Chapter Two

Seth, the comic book geek attempted to remain calm as he made his way to sit right behind Summer. Of course, he and Summer weren't quite yet on the talking level. Because of her superiority, God knows when she would realise that Seth was the perfect boyfriend. He collapsed down on the chair, sliding his feet under the desk. He slumped down in his chair, hoping Summer would forget her pencil case today, or something like that, so she would actually talk to him. One though would constantly fly through his mind- why was Summer friends with Ryan and Marissa, meanwhile she completely ignored his very own existance? They were supposed to be a nice group of chummy friends, were they not? That's how it was supposed to work… but it didn't, and somehow Seth's mind couldn't process this questionable issue. He sought the answer, and nevertheless, and idea pounded in his mind. Perhaps if he constantly hung out with Marissa, Summer wouldn't have a choice- she would have to notice Seth in a matter of time.

Mr. Gradfordly stumbled into the classroom, interrupting Seth's inspirational train of thought. He slammed the door brusquely behind him. He gulped, as he started to write a lesson plan on the board with his memorable chicken-scratch writing. Mr. Gradfordly was nothing special to look at- with a greying set of hair, with a bald spot carefully setting on the back of his head. To add to his short, and plump figurine, he had a moaning voice. He breathed heavily due to his frantic run to the classroom. He then stammered, "Today," He stopped excitedly, raising the suspence. "I'm putting you into groups, for a major project that'll count for roughly 40 of your entire mark. Flunk this, and you'll basically flunk the course." He smiled intently happy with the misery he had bestowed upon the students. Then he added, "And even better my little munchkins, it's due Monday." The class fearfully gasped- it was Wednesday. How could they possibly finish a project with only a few days to complete it?

Summer quickly raised her hand for redemption. "Mr. Gradfordly," She tried to say as sweetly as she could, on behalf of the class. "Can we at least choose someone we could work with, since we only have a few days to complete this project?" With innocence glimmering in her eyes, she waited for her teacher's evil reply.

"Nope." He smiled happily. "Now I'll read your settles partners in a moment. No switching, or even asking me to switch, or you'll fail automatically."

Meanwhile, while hell was resuming in Seth's and Summer's class, Marissa and Ryan were happily sitting beside eachother, listening to their Mathematic's teacher talk endlessly. Marissa was pretending to do any work for the teacher, so Ryan wouldn't notice that he was running through her mind. Marissa wanted to glance at his ruffled hair, and slightly tanned face. There was a magnetic pull, mercilessly making her turn towards her friend. She gulped, with a slight anguish settling in her slim stomache. From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Ryan was listening carefully to the lesson, so Marissa figured there wasn't a more perfect time for her to carefully look at his gorgeous features. Ryan had this interested pout slammed on his flawless face. Marissa smiled as she imagined that she had once kissed those troubled lips, and stared romantically in those dreamy eyes. Ryan, obviously noticing Marissa's gaze turned around only to notice Marissa blank with embarassment. She shrugged and smiled hesitating, and decided to disobey the silent desire in her heart, to watch Ryan. With every glimpse came this entire world of memories that Marissa simply could not forget. She felt a lump form in her stomache, as she realised Ryan could have been hers. Before she could elaborate on that thought, her teacher realised that someone had been dozing off.

"Mrs. Cooper," The teacher smiled. "Would you like to explain to the class what you were dreaming about? Because you were dreaming, were you not?" Her teacher's unjust accusation made her shiver in her seat. What was she going to say? But this was Marissa, light on feet, and smooth with her words.

"I was only thinking about how amazing your lesson is so far, please continue." Because Marissa was so awefully popular, it was an unwritten rule that she could kiss up to the teachers and nevertheless get away with it. She looked at Ryan, who knew Marissa very well, laughed at this statement, as he knew for one, that she was far, far away from the lesson.

"Marissa, I am deeply dissappointed with you participation- or lack thereof." Her teacher pronounced, desiring to humiliate the tall brunette.

"I'm sorry." Marissa squeeked, and shrugged, staring right into her teacher's menacing gaze. Marissa obviously wasn't afraid to show her teacher where she stood.

