Ryan opened the door to his pool house wearily and stepped in. Where the hell was she? He had been searching all night for her, even Seth had come and helped him after he got back from dropping off Summer. Seth and Summer. Were they ever going to get their acts together? He shook his head; he needed to get his brain into gear. Oh, God, what if she had gone and done something stupid? She couldn't. Not now after everything they had been through. He laid down on his bed, and yawned, glancing at his clock. 3:56 a.m. He sunk back into the covers, muscles aching after walking around the docks all night. He had even driven down to Chino to see if Marissa had ran away to Theresa's again, but she hadn't been there. Without even noticing, his eyelids began to droop and soon he was in a sleepy state. Until he felt an arm on his chest and a soft, voice in his ear.
"Not falling asleep on me are you?" Marissa whispered smiling into his ear. He jolted up, causing Marissa to laugh.
"Oh my God! Marissa, where the hell were you?" Ryan said, alarmed, almost angry. "I've been searching for hours!"
"Well, I was here." Marissa replied, trying to calm him down. "Where else would I be?" She smiled thoughtfully, and Ryan sighed, and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Come here." He said softly, pulling her body in towards him. Marissa rested her head in the nook of his muscular arms, as they wrapped around her. Her hands encircled his neck and she softly twirled her fingers through his dark blonde hair. They held each other for a while, before pulling apart and laying back down on the bed. "Don't do that again. You've done it two times two many." Ryan said, as he smiled.
"I'm sorry." Marissa apologised, pulling Ryan's arms around her waist. "Did I scare you?"
"Well, as hard as it is to admit . . . you actually kinda did." Ryan replied, giving her his trademark half smile. Marissa smiled and pulled him towards her.
"I'm sorry . . . I guess I was just . . ." Marissa started, before reminding herself of things she would rather forget. "I was angry . . . and then seeing them just made me run."
"Hey, it's ok." Ryan replied, smiling. "Just next time, tell me where you're going, right?"
"Okay." Marissa said, sighing sleepily and resting her head in between Ryan's shoulder and his arm.
"Do you want to stay over?" Ryan asked softly after a few minutes of lying in each others embrace, leaning his head on top of hers. "I mean, if your dad wouldn't mind." He looked down when he got no answer, and saw that Marissa had fallen asleep, softly leaning her head on his. He smiled, and then reached over to turn the lamp off. "Goodnight."
-
Seth stirred in his sleep, rolling around his bed until the covers fell off his bed, dragging him with it.
"Ow!" He exclaimed, awaking from his slumber. His eyes opened, dazed, and he looked around his room to his clock. "8.00am, grrrrr-eat." Seth got up and pulled on his dressing gown, ambling out of his bedroom, down the stairs and into the kitchen. He was about to open the fridge, when he noticed a figure sitting on the sofa in the lounge.
"Wow . . um hey Marissa." Seth greeted her, grabbing the carton of orange juice and some glasses and went and sat down next to her.
"Hey Seth." Marissa returned the greeting, and sat up. Seth set down the glasses and sat in the armchair opposite her.
"You know, you'd better scarper before the parentals wake up." He said, pouring out his drink.
"Oh, your parents stayed at my dad's boat." Marissa answered taking a sip. "They were helping my dad clearing up, and it got so late, they just figured it would be sensible to stay there. Your dad left a message on the answer machine."
"Cool. Ryan gets his freak on and gets away with it."
"Seth! We did not get our freak on!" Marissa said, blushing, and getting up and slapping his head jokily.
"I swear to God, you have such a violent nature!" Seth said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Whatever!" Marissa said, beginning to walk out to the pool house. "I'm gonna see if Ryan's up yet."
"You know, I seriously doubt it. It's some unearthly hour of the morning right now." Seth said, shaking his head. "I don't even know why you're up." Marissa looked back at him, and went and sat back down.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway." Seth looked up. What did Marissa want to talk to him about? They had absolutely nothing in common apart from Ryan and the fact that they were somehow twistedly related. Unless . . . . Summer.
"Look, before you go accusing, she is totally the one being . . ." Seth begun, but was cut off by Marissa.
"Totally stupid?" Marissa interrupted, sitting back down. "Look, any idiot could see you two are like so still in love with each other. All you have to do is suck it up and admit it." Seth looked at her carefully.
"What, so she was actually in love with me?" Seth asked. This time it was Marissa turn to look at him.
"Why, weren't you in love with her?" Marissa asked, curiously.
"No, no, no of course I was! I just can't believe Summer Roberts was in love with me." Seth looked down, blushing, and started fiddling with his robe.
