Another Newport social event. Another chance for all the newpies to outdo each other with all the glitz and glamour they can muster, and be the most desirable in the room. Just another night like so many others. Ryan sat in an empty chair in the grand ballroom of the most expensive and luxurious hotel in California, The Royale. This was where the Charity Ball was going to be held later on tonight, and he thought of what was to come. A night alone, a night with Seth rambling about Summer, maybe some nice boring business chats with the big guys all night long?

"Great. Cant wait" Ryan said to no one in particular.

"Well I take it someones excited about tonight then" said a voice from behind.

Ryan turned and saw Kirsten standing there with her hands on her hips and a big grin on her face. "I always knew you were a big party person Ry."

Ryan smiled up at her. He couldn't help it. When he saw Kirsten, you just had to smile. Ever since she came back from the rehab, she was back to the same Kirsten that everyone knew and loved. She and Sandy were going great, and they had all become a true family.

"Anything on your mind lately?"

God, thought Ryan. She can read me like a book. "Nope nothing at all. Why would you say that? Just taking a break from all that heavy lifting you got me to do, while Seth sits over there and blows up balloons."

"HEY!" yelled Seth. "This is one skill that only a few can fully master. You my dear friend are just jealous." And with that he went back so blowing balloons up with the helium.

"Well don't worry theres no more lifting so you should get home and get ready soon. Thanks for everything. But just know Ryan, I am always here if you need to talk ok. About anything."

And with that she walked off. Ryan watched after her and again thought how lucky he was to have her as a 'mother'. Ryan got up and said bye to Seth, but he was seeing him soon anyway as he was picking up Seth for the Ball later on.

As Ryan was driving home, his thoughts wondered what tonight would be like. Why am I thinking about tonight, he thought, itll be just the same as any other of these social events. But for some reason, he couldn't help shake that feeling that something was going to happen.

Marissa sipped her cranberry juice and looked out the window. Nothing could be seen though, as there were clouds and blue sky for miles. She smiled and went back to reading her magazine. For some reason, she felt really…. Happy. That's what it was. While she was at the airport, she was able to call Summer back. And after quite a few minutes spent apologising she was able to get through that shed be in Newport in a couple of hours. Summer was so excited, and said she would pick her up herself. Afterall, they had so much to catch up on.

As the flight landed, Marissa got all her things together and made her way out of the plane. Everyone was being so nice, smiling at her and making small chat. I spose being that little bit famous does help in some ways she thought. As soon as she stepped into the terminal, a loud scream echoed through out the room, and finished with a beautiful young brunette jumping on her, giving her the biggest hug shed ever received.

"COOOOOOOOOP! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE IT THIS LONG TO SEE ME AGAIN! IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!"

Marissa laughed out loud. Even though they hadn't seen each other in months, it was still obvious to anyone that they were the closest of best friends. "I missed you to Sum. It is SOO good to be home."

"Well, I know you just got here, but lets grab your luggage and get outta here! We have a lot of catching up to do, and a lot of getting ready to you. And not a lot of time!"

And with that the two girls ran to the luggage area and grabbed Marissas Louis Vitton Matching bags and off they set in Summers car.

It was only a short ride to Summers apparetment. It was beautiful. It was set in a complex of 3 others, and Summers was the very top one. The balcony overlooked the beach, and Marissa just felt right at home straight away. Summer had barely stopped talking ever since theyd first seen each other. Summer was telling her all about her fashion line and how successful it was becoming, and Marissa was telling her from her point of view of the fashion world.

As they were both doing their hair, Marissa had a thought.

"So umm, Summer…"

"Yeah Coop? oh hey, do you think up or down?"

"Umm, down definitely."

"You are so right. What did you want before?"

"Oh, it was nothing…" Marissa was fidgeting with the eye shadow on the bench in front of her. " I was just wondering you know… just wondering if um, anyone I know would be going… tonight?"

"Coop, im sure youll know just as many people as me. It's the whose who of Newport, not to mention California. So im sure we'll find plenty of people to hangout with."

"oh, ok then." Marissa went back to fixing her hair.

