Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

smartiepantz: I know, I think we should all campaign for Ryan and Marissa to be together on the show with no drama for at least one episode, but hey, as you say that would mean no TV show, so never mind, I like the drama, it makes them stronger. Hope you enjoy this!

I-Believe-In-The-Butterflies: yes, I thought I'd put Seth's little ramble in just to stir things up in Ryan's head a bit! I like to torture him, lol! Glad you liked it!

slimkay: thanks!

KC-Chick: of course I kept a look out for trees after you'd warned me that Oliver is on the loose, it may only be a story but you never know do you! OMG! I love his bird arms too, they're so cute! Yeah Seth being Ryan's subconcious, that's a good idea!

xGoingUnderx: glad you like my quick updates, once I start a fic I seem to get on a roll and can't stop writing, but hey when there's an update of your story it's better cos you like to keep us in suspense! Yeah, the thing about Anna, I should've put something like "but that didn't really work out did it?" cos let's face it Seth can only handle one girl at a time cant he!

valkrys: oh wow, that's quite a compliment (the bit about it being like watching on oc episode!) thanks!

Ok, so here we go the penultimate chapter! I hope you like it! I should be able to post the final chapter tomorrow, I can't wait for you all to read it cos I really loved writing it. Anyway enough rambling, on with the story! (Oh yeah, and I didn't make it clear enough in the story this is a few weeks after Jimmy left.)

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Marissa sighed impatiently and tapped her fingers on the table, why was Summer always late for everything? They'd arranged to have lunch together - something they hadn't done much of in the few weeks since her Dad had left, - but Marissa had been waiting for ten minutes now and there was still no sign of Summer. Her thoughts on the most slow, painful way to murder her so called best friend were suddenly interrupted.

"Marissa?" A male voice inquired from behind her.

"Um, yeah?" She answered turning round to face a tall blond boy.

"Um, yeah, hi. Scott Henderson, how are you?" He asked, introducing himself nervously.

"Fine thanks." She replied. "You wanna sit down?" She asked, bless! This guy was so cute, and nervous.

"Thanks." He said sinking down into a chair and visibly relaxing a little.

They chatted for a few minutes about nothing in particular, the weather, the crap new biology teacher before Scott glanced at his watch and gasped.

"What?" Marissa asked.

"Oh, it's nothing, I was supposed to meet someone five minutes ago."

"Oh." Marissa's heart sank a little, Scott seemed really nice so it only figured that he had a girlfriend. He looked at her face and guessed what she was thinking.

"Oh, no, it's not my- I mean, I've gotta meet the new French guy, Mr Finnis, y'know him?" Marissa shook her head "Oh, right, well I was supposed to discuss an essay I wrote with him." He explained.

"Oh, right ok then." Marissa smiled, cute and studious? This guy was perfect!

"But, listen, I dunno what you're doing you're doing on Saturday night, but there's this party at someone's beachhouse. I don't know if you'd, maybe wanna..." He trailed off anxiously. Marissa pulled a face unconciously, another beachhouse party? No thanks.

"Um..." She stalled, trying to think of something to say.

"It's ok, I didn't think you would." Scott blushed standing up.

"No, it's not that, I mean I'd love to go out with you sometime." Marissa said quickly. "It's just beachhouse parties aren't really my thing anymore." She admitted.

"Really? Mine neither" Scott smiled "I just thought you'd wanna go. Mabe we could go see a movie? Have dinner?" Marisa nodded eagerly.

"That's sounds good" She enthused.

"Cool, alright, well, I'd better go meet Mr. Finnis but I'll see you around before Saturday and we can arrange times?" Marissa nodded again. "Ok, see ya."

"Bye." Marissa watched him until he'd disappeared into the throng of students, smiling to herself. He was cute and nice, a perfect combination.

"Who was that?" Summer demanded, almost running over from where she'd been spying and sitting down.

"Scott Henderson." Marissa gushed "He's- we're going out on-" She stopped "Where have you been? You were supposed to be here ages ago."

"Yeah, well, I'm here now aren't I?" Summer said airily. "So, come on, spill." Marissa spilt. "Aw Coop, he sounds so cute." Summer cooed when she'd finished.

"Yeah." Marissa agreed, "You should've seen him, he was all nervous about talking to me, it was so cute!" She sighed "He seems a bit too good to be true."

"Yeah, well you deserve the perfect man after Luke and Ryan don't you?" Summer said tactlessly.

"Oh, yeah. Ryan." Marissa said, coming down from her high with a thud.

"What about him?" Summer asked taking a bite of her sandwich.

"D'you think I should tell him?"

"Why wouldn't you? You guys are really close."

"I dunno." Marissa answered truthfully. "I just thought-"

"You just thought that he might flip out and get all jealous?" Summer finished for her.

"Maybe."

"Look, trust me, just tell him - just don't make a big deal out of it. Ryan loves you, no not like that" She said as Marissa choked on her lunch. "You know what I mean, he just wants you to be happy, we all do."

"Yeah, maybe." Marissa mused. "I just wouldn't want things to change between us, y'know?"

"I hate to rain on your parade." Summer said matter of factly. "But you and Scott aren't evern dating - yet."

"Oh, no I know." Marissa said quickly "It's just, y'know?"

"Coop, trust me. Tell him, it'll be fine. I promise." Summer smiled. Marissa just hoped she was right. She and Ryan had been through more than enough recently, she didn't want anyone to spoil what they had.