Part III: Chances

7 DAYS BEFORE VALENTINES

Marissa stared out the window, wondering about her last encounter with Alex. Summer sat on the couch, her back turned as she watched Marissa deep in thought. She decided to help out her friend.

"What's up Coop? You seem… Too preoccupied. What are you thinking about?"

"Alex." Marissa replied not turning to look at her friend.

"What about her?"

"Why she didn't say goodbye…"

"She did say goodbye Coop. Remember? At the bonfire." Summer stood up and took a stance beside her friend who was still admiring the LA scene.

"Not that goodbye. The sending off goodbye. She just left, remember?" Marissa replied softly.

It was as if she was about to cry.

"Honey... You already said goodbye. That's the goodbye."

"No. You don't understand. The goodbye we said to each other that night…"

"Meaning?"

"I feel as though… She still has a hold on me but she's refusing it. She didn't say goodbye to what she feels…"

"Coop…"

"If you say goodbye. You don't hold on to it. You let go."

"Coop…" Summer mumbled knowing her friend was starting to ramble.

"I didn't see her go Summer. I didn't know whether or not we could be friends someday. We didn't even talk about it. It was like… We left our relationship out hanging."

"Coop… You're not making any sense."

"But I am! The way she looks at me. Years Sum… And yet… She looks at me with hurt in her eyes."

"You hurt her remember? Coop… You're just confused." Summer put her hand over her friend's shoulder letting her ease a bit.

"You had your goodbyes Coop. No matter where you put it. No matter what goodbye you're looking for. You had your goodbyes. That's why Alex is not talking to you. You ended it there Coop. Back in Newport. I'm sorry."

"I just… I just…" Marissa struggled to say the words.

"Coop… You told me you just wanted to see her. That it wouldn't matter if she doesn't care if you're there. You just want to know how she is. Now you're in denial of everything. You're denying that you had your goodbyes Coop. That it was over. You're denying that she's still hurt. That she has every right not to talk to you."

"I…" Marissa buried her head in her hands.

"Coop… I don't think we should stay longer if you're going to be like this. It's not helping…" Summer suggested pulling out a hanky from her pocket.

She tried to dry her friend's tears.

"But I care Sum… It matters to me… Is this… Is this…" Marissa struggled again, her tears now freely flowing.

"What Coop?" Summer softly asked as she wiped away Marissa's tears.

"Is this what she felt? Did she think I didn't care about her? That what she did doesn't matter to me?"

Summer could only look at her. She couldn't nod in agreement. She could not shake her head. It wasn't her place to answer. Only Alex knew what she felt.

----

Alex strolled along the shores of one of LA's sandy beaches. The air was cool and the waves crashing were music to her ears. She took a seat on the sand, watching the sunrise in its entire marvel. It used to be a good feeling: Spending time in the beach. But after Marissa, Alex found beaches rather heartbreaking. She tried to avoid going to a few when she got to LA. But Alex was really a beach person. Although her heart ached, she went to the only place she felt at peace with.

Suddenly she saw two people walking towards her. Looking at the figures, Alex smiled once the faces were clear to her vision: Jessie and Katie. They were barefoot walking along the beach. Alex waved her hand to catch their attention.

"Hey! Didn't know you two like the beach." Alex gave the two younger girls a hug each.

"I like the beach." Jessie replied with a smile on her face.

"She likes tagging me along, even if I lack sleep." Katie forced out a smile, eventually earning her an elbow on the stomach.

Alex smiled at their exchange.

The three girls sat on the sand. Jessie opted to sit in between. There was silence, but Alex still had a smile on her face.

"Do you keep it secret from your parents?" Alex suddenly asked, surprising Katie and Jessie.

Katie shrugged her shoulders when Jessie turned to her with a worried look. Alex just smiled.

"I know. You're together."

The younger girls turned to face her, dropping their jaws in astonishment. How could she deduce such a thing? Jessie asked herself.

"I've been there…" Alex let out softly, sighing afterwards.

She stared out the ocean and thought of her past relationships.

"Been there?" Katie inquired receiving a slap from Jessie.

"It was a legitimate question…" Katie mumbled earning a slap from her girlfriend again.

"It's ok. I was in love like you are… Not so long ago." Alex replied in a vague description.

"What happened?" Jessie asked obviously holding on to Katie's hand.

