Chapter Two: Witches and Fairy Godmothers
Summary: He told himself it was the polite thing to do. That's all it was, right?
Disclaimer: If I've told you once I've told you a million times . . . I'm naught but a poor bum. It belongs to Fox, et al.
Author's Note-
Having previously been a fan fiction virgin (so to speak) I was surprised by how quickly the responses to this story came in! I have turned off the "no anonymous reviewers" option, thank you TutorGurlTigger for pointing that out. This chapter may be a little lighter in tone than the last- I'm afraid it all depends on what I had for dinner. Also this chapter is mainly from Marissa's point of view, and I wish I could tell you why, but sometimes these things just happen. That said, let's begin. Thanks to all reviewers.
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The atmosphere surrounding the garden was calm and peaceful, a drastic change from the critical, judgmental aura they had felt among the party-goers. Taking a seat on an elegant bench Marissa decided that she found the silence between her and Seth to be pleasant rather than awkward.
But what happens now?
She had to say something. Speaking softly so as not to disturb the quiet she voiced her question.
"So, do you think Jean Grey really died at the end of 'X2', or is she just dormant or something like that?"
Oh, great conversation starter. His eyebrows were now hovering somewhere around his hair line.
"Well," he said slowly. "I actually know what happened from the comic books, but I wouldn't want to spoil the next movie for you."
She nodded mutely. Seth was being the gentleman again. He wasn't touching her, hitting on her, or even really looking at her. It was beginning to frustrate her just the tiniest little bit. On the other hand, she wasn't entirely sure that she wanted him to do anything with her.
Not like that. Get your mind out of the gutter already, Cooper.
Surveying him out of the corner of her eye she saw that he had actually taken pains to look nice tonight. No silly shirts or strangely patterned ties, just a simple dark suit with a plain white shirt and normal neckwear. She wished he'd wear more forest green. It would look so good next to his brown hair and eyes.
Taking mental control of his wardrobe? Might as well start brewing him coffee in the mornings and cooking him dinner at night. Remember now, he likes the "Snuggles", but not the starch in his laundry. Jeezus.
Hmmmm. Is Seth Cohen a "Snuggles" kind of guy? She leaned a little closer, trying to get a whiff of his suit jacket.
Marissa was stealthily inching towards his shoulder, not saying a word, and had managed to get within mere centimeters of him when he turned suddenly to face her.
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Seth, too, had been enjoying the tranquility in and around the small terrace. Despite a strange moment when she'd quizzed him on "X-Men" there hadn't been any dialogue between them.
You can't sit here forever, Cohen. If you don't say anything she'll think you accompanied her out of pity. She'll think that you don't want to be here.
That definitely wasn't the case. School. He'd ask her about their chemistry test on Monday and hopefully start an actual conversation in the process. After taking a moment to clear his throat he twisted sideways- and found himself staring straight into her eyes.
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"Oh!"
"I- sorry! I didn't mean-"
"No, that was me. I shouldn't have-"
"You don't have to-"
"Maybe if I just-"
And the silence was back with a vengeance. They sat an additional minute, both a little flustered, when the peace was suddenly shattered by a high pitched screech.
"MARISSAAAAA!"
"Is that your mother?"
"And your grandmother, buddy."
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Hurrying out of the garden and back towards the main patio they almost ran head first into an agitated Julie Cooper.
"Marissa, sweetie, thank God you're here. I thought you might have left early!"
Marissa regained her composure quickly, pushing an errant lock of hair behind one ear as she tried to concentrate on her mother's words rather than the pleasing sensation of Seth firmly holding onto her hand again.
"No, I'm still here. What's wrong? Is there an emergency?"
Did the hostess run out of ice? She was tempted to ask. Did someone finally realize that too much plastic surgery actually decreases one's sex appeal?
From beside her she heard Seth chuckling gently, as though he had read her thoughts.
"Of course not! It's just that I told Mindy Reaves- God what a cow- about you and Luke winning the youth dance contest way back when, and now she says that her Susie could probably do even better than you!"
"So you want . . ."
"For you to show her up!" Her mother paused to take a deep breath through the nose. Supposedly, she'd said, it stimulated the circulation better. As far as Marissa could see it was just making her mother's nostrils look larger.
Don't take the bait. Just walk away and get home so you can sleep. And dream . . .
"You know, that's a great idea but I-"
"Never step down from a challenge." Somebody cut in smoothly from behind her. She turned to see Seth looking down at her mischievously. He bent quickly and whispered in her ear. "Come on, I took lessons too, y'know. Let's put the old hag in her place."
Startled by his nearness she could only nod. When she was able to reopen her eyes they were already on the dance floor, his arm tight around her waist and her head resting against his shoulder. She breathed deeply through her nose. She couldn't decide what detergent that was, but the scent was sweet and comforting. He slipped his other hand over hers and brought them both to his chest.
The music started.