COLLEGE APPS! LIFE! SENIOR YEAR! Basically my excuses. But right now I am going through my stories chapter by chapter determined to work on each and every one... or most. lol. It feels good to be back and writing again. So with that being said read on and please review. I want to see who I still have, I know it's been awhile.

xoxo Jules

Chapter 15: They know just where you are

Marissa woke up to the sound of the breeze coming off of the ocean and creeping through the cracks in her bedroom window. It had been two weeks since she had been released from the hospital and three days since Ryan returned home. He was supposed to stay in bed for at least a couple of days more to make sure that he didn't tear any stitches.

She crept down the stairs supporting herself without the crutch. It was a beautiful morning, 6am and the sun was just rising. When she entered the kitchen there was nobody around. She opened the refrigerator and studied it's contents looking for something that in her mind was remotely edible… nothing.

She and Kirsten and Jimmy were supposed to go out to lunch that day and she was already deciding what she would nibble on and what she would avoid at all costs.

Struggling Marissa made her way back up to her room and went to get ready. Deciding that a hot bath would help her relax she sunk back into the tub and turned on the jets. Back in Chino it was hop in the shower in and out, not that anyone would want to be in there any longer seeing how it was filthy.

When she got out she fingered through the new clothes in her closet made by designers that she had never heard of. She picked out a pair of Diesel jeans and a shirt by somebody whose name she couldn't even pronounce.

Before lunch she and Kirsten were supposed to be heading out to find a dress for Marissa for some charity auction coming up. It would be Marissa's first time being exposed to Newport's social scene. She overheard Sandy and Kirsten talking about how the rumors had already began. People were talking. But what did it matter, people in Newport always talk.

Glancing out of the window Marissa saw a light flick on in the pool house. Was Ryan out of bed? Was he supposed to be?

Marissa went down the stairs once again with the assistance of crutch which she hoped to be off by the auction. She gently knocked on the outside of the door before she pulled it open.

"Ryan?" She called

"Yeah?" His voice came from behind her causing her to jump.

"Oh my god." Marissa said grasping her chest.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Ryan said chuckling to himself

"Should you be out of bed?" Marissa attempted to regain her composure.

"I feel fine, I've been through worse."

"Have you?" Marissa asked with a smirk and a twinkle in her eye

"Yeah, I recall getting my arm grazed by a bullet and a certain girl dousing my injury in rubbing alcohol." Ryan said winking at her

"Oh please punta, that in no way compared to getting shot in the liver or kindey or whatever it was." Marissa said rolling her eyes. She turned as she heard voices coming from outside of the pool house.

"Ow Cohen, no, I have" Summer giggled "I have to go home now!"

Marissa raised an eyebrow and headed outside followed by Ryan.

"Morning." Marissa said looking at her "brother" and his girlfriends hardcore make out session.

"Morning." Seth said letting go of Summer.

"I hear you have a lunch date with the parentals." Summer said looking at Marissa.

"Yup." She said shoving her hands into the deepest crevices of her pockets.

"Tough break, I gotta go but Marissa I love those jeans." Summer said as she headed to her BMW and sped away.

Ryan, Seth, and Marissa exchanged looks. Right then from somewhere Kirsten appeared with a cup of coffee in hand.

"Hey guys, I'm surprised to see that you are up, especially you Seth." She said smiling lips just touching the brim of her cup.

"Well yanno you don't get to be this good looking by sleeping in." Seth said admiring his tussled hair and pajamas in the reflection of the pool.

Kirsten rolled her eyes at her son and then turned to Ryan and Marissa.

"How did you guys sleep?" She asked

"Alright thanks." Ryan said

"Yeah, me too." Marissa agreed not telling anyone about the nightmares that had been haunting her ever since the shooting.

"Well since you are up and dressed how about we head out to pick out a dress huh?" Kirsten suggested to her daughter.

"Um, yeah sure." Marissa said

"Do you want to grab some breakfast before?" Kirsten asked hopeful that she would take her up on her offer.

"No thanks, I woke up at like six and ate then, I'm going to save room for lunch." Marissa said evenly looking Kirsten directly in the eye as she spoke.

Marissa and Kirsten headed into yet another trendy shop looking for a dress. She saw some women that she recognized huddled at the racks to make sure to get their daughters the most expensive/attractive dress.

"What about this one?" Kirsten said holding up a red silk dress in front of Marissa.

"It's gorgeous." Marissa said lightly fingering the material.

"Carly Jenkins already got that for Hillary."

A voice whispered over Kirsten's shoulder.

"Marcie!" Kirsten said turning around to meet a walking boob-job. "Hi how are you?" She plastered on a fake cheesy smile.

"I am amazing, how sweet of you to ask!" When Marcie smiled her teeth were so bright that they could blind you. "Who is this lovely lady that you are shopping for?" Margo asked turning to Marissa who had her hands stuffed in her pockets and was biting her lower lip.

"This is Marissa, my daughter." Kirsten said

"I had no idea that you had a daughter!" Marcie said with her mouth agape and a smile playing on her lips being the first to have heard it from Kirsten herself.

"Well you learn something new everyday don't you?" Kirsten said with a smile.

Marissa smiled as she leaned on her crutch. The bottom of her foot was beginning to hurt.

"So how come we haven't been graced with this young lady's presence until now?" Marcie asked looking Marissa up and down.

"She was away at boarding school in Prague." Kirsten said simply leaving it at that.

Marissa kept her fake smile plastered on. Even when she realized that she knew nothing about Prague.

"Oh how lovely." Marcie said turning towards Marissa who in return smiled politely. "Well dear it was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you around."

Marissa wondered if Marcie was trying to make herself look that fake or it was a horrible run in with botox.

"Nice to meet you." Marissa said in an even voice.

"Goodbye Marcie." Kirsten said waving with the tips of her fingers.

She let out a sigh as the woman walked away. Marissa smirked.

"You'll be going to school with a bunch of mini Marcies." Kirsten explained

"Joy." Marissa said biting her lip.

"I have set up a tutor for you to come to the house a couple of days a week over the summer just to get you ready for Harbor." Kirsten said as she began once again to sift through the racks.

"Isn't that like Newports elite private school?" Marissa asked never imagining that she would attend a school like that.

"It's been said." Kirsten responded. "I know it's nothing like what you were used to but I really think that you could benefit from the environment. You and Ryan both."

Marissa squinted her eyes at Kirsten with a smile but said nothing.

"Shoot!" Kirsten said as her watch beeped.

"We're late to lunch with Jimmy. We'll finish shopping after we eat how does that sound?" Kirsten asked

Marissa shrugged in no hurry to get to lunch.

"Alright, it sounds good to me." Marissa shoved her hands in her pockets again and her bony elbows protruded from her skin.

"Well then let's get this show on the road." Kirsten said with a smile.

Marissa chewed on her lip as she followed Kirsten out of the boutique.

Next chapter Summer Seth cuteness, Sandy and Ryan bonding, and the lunch.

Read, review, and request por favor

xoxo Jules