AN: This probably sucks, but I wrote it in a hurry so it was the best I could do at the moment.

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"Good morning sunshine," Summer greeted loudly at Marissa as she quickly walked into her best friend's room.

"I'm not going," Marissa grunted sleepily.

"Oh yes, you are."

"I'm sick."

"Heartache is not an illness, it's purely psychological, so chop chop." Summer said happily.

"Why are you so happy?" Marissa asked as she slowly opened her eyes to see her friend standing beside her bed.

"Because you are going with me to school that's why."

"Right. Sorry to ruin your happy mood, but I'm not going." Marissa turned over so she had her back against Summer.

"Marissa Cooper, if you don't get out of that bed right now, I'll have to do something drastic."

"Like what?" Marissa challenged.

"Like, going rage blackout or find some cold water to pour on you. Get up."

"Fine, you win. I just don't see the point."

"Try to lighten up, I promise it will be a good day."

"Okay, what are you hiding? Do you know something I don't?" Marissa said with raised eye brows.

"No, you know you're my bestest friend Coop and I love you."

"Aha." Marissa said, knowing something was up, but also knowing she probably wouldn't get the girl to talk.

"Well…"

"Well what?"

"Shouldn't you say something to me?"

"Oh, I love you too Sum."

"Good. Now get ready, we're leaving in fifteen."

Marissa sighed as Summer left her room.

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Alex drove by the welcome sign that told her she was back in Newport, and she felt nervous. What had she been thinking? Marissa probably didn't want to see her. What if she showed up and made a total ass of herself?

She contemplated turning around to go back home, but remembered the conversation she had with Summer last night. Summer had even offered her to stay at her place instead of a motel, but she hadn't decided yet. If Marissa wanted nothing to do with her, she certainly didn't want to stay at her best friend's house. She was driving towards Harbour High. Summer had told her she would force Marissa to go so all Alex had to do was show up. Right, easy for Summer to say when she wasn't head over heels in love with a girl that broke up with you for an ass.

And why did Marissa let her go if she cared so much about her? God, all the questions were killing her. She was relieved when she saw the school coming up, but also felt like her nerves were going to explode any second. Maybe she should just turn around now, before it was too late? Shit, pull yourself together Alex.

She parked her car and sat still. It should be lunch any second now and Summer would make sure Marissa went outside to eat their lunch. She slowly got out of the car and was about to start walking when she saw her. Immediately Alex froze and had to lean at her car door for support. She was still as beautiful as ever, nothing had changed, she looked exactly the same. She couldn't pull her eyes away from the mesmerizing brunette who was oblivious to her presence.

Summer however had noticed her almost immediately and stopped, making Marissa, Seth and Ryan stop too.

"What's wrong?" Marissa said, concerned.

"Hey guys, look over there," Summer said pointing at the opposite direction of Alex and everyone turned. Summer quickly turned Marissa's head towards the car where Alex stood.

As soon as Marissa saw her, she froze. She couldn't believe she was here, at her school, looking directly at her.

Seth and Ryan turned confused to Summer who tried to drag them away, but both boys noticed Marissa wasn't moving and was staring at something so they broke away to take a look.

Both boys stood there in shock. Seth was confused and so was Ryan, but he soon felt he's anger rise at the blonde woman standing there, staring at Marissa.

Marissa was the first one to react and slowly started moving towards Alex.

This shook Ryan out of his daze as he grabbed her arm to get her attention.

"Shouldn't we be eating lunch?" He said with forced kindness.

"I just have to talk to her," Marissa answered as she shook Ryan's arm of her and started walking faster.

Ryan was about to move after her, but was stopped by Summer stepping in front of him.

"They need some time alone. Let's go." She said firmly.

Ryan shot one last glare at Alex before reluctantly turning away. He tried to act cool, but on the inside he was furious. How dare she show up here? And now when things were starting to go better with Marissa?

Marissa never stopped walking as she got closer to the blonde. Instead she practically threw herself into her arms, hugging her tightly afraid she might disappear.

Alex hugged back equally as tight, closing her eyes at the familiar contact she had missed for so long.

Marissa was the first one to pull away.

"You're really here," she said in disbelief.

"I am."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing, if you were okay. You know you mean a lot to me Marissa."

"You have no idea how much I've missed you," the brunette said with tears in her eyes.

"You have?" Alex asked with happiness in her voice.

"It's just not the same without you. I wish you never left."

"I'm here now."

"So you're staying?"

"Well, it's not really decided yet. It depends on if you want me here or not. I don't want to complicate things for you."

"I would love it if you stayed here."

Both looked into each others eyes, momentarily lost in them.

"So…you wanna get out of here, get something to eat and talk. You look like you could need it. You look skinnier than last time I saw you," Alex said half joking. It was true though, she thought. Marissa didn't look like she had eaten much for a while.

"I've always been skinny, Alex." Marissa said seriously.

"No, you were always perfect. Don't believe anything else."

Marissa giggled. "You always knew how to make me feel good and appreciated."

"It's a gift. Get in the car and we'll drive somewhere."

Marissa smiled brightly at her before walking to the passenger seat.

From afar, three pair of eyes had witnessed the scene. Seth totally bewildered and clueless as to what was going on, Summer with a smile because she saw how happy Marissa was and she had smiled a real smile for the first time in ages, and Ryan with pure hatred for the blonde girl who was once again entering his turf.

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