Part VII

Alex just got out of the shower after practice. She was already wearing her shirt and pants when Inna popped out of a certain corner.

"Hi." Inna greeted with a warm smile.

"Hi." Alex replied as she tied her shoe.

"So are you coming to the party later? At your girlfriend's house…"

Alex thought for a minute. Marissa did mention about the party. But it was also their first year anniversary.

"Probably…"

"We're leaving tomorrow…"

"Well… I'm glad I got to know a bit about you." Alex smiled closing her locker.

"Honestly?" Inna asked surprised.

"Yes. Honestly. You're a great competitor."

"But not enough to fall in love with… Not good enough to replace Marissa…" Inna bowed her head.

Alex was silent. She looked at the Yale superstar who was seriously trying hard not to cry. She wanted Inna to be her friend. But knowing Inna wanted more would have created complications with Marissa.

"Look… I…" Alex began to apologize but Inna cut her off.

"I know. I just… I read about you all the time… Since you made a name back in High School... The small town girl who knocked down every shot that mattered…"

Alex smiled. She stood awkwardly in front of Inna who was getting closer.

"When I found out you were gay… I just had to… You know…" Inna stared at Alex eyes shyly.

"I'm not giving up Alex." Inna said with outmost seriousness.

She placed her hand on Alex's cheek. She smiled then moved away from the blonde.

Alex smile faded. She knew it wouldn't be good.

"I'll see you later. Bye Alex."

Alex nodded and watched Inna walk out of the locker room. She wished she could at least do something to make everything right.

I know I can't be everything to everybody.

I just have to try and do the best I can for everyone.

----

Marissa was walking with Summer out of the library. They had just finished doing research for next week's term papers. Suddenly, Marissa felt an arm in her shoulder. It was heavy and the grip was too tight. It couldn't be Alex. When she turned, it was Trey.

"Hey!" Marissa greeted.

"Hey. Long time no see." Trey smiled in reply.

"Coop, I have to go ahead. Have to pick up Jodie. See you tonight. Bye Trey." With that Summer ran.

"How's Lindsay?" Trey asked casually.

"Oh she's fine. She's leaving for Chicago in two weeks."

"How's Alex?"

"She's great. I'll be meeting her in a while. You want to join us for a cup of coffee? I don't think you've met her yet." Marissa smiled.

"I've heard A LOT about her." Trey grinned.

"You should come to the party. She'll be there. Maybe you could hang out or something." Marissa started to walk.

"Yeah sure… I'll catch you later." Trey stood his ground and watched Marissa walk away.

"See you later. You'll see her there. I'll introduce you!" Marissa waved back.

Trey watched her disappear on a corner. He grinned evilly.

I'm counting on that.

----

Later that night, Marissa and Lindsay were beside the pool watching the rest of the Yale and Harvard varsities dance the night away. There were also a few non-varsity players invited and other guests.

Summer and Jodie were dancing with them. Inna sat quietly in a corner watching the students. Alex was still not around.

"Probably got caught up in traffic…" Lindsay suggested as she put her right arm on her sister's shoulder.

"Yeah probably…"

Right outside the Cooper residence, Alex parked her car. She was breathing heavily. Going out of the car she tried to stretch her shirt. She was just wearing khaki pants and a blue shirt. She searched for something in her pocket before walking to the front door. When she was sure the item was still in her pocket. She rang the doorbell. Julie opened it for her.

"ALEX! She's by the pool with Lindsay." Julie smiled and gave her a hug.

Alex nodded and walked pass the crowd to greet Marissa. On the way, her eyes met Inna's. She knew she was sad. She smiled at the girl who in turn shyly smiled back. Suddenly, her movements were halted when a Yale jock stood in front of her. He was obviously drunk.

"Hey… COHEN! How about a dance with your counterpart over there…" The guy pointed at Inna who looked away.

"Maybe later." Alex smiled and started to walk again.

"Sure! Give us a good show will you?" The guy yelled.

Alex just shook her head. She found Lindsay and Marissa. Immediately, she gave Marissa a kiss on the lips.

"Sorry I'm late. Had to stop for something. Everything alright?" Alex asked as she held Marissa hand.

Marissa nodded and smiled.

"Shall we join the partying population now my dear sister?" Lindsay asked arching one of her brows.

