride.

After a while of Seth and Summer's constant bickering, they had fallen asleep like angels, Summer's head resting against Seth's chest, their hands holding onto each other like they would never let go. Marissa looked back.

"Look at them!" she told Ryan. Ryan looked in the re-view mirror. "They look so cute when their asleep."

"Yeah…they actually do. It's like their meant for each other," Ryan said.

"What about you, Ry? Do you think we're meant for each other?" Marissa asked after a while.

"Well we do always end up together," Ryan joked.

"I love you Ry. I want you to know that. I always have and I always will," Marissa said sincerely.

"I love you too. You're actually the only person who really understand what I've been going through. With my mom, the whole Oliver/Theresa thing, Trey…" Ryan trialed off.

"Did you feel that connection with Lindsay?" Marissa asked out of the blue. Ryan thought about this.

"I loved her…but in a different way that I love you. When I was with her, I felt like there was a part of me that wasn't there…that was missing. You kind of complete me," Ryan said. Suddenly he realized how sappy he was being. "Sorry, I'm being really sappy right now," he apologized.

"No, you're not," Marissa assured him. There was silence for a while.

"What about with DJ and Alex? Did you feel a connection with them?" Ryan wondered. This was probably the most connected conversation they had had for a while. It was really nice.

"DJ was a mistake. He was a rebound guy…you weren't there. When you left that summer…I was so depressed. I started drinking and when DJ came along…I don't know. I needed to be with someone, who obviously wasn't like you," Marissa explained. "And Alex…I guess I fell in love with her freedom. She seemed so…well free…that I guess I envied her. They were both nice people, but they weren't you."

"And Josh…?" Ryan asked.

"Josh was a mistake. I thought you didn't want to be with me, and Josh seemed like a decent guy so we got together. Wrong decision though," Marissa said. "And Liv?"

"Like you said, trailer trash. No offense to her, but she was constantly all over me. She reminded me of Jess," Ryan replied, laughing.

"She totally looked like her! Maybe it was her evil twin," Marissa giggled. Being with Ryan again was wonderful. It was like Marissa could finally breathe again.

About an hour after Ryan and Marissa's in depth conversation, they had arrived in Newport. Seth and Summer had waken up and had continued their bickering. When they arrived at the Cohen house, they were greeted at the door by Sandy, Kirsten and Jimmy, Julie and Caitlin.

"My boys!" Kirsten exclaimed, hugging each of them.

"Mom!" Seth replied back. Hugs were exchanged all around. Marissa hugged her father and mother before embracing her little sister, who had grown a lot since she had last seen her.

"Hey Cate!" Marissa said.

"Hey Rissa!" Caitlin replied. Caitlin was the only other person beside Ryan who called her Rissa.

"Whoa, you've grown taller," Marissa noticed.

"Please, I'll never be as tall as you," Caitlin said.

"How was boarding school?" Marissa asked as they all walked into the Cohen's living room where a table was set up.

"It was okay. I'm really glad to be back though. I have to catch you up on everything," Caitlin said excitedly.

"Of course you will! I'm here for the weekend. Just name the time and I'll be there," Marissa said. She noticed Ryan was looking at her with an affectionate smile on his face. Caitlin noticed that they were looking at each other and caught on almost immediately.

"You and Ryan got back together, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah," Marissa replied.

"I always though you guys were a match made in heaven," Caitlin said. "Go talk to him. He looks lonely. I'm going to say hi to Seth." For some reason, Caitlin had always had a crush on Seth. Although she knew nothing would ever happen because he was with Summer, they got along pretty well. Marissa walked over to Ryan and kissed him on the cheek.

"Kirsten looks well," she said.

"Yeah…I'm happy she's okay," Ryan replied.

"Have you checked the pool house?" Marissa wondered.

"Nope," Ryan answered. "I suppose it's the same."

"Do you mind if I stay with you here? I know you would think I would want to spend time with my family, but I want to spend my time with you. Is that okay?" Marissa asked.

"Its fine," Ryan said warmly. "More than fine." During dinner, many discussions were held about college, Caitlin's boarding school life, Kirsten being out of rehab and the couples- Ryan and Marissa, Seth and Summer. It was great being back in Newport…even if it was for a weekend.