Part XVIII

New Year's Eve at the Cooper's meant bright lights around the pool and a buffet snacks. Some of the fireworks from a distance were already pouring color to the dark cold sky. Alex sat on a lounge chair. While the others gather around watching the fireworks display. Julie turned and poured red wine on their glasses. Motioning them to get theirs, Caleb, DJ, Jodie, Summer, Marissa, Lindsay and Inna took their glasses. Marissa was about to take Alex's but Inna got to the extra glass first. Slowly the taller brunette made her way to Alex. Marissa stood by watching, her eyes sad but had a slight glimmer from jealousy. DJ caught the look and grinned.

"Hey." Inna said as she sat beside Alex.

"Hi."

"Here it's good for you." Inna handed the wine glass and Alex just stared at it.

"So how are you?" The brunette added.

They both gazed at the flaming sky.

"Better… I guess the pressure of bringing a championship is killing me."

"Good thing Marissa convinced you to sort of retire." Inna chuckled.

"Yeah… She's been great." Alex smiled and turned her gaze to the wine glass.

"I'm sure she is." Inna smiled back rubbing Alex's back.

Marissa saw the exchange from a distance. Her eyes held back the tears. DJ saw the opportunity to add salt to the wound.

"Who's the hot chick?" He asked grinning.

"Oh… That's Inna. My sister's friend…"

"They look really comfortable with each other… Don't you think?" DJ turned and stared at Marissa's hurt face.

"OK Kids… countdown!" Julie yelled.

Everyone who was by an earshot stood up near the buffet table.

Marissa scanned the people before her.

Jodie held hands with Summer. They smiled at each other. Summer caressed Jodie's cheek lovingly and rested their foreheads together. Ryan and Lindsay were apart. Lindsay was beside Inna while Ryan stood beside Caleb. They were still, probably, arguing about Inna's presence. DJ was facing her looking at her rather intently. Marissa shifted her eyes and looked for the blonde. But she was nowhere. Suddenly, she felt a pair of loving arms making way from her sides then pulling her. She turned her head and found Alex smiling at her.

"Looking for me?" Alex whispered.

Marissa nodded and eased herself into Alex's arms. Alex rested her chin on the brunette's shoulder and trailed soft kisses on her neck. Marissa closed her eyes and held on to Alex's hands like she wasn't going to let go. She will not let go.

DJ still unmoved at the scene turned his gaze away. Cursing whatever it was that was keeping Marissa in Alex's arms.

"I love you…" Alex mumbled in back on Marissa's head.

Marissa turned and put her arms around the blonde's neck. She stared at the blue eyes with more love from her heart.

"I love you too…" The brunette replied tilting her head then slowly bringing her lips to Alex's.

Every one watched them with happy thoughts, even Inna. Only DJ wasn't too happy about the couple.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Friendly games; it was also a Cooper Family tradition. As the teams were set, we have the following:

Caleb's Team

Marissa

DJ

Summer

Lindsay

Julie's team

Jodie

Alex

Ryan

Inna

"No fair mom you have two athletes there!" Lindsay whined.

"You have two men there!" Julie replied.

"Well… Dad is old…" Marissa retorted earning a mock-glare from her dad.

"What are we playing again?" Alex whispered to Ryan.

"Volleyball squirt..." Ryan shook his head.

Alex turned to the other side of the court and watched DJ grab Marissa's ass. Marissa slapped his hands in reply but was giggling. Alex shrugged.

"Who's serving?" Caleb asked holding the ball.

"You are!" Alex yelled causing her team mates to look at her.

Caleb served and the ball was in play. DJ was right behind Marissa and kept checking her out. Alex tried hard to control her fuming temper.

"Toss me the ball!" Alex told Jodie who obliged.

Alex jumped for a spike. Alex hit the ball hard and was definitely on target. It hit DJ's head taking his eyes off of Marissa.

"Alex! That's not funny!" Marissa yelled from the other side.

She tried to tend to DJ who was already seeing stars.

Alex rolled her eyes and turned around.

"Don't worry squirt. I found it funny." Ryan stuck his tongue out making the girls giggle.

Julie and the rest entered the house. Alex waited for Marissa. Looking back, the brunette was still busy helping DJ. She was too busy to remember she had a girlfriend. So alone, Alex walked towards the house.

The blonde watched as Marissa put ice packs DJ's head. DJ, of course was enjoying the attention.

"Marissa can we talk?" Alex suddenly asked.

Jodie and Summer who were in the room looked at each other.

"Since when did they call each other by first name?"

Alex took it upon herself to go to Marissa's room. Marissa finished checking on DJ then stood up. DJ kept grinning.

Trouble in paradise…

Marissa entered her room and found Alex looking out the window.

"Hey…" She greeted but the blonde was left unmoved and silent.

"You didn't have to do that. It's just a game…" Marissa added walking closer to Alex.

"You mean him checking your behind is part of the game…?" Alex asked sternly.

"What? He's my friend. He wouldn't do that and it's not like you and I were…" Marissa stopped herself.

"Like girlfriends? You forgot we are huh?" Alex's voice started to crack but she kept her composure.

"No… I just…"

"What?"

"I don't know…" Feeling defeated, Marissa sat down.

"I get it you know…" Alex averted her stare to the window again.

"The reason why you went out with him, why you flirt with him… why you keep him hanging around…"

"Well you flirt with Inna too! I saw you with her today. All smiling and…" Marissa spoke but Alex cut her off.

"We were talking about you… I never kissed or held another girl and giggled afterwards. I don't flirt. I had you for that."

"Had?" Marissa's eyes widened.

"Yeah… Had… I don't think I have you anymore…" Alex slowly walked towards the door.

Marissa holding back the tears held her hand.

"Don't go… Let's talk about this…" Marissa pleaded.

"No…" Alex gently let the brunette's hand go and opened the door.

"You know what's funny? I'm here because your mom invited me… He's here because you invited him. Would you have invited me if your mom didn't?" Alex turned and looked into Marissa's green eyes.

"I…"

"Nah… Save it…" Alex smiled then turned and closed the door behind her.

Marissa sat in the foot of her bed, curled up and started to cry.