Toxic relations – I didn't intend to make it like that, but I guess it's just what came out because I'm so frustrated with Marissa these days. In my opinion she kinda does play with peoples emotions because she doesn't know what she wants for herself. But I don't know. My view of Marissa changes with the mood I'm in and we all look at each character differently. That's why we get so many different fictions…

I'm so sorry for the long waiting, but I've been really busy and kinda out of ideas so it was kinda put to the back of my head. I'll try to do better, but school is so demanding right now and I'm almost going insane. Hope you all like this. It probably sucks, but it's what I had at the moment. I promise I'm writing on the next chapter right now and I'll hopefully have it up tomorrow or the day after.

-----

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Marissa asked softly.

"I have to check out this apartment that my dad has set me up with and then I have to go to The Bait Shop to ask for my job back."

"Guess you're busy then."

"Yeah, but I'll see you at school on Monday and I can call you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good."

"Great. So what do you wanna do now? Movie and snuggling?"

"Sure."

"Okay. Should we ask Summer if she wants to join?"

Both looked at each other and in silence agreed to keep her out of it.

-----

Monday

Alex slowly pulled up in front of the school and took a deep breath as she parked her car. The apartment had been great and The Bait Shop had been happy to get her back so everything was going her way. She was still nervous as hell today because school meant Marissa and Ryan, something she was sure she couldn't handle. It would be awkwardness and glares and what not. Maybe she should ditch the whole ting? That way she could avoid Ryan for as long as possible.

Her thought were broken when she heard a tap on the window and saw Summer looking weirdly at her.

Quickly she got out and locked the car.

"What were you doing?"

"Good morning to you too Summer."

"Hi Alex, answer me."

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Marissa…and Ryan."

"You gotta stop doing that. I thought you guys made up on Saturday?"

"We did, I just don't want to face angry glances and awkwardness when I meet him."

"Ryan can be like that, but don't let him get to you. Oh look, it's Marissa, let's go."

The tiny brunette took a hold of Alex' arm and dragged her along before the blonde could do or say anything.

As soon as Marissa saw Alex, she smiled and got one in return.

"First day at school, are you nervous?"

"Yeah, but not because of the school itself."

"Oh get over it Alex," Summer said annoyed.

"What?" Marissa asked as she looked between Summer and Alex.

"It's nothing," Alex said as she looked away and saw Ryan and Seth coming closer.

"Um, I have to go. I'll talk to you guys later," Alex quickly said as she started walking away. She really didn't wanna start a fight the first day at school and seeing Ryan was like putting gas on a starting fire. She just wanted to kick his ass back to Chino.

"What's wrong?" Marissa asked, having jogged after Alex.

"Nothing, I just need to get settled that's all."

"Stop lying to me Alex," Marissa said and Alex stopped to look at her, surprised by the stern voice the brunette had used.

"I wasn't lying, I need to get settled in," she tried.

"Fair enough, and the other thing, the one that's making you run away?"

"I wasn't running."

"Alex."

The blonde sighed. "Fine, I didn't wanna be near Ryan. Happy."

"Why can't you just try?"

"Because seeing him from just fifty feet away makes me wanna hurt him and I'm not interested in looking at him looking at you."

This made Marissa sigh.

"I know, I know," Alex said, getting irritated. "You're just friends, blah, blah."

"Don't be like this."

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna be like anything. I'll just be gone. Bye," Alex shot back angrily and stomped off leaving a stunned brunette.

-----

It was lunch time and Alex had managed to avoid Marissa, which she was now regretting since she had calmed down and realized she was overreacting. After all, Marissa was with her so it wasn't Marissa's fault Ryan was drooling over her. She knew she had to trust Marissa when she said nothing would happen or else the relationship would never work. She just didn't want to get hurt again.

The blonde was one of the first people to the cafeteria as she waited to see Marissa come in so she could apologize. When she saw her she smiled and started walking over. Her smile disappeared though when she saw Ryan tailing after her with Summer and Seth. She were about to turn and run again, but convinced herself to just go over. She would just have to deal with her problems with Ryan…For Marissa's sake.