"Look, all I'm saying is, maybe you should try to talk to her again." Marissa said gently. "I know for a fact that her and Zach are going through a rough patch."
"They are!" Seth said. "Well, that's great! . . .Well, I mean its not great, but for me it's great . . . O.K., I'm going to shut up right about now." Marissa laughed.
"She's going to the concert tonight, so maybe you could talk to her then?" Marissa asked.
"Yeah . . . I would . . .except I'm going with Alex." Seth replied, realising his stupid mistake.
"Alex?" Marissa asked, none the wiser.
"Oh, this totally cool girl from The Bait Shop. I asked her out when I was trying to get over Summer." Seth replied. "Now it looks like my plan has backfired on me." The back door opened, and a sleepy looking Ryan walked in.
"Hey, Ry my man!" Ryan jumped round as Seth called out.
"Okay, Seth its way to early to be shouting." Ryan replied, grabbing the cereal box from the cupboard, and making his way to sit down next to Marissa. "Hey." He said as he kissed her on her cheek.
"Hey." Marissa smiled, and greeted him.
"So, what were you guys talking about?" Ryan said, taking a handful of Lucky Charms.
"Oh, nothing much . . .just the fact that you and Marissa got jiggy with it last night." Seth said, happily smirking. Ryan looked at Marissa, shocked, while Marissa rolled her eyes.
"Ryan, he is totally lying, I would never talk to Seth of all people about that. Maybe Summer, but never Seth!" Marissa said, reassuring Ryan. She looked at the arm of the chair when she heard vibrating. It was her phone, she looked at the screen.
"Great, my mom." She looked up. "The one person I do not want to talk to right now." Seth grabbed her phone, Marissa shrieking.
"Seth! No! I will kill you if you answer that phone!" She shouted, while Ryan restrained her as she tried to prise the phone out of his hand. Seth started laughing, and put a finger to his lips.
"Sssh! I have an idea!" He said, flipping up the phone, and pushed loudspeaker. He began to speak into it, a Chinese accent coming through.
"Hello, you have reached the Full Moon Chinese Takeaway, how may we help?" Marissa burst out laughing when she heard him, and Ryan smiled.
"Marissa! Where the hell are you!" Julie's angry voice could be heard coming through the speaker. "I swear to God, if you don't come home right now . . ."
"I'm sorry but we don't seem to have anyone called Marissa working here at the Full Moon…. we have a Mai-Ling, but no Marissa." Seth said, Chinese accent still going strong, fighting off his own laughter.
"Excuse me, but who the hell are you? I want to speak to Marissa right now! I know you're there Marissa!" Julie began shouting down the phone.
"I'm very sorry, but you seem to have the wrong number. Maybe we could send you some free Chop Suey, and you'll feel a little better?" Seth said. "No, excuse me we have orders flooding in, and I am needed in the kitchen! Good day!" He shut the phone, and let out a huge burst of laughter along with the others, rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach.
-
Marissa was sitting on the pool house bed packing her bag when she felt two arms wrap around her. She smiled and leaned back into the embrace.
"You don't have to go just yet, do you?" Ryan's voice came through into her ear. Marissa sighed and turned round.
"I have to." Marissa said, placing her arms round his neck. "I just kinda left Summer last night, I need to see if she's okay." Ryan pulled his sad little boy face.
"But what about me!" He said, faking sadness. She smiled and he pulled her into a kiss.
"I'm sure you'll cope without me for just a couple of hours." Marissa replied, patting his head sweetly. "Besides, I have to shopping for something for the concert tonight, I mean, if you want me to look my best." Marissa laughed as Ryan cuddled his head into her shoulder, refusing to remove his arms which were wrapped around her waist. "R-yan!" Ryan smiled and let go.
"O.K, O.K." Ryan said. "But you owe me." He laughed as Marissa hit him around the head with the pillow, and turned to pick up her bag. "Should I pick you up from Summer's?"
"Um, yeah sure if you don't mind." Marissa replied, standing up and walking to the door.
"Why would I mind?" Ryan replied, and Marissa smiled and waved goodbye. "Hey!" Marissa turned back round and found Ryan patting his cheek. "Kiss!" Marissa laughed and walked over to kiss him, but instead of giving him a peck on the cheek, she full on kissed him on the lips. Ryan smiled and returned the kiss. Marissa finally pulled away and whispered in his ear.
"Better?"
"Much better." Ryan replied, giving Marissa his cute little half smile, and got up to walk her out.
-
"Actually Coop, I prefer the black one . . .or there's this white one over here." Summer said as she sifted through the racks at South Coast Plaza. "And then you could wear those Calvin Klein jeans you bought the other day, and if I'm in a good mood, I just maybe might lend you my Jimmy Choo's. If your lucky." Marissa smiled, and picked up the black corset-like top.