"She wasn't really in love with me. She just… Used me…" Alex replied in a very sad tone.

"I'm sorry." Katie said with utmost sincerity.

Alex smiled. How ironic can it be? A girl who looks like the girl who broke my heart would apologize. She thought to herself.

"Cherish each other." Alex said turning to face the two young girls.

"You're lucky to find each other in this cruel world." Alex let out a laugh to ease the seriousness of the topic.

She realizes the girls were too young. And scaring them about the pains of loving is not the first option.

"Don't be afraid to tell the whole world. The world won't care if you lose the one you love. I don't think it has the right to care who you would love. So don't be afraid." Alex finally said standing up.

----

"How is she?" Seth asked as he watched Marissa sitting on the couch quietly.

"Not good Cohen. I think I need to talk to Alex…"

"For what? She's still hurt. I think we should go home."

KNOCK! KNOCK!

They all turn to the door. Seth took the liberty of opening the door for their surprised visitor.

Jodie.

"Hey guys. How are you holding up Marissa?" She asked as she turned to Marissa.

The girl was obviously crying.

"I'm trying to be fine." Marissa replied, wiping her tears with a piece of tissue.

Seth, Summer and Jodie proceeded to a room that was a little isolated from Marissa's hearing range.

"She's not doing well Jodie." Seth whispered.

"Thanks Mr. Obvious…" Summer rolled her eyes.

"I can make Alex go out with her." Jodie said earning a confused look from Seth and Summer.

"How? Alex doesn't even want to talk to her. Much more go out with her."

"One word. Look-Alike." Jodie grinned, thinking of Katie right away.

"That's two words…" Seth explained earning a slap on the back of his head.

"OW!"

"The girl from the club?" Summer asked.

"Precisely."

"How would you get Alex to talk to Marissa?"

"Leave it to me." Jodie rubbed her hands as the wheels on her head started to work.

----

"So basically…That's how Katie is… And that's what she wears most of the time..." Jessie explained giggling at the thought of having to face Katie's "twin."

Marissa nodded her face still sad.

Jessie stood up and took Katie's hand. She thought Marissa needed some alone time to process what she was about to do. Eli was out at the club, but Jodie gave him the heads-up.

Closing the door behind her, Jessie turned and buried her head on Katie's chest.

"Would we ever come to that?" Jessie asked looking up to meet Katie's loving eyes.

"We'll never know… But…"

"But what?"

"I do know I love you. And I want to tell our parents about it…" Katie said softly as she ran her fingers through Jessie's blonde hair.

"You know… If you're with me… I'm not afraid of anything… I want to tell my parents when we get back. I want to tell them you're the love of my life as I hold your hand." Jessie whispered leaning up to kiss Katie's lips.

Katie smiled under the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Jessie's waist to pull her closer. Their eyes closed as their kiss deepened. Pulling away they rested their foreheads against each others.

"Have anything planned for Valentines day?" Jessie asked wrapping her arms around Katie's neck.

"I do. In fact… I was going to ask a special girl to spend it with me…" Katie grinned holding her tighter.

"Interesting… Care to share?"

"Let's see… Dinner for two... A walk in the beach… It would be a night to remember…" Katie started to do a slow dance with Jessie in her arms.

"A night to remember… Interesting… Does it involve Eli?" Jessie queried bringing her lips closer to Katie's.

"Definitely not involved." Katie grinned before leaning down to press her lips against Jessie's.

----

Marissa entered the club nervously. Jodie saw her and was completely shocked at the resemblance. This they can really pull off.

Jodie told her to go straight to the office. The main advice. Just play along and she'll get the chance to talk to the blonde. Maybe to gather points on how to win her trust or friendship. Or as Jodie put in words. Whatever it is Marissa needed to just feel better.

Marissa entered Alex's office slowly, careful not to startle the blonde who was at work. She shyly put her hands in her pockets. A gesture, Katie normally does.

"Hey Katie. Jodie told me you want to help me out. Take a seat." Alex gestured as she compiled a few more papers in her desk.

"Alex…" Marissa said softly, fighting the urge to hold the girl.

"Something wrong with you and Jessie?" Alex walked and stood beside Marissa.

The blonde put her hand on Marissa shoulder, making the brunette turn.

"No… Nothing is wrong." Marissa slowly stood up to face Alex.

"Did you have a fight or something?" Alex asked looking at the girl's eyes worriedly.

