A diner

"So what's happened in your life since you moved back to LA? Marissa asked curious as she ate some fries.

"Not much. I refused to move back in with my parents so they got me an apartment and I went back to school for, I think five days before I decided I couldn't take it and I got a job instead. I was pretty much working all the time, didn't want to face the world I guess. My mom kept bugging me all the time." She purposefully left out the part about her endless grieving over Marissa. "What about you? Back with Ryan huh?" she said, trying to sound happy.

"Not anymore. I just couldn't take it."

"So you two got together and now you're broken up?"

"Well, it's not official, but it doesn't feel right with him. It actually never did when we got back together. He just can't take the signs that I want to be left alone I guess."

"Sounds like a jerk to me." Alex replied a little happier than intended.

"Yeah, but you've always said that right?"

"Guess Ryan and I never really got along."

"Maybe it's because you're both alike?"

"I am nothing like Ryan," Alex said offended.

"I mean, you both have kind of a temper." Marissa said, realizing she had offended Alex with her comment.

"I guess," Alex said as she calmed down. "But I've never been the jealous type before you. I just really liked you, you know?" she said softly, looking into the brunettes eyes.

Marissa felt her heart leap at Alex' confession, but at the same time she got sad because she noticed the past tense. Maybe she's over me? Marissa thought sadly.

"Hey are you okay?" Alex asked worried when she saw the sadness in Marissa's eyes.

"Yeah, I was just thinking. I should probably get back to school since I've been gone for so long, but do you have a place to stay? Maybe we could hang out later?"

"Yeah, I've got a place and I'd love to meet you later."

"Good. The gang is meeting at The Bait Shop tonight. You should come. Eight."

"Sure. I'll drive you back." Alex answered.

On the drive back Marissa filled the blonde in on what had happened in Newport since she was gone.

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As soon as Alex had made sure Marissa was back at school, she called her dad.

"Who is it?" he asked suspiciously.

"It's Alex dad, and you need to answer your phone properly."

"Sweetheart, are you okay?" The man's voice immediately changed to happy.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Look dad…I need to stay here."

"Okay, for how long?"

"I don't know. I think I'll move back here."

"Are you sure about this Alex?" Her father said worried. "I thought you said Newport wasn't where you belonged?"

"It's not. It's just…Marissa is." She sighed loudly into the phone.

"I see. Well, I'll check if I can find a place for you to stay, but you must promise that you won't tell your mother all of this. You need to find another excuse to why you are staying."

"I promise dad. Thanks, I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. I just want my girl to be happy. I'll call you later."

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Marissa was just in time for fourth period, which she had with Summer. Summer had of course held a seat for her in the back in case she decided to show up.

"Someone, look happy," the tiny brunette said excited as Marissa sat down with a smile. "I take it your conversation with Alex went well?"

"Yeah. We're still on for tonight right? The Bait Shop at Eight?"

"Of course."

Marissa decided not to tell her that Alex would be joining the group too. It could be a surprise."

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In another classroom

"So why do you think Alex is back?" Ryan said casually.

"I don't know. Maybe she's after Marissa," Seth joked, laughing to himself, but soon realized Ryan didn't think it was funny at all.

"Come on man. Maybe she just wants to make sure Marissa's fine so they can both move on?" Seth thought about it and the more he thought, the more worrying it looked.

"Or maybe she wants Marissa back," he said in a whisper.

Ryan's jaw clenched tightly, his hate towards the blonde appearing again. He knew he had to talk to Marissa and was happy the gang was gonna hang out tonight.

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06.15 PM

Marissa took her car the short way to Summer's house and rang the bell excitedly. For the first time since Alex left she was anxious to go out and she wanted to come to Summer early so they could talk.

"You're unbelievable. No wonder you live by yourself," she heard Summer yell at someone before the tiny brunette opened the door. Summer's expression was shocked when she saw who was standing in her doorway.

"Coop, you're here? Not drunk…and on your own. I thought I would have to drag you from home or something." Summer said acting like she didn't know why Marissa was so excited.

"Who were you yelling to?" Marissa said confused. "Do you have a guest?"

"Um, yeah, I do."

"Hey Summer, where are the towels?" Alex yelled from upstairs and Summer froze, knowing she was totally busted.

"Is that Alex?" Marissa questioned, even more confused.

"Yeah, well, you see…" Summer didn't know how to explain everything to Marissa.

"Wait a second. If she's staying here then that means…" Marissa felt her anger grow, not to mention her embarrassment because this meant Alex knew what state she was in.

"How could you Sum."

"I was trying to help you Coop. You needed help and I'm you're best friend so I did what I thought was right."

"And went behind my back?" Marissa said in disbelief.

"Hey Summer, what's going on, I asked you-"Alex stopped when she saw an angry looking Marissa.

"I can't believe this," Marissa said as she turned around and started to walk away. Immediately Alex ran after her.

"Whoa, wait up." She reached for Marissa's arm and turned her around. She saw that Marissa was at the verge of tears. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Marissa answered back loudly. "Why are you here Alex? Because Summer called you and said I was depressed and drunk, is that it?"

"No, because-"

"What, because you're pitying me? Because you feel sorry for me?" Marissa was screaming at her.

"Because I love you dammit," Alex screamed back. Marissa's jaw slightly fell in shock.

"W-what," she managed to get out.

"Because I love you." Alex voice was soft now. "That's why I moved, to let you be with Ryan, I wanted you to be happy…because I love you." Alex couldn't believe how relieved she felt when she finally said it to Marissa. It felt good, but at the same time she knew Marissa could make her regret ever letting it out with simply two words.

Marissa didn't know what to say. She was so happy Alex had said it, but at the same time scared. All she could do was take the vulnerable blonde into her arms and hug her like there was no tomorrow.

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AN: The two words: "I don't."