When Marissa saw Alex making her way towards her she smiled, but it was a smile of uncertainty and fear. Alex saw it and instantly felt even more horrible than she had and she tried to give the brunette a reassuring smile. She stopped nervously in front of Marissa as she kept her eyes firmly on her girlfriend's in fear of backing out if she looked away.

"Hi," Marissa said in a low, uncertain voice.

"Hi," Alex answered back just as nervous. "Can I talk to you? I need to apologize for earlier."

"Sure," the brunette replied and looked over at the three people behind her that were closely following the conversation. "Let's go somewhere more private," Marissa added and took the blonde's hand to lead her away.

As they walked past the other's Alex saw Ryan stare at her and she smiled innocently at him. This could be so much fun if she just didn't let him get to her.

When the two girls stopped, Marissa turned to Alex and looked at her expectantly. The blonde shifted her weight from one foot to another in nervousness and then opened her mouth to speak. "I'm s-" she started, but was cut of by the brunette.

"I don't need an apology, I just need to know why you acted like that."

"I don't know," Alex answered ashamed.

"I need to know if this is how it's gonna be every time Ryan is around or mentioned for that matter because-"

"It won't. It was stupid of me to react like that. I trust you Marissa so it doesn't matter what he thinks or do, I just…" Alex said quickly before taking a deep breath.

"You just what?"

"I don't know. I've never been one to be jealous, but you just bring it out of me because you mean so much to me and I-"

"You mean a lot to me too Alex. And I promise you that I won't hurt you like that again."

"I know, that's why I realized I was being stupid. Can you please forgive me?"

Marissa looked into the blonde's pleading, beautiful eyes and smiled inwardly. She had already forgiven Alex the moment she saw her in the cafeteria, but she didn't want to tell the blonde that. It would be too much of a boost on her ego that Marissa couldn't stay mad at her.

Marissa smiled at her girlfriend. "Of course I forgive you."

Alex sighed in relief and stepped forward, taking the brunette into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry," she whispered into Marissa's neck.

"Don't be. Just talk to me about how you feel instead of running away."

They pulled away and smiled at each other before taking each other's hand and walking back to the cafeteria to eat lunch.

-----

Alex and Marissa sat down together at the opposite side of the others and smiled sweetly at each other. The others saw it.

"So you're fine?" Summer asked.

"Of course they are," Seth said with a dirty smile. "Can't you see they wish to engage in a make out session right about now?"

"You wish," Alex said as she threw some bread at him, making everyone except Ryan laugh.

"So how is life going for you Ryan?" Alex asked with a smirk and she felt Marissa tug warningly at her hand under the table.

"Fine, I guess," he mumbled, staring at her. Neither one of them looked away from the other's glare.

"Yeah? Did anything interesting happen when I was gone?"

Silence followed as the two continued to stare and Alex knew Ryan wanted to rub his time with Marissa in her face, but she also knew he couldn't do it in front of the brunette.

Seth cleared his throat, trying to get the two rival's attention, but was unsuccessful.

"Alex?" Marissa said and the blonde reluctantly moved her gaze away from Ryan.

"Yeah?"

Again silence as Marissa didn't really know what to say. She understood why Alex was like this, but it wasn't fair to Ryan.

"Classes are starting soon so we should probably get going," Seth said as he pushed lightly on Ryan to make him stand up.

Together with Summer he gave Ryan a push as they took off, leaving the couple alone.

"Alex," Marissa said with a sigh.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'll talk to him later and tell him I want us to try and be friends."

"Only if you mean it. I don't want you to do this just for me."

"Of course it's just for you. He's never done anything good so why should I want to befriend him?"

Marissa sighed. Alex could be so stubborn at times.

"Okay, look at it this way," the brunette said softly. "You like me for who I am right?"

"And the point?"

"If it wasn't for Ryan, I wouldn't be who I am today."

The blonde thought about it for a moment and then sighed.

"You're so frustrating when you're right."

"And you're so cute when you're stubborn."

"God, what do you do to me?" Alex said as she stood up and reached out her hand.

"I don't know, but it looks like you're enjoying it," Marissa replied smugly, making the blonde laugh and shake her head as they started making their way to classes.

-----