Chapter Eight: All Masks Removed
Summary: He told himself it was the polite thing to do. That's all it was, right? Seth/Marissa
Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing all of these characters. Actually, if you'd consider selling any of them to me there's really only two that I need . . . no, no, don't call your lawyer Josh. It's okay, I'll see myself out.
Author's Note-
It's been a long time, my friends. At last the hardest parts of the working weeks are over and I can kick back a little and finish this up for you. In fact, you should see the sandwich I'm eating right now; it's ginormous. Mmmmff . . . hold on a tic I just got mustard all over my hands. Hokay- back on topic. Fortunately the time away gave me the chance to plan the few remaining chappies so everything should move along pretty smoothly. Love to you all for putting up with my vanishing act!
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In all her years of standardized testing Marissa had never encountered a problem as baffling as her current predicament. Which element of her surroundings was the softest? Was it the unmown grass beneath the shady willow tree? The gentle breeze that took the edge off the heat in the air. Or was it the whisper-soft caress of Seth's fingertips against the tan skin of her arms?
Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner.
He was quiet. She wondered briefly if he was thinking about the almost fight they had had at school today, but one glance at his content face dispelled her fears.
I make him haaappy . . .
She seemed to be having trouble controlling her inner child today.
Grabbing at his hand Marissa repositioned his fingers on her shoulder while he chuckled in amusement at her forceful nature.
A few more moments passed in their customary silence before she decided to break the ice.
"Seth?"
A hushed grunt of acknowledgement was issued from behind her.
"Seth, tell me all your secrets."
He laughed aloud at that one, chest rumbling and shoulders shaking.
"I don't have any. You already know everything about me."
Heaving a sigh Marissa continued to grill him, determined to uncover every single skeleton in his closet.
"There must be something I don't know. Just something small and innocent if you like"
She could sense the sunny smile on his face as he pretended to contemplate an answer.
"Hmmmm . . . all right, here's one. You know how I had a sketchbook devoted to my drawings of Summer?"
A mute nod signified her response. The less they spoke of Summer the more comfortable she felt.
"Well, it just so happens that I have one for you too."
She sent an incredulous look his way that was met with a calm and reassuring gaze.
"Honestly?"
"Truly. In fact I've amassed something of a file cabinet full of artwork dedicated to you."
Thrills of delight sped through her as she envisioned his nimble fingers mapping out her image on countless pages of paper. She knew of some other talents those digits possessed, and was willing to bet that his pictures would render the professionals speechless. Feeling quite pleased with his revelation Marissa snuggled closer to his lean form forgetting that she owed some information in return.
"Quid pro quo, toots."
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Had he not been reprimanded by Marissa for the previous times he had laughed at her, Seth was sure that he would be in spasms of uncontrollable merriment by now.
The expression on her face was one of horror, guilt and apprehension, all mixed together in one giant emotions blender. It lasted a good thirty seconds before she snapped out of it and immediately started admirable efforts to cover her ass.
Admirable, but futile.
He let the rambling go on for a while until he cut smoothly across the stream of words flowing from her mouth in an attempt to calm her down.
"Look, you don't have to tell me anything scandalous. Stick to the light stuff, like first crush or favorite supreme court justice. Whatever comes to mind."
She continued to look distressed.
"It isn't as easy as that, Seth. Things I've done-"
"This doesn't have to be a confessional, Marissa. Y'know, something 'small and innocent' if you know what I mean."
He was cutting her a considerable amount of slack, but she could sense that he wasn't letting her off the hook. Resigned, she drew a quick breath and considered which of her sins was the least incriminating.
"Okay, I've got one. You won't like it, but it's part of me anyways"
Seth continued to look amused.
"Shoot. I can take it."
Another breath.
"Seth, I'm . . . a Red Sox fan."
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Later, people as far away as L.A. would swear they had heard the laughter.