Part XVI: The Awful Truth
Monday was starting slow for Marissa. She didn't really want to get out of bed. She was afraid to face Alex. Even though she didn't tell Alex about the party, having Kirsten and Sandy attend was sort of a giveaway to know that Alex found out anyway.
"Exams… Do I really have to get up?" Marissa pulled a pillow and covered her face.
She had no choice.
----
Kirsten watched as her daughter nonchalantly ate her breakfast. Alex was not as transparent as she thought. There were no emotions readable. If Marissa intended not to make Alex attend against Alex's will, Alex should have been upset. If Alex knew about the party and really chose not to go, then maybe this would be her face now that she's about to meet Marissa in school.
Alex looked up to Kirsten.
"Something wrong mom?" Alex smiled.
"Not from this side of the world honey. Is there something wrong with yours?" Kirsten asked jokingly.
"Nothing is wrong here mom."
Kirsten sat beside Alex. Alex went back to finishing her food.
"You know you can tell me anything. I'll be here for you no matter what it is." Kirsten tucked her daughter's stray hair on the ear.
Alex turned to face Kirsten. She smiled.
"I know mom. I know."
"Is there something I should know?"
"Truthfully mom?"
"Yes hon."
"None. You know everything mom."
Alex smiled and stood up.
"Class?" Kirsten asked.
"Uhum… Exam…" Alex answered as she took her bag.
"Good luck baby…" Kirsten stood up and gave Alex a kiss on the forehead.
"Thanks."
Alex walked out of the kitchen and of the apartment.
"Don't let her break your heart." Kirsten sat down the kitchen, worried about her daughter.
----
"Coop? Coop? Hello?" Summer waved her hand in front of Marissa who was staring at nowhere.
They were sitting on a bench right in front of Marissa's classroom.
"Uh… Oh! Sorry… My mind… isn't really working…" Marissa rubbed her forehead.
"Why didn't you tell her Riss?" Summer asked getting straight to the point.
"Tell what to whom?"
"Alex…"
"Oh… I don't know…"
"Are you afraid your mom will find out?"
"No… I mean yes… It's her birthday… I wouldn't want to ruin it for her…" Marissa dropped her head staring at the floor.
"You could have at least told her there was a party. I mean she deserves to know. She's your girlfriend…" Summer whispered the last part.
"She's not my girlfriend…"
"Not your girlfriend? Sleeping with her and going out with her for 2 weeks doesn't make her your girlfriend? What is she then?" Summer tried hard not to raise the volume of her voice.
"She's my friend…"
"Well you don't see me sleep with you. And I mean SLEEP with you."
"I know that Sum… I just…"
Before Marissa could finish the bell rang.
"I have to go." Summer said standing up.
"Riss if you intend to lie to yourself just because you want to please your mother don't drag Alex. She's a good person Riss. She doesn't deserve this." Summer left waving back
"Are you alright?" Someone touched Marissa's shoulder.
She was startled but turned to look at the person.
Alex.
"Oh… I'm fine…" Marissa felt slight pain in chest.
She didn't know why though.
"We should get inside." Alex smiled giving Marissa a hand as she stood up.
"I…" Marissa wanted to apologize but didn't know where to start.
"Come on let's go." Alex gave her a smile.
The exam didn't go well for Marissa. Her mind was set on Alex. Knowing that Alex found out she didn't tell her about the party, Alex should be upset. Two subjects after, Alex was still same old Alex: concerned about the lectures and the notes she was taking down. It lacked one particular thing though.
She didn't put her hand on Marissa's table like she used to.
Marissa knew she had to settle this. She felt so much pain in her chest now, like she just lost something. She found it difficult to breathe. It used to be a wonderful feeling… right now it hurts.
Leaning in towards Alex, Marissa whispered.
"Alex…"
"Hm?" Alex wrote a few notes then turned to Marissa, smiling.
"We need to talk."
"Sure. After class." Alex replied then wrote her notes again.
Marissa looked at her. She felt guilty.
Three more subjects after, the last bell finally rang. Alex stood up and took her bag. She was about to walk out when Marissa held her hand.
"We need to talk remember?"
"I know. We can. Outside." Alex replied smiling as she walked out the door.
They went to the kiosk where Alex would usually study.
"I'm sorry if I didn't invite you." Marissa said feeling more pain in her chest.
"It's ok. I understand." Alex replied looking at Marissa, still smiling.
"I think we should stop seeing each other… I mean… dating…" Marissa looked at Alex worriedly.
"Ok." Alex was still smiling.
"You're not mad?"
"I'm not."
"Honestly?" Marissa was astonished at Alex's reply.
"Yes."
Marissa just sat there looking at Alex.
"Look…" Alex sat up straight.
"I get it. I do. That this is something you don't want. I know you weren't lying when you said those wonderful things to me. I also know you just forgot to mention a minor detail."
Marissa didn't respond. Her heart was beating fast right now, but it was hurting her.
"When you said, if our parents were rivals like Romeo and Juliet… You'll run away with me…"
Marissa felt tears burning her eyes. She begged them not to fall down.
"You forgot to mention if you would still run away with me if they weren't." Alex smiled.
Slowly she stood up.
"Your secret is safe with me." Alex gave Marissa one of her sweetest smiles then turned and walked away.
Marissa sat there as Alex slowly disappeared from her sight.
Her heart was breaking into a million pieces.