"I'm sorry," Alex said, still hugging Marissa.

"I'm sorry too."

They pulled away from each other.

"Still want me to stay?" the blonde asked nervously.

"More than ever."

"Really?"

"Of course Alex, I really like you."

"But you don't love me?" Alex said trying to not sound disappointed.

"I do, I just can't say it right now."

"Why not? She asked confused.

"It's complicated."

Alex raised her eye brow, but decided to let it go for now.

"So what happens now?" she asked instead.

"I don't know. I guess we're just gonna have to wait and see." Alex nodded in agreement.

"I think you should talk to Summer. She thought she was doing the right thing you know."

"I know, and she was right…So you're staying with Summer?"

"Only for a couple of days until my dad can find me my own place."

"Seems like a cool dad to have."

"Yeah, he's gotten over the whole "into girls" thing and want what's best for me. He's a nice guy. Don't get me started on my mother though. She kinda reminds me of your mother." Both Alex and Marissa shuddered at the thought.

"So you should talk to Summer and I should get ready for the night. You coming inside?"

"Yeah." Marissa linked her arm with Alex as they walked back.

----------

Marissa knocked on Summer's door before walking inside. Summer was lying on her bed with Princess Sparkle.

"I'm so sorry Marissa, please don't hate me I-" she was cut of by Marissa hugging her.

"Okay, not the reaction I had expected after our last encounter, but I'll take it."

"Thank you."

"Aww, Coop. You know I would do anything for you."

She pulled away to a smiling Marissa.

"So…details," the tiny brunette said excitedly.

"She said she loves me."

"She did? Wow, that's huge."

"I know and I wanted to tell her that I love her too."

"But…"

"I just need to talk to her about everything that has happened with me since she left. If she still wants me after that…"

"If she loves you like she says she does, it won't matter. Just tell her everything, I'm sure she'll understand."

"I know. A relationship has to be built on trust and that means no more lying. I don't want to mess up again."

"Good thinking. Let's get ready for the night shall we?"

"Oh, by the way, Alex is coming with us to The Bait Shop."

"Great. Ryan's gonna be mad though," Summer said and then started whispering. "I don't think Ryan likes Alex."

"Don't worry Sum, Alex can't stand Ryan either, but I want to spend time with her so they're both gonna have to deal with it."

"I'll give Alex credit for bringing out the spirit in you." They both laughed.

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The Bait Shop

Summer, Alex and Marissa walked into the club fifteen minutes too late, fashionably late, and looked over the crowd to see if they could find Seth and Ryan.

They saw them at their usual spot and headed in their direction.

Ryan had been waiting for Marissa to arrive and saw the women as soon as they walked in. His face fell when he saw who was following though.

"What the hell is she doing here?" He said angry.

"Who?" Seth said eagerly.

"Alex."

"Oh."

"Hey guys," Marissa said as Summer moved to sit next to Seth and Ryan. Marissa sat down on the other side followed by Alex.

"Ryan," Alex said sternly.

"Alex," he spat back.

Everyone looked at the two who was in a staring contest.

Seth cleared his throat. "Okay, who wants anything to drink?"

"Great, Alex and I will follow you," Summer said, quickly getting up.

"We will?" Alex asked, finally looking away from Ryan.

"Yes, move it." She pulled the blonde with her.

Marissa turned to Ryan awkwardly.

Ryan took a deep breath to calm himself.

"So why is Alex back in town?"

"She wanted to see how I was doing," Marissa said warily.

"Really," Ryan said unconvinced. "Hey look, I want to apologize if I've been acting strange, but I was wondering if we could have some alone time? To talk about what's going on?"

"I don't know Ryan. I need some time alone right now."

"But only away from me right, not Alex?" He felt his anger starting to rise again.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, that the moment you see her you just run into her arms and forget all about us."

"Ryan there is no us, not anymore."

"So we have this thing going on and the second Alex shows up you decide to pretend there's nothing between us?"

"In case you haven't noticed Ryan, I've been avoiding you for a longer time than since Alex showed up."

"Why won't you talk to me? Can't you see Alex is only causing troubles and confusion?"

Marissa was getting sick of everyone complaining about Alex, telling her that she made her life miserable when she was the only one that made sense.

