VI: Making Up
4 DAYS BEFORE VALENTINES
Alex watched Marissa snuggle to her while asleep. The brunette had her arms draped around Alex's waist, seemingly afraid to let go. Alex has decided to stay and wait for Summer and Seth to arrive. She wanted to make sure Marissa was going to be alright. She didn't know what Marissa was doing in the kitchen floor the night before, but she wanted to make sure. She can't take any chances. Alex ran her fingers through Marissa's hair, making the brunette stir but still stay asleep. It seemed it was the first time in many nights that her ex-girlfriend was sound asleep. Her eyes gave it away. And it somehow made Alex's heart ache.
2 AM.
Alex stared at the clock beside the bed. She thought Summer and Seth probably had a good time at the club not to be back early. Maybe they thought Marissa was going to be fine. She sighed, not knowing what went through Marissa's head. But then, Alex just gave the brunette a kiss on the forehead.
Marissa was safe in her arms. And it's all the matters to her.
Suddenly, she heard the door open.
"It must be Seth and Summer…" She whispered to herself.
Knowing Marissa would wake up if she realized she had lost something to hold on to, Alex took a pillow and gently dragged Marissa's hands to hug it. She gave the brunette a gentle kiss on the head. Standing up, she straightened her clothes. Looking down at Marissa again, she smiled. She saw the heart necklace. And three words kept repeating on her head as she watched Marissa's sleeping form.
I love you.
She shook her head, slowly making her way towards the door. Seth and Summer were stunned when she appeared.
"She's asleep. Try to keep an eye on her." Alex spoke, smiling at her friends.
"Uh… Yeah… Sure…" Seth nodded, too surprised to make coherent sentences at the moment.
"Did you eat Alex?" Summer asked smiling at her best friend's ex.
"Yeah. Marissa did but not that much. Try to give her soup in the morning. Tell her I'll see her tomorrow." Alex gave Summer a hug and was on her way.
"Did I hear that right?" Seth asked, looking at his girlfriend in disbelief.
"I believe you did." Summer smiled walking towards the room to find Marissa sleeping peacefully for the first time.
----
Jessie held on to Katie's arms as the brunette hugged her tightly. Jessie could feel Katie's heartbeat behind her back. She was sleeping soundly holding on to the blonde. Jessie thought about the days when they were back in Upton Sinclair. Their relationship still kept secret, even to those they care about: Their families. Jessie sighed; knowing by the time they get back things will be different. So different it was a scary step. Just then she felt Katie's hold on her tighten: Not too tight, not too loose. Jessie smiled. Katie did know how to make her feel safe.
She turned around slowly, careful not to wake her girlfriend up. She smiled as she started to trace Katie's cheeks with her fingers. Katie muffled something, but didn't open her eyes. And it was like she knew Jessie was facing her, Katie buried her head on the nook of Jessie's neck. Jessie watched her movements and ran her fingers through Katie's hair.
"I love you…" She whispered.
Jessie wrapped her arms around Katie's head, pulling the girl closer to her chest. She closed her eyes, smiling as she started to drift off to sleep.
Things would be different when they get home. But something would remain the same: Their love.
----
Marissa started to stir when she felt the sun's rays warming her cheek. She reached towards the other side of the bed, her eyes still closed. She felt it cold, making her eyes open in fear.
"Alex?" She sat up, her voice evidently sad.
She wasn't sure if last night was a pigment of her mind. She was starting to think her longing for the blonde was consuming her reality. Taking into consideration that she was starting to go crazy. Marissa brought her hands to her face and started to cry. It's all a dream. She never came to see me.
"Hey Coop. You're awake." Summer greeted quite happily as she plopped on the bed to give her best friend a hug.
"I can't do this anymore Sum… I dreamt about her Sum. She was here, holding me… But it was all a dream!" Marissa cried, sobbing on her friend's shoulder.
"Hush Coop. She was here. She stayed with you till we got back. She was here Coop. She was with you…"
"She was?"
