A/N- Alex and Marissa get into an argument; what will happen? Seth and Alex start over as friends, and Summer deals with problems at home.
"Wow. Who knew cleaning could be so tiring," Marissa wiped sweat off of her face and stuck out her hand to lean against the cherry oak dresser in her and Alex's bedroom.
"Obviously not you. What were you thinking when you wore a long sleeved shirt to clean in?"
"Ok Mr. Wifebeater. And by the way, it's cute," Marissa snuck her nose in the air laughing and then jumped onto her bed, streching her arms out, then sitting up and patting a spot on the bed for Ryan to sit, "Come, sit."
Ryan hesitantly made his way to the bed and sat down, "Ready for your advanced course?" Marissa layed across the bed, putting her hands behind her head as a pillow, Ryan did the same next to her.
"Hm.. what time is it?" Marissa yawned, she really didn't know how much energy cleaning took out of you.
"Almost 5," Ryan looked around her now tidy room for a clock.
"Sure, what's the advanced course?"
"Making dinner," he smiled, rubbing his stomach, acting like he was hungry.
"Fine, I'll be right back with food. And if you're lucky, it might not even be mac n cheese," she grinned and left Ryan alone laying on the small metal bed.
-----------------------------------------------------
It was just another day at the Baitshop for Alex. Except for the fact that usually these days she was happy. Now she had Marissa to go home to, and knowing that kept her going throughout the day. Through the concerts, drunks, and lazy employees, she could keep a solemn grin on her face.
"Thanks for coming, Trust Company plays here next week," Alex yelled, hearding out all of the people who were still hanging out in the club, signaling that it was closing time. They were never open late on Sunday nights, plus now Alex had a reason to go home. She thought she was falling in love with Marissa, and wanted to make her feel special tonight. Plan a big date, go out, stay in.. Anything she could to tell her she loved her and wasn't letting her go. But did Marissa feel the same way?
Alex sat in a barstool, counting the money she'd made from the concert, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Seth, standing in his faded jeans and a vintage rock tee with a vest over it. He sure was unique, just like Alex.
"What do you want Seth?" Alex got off her barstool and made her way to the cash register, putting away the money.
"To keep my promise to you and work?" Seth took a seat at the stool and gave her a questioning look.
"Right, the paycheck. You know where the urinals are, and congradulations, you get to lock up tonight," Alex took an envelope and slid it across the bar to Seth.
"You're leaving? What? I can't keep myself company, I'll start talking to the urinals or something, and you actually expect me to work, when I can't be talking at the same time? Crazy people, I swear," Seth got up followed Alex to the doorway, "Have somewhere to go?"
"Yes, I do. It's already 5:15, I have to go run some errands and be home by 6, so I should go now, good luck."
"If the club gets burned down, it's not my fault!" Seth yells from the doorway as Alex gives a small wave goodbye and runs out to her moped.
-------------------------------------------------
"Taaa-da. Oh," Marissa walks in, holding two plates with tacos on them walks closer to the bed, setting the plates down on Alex's desk. She notices Ryan is asleep, clutching onto her pillow and on his side, curled up. "He looks so peaceful when he sleeps," Marissa sighed and sat down next to the sleeping Ryan, running her hands through his sandy blonde hair. She wanted to be there with him again, in his arms, curled up agaisnt him, knowing she was safe. Slowly she lay down, careful not to wake him. She curled her arms up to her chest and lay next to him, taking in his scent and slow breathing. This was as close to comforatable as she'd been in a while.
---------------------------------------------------
"Summer, darling. I missed you," Summer embraced her dad for the first time in months. He had been in Thailand since July, working on building a new clinic and hiring surgeons.
"I missed you too dad. So tell me, how was Thailand?" Summer put the new hand made skirt her dad had bought her up to her waist and twirled around.
"Great. In fact, sweetheart, why don't you sit down. Carol!" the evil step-monster made her way into the room, sitting next to Neil on the couch, hiking up her short leather mini skirt and tight tank top.
"Slut," Summer whispered under her breath. She was so fake, Summer never liked her step mother and knew she was just after free surgery and cheated on her dad all the time. Not only that, but she was a cheap crack whore too. How her dad didn't see it, Summer didn't know.
