Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
A/N: Thanks for the feedback. It's appreciated.
Summer-Breeze-171: Thanks for the help:)
Dogsbody: Dawn probably wouldn't be able to afford Suriak. I didn't really consider that at that time I was writing this. Thanks for pointing it out to me!
And now for the next chapter..
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It's over. The funeral was a week ago. So why were visions of Trey still haunting her? Why did she constantly have to remind herself that she killed him? Her mother was certainly over it, so why couldn't she be?
"Marissa!"
"Speaking of the devil.." she mumbled to herself, but was quick to regret it. She was actually beginning to get along with her mother, and was happy that they were a family again- somewhat of a disfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. "Yes mom?"
"Breakfast is ready." her mother's voice echoed throughout the mansion. "I made my specialty.."
"Eggs benedict." They said in unison. Marissa sighed, her mother was overly predictable. "Coming."
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Sandy knocked on the door twice before reluctantly allowing himself in. Afterall, it was technically his poolhouse. "Ryan? Are you up?"
Upon hearing Sandy enter, Ryan left the bathroom wearing nothing but boxers and a wifebeater. His hair was wet and shaggy, and parts of his body were still dripping wet. It was obvious that he had just gotten out of the shower. He took a brief look at Sandy, who was already dressed in one of his many tuxedoes. He must've skipped his morning routine, which always consisted of surfing.
"Come on inside. Breakfast is ready." Sandy offered.
"You cooked?" Ryan asked, bewildered. Now that Kirsten was off at rehab, could they expect more homecooked meals?
"No, of coarse not.. I put the bagels in the toaster."
Ryan smiled, relieved. He was completely satisfied with bagels and takeout. "Okay, I just need to get dressed. It'll only take me a minute."
"Okay, I'll see you inside."
Ryan dug through his drawers, searching for a clean pair of jeans. His clothing was never elaborate, which was perfectly fitting to his personality. He sighed. It had been quite a few days since Rosa had done the laundry, and the dirty clothes were piling up. Life in the Cohen house sure was different without Kirsten around..
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Marissa slowly drove through the school parking lot, searching for a parking spot that wasn't ten miles away from the school. Every few seconds she'd anxiously look around, half suspecting to see Trey lurking around in the distance. It wasn't until she heard the loud, obnoxious sound of a car horn from behind her that she realized she wasn't moving. She turned around to see a long line of other drivers staring back at her in annoyance. She sighed and turned into the nearest parking spot, preparing herself for the walk.
"Last day of school.." she reminded herself. After a few deep breaths, she stepped out of her car. She was solemnly expecting it to be worse than it was the day she returned from Tijuana.
"You're gonna be fine." Summer said, noticing the apprehensive look on Marissa's face. "Remember, you didn't kill anybody."
Marissa whipped her head around. She hadn't even noticed Summer walking behind her. She slowed her pace so that her friend could catch up. "I picked up a gun and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit someone. They died. I think that would classify as killing someone."
"Your sarcasm is back. You must be feeling atleast a little better.."
Marissa shrugged, unsure of how she was feeling. "I just can't believe he's dead. I keep expecting him to lunge out at me from behind a corner.. or grab me from behind.. or-"
"No, it's okay. I understand how you feel, but rest assured you will never see him again."
Marissa forced a smile. She was grateful to have a good friend like Summer. They walked in silence for a few minutes before finally reaching the building.
Summer held out her arm. "Ready?"
Marissa took it and the two girls bravely walked into the school, ready for whatever the day had in store for them.
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Neither Seth, Sandy, nor Ryan realized how much Kirsten was taken for granted. Life in the Cohen house was chaos without her.
When Sandy woke up that morning, he was welcomed by a sink full of dirty dishes and a foul smell in his kitchen. He sighed and looked at his watch. It was time to get Seth up for school. Of coarse, Seth couldn't use an alarm clock like a normal 17-year-old. Because, according to Seth, it wasn't "personal enough". Apparantly, the sound of an alarm clock was not the first thing he wanted to hear when he woke up in the morning.
So, he popped a few bagels in their oversized toaster and jogged up the staircase to wake Seth.
Five Minutes Later
Seth and Ryan entered the kitchen at the exact same time. They were welcomed by a sink full of dirty dishes.. and the smell of burning bagels. Seth ran to the toaster, but it was too late. The bagels were ruined.
"Cereal?" Seth offered. Sure, his mother was a terrible cook.. but never in her life did she burn bagels.. They were her specialty.
Ryan nodded. It was their only alternative.. besides granola bars.
"Ready to go?" Sandy appeared in the doorway. "School starts in less than ten minutes."
No time for cereal.. "Granola bar?" Seth offered.
Ryan sighed and took the month-old bar from Seth's extended hand.
All three of them knew that they were lost without Kirsten. This was going to be a long couple of months..
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