"You know, I actually prefer this one too." Marissa replied, and took it to the changing room. A few minutes later she came out and did a little twirl, and Summer nodded.
"Much better. Ryan's gonna faint when he sees you." Summer said, complimenting her best friend. Marissa looked at herself in the mirror.
"Are you sure its not too tight?" She said, tugging at the material at the bottom of the top. Summer gave her the look.
"Lindsay's gonna be there right?" Marissa nodded and looked down, while Summer carried on. "Which is exactly why you need to make sure Chino can't take his eyes off of you. Not that he would anyway."
"Thanks Sum. You can always find the perfect outfit." Marissa replied, leaning in for a 'best friends' hug.
"Well, years of practice." Summer replied, smiling, while Marissa started to sort through all the racks again.
"Now we just need to find one for you." Marissa said, picking out a red short skirt.
"You know, I don't even know if I'm going to go." Summer replied. "I mean, Zach and I aren't talking and Cohen has a date."
"It's not a date, Sum!" Marissa answered, shaking her head. "I talked to him this morning."
"So that's where you went last night!" Summer said, a small smile forming on his face. "You and Chino got it on!" Marissa rolled her eyes.
"We did not get it on!" She said, slapping Summer playfully on the arm. "Besides, even if we did, what makes me think I would tell you!" Now it was Summer's turn to hit Marissa.
"Duh! 'Cos that's what best friends are for!" Summer replied.
"So, how goes it with Zach?" Marissa asked, as she pulled out her platinum credit card for the cashier.
"Zach?" Summer said, rolling her eyes. "God, I don't even want to think about it. I mean, at the beginning of summer, I was like hell yes! For once a decent piece of eye candy! But now, the novelty's worn right off, and I don't even know why."
"Summer." Marissa said, thanking the cashier for her purchase. "You've already admitted to me that you still like Seth."
"I have?" Summer replied, thinking. "Damn it." Marissa laughed, and Summer sighed. "I just don't know what to do, Coop! I mean Seth's moved on, I've 'supposedly' moved on, but I just can't stop thinking about him."
"I know what you mean." Marissa replied. "But all you have to do is let him know how you feel." Marissa thought for a moment. "Oh, and break it off with Zach."
"And how the hell am I supposed to do that? I mean, Zach's sweet, kind, not to mention gorgeous, but he's just not Cohen." Summer answered, shaking her head and looking down.
"Summer, Zach would understand if you just explained it to him." Marissa said. "Sure, he might be a little angry, but I'm sure he would understand. And I know for a fact that Seth still likes you. Loves you even." Summer smiled.
"You know what Coop?" Summer said. "You have totally cheered me up. I'm gonna talk to Cohen, tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight." Summer answered confidently. "Thanks Marissa!" Summer leaned in for another hug carefully dodging all of Marissa's shopping bags.
"Hey, it's ok!" Marissa replied. "I know you would totally do the same thing for me and Ryan." Summer turned around to look at her.
"Why are you and Ryan having a rough patch?" Summer asked, worried for her best friend.
"No!"
"Oh, good! Almost had me worried then, I mean, you two are like totally the 'perfect couple' You, the beautiful girl next door, Ryan, the outsider from the wrong side of the tracks . . ."
"What about you and Seth? You, the unreachable gorgeous girl, and Seth . . ." Marissa paused. "Well, Seth, the nerdy, comic-book geek . . ."
"Yeah, doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it?" Summer laughed and the girls continued their now happy tirade throughout the rest of their shopping trip.
-
"So, you ready for the big night?" Seth asked as he straightened his shirt out in the mirror.
"What big night, Seth?" Ryan asked, doing up his laces. "There is no big night. We're going to a concert."
"Yeah, I know!" Seth said, turning around. "And I love concerts! Especially when I have a date."
"Talking about your date . . ." Ryan replied, finishing his laces and standing up. "Does Summer know you have one?"
"Well . . . I think she was sober enough to understand." Seth answered . "But . . ."
"Ahh, the big Seth Cohen 'but'" Ryan said, laughing.
"But. . . Just 'cos I have a date doesn't mean that I can't still love her right?" Seth said, looking confused.
"Um . . . actually I think if you loved someone you wouldn't have a date." Ryan replied.
"What!" Seth answered. "Oh come on! What ever happened to the 'make Summer jealous' tactic?" Ryan shook his head.
"Well, if you want my opinion. . . "
"Which I do!"
