AN: Not sure what I thought of this chapter, but…here it is anyway. So enjoy!
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Marissa awoke to someone pressed tightly against her back with their arm around her waist. For a second she panicked thinking she had been drunk and that it was Ryan or some stranger, but then she remembered all about Alex and relaxed, letting a happy sigh move past her lips.
This made Alex stir and she subconsciously nuzzled into Marissa's neck before placing a soft kiss there. "Morning," she whispered, refusing to pull away or open her eyes.
"Hey stranger." Marissa whispered back, smiling.
"What, I'm a stranger now? That's fine. I guess I'll have to leave then." Alex shot back, pretending to start moving away from the brunette, but Marissa quickly turned around and pulled her back, giving Alex a soft peck on the lips.
"I'll try again. I promise I can do better."
"Mhmm."
"Morning." She gave the blonde another peck.
"And what a beautiful morning it is. The sun is shining, it's not school and I'm lying in bed with the most sexy and amazing girl I've ever met."
Marissa giggled. "You're such a sweet talker."
"Only for you. Besides, you like it."
"I do."
"As much as I would love to stay here, I'm hungry. I was thinking of having breakfast for once. Got anything to feed me?"
"Sure. We can just go down to the kitchen and see what I've got."
"Sounds good," Alex answered, tightening her grip around the brunette again.
"In order to get food we would actually have to get up." Marissa giggled.
"In a minute."
"Marissa I'm going to-" Julie stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Alex and Marissa lying very close on the bed, snuggling.
"Mom, knocking."
Julie ignored her daughter and turned her attention to Alex.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've moved back. At least very soon. My life just wasn't the same without you and our lovely conversations."
"What conversations?" Marissa asked confused.
Julie just brushed it off. "I'm going to work. It's an emergency."
"Okay mom. Alex and I will grab something to eat and go out. Or just stay here, we haven't decided yet."
"Aha, I'll be home as soon as I can."
"Oh don't stress. It makes your wrinkles grow faster. Take all the time you need."
Julie huffed and turned to walk away.
"It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Cooper-Nichol." Alex yelled after her.
They both started laughing, but was stopped by Alex' phone ringing.
"This is Alex."
"Hi honey."
"Mom?" Alex held the phone away and covered the speaker. "Fuck."
"What?" Marissa said worried.
"Dad told me I had to make up a reason that wasn't you as to why I'm staying here. What am I supposed to say?"
"Tell her you got a better job offer or something."
She put the phone back to her ear. "Mom?" Yeah, sorry about that. No I do want to talk to you. I'm moving back here. I know, but I got a better job offer. Yeah okay. Fine, I promise I'll go to school. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
She shut her phone and Marissa started laughing.
"What?"
"When did you ever listen to anyone? And school?"
"I know, I know. The things I do for you."
"Aww, you're so sweet. Mama's little baby."
"If you don't stop, I'll-"
"You'll do what? You wouldn't hurt me would you?" Marissa asked with puppy eyes and a pout.
"Fine, you win. Make fun of me as much as you want, just feed me something."
"Fine. You're such a whiner." She got up.
"Am not.
"Am too."
"Well, at least I'm not a brat like you."
Marissa froze. Alex was right, she was a brat, and she had always been. She never took responsibilities for her actions and she always felt sorry for herself.
Alex saw the expression Marissa got and jumped of the bed.
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"No, it's fine," Marissa said as she turned to the blonde and smiled. "It's true though."
"But you're my brat. And a very nice and sexy brat too might I add. You're perfect Riss, or at least as close as anyone can get, don't ever doubt that."
"You mean it?"
"Of course. I wouldn't say it if I didn't."
"Thanks. I really needed to hear that. Everything is just one big mess right now."
"Don't worry. You'll find a way through it."
"Hopefully. Let's go eat."
She dragged Alex with her down to the kitchen.
They met Caleb on his way out.
"Good morning Marissa."
"Morning Caleb." He noticed the blonde standing behind Marissa.
"Alex right? It's been awhile."
"Yeah, nice to see you again Mr. Nichol."
"Likewise. I'm heading for work so you girls have fun."
"Okay, bye," they both said.
"So what are we doing today?"
"I don't know. We could hang out on the beach and relax?" Alex suggested.
"Sounds good. Maybe I should call Summer and ask her if she want to join us?"
"Yeah, do that. Don't want her to feel left out. Besides, we didn't really get to know each other that well last time and she seems like a nice girl."
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An hour later Summer, Marissa and Alex were on the beach, mostly tanning, but talking lightly too.
"So girls, not to ruin the mood or anything, but I've talked to Seth and Ryan refuses to come out of his room. He's really angry and sad."
Alex laughed and received two very stern looks.
"What? He's a selfish, stupid, heated ass."
"Alex, stop it."
"But it's the truth, why can't you see it?"
"I want Ryan to be my friend and I want you two to try and get along."
Alex sighed.
"Marissa, I understand that you want to avoid hurting anyone, but this, you right now, is just plain naivety. Ryan likes you and I like you so guess what, we're not gonna get any closer than we are right now."
"So you're saying that you want to decide who I'm friends with?"
"No, I'm saying that Ryan won't look at you as just a friend even though he say he will and you need to get over this whole "Ryan is sweet and nice and innocent and a knight in shining armour" thing. Maybe he was before, but that's not who he is now and you need to open your eyes to that. Just ask Summer."
"Oh no, no, no. Don't bring me into this. I'm not gonna voice any opinion in this discussion."
"Come on Summer. Tell Marissa that Ryan isn't the guy he was when they were together." Alex looked pleadingly at the tiny brunette who sighed.
"Fine. You're right Alex, he has changed."
"See. So don't get mad at me for saying the truth. The last thing I want is to fight with you."
"Fine," Marissa said and got up.
"Where are you going?" Both girls asked.
"Home, I'm suddenly not in the mood for any beach. You and Summer can find something to do since you're becoming so close and all."
"Marissa, come on." Alex pleaded.
"I'll call you later," Marissa said as she walked off in a hurry.
Alex let herself fall down onto the sand.
"This is great," Alex said to the sky.
"Don't worry, she'll come around. Marissa just doesn't like being confronted, makes her feel attacked."
"Yeah, like Trey did." Alex said and then realized what she had let slip.
"Yeah, like Trey," Summer answered with a sigh, making Alex sit up.
"Wait, you know about him?"
"Well duh, I'm her best friend."
"But she told me no one else knew."
"Guess she forgot to mention that she told me." Summer said as she shrugged.
"Yeah, forgot," Alex whispered to herself.
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