"But just incase you were for some reason were thinking of Chino and assface Cohen, I don't know if they'll be there. And really I don't care one bit if they are or not. Because im not going to let him interfere with my night out. We are going to have a good time tonight, and Cohen is not going to use any of his little Coheny cohenisms to ruin it."

"Ahhhhh, yes Sum, right. Calm down a bit k"

"Oh don't you worry Coop im calm as calm can be. Im just so glad youre back."

They both smiled at that, and went back to finish getting ready. Marissa smiled to herself, and though she knew it was just another Newport event like the many shed been to when she was younger, she was excited. It had been a long time, and for some reason, she just knew that something was going to happen tonight.

Seth and Ryan had already been at the Ball for over half an hour. It was full of the same people, the same famous faces and the same business icons walking around a crowded room full of designer label suits and glittering diamonds. Every now and then one of Ryan's work colleagues would come over for a quick chat, but they never stayed long as there were so many people to fit in of course.

"I wonder which is the daughter and which is the mother?" questioned Seth rather loudly.

Ryan looked over to where he was looking and smirked. Seth just couldn't help himself. As they were debating over who was who, there was a loud cough behind them. They both turned around but could see no one there. Off about 3 metres from them they could just see Sandy behind a group of ladies, looking side to side. Ryan and Seth looked at each other, and walked over.

"Ladies, how are we tonight? Might I say that you are all looking fabulous. Wouldn't you agree Ryan?"

"Oh definitely, but that's not much of a change is it? These young ladies are always looking amazing."

The middle aged group of women all blushed and giggled as if they were back in high school again. Then all of a sudden Seth began a massive conversation all about comics. Suddenly, the group seemed to loose interest, and hurriedly all moved over to the bar to continue their night of fun.

"Good job son! I have taught you well!" laughed Sandy.

"Well father, I must say we took your distress call on board and thought we might help out a bit." Said Seth.

"Those newpsies sure seem to like you hey Sandy" teased Ryan.

"what can I say," said Sandy. "im just a ladies man."

Kirsten was just in time to hear this last comment, and came up laughing. She dragged Sandy away to talk to her father and Julie, even now she still didn't want to face them alone.

"Ryan, im sorry to leave you for a bit, but I most go powder my nose."

Ryan raised his eyebrow at Seth.

"Ok im going to go pee bye" said Seth.

"Seth don't say pee" Ryan called after him. Even from where he was standing he could hear Seth mumbling about Ryan cracking jokes. Ryan just smiled to himself. Just at that moment, Ryan could hear some kind of commotion coming from the entrance of the ballroom. What's going on he thought to himself. Ryan walked further forward and looked over the crowd of people that had gathered around the entrance. All the photographers there that night were right at the front, already flashing away. From all the bright lights, he couldn't see what was so special. Then he saw someone. Summer was walking through, smiling and flipping her hair for everyone to admire. Ryan smiled, he should have known. He was about to turn away to go and find Seth, but then something caught his eye.

Walking through the crowd of people was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had long honey blonde hair that was moving as she was, framing a beautiful face with deep sapphire eyes. Her tanned body was dressed in the most gorgeous flowing dress that hugged in all the right places. She walked through the entrance, and through a small gap in the flashing lights he saw her smiling, almost looking like she was smiling at him. She was here. Marissa was here.

As soon as Summer stepped out of the limo, there was a shout, and suddenly flashes from cameras were coming from every direction. She smiled and walked forward into the crowd, lapping up the attention. Marissa was still in the car, not out yet.

"Are you right there miss?" asked Barry the driver.

"Yeah, thanks Barry. Im great. Thankyou for the ride"

And with that she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and stepped out of the car.

As she walked forward, the lights blinded her, stopping her from seeing anything 3 feet in front of her. She smiled and was genuinely happy.

So this is what ive been missing, she thought. Laughing at herself, she wondered what exciting event would take place at this Newport Social evening. And as she turned her head to look forward, there was a moment when no flashes were blinding her sight. And there he was. He was here, just as she had been secretly hoping. And she smiled, she even thought she saw a small smile back. And suddenly, she was scared. Would he talk to her? Were they friends? She didn't know what was going to happen, and when she finally stepped into the grand ballroom, she couldn't see him anywhere.

"Coop? Coooooop… COOP? hello?"

