Chapter Fifteen

"I wonder what's going on in the 'lovers'' room." Marissa laughed, as she and Ryan walked over to the pool house, "Let's go check." She joked, referring to the time Ryan and her, accidentally walked in on Seth and Summer . . . Ryan laughed, as he blushed. He was devastated by that; absolutely devastated.

"Let's not." Ryan suggested, with a quick nod, and a vanishing smile as his face quickly tensioned. Marissa smiled a sweet smile, as she stared at Ryan powerfully. She walked closer to him, slowly, but quickly, there lips touched. Ryan missed their carefree kisses; ever since the 'accident' they had little or no time with each other to really just talk, and remember what happened between them. Because of this accident their attention drifted towards their friends, and they were not concerned about the lips they hadn't met in so long. It was the least important thing on their minds. Ryan was glad though, that things were back to normal – at least a little bit, not mentioning the radical marital turn.

While Ryan continued to kiss loyally, his mind seemed to be accompanied with a little more thoughts, far from the thoughts he usually had when his lips were sealed with those of a beautiful girl. This time he thought what a shame it was that he no longer could go out and party with Seth, because the minute he looked at another woman, he would be 'cheating', and in a way, Ryan didn't want to prevent an end to their blissful relationship.

Meanwhile, he really didn't care that Seth wouldn't be able to do the usual teenager crap. Needless to say, there were many other kids on the block that now adored Ryan. It was kind of weird how in his high school, in spite the fact that he was neither a jock, nor did he participate in any of the school activities, he was well known, and by many, well-liked. He didn't mind his status at the moment, but soon, he imagined it would get him into trouble.

Getting back to what really was nagging at his throat. Ryan felt that because Seth had been so brave as to completely discontinue his regular life, and begin a new life with a wife to stand by his side, Ryan felt pressured that he too, had to do something so drastic with Marissa. No- not that he had to, necessarily, but that Marissa would expect it from him. Maybe that's why she kissed him so quickly – maybe she thought that kiss by kiss, Ryan would fall deeper in love with her, and he would tie down a commitment so strong, that marriage would be the only answer; the only way out.

Ryan pulled away from Marissa, trying to ignore the confused expression on her face. "Is something wrong?" She answered quickly, creases of worry powdering her forehead. Ryan knew he had to answer, after he gripped his forehead with his hand, leaving a quizzical expression sloping down his face. Marissa opened her mouth to say something, but she was too hurt emotionally to say anything.

"Nothing is wrong. I just got to thinking, and I'm not sure what I think of what I thought of. I'm really confused. Can we just sit down and talk?" Marissa was surprised. Never had a guy wanted to sincerely talk. Just talk, without making out, or more. Marissa sat down on the couch, as she looked at Ryan empathetically. Whatever he was confused about, Marissa wanted to explain everything she could.

"No problem." She said silently, as she sat down. Ryan sat down a good distance away from her, as he thought of how to start.

"Do you find the fact that Seth and Summer, are you know, getting married, weird, or anything?" Ryan scrounged for more ways to explain what he was thinking, but Marissa seemed to catch his drift.

"Ryan, I kind of understand what you're saying," Marissa smiled when she saw Ryan's hopeful face, "I kinda feel the same way, you know?" Ryan's eyes widened. Marissa nodded, hoping that she really did feel the way Ryan felt. "I hope I can meet you halfway." Marissa confessed, "I'm kind of afraid that because Seth proposed to Summer, you will get kind of competitive, and feel that you have to, too, in order to meet Seth halfway. I'm scared that I won't be ready if you propose just because he proposed." Ryan looked completely shocked.

"Marissa!" Ryan said a little too excitedly.

"What?" She laughed, as she saw his excitement.

"God, you just," Ryan shrugged, "Read my mind. I felt the exact way. I thought because Summer was getting married you would expect me to propose to you. And I definitely am not ready for that. I love how things are right now. I want to take it slow." Ryan said, as he grinned knowing that he and his girlfriend were entirely perfect for each other.

"So we're cool? No more confusion?" Marissa exhaled deeply. Ryan shook his head, smiling. "That's the way I like it." Marissa said, as she now expected Ryan to make the first move. He understood completely- Ryan leaned over to kiss Marissa. His full concentration was on Marissa, and Marissa felt the difference in the problemless Ryan. Finally, both Marissa and Ryan pulled away with seductive smiles on their faces. Marissa laughed out loud, "You can tell in a split-second when you're completely worry-free." Marissa laughed, and so did Ryan.

"Thanks for being, so," Marissa waited for an answer, as she tilted her head a little bit. "Thanks for being so, you." Ryan said simply, but just this seemed to please Marissa.

"Well thanks for being so, you." Marissa answered back.

"Why is it that I can't tell when you have problems on your mind?" Ryan asked, this time, seriously. "I want to know right away when something is on your mind. You never know- it might be on my mind, too." Ryan said.

"Sometimes I just don't want to bore people with my problems."

"I want to hear even the smallest problem, M'rissa. Any problem is worth talking about- especially if it is yours." Ryan said endearingly, and Marissa only continued to smile.

"The same goes for you, wise guy." Marissa warned, "But I've got like spider sense, Ryan. So even if you didn't tell me, I would know something is wrong. Don't try and hide something from me, Sugar. I will always find out." Marissa taunted, as she smiled. Marissa looked at her watch, "Ryan, maybe I should get going. I haven't seen, or heard much of my mother in a while. Maybe I should check in, hmm? You can walk me home . . ." Marissa bit her lip, as she laughed.

"Yeah thanks. You live next door. We might as well take a small detour, and after that I'll take you home?" Ryan offered.

"Too many moonlit walks, Ryan. You're just going to have to conjure another plan." Marissa said playfully, as she played hard to get.

"Lazy bum." Ryan joked, "It's the end of our walks then, Princess." Ryan smiled, and so did Marissa.

"I like to be carried." Marissa beamed, as she pretended to be some demanding someone. Ryan laughed.

"Are you dropping hints now? That's your lame strategy?" Ryan asked.

"Indeed, Ryan Atwood. But are you enough of a gentlemen to catch the hints I have dropped?" Marissa's face got all serious, as she raised an eyebrow, staring at Ryan, on the brink of laughter. Ryan grinned, as he rushed over to Marissa, and cradled her in his arms.

"Don't get to used to this way of transportation, sweetheart. At any moment I please, I can drop you." Ryan warned, as he held the girl in his arms. Marissa was laughing to hard, gasping for air every few minutes.

"Shut up. You're making me laugh too hard! My stomach hurts already!" Marissa pleaded as she hung from Ryan's arms, "Plus; I really didn't expect you to obey my every wish." Marissa laughed.

"Neither did I." Ryan swooped in for a kiss. It could not have been more romantic. It shut Marissa up almost instantly, as she got caught by surprised. Ryan continued to hold Marissa's body in his strong arms, and they simply kissed underneath the moonlit sky. Every little silvery star was peaking at them, and the clouds that were lurking in the sky, drew further and further away from the moon, giving the perfect glow.