Part XVIII: Something worth Fighting For
The next day Alex was trying hard to concentrate in school. Her head was plagued with Marissa. She hadn't seen her all day which was unusual.
As she walked to a particular basketball court near her apartment, she saw her neighbors going out of their apartment, extremely happy.
"Why can't she see that?"
She met up with Ryan and Jodie who were sitting on the bench laughing.
"Come on squirt game on!" Ryan yelled as he caught sight of Alex.
Alex smiled.
"I can do this. I'll just play to ease the pain away." Alex whispered to herself.
She ran to meet up her friends.
----
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Lindsay opened the door. It was Summer.
"Where's Marissa? I haven't seen her in school all day. Is she alright?" Summer looked worried.
"Oh I forgot to call you. She stressed herself out last night. We had to take her to the hospital. She's fine. But they need to keep an eye on her for a few days. I'm going there now. Wanna come?" Lindsay asked.
"I'll go there later. But first I have to pick up someone." Summer replied then took off on her pink beetle.
----
"Come on squirt you can play better than that!" Ryan grinned at Alex who was extremely out of focus.
"Yeah Alex! Kick his BUTT!" Jodie screamed in delight.
Alex's head was about to explode.
She said she loved me.
She kissed me.
She made love to me.
Every bounce of the ball was in sync with Alex's heartbeat.
Then she let me go!
Alex dribbled the ball harder against the floor. Ryan noticed but shrugged it off.
Why? Because I wasn't good enough?
She was trying to contain her anger, her disappointment, and her pain.
WHY? BECAUSE I'M JUST A GIRL?
She held a tight grip on the ball then suddenly hurled it straight to the wooden backboard of the court. She threw it so hard it chopped a piece of the backboard. Breathing hard Alex fell on her knees. Ryan barely avoided the throw. He and Jodie ran to Alex. She was crying uncontrollably.
"Hush Alex… What's wrong?" Jodie hurriedly hugged Alex.
"SHE DUMPED ME! SHE FREAKIN' DUMP ME!" Alex yelled her lungs out.
Good thing no one was around.
Ryan held Alex's hand.
"Squirt calm down…" Ryan was worried.
Alex was breaking down.
"Come on Ryan. Let's take her home."
----
Summer was calling Alex on her mobile phone but she wasn't answering.
"Damn it! Alex pick up!"
Summer decided to go straight to Alex's apartment.
"I hope the situation is fixable…"
----
Alex lay on the couch. She rested her legs on Jodie's lap while Ryan sat down on the floor.
"Alex she didn't say she doesn't love you anymore… She's just afraid…" Jodie explained.
"WE COULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT! SHE DROPPED ME LIKE A HOT POTATO!" Alex yelled then cried again.
"Alex did you tell her that you should talk?" Ryan asked.
"No…" Alex mellowed down.
"Alex… She's afraid. You should give her reassurance that there's nothing to be afraid of…" Jodie pleaded.
"Talk to her squirt. You can fix this. You can't let her runaway. You love her right?" Ryan added.
"But I told her it was ok. That leaving me was ok…" Alex frowned.
She realized she should have at least fought for Marissa. She felt stupid.
"Alex… there's always a first time. You can still fix this…" Jodie smiled.
"You two can make this work. Right now you have to want it to work Alex." Ryan smiled too.
"Where's my phone?" Alex sat up and looked for her phone.
"Here squirt." Ryan handed Alex her phone.
"No one is answering." Alex frowned.
"It's late. Maybe they went out to dinner or something." Jodie smiled.
"Yeah maybe…" Alex sat properly and allowed Ryan to sit beside her.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"I'll get it." Jodie stood up.
"Alex we need to…" Summer turned to face the person at the door.
She was surprised.
"…talk." Summer swallowed hard.
"Hi. Name is Jodie. Alex is inside. Come in." Jodie opened the door and let Summer in.
"Hey Summer!" Alex stood up and gave Summer a hug.
"Hey… didn't know you have company…" Summer blushed as she saw Jodie smiling at her.
"Oh these are my friends Jodie and Ryan." Alex smiled.
"Hi…" Summer blushed again.
God… Am I gay?
"Uh Summer, did Marissa go out, I was trying to reach her she's not answering…" Alex frowned.
"That's the reason why I'm here. She was rushed to the hospital last night. I think she stressed herself out." Summer said trying not to sound nervous with Jodie's presence.
"Is she ok? I mean… Did she hurt herself or something?" Alex was starting to panic.
Ryan gently rubbed Alex's back to soothe her.
"No she's fine. She's still under observation. Alex… You have to see her…"
Summer took Alex's hand.
"She loves you Alex, too much it stressed her out. I know she broke up with you… But she's lying to herself Alex. You have to understand… You're the first person she ever loved that much… Please… See her…" Summer pleaded.
"I will… I will…" Alex nodded.