"Summer, I liked it so much Carol and I have both decided we'd like to move their, to open up the new clinic and supervise it."
"What!" Summer was shocked, she never thought her dad would ever want to leave this place, his practice was here, his life, her life, their life. She knew this had to have something to do with the step-monster. She'd do anything to make Summer miserable.
"Oh you'll love it there. They have amazing stores in the big city, it might not be that civilized, but we'll all make do," Carol flashed a wicked grin.
"You can't be serious," Summer scofted, "Dad, why can't you supervise from here?"
"It'd be more helpful to be there. And we have nothing holding us back here in California, so why not leave?"
"Nothing holding us back! What the hell does that mean? I have everything here and I'm not leaving! You can't just tell me to pick up my life and leave. Nothing is ever good enough for you, is it? Don't like my boyfriend, he wasn't good enough. Didn't want Mom, she wasn't good enough. You know what, I don't even think you think I'm good enough. So go ahead, go with skank-bag over here and give these poor innocent well-doing people plastic surgery, because, hey, they're not good enough either! So let's re-do every damn bit of their body so they're perfect for all mighty Neil Roberts! Aaahh!" Summer yelled in Carols face and stormed up to her room, leaving one shocked parent, and another with a grin on her face.
Summer flopped onto her bed, holding Princess Sparkles and crying. She didn't want to leave, but if they were going, where could she stay?
-------------------------------------------------
Alex carefully unlocked the door, happy to finally be home, to a clean home. She was surprised. Maybe Marissa had something planned for her, otherwise she would of never cleaned up. Alex threw some bills onto the coffee table, kicked off her shoes and made her way to the bedroom, where she figured Marissa would be waiting. She was so excited about tonight.
"Marissa! I'm-," Alex's mouthed dropped in shock, "home..." Marissa was asleep, with her arms wrapped around Ryan's body. Not only that but she was smiling. The type of smile you have when you're having a good dream, or just over-all glad to be where you are. She was content, not groaning and ducking under the covers, afraid to face another day. She was happy to be with him...
"Alex." Marissa hurridly got up and lead an already teary-eyed Alex outside. Luckily Ryan was a heavy sleeper.
"Guess I should of knocked, huh?" Alex tried to stay the tough girl she was, but couldn't keep from crying.
"I'm sorry... we were cleaning, and fell asleep, and.." Marissa didn't know what to say, but she was tearing up too. She didn't want to upset Alex, she really liked her, and didn't want to hurt her.
"I'm such an idiot. I've known it from the day you two were talking in my office when Linsday got drunk. You're both still in love, but I took the chance and now I'm falling in love with a completely straight girl who will never love me back," Alex sniffled, trying to hold back tears but failing.
"No, I really do like you. I-I.." Marissa wasn't going to deny it, she loved Ryan. But they were so messed up. It never worked, but with Alex she could always get by, and she liked being with her. But she wasn't happy.
"But I'm not Ryan. You should of seen the look on your face. You woke up happy, happy Marissa. You're never happy, you haven't been happy with me. Ryan holds that key to your heart and you're not going to let anyone else have it. It was fun while it lasted, but now.. let's just leave it at that. You should go talk to Ryan.." Alex wiped away some tears with her sleeve and Marissa looked at her dumbfounded. Marissa went to say something and Alex just put her finger to Marissa's lips, and lightly pecked them, walking out into the distance, leaving Marissa and Ryan behind.
Marissa felt her tears starting to dry on her skin as she made her way into the house, looking for Ryan. It wasn't until she heard a car start up she realized he was already gone. Guess Ryan wasn't all that quiet of a sleeper after all.
A/N- So that was this chapter.. I wasn't sure how to break them up, but hopefully this isn't too much like "The Blaze of Glory" I just thought seeing them together, or picturing them together, whatever, would be cute and Alex is understanding so she wouldn't go as crazy and most people. More about the move and in the next chapter Marissa receives a threatening letter and visual from her past, can anyone help her before it's too late? Read and Review please! Thanks!