hey so i thought i might start up a new fanfic. im a big ryan/marissa fan so thats where this story will be headed. Basically, Ryan and Seth are still in Newport, still living at home. Ryans working at the Newport Group with Kirsten, as one of their best development designers. Seth is writing Comic's still, trying to pick up deals, as he hasn't made his big break yet. Summer's also in Newport, working on her own fashion label which is becoming increasingly popular. Marissa is in New York, working for one of the biggest fashion houses. None of them are in any steady relationships. I know it sounds like the usual fanfic, but promise ill make it interesting. Don't want to say to much, but hopefully everything will all explain itself as it goes on... hope you like!

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Marissa stepped out onto her appartments balcony and looked out across the city lights before her. She looked up at the night sky, seeing all the stars shining brightly down. What am I doing, she thought. She was so far away from all shed ever known before, but that was a long time ago now. She had to stop thinking back to what she used to be like. She was different now.

She sighed. Why did she always do this. Its time to forget everything from the past. She had a new life now, filled with a new city, new work, new friends. Well really, the only person in the whole city of New York she could really call a friend was her workmate Mel, but most models shed met before all turned out to be the same. And even they hardly spoke to each other. She was just so wrapped up in her work, she didn't have time for anything else.

Suddenly, the phone started ringing. "I really should get that" she said to herself. Probably work, she didn't really get any calls from anyone else. Except her Mum and Dad checking up on here, and Summer every now and again, gossiping and chatting like they were still in high school.

As Marissa walked back through the sliding door, she glanced at a photo framed on her wall. It was of Summer, Seth, herself and…. Him. She stood there, oblivious to the phone ringing, in her own world. Those were the best days, she thought. And suddenly she snapped back to reality. The phone had stopped ringing. That's the third time this week she thought.. three rings and then they hang up. Weird.

Since getting out of college with a design degree majoring in fashion, she began work at one of the top fashion houses in the US. After working there only 3 weeks, she was asked to do some trial modelling for one of the new lines coming out for the company. Ever since, shes been on the cover of many magazines, the talk of the town, and named the most beautiful newcomer to modelling. But Marissa didn't do it for the fame. She didn't do it for the money. She did it to forget, to move on.

"Ryan!" someone was shouting his name.. But it was a long way away, they'd leave soon and he could keep sleeping.

"Ryan!" it was getting nearer.. Ryan buried his face into his pillow, knowing exactly who it was. Any second now they were going to come barging through the poolhouse, not knocking and then jumping on his bed.

"RYAN! Hey there how are you bro. Great great im so happy for you. So you've had breakfast, good… So anyway, It's happened again. It happened again just last night, what am I gonna do.."

Seth continued rambling as Ryan pulled himself into a sitting position in bed. He blinked his eyes, god It was bright this morning, he thought.

"Seth, its too early for this…"

"Ryan, its time to get up and smell the sunshine. Anyways, its 11 in the morning, what were YOU doing last night. No wait, you're trying to distract me, you still haven't told me what to do yet."

Ryan groaned. Of course he knew what this was about. It was always about the same thing, or maybe, the same person. Ever since they'd broken up 2 years ago, Seth claimed to have gotten over Summer. Everyone knew that he hadn't, and he knew he hadn't, but as long as he said he had then that was fine by him.

Ryan knew he wouldn't win, he never did when it came to these early morning chats. "Ok, start from the beginning"

"WELL, started Seth. "I was out last night you see. Doing my usual thing, strutting around town and smiling with the ladies.."

Ryan raised his eyebrow at this, but Seth kept going anyway.

"And I thought, hey im thirsty. So what do you do when youre thirsty my good man? That's right! You get a drink. So here I was minding my own business at this old bar in Newport, and I heard a laugh. And not just any laugh. It was THE laugh. And I turned around and guess who it was."

"do I really need to guess Seth?" Ryan was beginning to regret his late night.

"Ok youre right, it was her. Summer and she was with another guy! Another guy! Can you believe that!"

"Well actually, i….."

"No youre right. What was she doing there. Im lucky she didn't see me. You know how I am, secret and stealth, but he wasn't even good looking I can tell you that. Sure there was muscle definition but…"

"Seth"

"ok so you should get dressed, we have stuff to do before that function for the Newport Group tonight. Ill be inside making waffles"

And with that Seth left, leaving ryan sleepy and a bit confused as to what happened. Ryan thought back to last night..

flashback

No one was home, Seth was out (now he knew where) and Sandy and Kirsten were at a friends for dinner. What was he doing? Sitting at home, till all hours at night, drinking beer and looking at photo albums. Never in his life had he looked at photo albums, but for some reason, there was a whole pile stacked up in the lounge room. The first one was of Seth when he was little, and happy snaps full of happiness and the Cohens. He was about to go to bed, have an early night. But for some reason he picked up the next one of the pile. It was full of Seth, Summer, himself and…. Her. For hours he looked at photos, thinking back to what it used to be like, what it was like to be truly happy. What ever happened to that feeling, he thought..

end flashback

Ryan groaned and pulled himself out of bed. Even after all this time he couldn't forget her. But he couldn't still think like this. Shes moved on. He hadn't heard from her in a long time though every now and then when he bumped into summer she told him how she was.
"I guess where just different people now" he said to no one in particular. And with that he walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower to start a new day.

