Chapter 2

Marissa had a miserable night out with Summer. All the guys kept hitting on her since Ryan wasn't by her side like he usually was, so she had to deal with the drunk guys trying to touch her. Her best friend also wasn't by her side because she had went off and got drunk somewhere. So now Marissa was on her way back to Summer's house with Summer passed out in the seat next to her. Once she had parked the car and got out of her own seat, she walked around to the passenger's side, and opened the door.

"Summer, get up." Marissa gently shook her friend but there was no response, just some more snoring noises. "Summer, get up!" She spoke a bit louder and shook her a bit harder, but still no response from the sleeping girl. Marissa through up her hands in defeat. "Oh my god." She bent over her friend and unbuckled her seatbelt. She took one of Summer's arms and draped it over her shoulders, trying to half carry, half drag her to the front door. It wasn't working very well because in the end, Marissa dropped her on the ground. "Crap!" Marissa checked her friend to see if she wasn't hurt or anything and found out that the girl was still sleeping. "This girl can sleep through anything…" Marissa tried to pick her up again but it was useless, the girl was too heavy for her.

Marissa looked around the front yard for any kind of help, and she saw a wheelbarrow leaning against some bushes. She looked back at Summer and then to the wheelbarrow again. She shook the thought Summer finding out that she was put in a wheelbarrow and going rage blackout on her out of her head before coming up with another idea. She backed up from the driveway so she could look up and look at the windows, to see if there was a light on. There was. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Summer's house, she didn't want to walk to the front door and leave Summer lying on the ground by herself, that was just unsafe. After a few rings, someone picked up.

"What!" Marissa was taken back a bit from the annoyed voice. "Hello!" Alex was getting impatient with the person who called so late at night. Marissa finally got some sense knocked back into her and replied.

"Um, hi. Alex?" Marissa began shuffling her feet on the floor in a nervous manner. Alex lost all her bite realizing who was on the phone and became worried.

"Marissa, hey… Is everything okay?" Marissa smiled at Alex's worriedness.

"Yea, I'm fine, it's just that Summer is kinda passed out and I need your help…"

"Where are you guys?" Marissa gave sort of a nervous chuckle.

"In front of your house…" Marissa looked up again and saw Alex pushing the curtains aside and looking down at her.

"Okay, I'll be right down." Before Marissa could thank her, Alex had already gotten off the phone and headed downstairs. Not soon after, the front door open and Alex came running out. Alex stopped when she reached Marissa and looked down at her sister. She looked over at the wheelbarrow Marissa was looking at earlier and turned back to Marissa.

"Couldn't you just have put her in that and rolled her upstairs?" Alex said as serious as she could and Marissa stared at her with her mouth open. "God, Marissa, I was only kidding." Alex began laughing and Marissa pushed her in the shoulder.

"Actually, I did, but then the thought of her going rage blackout on me didn't seem to appealing." They were both laughing now but then remembered the situation. Alex looked back down at Summer, planning out how to carry her in.

"Okay, well, I think I can handle it from here, so you can head on home now. You wouldn't want that mother of yours to get upset." Alex and Marissa both smiled at remembering how upset Julie would get when Marissa would stay out late without telling her where she was.

"Nah, it's fine, I can help you bring her in, somehow." Alex nodded and bent down to pick up her sister's body. She slung her over her shoulder and began walking towards the door which Marissa held open.

They got off Summer's shoes and removed her earrings before placing Summer into her bed. Alex tucked away a strand of Summer's hair behind her ear and then placed a soft kiss on to her forehead. Marissa smiled as she watched Alex take care of her younger sister. Both of the girls left the room and quietly closed the door behind them. They stood in front of Summer's door looking at each other.

"Thanks for helping me bring Summer in."

"It's no problem. I couldn't just leave my sister out there in the middle of the driveway." Marissa nodded and began rubbing her arms since it was rather cool inside the house. Alex noticed and began taking off the sweatshirt she was wearing. As she was taking it off, part of her shirt went up with the sweatshirt and Marissa found herself staring at Alex's tone midriff. She forced herself to break the stare and look up at Alex's face. Once finished removing the sweatshirt, she stuck it in front of her so Marissa could take it. Marissa shook her hands and head, not wanting to take it from Alex.

"No, it's fine." Alex rolled her eyes before sticking it out again.

"Marissa, you're cold. Take it."

"No, really, I'm fine."

"Don't make me make you wear it." Alex's tone was threatening but playful at the same time and Marissa caught on, so she played along. It was just like old times.

"And how are you gonna do that?" Marissa noticed Alex's devious smile and began backing up slowly. "Hey, don't do anything brash now…" Alex began moving closer to Marissa.

"Oh, you know me. I wouldn't do such a thing." Alex moved a hand and placed it over her chest to emphasize her innocence.

"You're right. I do know you." Marissa began running towards the stairs but then Alex pounced on her. Marissa was able to turn around so that Alex was sitting on her stomach.

"Wear this sweatshirt, now!" Marissa was laughing as Alex tried to get the sweatshirt on her, but was unsuccessful since Marissa was moving too much. "Stay still!" Alex now was laughing as well, and began tickling Marissa's sides. Tears began forming in Marissa's eyes as Alex's attempts to tickle her and put the sweatshirt on her continued.

"Fine! I'll wear the sweatshirt! Just get off of me!" They were both still laughing as Marissa sat up, Alex was now sitting on her legs.

"That's right! Wear the sweatshirt!" Alex gave a triumphant grin as Marissa took the sweatshirt from her. Marissa put it on and then looked away from the other girl.

They were quiet for awhile before Marissa faced Alex again and spoke. Alex watched the other girl's face, and could tell she was fighting with herself about something.

"I missed you…" Alex was surprised at Marissa's randomness and looked at her questioningly as she leaned forward and pulled Alex into a hug, who stiffened at the contact but then returned it.

"I missed you too, Marissa…" They stayed on the ground hugging each other for awhile before Marissa's phone began ringing. She pulled back from Alex before answering it. Alex got off of Marissa's legs and stood up, then stuck her hand out to help Marissa get up.

"Hello?" Marissa moved the phone away from her ear, not wanting to hear Julie's whining, and mouthed to Alex, 'My mom.' Alex smiled and nodded. After a minute or two, Marissa put the phone back to her ear. She began making hand movements, showing that all Julie did was talk, and then she rolled her eyes before talking. "Okay, I'll be home in ten." Alex laughed at Marissa's actions and then Marissa closed her phone and looked back at Alex.

"Guess you have to go?"

"Yea. Um, Alex, do you think we could…" Before Marissa could finish, Alex cut her off.

"You better get home. Don't want your mother taking away your cell like that one time."

"Oh, okay. Um, I'll bring back your sweatshirt tomorrow." Marissa began walking down the stairs, rather confused about what just happened.

"No, it's fine. Bye, Marissa..."Alex waved to her as she made her way down and out of her view. Once she heard Marissa's car pull away, she sighed and walked back to her room with her head down.