Part XIX: How Much You Mean To Me
Marissa stirred on her hospital bed. Her head was still throbbing. She turned and saw Lindsay sleeping at her bedside. Her parents were nowhere to be found.
"Typical…"
She slowly sat up. But her movements still woke her sister up.
"Slow down…" Lindsay held her sister's hand and helped her sit up.
"We don't want you fainting again… Feeling better?"
"A little…" Marissa smiled weakly.
Oh Alex…
"I told Summer you're here. She said she'll just pick something or someone up before she visits." Lindsay smiled as she took a glass of water for Marissa.
"Thanks."
----
"Sorry it's not as spacious as your car Alex." Summer grinned as she drove.
"No it's ok. I don't think we have to really bend ourselves to fit in." Alex replied earning a chuckle from everybody.
"So what do we do when we get there?" Ryan asked.
"We visit Marissa." Alex answered looking at her friend.
"No… YOU visit Marissa. WE…" pointing at the rest,
"… Have to do something while you talk." Ryan grinned.
"Right… Because you have to settle this... You promised!" Summer added.
"I didn't promise you anything Summer." Alex rolled her eyes.
"But I could promise you dinner if you would allow me to." Jodie suddenly spoke and looked at Summer.
Summer blushed and there was silence. But it was easily broken when Alex saw a particular store.
"Summer can you park there for a second? I'll just buy something." Alex pointed the parking lot near the store.
"What? Why? Who?" Summer was lost for words.
"I'm buying flowers." Alex smiled.
----
"What's wrong sis?" Lindsay noticed tears in Marissa's eyes.
"Nothing… It's just… I gave up on her…"
"Alex?"
Marissa nodded. She started to cry once more.
"Sis… You thought about mom again haven't you…"
Marissa nodded again. She pulled Lindsay into a tight embrace.
"What am I supposed to do? I don't think mom would approve… But I love her… So much… So much it's killing me to know I'll never be with her…" Marissa cried in her sister's arms.
"You can't let that dictate you. She's not going to be with the person Riss… You will… You have to go out there and not care what mom would approve of… If you think its right then go for it… Besides Alex isn't a bad choice…" Lindsay smirked.
Marissa giggled. She pushed her sister slightly.
"What? It's true. She's smart, sexy, and might I add good in bed considering you shouted her name a number of times." Lindsay laughed.
"Stop it…" Marissa blushed and smiled.
"Really sis… You're happy with her… Why throw it away?"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Stay here." Lindsay walked to open the door.
"Hey!" Summer entered.
She walked to Marissa.
"How are you?" Summer asked.
"I had better days Sum…" Marissa smiled weakly.
"I'll change all of that." Summer smirked.
Marissa furrowed her brows in confusion. Then she turned to face the door. People entered.
Alex. And she brought white roses too. She was followed by Ryan and Jodie.
Marissa just stared at Alex. Her heart was beating fast again. But this time, it felt good.
"We had to beg to see you tonight…" Alex smiled.
She came closer to Marissa's bed side. They looked at each other lovingly.
Feeling the need to leave the couple alone. Jodie decided to speak.
"So Summer… how about that dinner?" She stretched out her hand and waited for Summer's.
Summer blushed.
"Uh sure." She gave her hand to Jodie.
They left leaving Ryan and Lindsay with the couple.
Unsure of what to say, Ryan breathed deeply and decided to hell with what the right thing to say is.
"I'm Ryan. Want to have coffee?" He asked looking at Lindsay.
"Lindsay. Sure." Lindsay gave Ryan a sweet smile.
He smiled back.
Then they left too.
Alex's and Marissa's eyes were still glued to each other. Alex was the first to speak up.
"So… they're hooking up…" She smiled as she placed the flowers in Marissa's lap.
"Thanks… Yeah I guess." Marissa smiled and looked at the flowers.
"Alex, I…" She turned to look at Alex but was silenced by Alex's index finger on her lips.
"You talked the last time. Can I take the floor now?" Alex asked sweetly.
Marissa nodded and smiled.
"I'm sorry if I did something wrong for you to let me go…"
"But…" Marissa started to contest the statement.
Alex cut her off.
"… in case that was part of the reason. Whether I did or not, I'm still sorry you're here. Lying sick in bed." Alex held Marissa's hand and looked at her lovingly.
Marissa smiled back and squeezed Alex's hand tightly.
"I love you, Riss… I know you're scared… But you don't have to be… If you can't face your parents alone… I'll be here with you. You have to trust me Riss… This secret doesn't have to be a secret anymore…"
Alex cupped Marissa's cheeks.
"… Because you're worth more than that to me. You're not just some secret. You're everything."
Alex kissed Marissa softly then rested her forehead on Marissa's.
"If you don't mind… I want to share you to the world…" They both smiled.
And then kissed, again this time longer… more ardently…
"Marissa?" They heard someone speak.
They quickly separated from each other and looked at the person who owned the voice.
"You must be Alex."
It was Caleb. And Julie was also in tow.