"It's time to stop messing around with Summer and just tell her how you feel." Ryan replied. "Dating someone else is just going to give the wrong idea." Seth sat down on the chair, and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I guess you're right . . ." Seth replied. "But what should I do about Zach?" Ryan shrugged.
"I don't know, but if he's going tonight, I think you should avoid Summer altogether. I mean, it would only make things worse if she's trying to sort things out with Zach."
"Right, avoid Summer, talk to her tomorrow, but make sure Zach isn't there?"
"Right."
"Sounds like a plan, RA."
"Please don't start all that again." Ryan laughed and made his way out of the pool house to collect Marissa.
-
Ryan parked the Range Rover in the Roberts' driveway, and knocked on the door. He heard Summer and Marissa's laughter through the door, and smiled. Footsteps came running down the stairs, and Summer answered the door.
"Hey Chino!" Summer opened the door, and let him in. "Come in." She ushered him in through the door.
"So, you have a really nice house." Ryan said, looking around the huge hallway and at the impressive décor.
"Thank you." Summer replied, fixing her earrings. "I'll just go get Marissa. . . if she's ready." Ryan laughed.
"Don't worry I'm used to waiting." Ryan answered as Summer ran back up the stairs. She walked into her bedroom, and found Marissa at her dressing table.
"Coop!" Summer said. "Hurry up! He's here!" Marissa laughed and placed her lip gloss her in her bag.
"Sum, calm down. Ryan doesn't mind waiting." Marissa replied, and stood up. "So do I look okay?" Summer looked at her.
"Girl, you look great and you know it." Marissa was wearing her tight Calvin Klein jeans, paired with the black corset top she had purchased that day.
"Thanks Sum, so do you." The girls hugged. "Now all you need is Seth."
"What if Zach turns up?" Summer asked nervously.
"Don't worry, if he does I'll find a way to get rid of him." Marissa replied, and Summer smiled thankfully.
"Thanks Coop." Summer replied, and took her arm. "Come on." The girls walked down the stairs, and Marissa smiled as she saw Ryan with his hands in his pockets waiting for them with his back turned. She walked up behind him, and placed her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?" She asked sweetly, as Ryan turned round smiling.
"You. . ." Ryan stuttered out as he caught sight of her. "You look great." Marissa smiled thankfully, as she took his hand, and kissed him. "So do you." Summer rolled her eyes as she tapped her foot in the corner.
"Guys, come on!" Summer said, impatiently. "There'll be plenty of time for PDA at the concert." She made her way out of her front door, followed by Marissa, and Ryan trailing after her, holding her hand tightly.
-
"So . . ." Summer started talking as she rode with Ryan and Marissa in the Range Rover. "Where's Seth?" Marissa turned to look at the back seat, and smirked at Summer.
"What? Am I like not allowed to talk about him now!" Summer replied, rolling her eyes and holding her hands up.
"Talk about who?" Ryan asked, looking in the rear-view mirror. Summer glared at Marissa, and crossed her arms.
"No-one."
"No, come on who were you talking about?" Ryan asked, jokily, trying to annoy Summer.
"No-one!" Summer replied.
"Can I guess?"
"NO!" Summer shouted as she answered Ryan's question. Marissa turned around again, and put an arm on Ryan's shoulder.
"Don't worry." Marissa said into Ryan's ear. "She suffers from rage blackouts." Ryan smiled.
"I think I know who she was talking about anyway." Ryan replied, turning off and parking the car in the car park of The Bait Shop. Summer jumped out of the car quickly.
"Coop!" Summer shouted. "Why did you tell him?" Marissa smiled, and followed Summer out of the car.
"I didn't." Marissa replied, Ryan taking hold of her hand as he locked the car. "Besides, why don't you want him to know? Ry could even help you. . . Sum? Sum, are you okay?" Marissa tried to recapture Summer's attention as her brown eyes glazed over, and the tears threatened to fall. Ryan followed Summer's gaze, and nudged Marissa gently.
"Um, Ris, I think . .." Ryan began, before Marissa looked up. Marissa sighed as she saw the two figures standing just ahead of them. Seth, and the girl he was kissing must be Alex.
Summer shook her head, and looked down. She looked up once again, and Seth broke away from the kiss. As if by magic, his gaze flickered and their eyes locked. His face turned from that of a happy one, to a confused one, and he pulled away from Alex's embrace. Summer closed her eyes, and turned away. Once she was turned away, she couldn't help but let the tears fall.
A/N - Sorry it took so long to update, I've had a busy half-term. Anyways, same applies, read and REVIEW…..your reviews get me through the day . . .lol. . not really, I'm just saying that so you will review!