Part XXVIII:

"Hello?"

Alex dear! How are you? How are things with Marissa?

"Things have been better mom…"

Of course, Alex lied. Alex made a decision though. But she was not exactly sure if she should go through it. She needed one more try with Marissa. Just be sure that their relationship or what's left of it was still worth saving.

So what do you think of their proposal? Do you think you'll take it?

Alex breathed in heavily before she gave her reply.

"Give me a few more days mom. I'll give them my answer."

Ok dear. So how's school?

"I had better days…"

----

Marissa walked the halls of the university with her head up high. She had become the face of the month since she blew of Alex Cohen: The Alex Cohen who was now begging her to take her back. Marissa didn't care if she had embarrassed Alex. She was too angry.

"Hey…" A voice called out from behind her.

Alex.

Marissa rolled her eyes and turned around. She found Alex with flowers in her hand. Marissa gave her a fake smile and took the flowers. And then she walked towards the trashcan to dump them.

Students around them whispered among themselves, probably finding the scene entertaining. Others walked pass them afraid the wrath of Marissa Cooper might rub on them.

Alex swallowed hard and let it go. She wasn't going to give up but she was only human. She was starting to get weary.

"Marissa… Please!" Alex called out.

Marissa turned and gave her a cold stare.

"Can't you at least let me explain?"

"No." Marissa automatically replied.

"Don't you love anymore?" Alex blurted out.

It was the question that she was longing to have an answer. And she knew this was her turning point.

"No." Marissa replied turning around.

Her heart ached because it wasn't true. It hurt to see Alex in Bianca's arms but she loved Alex. No matter how hard she tried to let it go, she loved Alex. She knew she would forever be in love with the blonde.

The students in the hall dissolved to be on their way. Soon enough, the hall was cleared out with the two of them standing face to face.

Alex stood there and watched Marissa slowly walk away. Her ex-girlfriend then turned around and threw something at her. Alex caught it with her hand.

It was the golden ring Alex gave Marissa.

With that, it was Alex's turn to walk away from Marissa. Marissa watched her and felt her heart being ripped away. Suddenly the blonde stopped and looked over her shoulder.

"I could never cheat on you. You meant everything to me."

----

Bianca was in the quad with her sister when she saw Alex sitting under the tree. Alex was alone and her eyes were wandering. She whispered to her sister.

"I'll just skip class for now."

Tiffany's eyes looked at Alex who was definitely depressed. She nodded and left Bianca to be on her way.

"Hey Tiger." Bianca sat beside Alex who didn't turn to look at her.

There was silence and Bianca could only hear the wind rustling with the leaves. Turning to Alex, she found the blonde's eyes filled with sadness. All she could do was taking her hand and rested her head on the blonde's shoulder.

"I'm leaving soon." Alex began to say.

Bianca looked up to her, removing her head from Alex's shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"I took the offer…"

"The one in…"

"Yes that one…" Alex replied.

"Why do you always run away Alex?" Bianca said letting out a heavy sigh.

"I tried to talk to her. She won't listen. I… I've had enough."

"But why run away. Jodie is here. I'm here… You have friends here. She's not the only one…"

"I just have to."

Their eyes met both filled with sadness. But they both knew it's already decided.

"When do you leave?" Bianca asked looking away from Alex.

"Friday night…"

"That's the…"

"Yeah the dance… It's fine…"

They both stared off and let the time pass them by. Bianca didn't go back to class that day. She spent the whole day just sitting beside Alex.

----

Marissa looked at herself in the mirror. It was the night she was waiting for but her heart wasn't as happy as it was. She wasn't going with Alex, she was going with Oliver. Why, she didn't really know. She just wanted to get over with it: Even without Alex.

----

Alex carried the last of her bags from her room to the living room. She sat on the couch and waited. She stared out in the ceiling thinking of Marissa. She honestly wished Marissa would have a good time in the dance. She honestly wished the girl was happy. She shot up off the couch when she heard a knock. She opened her door and found Bianca who was definitely breathtaking.

"Hey… Just thought I drop by to say goodbye." Bianca smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You look great." Alex smiled and led the other girl inside.

"You should come… Maybe she would talk to you…"

"I'm tired Bianca… It's fine."

"Give her a chance…"

"I'm tired…" Alex looked away and stood still for a while.

Bianca knew she couldn't change the blonde's mind.

"I love you. You know that right." Bianca said softly.

"I know."

Alex turned and held Bianca by the waist. They looked at each other then Alex sighed and rested her forehead against Bianca's.

"She loves you. She's just… Too stubborn." Bianca whispered.

Alex laughed softly.

"And to think, she says I'm cheating on her with you."

"She should know better. I know you wouldn't. You were always honest. I was just too scared… Like her… I didn't know what I had…"

"Stop… I don't want you like this… Write to me ok?" Alex smiled at her ex-girlfriend and good friend.

Bianca looked straight into Alex's eyes and smiled.

----

Marissa was drinking vodka with her punch. She had taken a flask from her father's bar. She felt the need to drown her silent sadness. She looked every where for Alex but the blonde wasn't there. She had already left her date, Oliver to dance with other girls. Summer and Jodie, could only shake their heads.

Suddenly, Bianca, who was certainly a sight to behold, came in. Marissa looked at her with anger in her eyes. Her system poisoned with the alcohol. Summer was just too late to stop her. Because as of the moment, Marissa Cooper was on her way to devour Bianca.