In the class of room, Mr. Gradfordly was just about to announce the pairs. Seth excitedly crossed his fingers, hoping he could be with one person- Summer Roberts. As he stared at her dark, and conditioned hair, he imagined what it would like to be partnered up with the most gorgeous girl in school. Mr. Gradfordly raised the suspence, as he started to name a few pairs. They weren't good pairs- perhaps that was his point? To embrace more melancholy on his class. The teacher then smiled, a wretched smile, and looked straight towards Seth.

"Mr. Cohen. I've decided to place you with…"

Marissa sat in her seat patiently, hoping her teacher wouldn't single her out anymore. However, Marissa was a bold young woman, and she thought, "Any publicity, is good publicity." The more popular she was in class for her rebellions, the more popular she would be in school- she figured.

Ryan was shifting uncomfortably in his seat, wondering if what he was feeling towards Marissa walking down the hallway was true, or if it was a sort of deja-vue. Ryan swallowed a wad of spit that had established gently in his mouth that he had forgotten about, while he was thinking about the beautiful brunette that sat right next to him. Marissa gentle makeup, and bright blue eyes entranced Ryan. Whenever he thought about this girl, he felt like never before. He knew quite well that she had hurt him before, and he knew quite well that if he continued to feel like this toward her, everything would change. Everything the two had worked so hard to establish right now, as friends, would dissappear, and the awkwardness would soon elapse once more. Ryan wasn't quite positive if he wanted to go through the same thing over again- the eventual breakup, the non-talking zone that overshadowed them whenever they looked at eachother, and even the difficult building of a new friendship. Ryan considered Marissa as a girlfriend many times after their break-up, but he wasn't sure if he really wanted that. It seemed his head wanted it very much, but his heart was constantly contemplating and more often then not hesitating to risk being broken into pieces once more. Just because Ryan was a tough macho guy, that was known to send thrifty punches at every one who pissed him off, or pushed his buttons, but despite this stereotypical view everyone had of him, Marissa knew him best. He loved the romantic walks around the beach, and loved to hold Marissa's hand, just as much as he liked to kiss her soft, and perfect lips- Marissa knew it all.

Ryan sighed, thinking about a point that had just recently occurred to him- what if she didn't want to start things all over again? What if she wanted to move on? Ryan thought for a minute, that if he asked Marissa to go out with him again, and she said no, then it would make him crumble into a small pile of dust that would be blown away with the wind. Ryan watched the endless clock, that would soon announce another day, that he would crash on the sofa and watch some television, forgetting about the heavy bag of homework that awaited him. Soon enough, the moment came. The bell made the classmates jump up from their seats and dart toward the door. Marissa looked at Ryan, jerking her head toward the side instating that it was time to leave. Ryan was still sitting in his seat, despite the fact that he knew the bell would ring in a matter of time.

"You coming?" Marissa asked curiously, as she watched Ryan sitting quite interested with her face, as he was staring deep into every millionth pore. Ryan smiled, as Marissa's face crinkled slightly in concern, as she patiently waiting for him to notice the classroom was deserted- except for the teacher of course.

"Yeah." Ryan answered, and sighed as he got up. He grabbed his books, and even offered to carry Marissa's. She looked at him slyly, and soon asked.

"Are you all right? You seem a little…"

"Dazed?" Ryan attempted to finish her sentence, as they had done together when they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Marissa stunned by this gesture, answered.

"Yeah." Marissa nodded, realising that Ryan had almost completely read her mind.

"I've decided to place you with, Summer Roberts." Mr. Gradfordly announced happily. Seth gasped in shock- his dream had come true. He tried to process the information, but was interrupted by Summer's crude groan.

"You gotta be freaking kidding me!" Summer had once again burst Seth's almighty bubble. Along with that reality check, came the bell. Seth got out of his seat weighed down by the burden of Summer's unwillingness to be partnered with him. He glumnly advanced toward the door, hoping the day would end soon. Seth had rarely been pulled down from such an ecstatic high in less then three seconds. All he wanted to do, was hide in the sanctuary of his room, under a fluffy, cottony pillow where he would moreorless try to ignite his happiness once more.