"Yes she is. And she wants you to know, she'll talk see you later. She even told me to feed your skinny ass." Summer smiled rubbing Marissa's back.
----
"Hi Alex!" Jessie and Katie greeted.
By the time Jessie woke up, she hurriedly dragged Katie to watch the sunrise on the beach. It was also Alex's past time. It was no surprise for them to meet on the beach again.
Alex waved back and started to run towards the two younger girls. They sat on the sand and watch the waves crash onto each other, the breeze seemingly blowing away anything that making their hearts heavy.
"We didn't see you last night? Got a date?" Katie asked earning her an elbow on her sides.
"What?" She asked Jessie hurtfully.
Jessie just rolled her eyes. Sometimes Katie can be a motor-mouth with the questions.
"It's ok Jess. I went to see a friend." Alex replied smiling at the two of them.
"Would it be too much to ask who?" Katie asked receiving another glare from Jessie.
"Just making conversations…" Katie shrugged shooting a cheesy grin at Jessie.
Jessie rolled her eyes. Katie could either be a talk show host or a tabloid reporter the way she was interrogating Alex.
"The one who looks just like you." Alex replied pointing at Katie as she shook her head with a smile.
"How did it go?" Katie asked again.
Jessie just rolled her eyes. Nothing is going to stop Katie anyway.
"I think I just got there just in time…" Alex replied looking towards the ocean.
Her smile vanished thinking of the state she found Marissa in.
"That means you were meant to find her. Or something…" Katie rambled but Jessie just kept quiet.
"Take her out. Maybe she'll feel better." Jessie suddenly spoke, making Alex turn to her.
"Yeah take her out. Take her to something nice… Like the carnival…" Katie suggested earning another odd look from Jessie.
"What? It's fun. You enjoy it…" Katie shrugged making Jessie roll her eyes.
"She likes the beach. As much as I do." Alex replied smiling at the two girls beside her.
----
Marissa watched herself on the mirror. Summer had asked her to go with them to the club. It was the least she could to do to see Alex. Marissa needed to get out of the house too. She wasn't going to argue with Summer for this one.
On their ride towards the club, Marissa just stared at her hands which were resting on her lap. Everything was true. Fact. She did remember she told Alex she loves her. Fact. She also knows Alex never said it back. Fact. She sighed looking out the window. She wanted it to be a sign for them to reconcile. But will they ever be lovers again. Marissa didn't want to be JUST friends now. She wanted to be MORE. She knew she wasn't playing with feelings now. It IS what she was feeling now: Hopelessly in love with Alex Kelly.
They reached the club, shoving Marissa's thoughts to the side. She slowly went out of the vehicle, her heart starting to pound relentlessly on her chest. She walked towards the door, Summer holding her other hand, and Seth walking behind them. She took a deep breath as the door opened to show the club was almost fully packed. They found Eli, singing on stage. Jessie and Katie were sitting beside the bar while Jodie, and yes Alex, worked behind it.
"This is your chance Coop. Now go on and talk to her."
Marissa took baby steps towards the bar. Unsure whether or not she was ready to have a chat with the blonde. She didn't really know what to say. Her heart was telling her to get on with it by the way.
Alex saw Marissa walking towards the bar shyly. She smiled and wiped her hands clean.
"Cover for me Jodie." Alex said moving pass a very confused Jodie.
Just then Jessie and Katie saw Alex walking towards Marissa. They smiled and hoped the two would get their act together. They were in love. But the hurt in their hearts was keeping them apart.
"Hi…" Alex greeted taking Marissa's hand to pull her into a hug.
Marissa eased in the blonde's arms, closing her eyes to savor the warmth.
"Hi Alex." Seth and Summer greeted and then passed them to go over the bar.
"Feeling better?" Alex asked pulling Marissa with her as they walked towards the bar.
"Yeah. So much…" Marissa replied a smile plastered on her face.
Jessie shot her brother on stage a look. Then Eli just nodded. He talked to the band before playing the next song.
"Hi everybody. Having a great time?" Eli asked as he took the microphone.