It was bright and early that morning. Really early, but to everyone it was just another normal working day. People were moving everywhere, there was no one left to do nothing. The photographer was organising the shoot, make up and hair was in full swing, even the young interns were busily making coffee as if there was nothing more important. Everyone was doing something. Everyone except Marissa. She was lazily glancing at previous photos from the shoot last Wednesday, but her mind wasn't on it. She was preoccupied, but with what? Even she didn't know, but she was distracted. Suddenly her cell phone starting ringing its usual jumpy tune. Marissa sighed and reached into her Chanel clutch and pulled it out. As soon as she read the caller ID, she broke into a huge smile.

"Summer!"

"COOP! how are you? I miss you so much tell me what you've been up to!"

"Im great Sum thanks. Well actually…"

"That's great Coop, just great. So you would never believe what happened to me last night?"

Marissa smiled to herself. Summer reminded herself of another friend down in Newport, and she was sure she was just about to hear all about him.

"Id never guess what happened Sum?"

"WELL, I was getting home from work you see, and I thought wow I am thirsty so naturally I had to stop into the local bar and get a drink before I became totally parched. So I was sitting there and this guy came up and he said that he remembered me from school. You know, Jake."

"Wow really, that's weird I guess.." replied Marissa unsure of what she was supposed to say.

"NO Coop, that's not the big deal! So anyways we were just having a friendly chat, and you would not believe who was there. That's right Cohen. COHEN. I mean who does he think he is being at that bar? And he didn't see me, thankgod. I was making sure I was hidden behind Jake and very cleverly leaned over to 'check my cell' but imagine if he had seen me…"

"Gee Sum, that's amazing. Lucky you didn't run into each other" Marissa smiled. Those two belong with each other, and everyone knows, they just cant seem to see it. She looked up and noticed Gary, the photographer frantically waving at her. Marissa turned her head and pretended not to notice. Marissa loved talking to Sum, it reminded her of what it was like to be home.

Meanwhile, Summer had still been talking, but had just changed to a new topic.

"….. so its like the biggest event in Newport, and I don't know which dress to wear! The fitted pink strapless or the gorgeous flowing blue and white halter. I just cant decide. What do you think coop?"

"Sorry what? Which event is this?"

"God coop, haven't you been listening to anything ive been saying? It's the Newport Groups Annual Charity Ball. Remember, its on tonight. Youre coming, I invited you. REMEMBER?"

Marissas eyes grew wide. Omg, she whispered. Shed completely forgotten. What was she going to do. Just at that moment, Gary came over and snatched her phone out of her hands. Marissa could still hear Summer yelling as he hung up.

"Marissa, Marissa, Marissa… Why do you think we are here so early. Its time to get this shoot over and done with I have another one on the other side of the city really soon darl. Can we just hurry it up a tiny bit?"

"Sorry Gary, of course. Im ready when you are."

Marissa sighed as she got up. As she was walking to get the finishing touches on her flawless hair, her manager Jenny came rushing over. Jenny was the best in the business, and while she was not always that friendly, she always knew the right thing to say.

"Marissa I just wanted to remind you. Your plane leaves right after this shoot so please don't take too long dear."

"My plane? What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember? The biggest event in California is on tonight! The Newport Group's Annual Charity Ball. You're taking the whole week of for it, mind you I do not believe that was the best decision to make, but that's for you to decide really. So anyway youre bags are in the car outside waiting, so just remember to let me know when youre going and stay out of trouble"

Marissa blinked. How could she have forgotten this? She had been thinking about this for the past few weeks, and had completely forgotten until now.

And as she was rushed over to the shoot, she realised. She was going to see him there. Ryan… She was going to see Ryan. They hadn't spoken in so long. Ever since they went to different universities, things had changed. What if he hated her? If he didn't want to talk to her? But she shouldn't really be thinking that. They were just friends, if even that.

Marissa could here Gary talking in the distance, telling her how to pose and what to do. And as she was standing there, an image filled her mind. She thought of that cute smile that she had only known one person to give, that look that just said everything that couldn't be said with words. Ryan's look.

And with that, her face lit up and she smiled to herself like she knew everything would be ok.

"perfect, perfect…" beamed Gary.

So what do you think? Please try and review if you can id love that. Cant wait to see what you think. It wont be long till i post the next part, that is, as long as you guys want me to continue! So please let me know if you like it, and constructive critisism i would love. And coming up... the charity ball