"No…" Marissa replied, tears brimming in her eyes.

Alex thought for a second. It wasn't like Katie to be all gloomy. The last time she saw the girl, she was happy holding Jessie's hand along shore. She must be really hurting. Alex thought rubbing the girl's back reassuringly.

Marissa turned to Alex longingly. How could she hurt someone as sweet at Alex? How could she not know what she had before she lost it?

"Look… How about we go to the beach to get some fresh air? It's still early before show time. Cheer up ok? She loves you very much…" Alex smiled at the girl who seemed to cry more.

Alex… You're such a bonehead… She thought to herself.

She didn't really know how to make the girl in front of her to stop crying. Then she just shook her head, turning towards the door, taking "Katie's" hand.

"Come on kiddo… Let's get some fresh air." Alex smiled at her dragging her out of the office, and out of the club.

----

"So… When did you know you like me?" Jessie asked as she lay on Katie's lap.

"The first time I laid eyes on you." Katie replied leaning down to kiss Jessie's lips.

"I love you…"

"I love you too…" Katie replied kissing Jessie again, this time positioning herself beside Jessie.

Their kisses started sweet but as their hands roamed each other's bodies, it began to be more ardent. Pulling away breathlessly, Katie stared deep into Jessie's eyes they were both all smiles.

"I want to share everything with you…" Jessie said softly her lips inches away from Katie's.

"I want that too…" Katie replied kissing the blonde again.

Katie's fingers found the soft skin of Jessie's stomach under her shirt. Katie pulled away slowly, surprising Jessie.

"Something wrong?"

"As much as my heart wants my lips to ravish you, I think now is not the time."

"Why?" Jessie asked sitting up in bed her head turned to gaze at Katie.

"I had it all planned…" Katie replied shyly, her face reddening.

"Really?"

"Yeah really…"

"I'm looking forward to our date then…" Jessie said seductively, sending shivers to Katie's spine.

Jessie brought her lips to Katie's and kissed her passionately. She pulled back, sporting a grin on her face before she rolled out of bed and went out of their room.

"It's going to be one hell of a date!" Katie grinned at herself, standing up to follow Jessie.

----

"Feeling better?" Alex asked as she rubbed the back of the girl sitting beside her.

Marissa just nodded.

"You know… The girl I was telling you about? The girl, who used me… She looks just like you." Alex smiled trying to avoid Jessie as a subject.

She thought it would hurt "Katie." But then again, she didn't know she was actually talking to Marissa.

"What happened?" Marissa asked, knowing pretty well the blonde was talking about her.

"Let's just say, I fell in love at the wrong place… And with the wrong person..." Alex smiled then turned her gaze to the ocean.

"You loved her?" Marissa asked feeling a million needles piercing her heart.

"I still love her. I think…"

"Does she know?" Marissa was growing breathless, trying to contain herself from kissing the blonde.

"No. And she'll never know." Alex replied sighing deeply.

Instead of a smile, Marissa found herself in tears again.

"Hey… You two will be alright… Trust me…" Alex tried to soothe her companion with a kiss on the forehead.

"What if she said she loves you?"

"She wouldn't."

"What if she did?"

"I won't believe it." Alex replied sighing again.

"Why not?" Marissa wanted to cry again but she tried hard not to.

Alex shot "Katie" a confused look. Why would this girl care if Marissa loved her or not? Alex shrugged that thought. Maybe the poor girl was so messed up inside, she's trying to avoid talking about herself.

"It's complicated." Alex replied taking the other girl's hand.

"Give her a chance." Marissa blurted out, in obvious desperation.

Alex just looked at her sadly.

"If you want me to give Jessie a chance… Give her a chance… You love her like I love Jessie right?" Marissa rambled, trying to contain herself from declaring her love for the blonde.

"Ok… If that would make you feel better..." Alex wasn't really up to it.

"Promise me you'll give her a chance."

"I promise…"

Marissa then pulled Alex into a tight hug. She didn't let go of the blonde.

Alex breathed in deeply, unsure why she had to promise the girl. She laughed at herself knowing "Katie" didn't have to ask her to promise. She knew deep inside her, she wanted to talk to Marissa. Maybe becoming friends is a good option. Suddenly, there it was: That familiar scent. But she smelled it on "Katie's" hair. You miss her too much Kelly. Alex said to herself.