The crowd yelled "yeah" and cheered happily.
"Great. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alex Kelly for such a great club. Thanks Alex." Eli pointed his hand to where Alex was and the spotlight was brought to her.
The blonde waved at the cheering crowd with her hand holding Marissa's.
The spotlight was brought back to Eli on stage again as he continued his speech.
"Now, usually I only strum the guitar. But I did ask Mr. Mike here an hour before if I could do a number for my friends and my sister over there at the bar. He said yes. So… to all you beautiful girls there in the bar. This song is definitely for you." Eli smiled and then started to sing.
Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see
The smile upon your face
And these are the moments
I thank God that I'm alive
And these are the moments
I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
"Hey Jess… Want to dance?" Katie asked holding out her hand for Jessie to take.
This was going to be a big step. Since most of the couples on the dance floor at the moment were all seemingly straight.
Jessie looked straight into Katie's eyes, the green orbs literally spelled out uncertainty. Katie was taking a chance by asking her, but Jessie loved Katie. It was enough to take the other girl's hand with a smile.
"I would love to." Jessie smiled walking towards the dance floor with Katie.
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are
Is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
And these are the moments
I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Alex took a deep breath, unsure if it was a good time to ask Marissa to dance with her. Jodie leaned from behind the bar to whisper in her ear.
"People lose because they don't take risks. So go for it. You don't want to regret not doing anything in the end."
Alex nodded and turned to face Marissa who was smiling at the people on the dance floor. The brunette was happy, not just because her friends were around. She was also happy because Alex was beside her. It was more than enough.
"Dance with me…" Alex whispered to Marissa's ear pulling her close.
Marissa nodded and replied making their way to the dance floor.
I could not ask for more
Than this love together
I could not ask for more
Than this love with you
And Every prayer has been answered
And Every dream I had come true
Yeah, you're right here in this moment
Is right here where I'm meant to be
Oh, Here with you
Here with me
And these are the moments
I thank God that I'm alive
And these are the moments
I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
"Why me Jess?" Katie whispered leaning in to rest her forehead against Jessie's.
"Why you?" Jessie asked pulling Katie closer.
"Why not Tad? Why not some guy in school?"
"Because I don't need to be kissed or held by you just to know I'm so in love with you… My heart calls out to you Katie… Just you…" Jessie replied leaning up to graze her lips over Katie's.
"I would have waited forever for you Jessica Sammler."
"You wouldn't have to Katie Singer." Jessie smiled leaning in to kiss Katie's lips.
I could not ask for more
Than this love together
I could not ask for more
Than this love with you
And Every prayer has been answered
And Every dream I had come true
Yeah, you're right here in this moment
Is right here where I'm meant to be
Oh, Here with you
Here with me
Marissa tentatively watched her body's proximity to Alex. It was as though she wanted to get closer but she was too scared to do so. Alex noticed this and just smiled at her, willingly pulling her closer.
Marissa's breathing got tensed, she was starting to stiffly dance on the dance floor.
"Ease up Cooper. I'm not going to bite." Alex leaned and whispered on her right ear.
Their cheeks made contact, making Marissa's body shoot up adrenaline.
"Alex…"
"Hm?" Alex replied pulling away from the brunette, looking straight into her eyes.
"I love you…" Marissa whispered, burying her head on Alex's shoulder.
She was scared about what the blonde would reply.
Alex was just silent. And since Marissa had her face on her shoulder, the brunette didn't see Alex smile. The blonde closed her eyes and pulled Marissa closer to her. In her mind, she knew what she wanted to reply. But she also knew it wasn't the right time. I love you too.
Could not ask for more
Than the love you give me
Cause it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
And I could not ask for more
Eli stretched his right hand out. His heart was rather elated given the chance to sing a song on stage. Hopefully he had impressed Alex enough to earn a regular job by the end of the month. Eli smiled as he found his sister and his friends on the dance floor clapping at him. He silently wished happiness for all of them: Such beautiful and kind hearts that all deserved to be happy.