Marissa stared at her mother as she blocked her only means of escape. She coolly eyed Julie but inside she didn't feel at all in control of this situation. Julie Cooper looked at her with some surprise, first eyeing her daughter and then the suitcase on the floor.
"What is going on?" Julie asked, putting her shopping bags down on the floor and folding her arms across her chest.
Marissa said nothing but focused her eyes on the floor now, desperately wanting to be out of the house as soon as she could. Then the thought popped into her head.
"I'm going to stay with Dad for a few weeks, I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd be upset." Marissa lied, deciding that it almost sounded convincing, would Julie buy it though?
Julie raised an eyebrow and considered what her daughter had said. Finally she made her decision.
"Okay, have a nice time, ring me when you get there." Awkwardly Julie pecked her daughter on the cheek.
Marissa stood still for a moment, amazed that her mum was letting her do this. It made her feel bad for lying.
"Thanks Mom." She said and picked up the suitcase. Nothing would get in her way now.
Ryan eventually dragged himself up off his bed and walked over to his desk. His head throbbed and he noticed that he had been crying. This stopped him in his tracks. Ryan just didn't cry. Angrily now he sat down on the chair and began digging around in one of the drawers. As he found what he was looking for he pulled it out and put in on his desk. His next movement faltered as he wondered whether he really wanted to go through with it. He decided that he did want to and taking a deep breath he flipped open the cover.
Seth and Summer were entwined together on the sofa in the Roberts' living room. Seth kissed Summer gently on the lips and pulled her closer. She smiled a little letting herself be drawn to him. Summer began to feel guilty when she thought of Ryan, his heart must be breaking right now while she and Seth were enjoying themselves together. Trying to push the thoughts from her mind she snuggled closer to Seth and laid her head on his chest.
Marissa climbed into the waiting taxi outside and pulled the suitcase in after her.
"Where are we headed?" the taxi driver asked.
Marissa told him and he seemed surprised, for two reasons.
"San Francisco, I hate to say this but that is gonna cost you! And a young, pretty girl like you on the streets of San Fran doesn't sound to good. Look after yourself."
Marissa nodded in the back of the car. "Yeah, I plan to."
"Many people have said that before love. Just be careful." The taxi driver warned.
"Yes." She nodded, be slightly deterred by what the driver was saying. Marissa refused to let doubts creep in, it was even harder as they passed the Cohen house. Marissa thought about Ryan and what he was doing now. Maybe everything was the same, he was probably playing another one of those awful games that Seth seemed to love so much. She smiled thinking about Seth and then realised that she hadn't said goodbye to him. Her thoughts about the boys evaporated as she passed Summer's house. Her best friend, the person she was going to miss so much. Marissa struggled with her tears as she was transported out of Newport. She was going to miss the place even if had brought her more heartache and grief that she had thought possible.
Ryan slowly flipped through the pages of the photo album, smiling as he reminisced. The memories of the four of them, happy together all smiles and good times. Ryan ran one of his fingers over a picture of Marissa, fighting back the emotion he then closed the book and made his way back to the main house again.
The car journey was longer than Marissa expected and the driver had the radio tuned to a station playing songs that Marissa couldn't stand. She prayed that he would stop singing sometime soon. Marissa felt a surge of adrenaline and fear as the taxi driver pulled to a stop outside a block of apartments. Marissa handed over her credit card to pay the bill. As the driver handed it back he warned her to be careful again. Filled with dread mixed with anticipation she got out of the car and dragged her suitcase out behind her.
Back in Newport, Julie picked up the phone and dialled a number that was all too familiar. Jimmy's.
Jimmy picked up the phone after three rings and Julie tried to ignore whatever emotion she was feeling at hearing his voice.
"Jimmy it's Julie." She managed to get out.
"Oh, uh…Hi." He replied shocked that Julie was actually ringing him.
"I just wanted to check that Marissa arrived at your place okay."
Jimmy was confused. "Marissa?"
"Yes Jimmy, our daughter." Julie was beginning to lost patience.
"She isn't here." He said simply but he sounded confused too.
"Oh." Julie was at a lose end.
Ooh err! Hope you liked the Chapter! Thanks for the reviews, I love to see what you think. Any advice on what to include next would be helpful. At some point I'm thinking of Ryan, Summer and Seth all going to San Francisco after Marissa.
Please R&R!