The bed dilemma on Monday was the worst thing that happened over the next couple of days. Kevin wasn't able to change rooms in any circumstances and it was already cramped with just him and Seth in it, and Joan's room wouldn't fit herself, Grace and Marissa inside. Helen and Kirsten agreed for once, that Marissa couldn't sleep in the same room as Ryan, or any other boy for that matter. Helen wouldn't allow guests to sleep in the den, but in the end she had to change that rule, and allow both Grace and Joan sleep in the den, and allowing Marissa to sleep in Joan's room, by herself.

Joan wasn't too happy with the arrangement. It appeared she didn't like Marissa. Luke and Kevin knew how she felt. Marissa was very self-centred and snobby. When Kevin was talking with her earlier, she had spoken about herself in a very content way, and wouldn't stop bragging about her life in the O.C. It made all the Girardi's feel very self-conscious.

Friday rolled around, and tension in the house was growing. Luke was getting sick and tired of talking to someone who was as talkative as a keyboard. Kevin was sick of hearing about Seth's comic book club; he sounded like the kind of person he would have picked on in high school. Joan was being driven around the bend by Marissa. On Friday, just after school, Joan caught Marissa on her mobile phone to someone called Summer. Her conversation made Joan foam at the mouth.

"Oh Sum, you have no idea what it's like here. The weather is awful, and everyone is so boring. And the house I'm staying at, well, it is the kind of thing that Kirsten would have demolished to make way for a better house. It's horrible."

At that point, Marissa caught a glance of Joan, and changed the subject. It was needless, however, as Joan quickly ran up stairs. She didn't want to hear anymore. In the space of ten seconds, Marissa had offended Joan, her family, the people she was surrounded by and Arcadia. What a self-centred cow!

Sandy was seeing the tension within the house. Sandy personally thought the Girardi's were wonderful people. Will was always ready for a good chat, and Helen went to every extent to ensure her guests were comfortable. When he saw Joan run into the room, practically in tears, her stopped her, to make sure she was okay.

"Are you alright Joan?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine," she lied.

"Are you sure? If there's anything I can do…"

"No, seriously, I'm fine!" said Joan before running up the stairs. She was going to tell her mother what Marissa said, but then realised her mother probably wouldn't do anything. The she was going to call her dad, but he couldn't really do anything. And Luke was simply too spineless to do anything.

Then, the answer came to her like a lightening bolt; Kevin. The stereotypical overprotective older brother. Marissa was going to want to eat her words. The only problem was, he wasn't going to be home until five, and then had to be at a basketball game by six. Maybe Kevin wasn't the answer.

Joan was almost at her room, when Ryan emerged from Luke's room.

"Oh, hi Joan. Do you know where Marissa is?" he asked.

"Yeah, downstairs," said Joan tonelessly.

"What's the matter?" asked Ryan.

"Nothing."

"What did Marissa do?" he asked, sighing lightly.

Joan just stared at him. "How did you know?" she asked.

"Joan, Marissa is known to be insensitive, but she honestly never means it. Besides, I heard you walking up the stairs muttering 'Bloody Miss Perfect, why don't you go home…'"

"Oh," said Joan, slightly embarrassed.

"Try not to be too hard on her. She is just used to getting everything she wants. She'll adjust."

"Well she wouldn't have to if she just stayed in her Californian palace."

Ryan laughed. "Yeah, I don't really know why she's here. I'll talk to her though. I'll remind her that you could chuck her onto the sofa bed if she annoys you. She won't like that."

Joan smiled. "Thanks Ryan,"

She watched Ryan bound down the stairs two at a time. How could someone so nice like Marissa Cooper?

Joan was home alone while everyone went to watch Kevin – just like old times, she thought to herself. She wasn't sorry she wasn't going. That would mean two more hours with Marissa. Shudder. Instead she sat at home with a chick flick and a giant bowl of buttery popcorn.

Joan didn't mind the quiet. She was finding it hard to ever have a peaceful moment to herself lately. She couldn't daydream or just think when it was busy. Tonight she was reminiscing on Ryan and how she felt about him. She wasn't sure if she loved him, but Marissa had put her off a little. To think someone so kind could go out with such a self-obsessed bitch!

Then, about halfway through 'Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants', the TV suddenly flicked stations. An old man was sitting in a newsroom, with a banner above him, saying, 'News from Heaven,'. Joan knew who it was.

"Oh my God," she breathed.

"That's right Joan! It is me, God!" said the aging man cheerfully.

"What now?" Joan asked scathingly.

"I think it's time for you to try and help Marissa. She's just feeling out of her comfort zone at the moment."

"Why would I want to help a girl with sticks as legs, and a heart of lead?"

"Joan, I'm shocked! You should know me better by now! I don't answer questions!"

Joan cursed softly under her breath.

"I'm omniscient Joan, and I heard that"

She just sighed.

"Okay, I'll try,"

"Thank you Joan. Until next time, have a great weekend"

The TV turned back to the movie.

But Joan wasn't interested anymore. How was she going to be helpful to a girl she hated so much?