"She makes me happy Ryan and I love her." She spat before she had time to think about what she was saying.

"You know what? I'm tired of your games. You are just plain pathetic and I'm not gonna let you drag me down anymore."

Alex had of course stood nearby and heard all of the conversation and had had enough.

"Why don't you just leave her alone?" Alex said angrily stepping closer to Ryan who shot up and stared at her equally as angry.

"Why don't you just mind your own business and stay the fuck away?"

"Marissa is my business so why don't you just walk out of here, jerk."

"What did you say?" He screamed at her.

"I called you a jerk. What are you gonna do about it? Hit me? Are going to start hitting girls now? Marissa is not the pathetic one, you are."

Seth came running and pushed Ryan away from Alex.

"Calm down man. She's not worth it."

"I'm out of here," he said hatefully, making a quick exit.

"Asshole," Alex muttered before turning to Marissa. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. You didn't have to do that."

"Oh come on. He was saying bad things to you."

"Can I talk to you in private?" Marissa said seriously.

"Okay, we can go to the beach if you want?"

"Good, let's go."

She dragged Alex out of the club and down to the beach.

"I'm I in some kind of trouble?" Alex asked nervously.

"No, I just need to talk to you about something."

"Okay good because I was worried that you were gonna yell at me for getting in Ryan's face or something." She noticed the glare Marissa sent her. "But it was only because I was defending your honour," she whined.

The brunette's expression softened. "I appreciate it. Let's sit down."

"Sure."

Alex sat down close to Marissa.

"What's up?"

"I need to tell you what happened when you were gone. With me I mean."

"Okay."

"When you left I convinced myself everything was fine and I got back with Ryan. I also went back to my old drinking habits and one night I was kinda drunk and I went to Ryan and we were…intimate."

Alex cringed. "You mean you had sex?"

"Yes, I mean no…It depends."

"Okay, I'm confused."

"Well it's just that sex with a girl is different than sex with a guy and I had sex with him in a girl way if you know what I mean?" Marissa breathed out uncomfortably.

"I get it."

"We never got further because I passed out, but I'm glad we didn't. We kinda went downhill after that because I regretted it and it made me realize how much I wanted him to be you."

"Okay, so there's Ryan and drinking…What else?" Alex asked softly, trying not to sound harsh and show her disappointment.

"Well, there's Trey."

"Who's Trey?"

"Ryan's brother."

"What about him?"

Alex was almost afraid to ask and even more scared of the answer.

"He got out of prison right after you left and one night we were at the beach, him and me, and we were, at least he was, kinda drunk."

Alex felt her heart sink and tried to prepare herself for what was to come. It was bad enough that she had done things with Ryan, but his brother too?

"He tried to…He tried to force himself upon me."

"What, like he tried to rape you?"

"Yeah."

"But he didn't right? I mean did he-"

"No, I got away…I haven't told anyone, you're the first."

Alex felt her heart breaking and her chest tighten.

"God Riss, I'm so sorry. I wish I could have been here and protected you."

She quickly moved so Marissa was sitting between her legs and wrapped her arms tightly around the other girl.

"You can't tell anyone," Marissa whispered at the verge of tears.

"I won't I promise. I just wish I could have been here for you. I really, really want to break his neck right now."

"He's gone and you're here so everything is fine…Do you still love me?" Marissa asked, her voice shaky.

"Of course I do. I'll love you forever and ever, no matter what."

There was a short silence between the two of them.

"You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now." Marissa whispered.

"Me too."

Slowly Marissa turned around so she was facing Alex. She looked deep into her eyes for a while before she slowly leaned closer. She stopped right before she was about to connect their lips.

"I love you," She said softly before finally letting her lips move over the blonde's.

Both women let out a content sigh when their lips touched for the first time in too long after their opinion. It was slow and gentle, just lips pressing lovingly against each other. After minutes of this they slowly pulled away and locked eyes.

"It's late, we should probably get you home." Alex said in barely a whisper, never breaking eye contact with the brunette.

"You're right. Will you stay with me? I could really need someone to hold me."

"Of course. It would be my pleasure." Alex said sweetly.

"I missed you," Marissa said softly.

"I missed you too."

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