Chapter Sixteen
"Ryan, please don't do anything stupid!" Seth called out as he gripped Ryan's shoulder tightly. Ryan looked at Seth gravely, and decided to back down. He went to the couch, and he tumbled down to a sitting position. He looked at Seth, pleading him to understand and give him some slack. "Hey, man, don't worry." Seth said calmly. He didn't try to comfort Ryan the manly way, saying she was worthless, etc. etc. Seth knew Ryan would not tolerate it. "Your day will come- you guys will be together." Seth commented. It made Ryan smirk.
"It's the first reassuring thing you've said to me since my arrival," Ryan chortled, "Thanks." His voice hardened, as he continued to grieve. Seconds later, Ryan and Seth heard a faint knocking on the pool house door. Ryan looked up hopefully, when Seth went to open it. Ryan tried not to smile when he saw Marissa come through the door, and he succeeded. He kept his tense, hurt face on as clearly as he could manage so that Marissa would see the pain she caused him.
"Ryan," Marissa smiled softly, as she said in a desperate tone. She gulped as she nodded toward Seth. She realised they had been talking- possibly about her subject. She was prone to guilt, as she invited herself in quickly. She shuffled in, and she sat down beside Ryan. "It took me a while to conjure up the guts to get here. It took me a while to practise my lines enough to lie to you. But you know, you're kinda irresistible. No matter how hard-to-get I try and play, it's impossible with you. Cause I want to be with you. I'm sorry Ryan. I'm sorry for lying, and I know you probably think I'm a pathetic loser that lied for the one thing I insisted on, but I can't help it. You were such an excellent player, I couldn't help but seek revenge. Ryan, please. Is the offer still open?" Ryan nodded, his face secluded but grave.
"You lied?" Marissa looked at Ryan's face, as she yearned for it to smile and enlighten. But it didn't. Marissa nodded slowly and delicately, watching Ryan's face scrupulously. "I'm not sure." Marissa's buoyant face was warped with discontent.
"You don't mean that," Marissa started to shake her head, "You and I both want this. Why can't you put aside your pride for like three seconds?" Marissa tore her eyes away from Ryan, looking towards Seth who was gazing blankly at the situation. Marissa desperately looked at him, hoping he would kick in like an active sidekick.
"Marissa, we can't base our relationship on lies." Ryan said glumly after a second's time.
"Ryan, it was a white lie to tell you that two can play your game." Marissa said viciously.
"Game? Is that all this is to you?" Ryan said a little superficially.
"Ryan, why are you being so drama-queen? Why are you like a little emotional girl that actually cares about the love bull sht? Grow up, Ryan! You should know by now that no high school couples end up together no matter how hard they try. You should know that the only reason people go out in high school is infatuation, and the urge to make-out. You should know that. And I'm sorry if I burst your 'I'm-a-love-sick-romantic-fool' bubble, but someone has GOT to tell you the damn truth!" By this time, Marissa was on her feet frantically shrieking things to Ryan, who was abnormally silent. Marissa exhaled, as if a huge burden was lifted off her shoulders, "Ryan," Marissa said almost silently, as she fought back tears, "Say something." Marissa begged, regretting her hurtful words. Marissa looked away, as she bit her lip. She wished that the tears would stop filling up her eyes, blurring her vision until she let them go. Marissa laughed out dismissively, through tears that were now voluntarily trailing down her cheeks- she smiled, "You know what, say nothing you f ucking son of a btch. I love you, and I don't give a sht if it means nothing, or something to you. Please, spare me the trouble- never speak to me again." Marissa started to cry as her heart ached. She saw Ryan look up at her. He stood up slowly, making Marissa a little squeamish, but her heart raced rapidly. Ryan looked into Marissa's eyes, and he brushed away the strand of hair that was draped over her cheek. She stopped crying yet she only looked at Ryan, wide-eyed.
"Drama queen." Ryan smiled as he looked at Marissa's tear soaked face. She laughed as she sniffled. Marissa wiped her face gently, absolving it from tears. Seth smiled to himself as he watched the two- love-struck.
"Is the offer still open?" Marissa breathed silently.
"Hell yes." Ryan said as he embraced the lanky brunette in his arms, and delicate kiss. Marissa wrapped her hands around Ryan's neck, as she kissed him back faithfully. When the two pulled away, Marissa whispered quietly.
"Finally."