"Oh, yes Sum did you say something?" replied Marissa distantly.

"Coop whats up? Ever since we arrived like an hour ago, you've been on another planet. Its like your looking for something, someone."

"Ohh, im sorry Sum I didn't mean to. Promise ill pay more attention."

With that, Summer grabbed Marissa's arm and lead her over to a quiet corner next to a pot plant. "Ok Coop, time to tell me whats really going on. I know somethings up. This is me remember. I wouldn't hide anything from me if I were you" Summer looked at Marissa pointedly.

"Ok, ok I give in. Sum…. Sum hes here." Marissa almost whispered.

"He? Who is he?"

Just at that moment, there was a loud noise behind them. Summer and Marissa both looked over and couldn't help but laugh. Lying on the floor was Seth, covered in shrimp and with sauce in his hair. Next to him stood a horrified waiter still holding his silver tray that once held the shrimp, and standing next to him was Ryan, wide eyed and laughing as hard as ever. Everyone in the ballroom had stopped what they were doing, and were now looking at the scene in front of them. Laughter began to fill the air, and instead of being embarrassed as anyone else would be, Seth stood up and took a graceful bow. This just caused everyone to laugh and clap even harder.

Just then, both Seth and Ryan looked over to the corner in which the girls were standing, and both stopped what they were doing.

"Oh oh… I get the picture now. You could have told me earlier Coop. Ok, time to make a quick exit. Through that door over there."

And out they went, just as suddenly as they had come.

The two of them watched Marissa and Summer go through the door that lead out onto the large balcony surrounding the hotel.

"Look at that, we've got them cornered now!" joked Seth.

Ryan looked at Seth, and Seth nodded. He brushed down the shrimp off his suit and followed Ryan towards the door. As they were walking along the balcony, they could hear talking from up ahead. As they got closer, they recognised the voice of Summer sounding very deep in discussion. Seth put his finger to his lips, and Ryan nodded. He knew it was wrong of them, but theres no harm if they didn't know right.

"…… and they're both here. Its not just one of them, its both of them. This is not good Coop, this is not good at all."

"Sum, what are you talking about? Its not like we've never been at a Newport charity event with them before?"

"Yes, but this is different. You know this is different. I mean, Coop. hes here, Cohen is here. You know whats going to happen and so do i. Somehow he'll find a way to worm his way into my heart again, and somehow he'll find some coheny way to break it again…"

"oh sum…" Marissa went in to hug Summer. Seth turned to look at Ryan, a look of sadness and regret written across his face. He was about to say something when Summer began speaking again.

"Here I go again, thinking about me. See I told you he rubs off on you. How about you Coop? Whats it like seeing him here?

Marissa was silent for a while. She looked up at Summer "I don't know. It's just, ive spent the past years trying to move on, but hes always been there."

"I know what you mean. So you still think about him?"

She paused.. Did she still thing about him? Of course…

"Everyday" replied Marissa softly. But it was just loud enough for Ryan to hear. Did he hear that right he thought? He was so busy thinking over what he had just heard, he didn't notice that the talking had stopped and footsteps were coming towards him and Seth. But it was too late.

"Cohen? Chino? What were you doing?"

"Oh umm Summer hi. We were just umm, admiring the um brick work. Research for Ryan's new work project."

Summer gave them both a funny look, but Ryan wasn't looking at Summer. Behind her was Marissa, looking absolutely stunning in that dress, and was nervously shifting her feet and sucking her bottom lip. She wouldn't look Ryan in the eye.

There was a silence as they all stood there, not knowing what to say.

I've got to do something, thought Ryan. If I don't do anything now, who knows when ill get the chance to see her again. He thought about it quickly, and before he could stop himself, he came out with it.

"Marissa," said ryan slowly. "Want to talk, maybe… uhh.. get a drink?"

She nodded her head and they slowly walked off, still not looking at each other.

"Come on Cohen, lets get that sauce out of your hair."

Thankyou to those who reviewed. Sorry its taken a while to post again, but I hope you like this new chapter. It was fun to write, and is also setting the scene for whats to come. So please let me know what you think of it and let me know how I can improve anything. Id love to hear from you all!