"Yes. Definitely." Marissa turned and smiled at Alex who was grinning.

At the sight of Alex returning to the living room, the drunken guy yelled again.

"Cohen! How about the dance with Inna!"

The crowd cheered behind him. This made Marissa frown but she knew it wouldn't mean anything to Alex.

"Go on… I'll be fine." Marissa whispered and gave a kiss on Alex's cheek.

"Are you sure?" Alex furrowed her brows.

She didn't really think it was a good idea for neither Marissa nor Inna.

"I'm sure. Just come back to me." Marissa smiled.

"I always do." Alex smiled.

"Ok… Ok… Just one dance." Alex yelled and earned a clap from the crowd.

She took Inna's hand. The drunken guy motioned the DJ to play a slow song. He was grinning.

Inna didn't look at Alex's face, nor stared at Alex's eyes while they danced. Alex knew she was feeling uneasy.

"I'm sorry I have to make you go through this. I just wanted him to stop…" Alex smiled.

"No worries…" Inna turned to look at Alex and smiled back.

From a distance, Summer saw Alex and Inna. She walked towards Marissa who just watched at the two.

"Why would you let her dance with her?" Summer asked.

"The crowd wanted to. I can't deny them that just because she's my girlfriend. Pretend she's a movie star who needs to kiss another girl as part of the scene." Marissa smiled.

"Right…" Summer rolled her eyes.

Alex and Inna were at the center of the dance floor. Slowly, people started to accompany them. The dance floor began to fill up. The drunken guy was nowhere to be found.

"I'll wait for you Alex." Inna whispered as she rested her forehead against Alex's.

"Please don't. I can only offer you my friendship. I do love Marissa. Please understand…" Alex closed her eyes.

She didn't want to hurt Inna but she knew the truth would hurt the girl.

Inna closed her eyes and tears began to fall. She opened them and saw Alex's angelic face. She knew she had no other choice but to let go of her obsession. Suddenly, she saw the drunken guy behind Alex: grinning rather evilly. She furrowed her brows to look at the person's face but it was hard because of the tears in her eyes. Lifting her hand up and rubbed her eyes and saw Trey. He was slowly making his way to Alex with a gun in his hand. Inna's eyes widened. Trey lifted the gun and pointed it at Alex. Inna turned Alex around and Inna shielded her with her own hugging Alex tightly.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots were fired and there were students running for their lives. Marissa turned and looked at the dance floor. Jodie has already pinned Trey on the floor. She turned her gaze to Alex, who was in tears, blood covering her hands. Inna who was still hugging her was bleeding from behind.

"Call the 911!" Lindsay yelled at Julie who hurriedly called for help.

Slowly, Alex knelt to the floor. She looked at Inna who was in pain.

"No… No…" Alex's voice was cracking in fear.

Marissa hugged Alex and watched her girlfriend hold on to the girl who apparently saved her life. She looked at Trey who was laughing hysterically.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHY WOULD YOU HURT EITHER OF THEM?" Marissa screamed.

"PISS OFF COOPER! YOUR GIRLFRIEND SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONE COVERED IN BLOOD NOT MY STUPID EX!" Trey yelled back.

After a few minutes, the paramedics arrived. They took Inna and put her on a stretcher. Alex was covered with her blood.

"Will she be alright?" Alex asked as Marissa held her arm.

"She's still alive. We have to take her to the hospital. MAKE ROOM!"

"YOU SHOULD BE DEAD! SHE SHOULDN'T BE ON A STRETCHER! BUT YOU!" Trey yelled at Alex angrily.

He stood up as the police cuffed him up. He spitted on Alex's shirt.

Alex had heard enough.

Alex clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. She turned and gave Trey an uppercut. She hit him so hard he knelt down afterwards.

"SHUT UP!" Alex yelled.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT ALEX COHEN! ALL YOUR FAULT!" Trey screamed as the cops took him away.

Alex breathed heavily. She stared at her blood stained hands and shirt. Marissa hugged her from behind. She was also in tears. Suddenly she felt Alex move out of her arms. Alex didn't look back. She hurriedly ran out the door. Marissa stood for a while, stunned that Alex ran out without saying anything.

"Where is she going?" Jodie asked.

"I have no idea." Marissa answered.