Part IX

Alex and Marissa were giggling along the corridors waiting for Summer to pop out of her classroom. It had been weeks after the incident with Trey. Inna has been safely discharged from the hospital and is now back in Yale. She would constantly write Alex letters which were generally friendly. Nothing that Marissa would actually be worried about.

"So… What do you want to do today?" Marissa asked, tugging Alex's collar to pull her closer.

"I can think of a number of things." Alex gave her girlfriend's lips a quick kiss earning her sweet smile.

"Hey you two… Can't get your hands off each other?" Summer casually got out of her classroom without a smile on her face.

"Something wrong Sum?" Marissa asked slightly moving away from Alex's arms but holding on to the blonde's hand.

"Oh nothing really… Just your best friend forgetting our anniversary…" Summer smiled mockingly.

"Maybe she was just busy Summer. Reports and stuff…" Alex replied.

"Yeah probably…" Summer replied starting to walk.

Alex and Marissa followed her from behind.

"You should talk to your friend…" Marissa whispered.

"Shouldn't your friend talk to her first? They should talk about it not me and Jodie…" Alex softly replied.

"But honey… You know how proud Summer can be… She wouldn't talk about it…"

"Well that's their problem…" Alex replied coldly.

"Alex…" Marissa stopped walking and stared at her girlfriend.

"Sorry… I just… If we can talk about stuff between us why can't they?" Alex replied with more sincerity in her voice.

"We just need to teach them…" Marissa kissed Alex on the forehead.

"Will you two please hurry up?" Summer yelled.

"Well she's your best friend." Alex said as she started to walk towards Summer.

"Well your best friend is too busy to remember her." Marissa grinned in reply.

"Fine… I'll talk to her." Alex rolled her eyes and dragged Marissa.

----

"Sandy… Where do you think Alex would spend Christmas?" Kirsten was preparing dinner back in Oklahoma.

"She'll spend it here don't worry. She already told me." Sandy browsed around the folders looking for a particular set.

"She's going to be alright without Marissa for… three weeks?" Seth appeared into the kitchen grabbing a few sodas from the fridge.

"Of course your sister will be alright." Sandy replied.

"Hmm… Wonder if she'll experience withdrawal syndrome…" Seth sat down but earned a slap on his back.

"Be nice Seth…" Kirsten glared.

"Yes mom…"

----

Alex, Marissa, Jodie and Summer were hanging out in the Cooper residence later that evening. Julie was out on the mall but will soon be coming back. Lindsay was already in Chicago starting her internship.

Beside the pool, Jodie was trying to apologize to Summer about earlier events. Alex called her up gave her a long chat about Summer. Right now, they were trying to talk thing through.

Marissa was watching the two from the other end of the pool. She was glad Alex talked to Jodie. Turning around she found her girlfriend playing NBA basketball on her PSP.

"Alex… Don't you have enough of basketball in your system?" Marissa asked sitting down beside the blonde who didn't move a budge.

"What was that honey?" Alex replied but her eyes didn't tear away from her toy.

"Alex… Can we talk about something?" Marissa took Alex's PSP earning her a pout.

"You can play this again… But I was wondering if you decided on quitting the team…" Marissa asked coolly.

"No." Alex replied and tried to take her toy back.

"Alex… Would you at least think about it? I don't want to wake you everyday in class…" Marissa furrowed her brows while trying to not to let Alex get the PSP.

"Honey… I pass with A's with all my classes. Can I have my PSP please?"

"You have to come and get it!" Marissa stood up and ran to the other side of the pool followed by a giggling Alex.

"What's with those two?" Summer asked as Marissa passed her Alex's PSP.

Alex didn't stop to get her toy. She had other things in mind. She continued to run after Marissa and when she got to her she held her by the waist. Lifting her slightly then throwing her to the pool.

Resurfacing Marissa was stunned, slightly shivering with the cold water.

"You didn't just do that!" Marissa yelled at Alex who was laughing.

"I think I just did!" Alex yelled back and smiled.

Marissa turned her back to Alex her teeth were chattering. Alex suddenly jumped into the water, making the brunette turn and then resurfaced just in front of her. She held Marissa by the waist pulling her closer. Marissa was still shivering but there was now a smile on her face.

"Are they for real?" Jodie asked as she took Summer's hand.

"Hopefully." Summer replied with a smile.

"I know one thing though." Summer added looking shyly at Jodie.

"We'll be there together to watch them fall in love with each other even more." Summer finished smiling lovingly at Jodie.