Sorry, I know it's been ages. Next chapter will be up sooner!
Also, quite a short one. Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Marissa held her arm out for a cab. A few seconds later, it stopped in front of her and she got in. "Karen's Café, please," she instructed the driver and leaned back in her seat. It had been an extremely tiring flight and she was glad to be back on the ground again.
Ten minutes later, the driver prodded her awake and Marissa realized she had nodded off during the drive. Pulling out a few five-dollar bills and thrusting it into the driver's hand, she thanked him and got off. The lights in the café were on for late-night customers and she could see Karen behind the counter.
Grabbing her suitcase, she walked over to it and pushed it open with her shoulder. Karen looked up and her face broke into a smile.
"Marissa!" she cried, walking over to her and engulfing her in a hug. "What brings you back to Tree Hill?"
"Sandy decided to hire my mom," Marissa explained. "That meant we had to move. My mom had stuff to settle back in Newport, and I didn't want to stay there all alone so I decided to come back here early."
"That's absolutely wonderful!" Karen said, beaming. "The kids are at Brooke's house for her birthday. I think your cab driver's still outside. If you hurry, you can probably get there before they all go home."
Marissa smiled. "Thanks, Karen."
"Damn, that is one huge cake," Nathan remarked. "Who ordered it anyway?"
"Peyton did," Brooke said, bouncing in the back seat. "And I think it's just perfect."
Nathan laughed. "Your capacity to eat amazes me, Brooke."
Brooke stuck her tongue out at him. Ryan chuckled.
"How far away from home are we, anyway?" Brooke asked Nathan. "I didn't realize the cake shop was that far away."
"We're almost there," Nathan said. "Brooke, you live here. Don't you recognize the street?"
"Not really, no." Brooke looked around. "It's all dark."
"Well, here we are," Nathan said, pulling into driveway. "Hey, isn't that Marissa?"
Startled, Brooke and Ryan looked up and sure enough, Marissa could be seen just a little away from them, getting out of a taxi.
"Marissa!" Brooke yelled and ran toward her. Ryan hung back.
Marissa looked up to see Brooke coming toward her, looking extremely happy to see her.
"Oh my God, you came!" Brooke said, giving her a hug. "We thought we'd never see you again."
"Yeah, well, here I am," Marissa said, grinning. "Happy birthday. I totally owe you a present."
"Don't be stupid," Brooke said. "I'm just so glad you came."
"Me, too," Marissa said and her gaze shifted to Ryan. They stared at each other for a moment before he slowly made his way toward her. When he reached, he tentatively hugged her. It was a brief, forced hug and both Brooke and Nathan could feel the tension between the two.
There was a long pause, in which both Ryan and Marissa looked uncomfortable. Finally, Brooke broke the ice by taking Marissa by the arm.
"Shall we go in then?"
"Sure," Marissa said, and allowed herself to be steered inside.
Hearing voices in the doorway, Peyton looked up to see Marissa and Brooke step inside.
"Marissa!" she said and leaped up, abandoning Guitar Hero and hugging her friend. "Wow, you're back!"
Marissa hugged her back warmly, and waved to Seth over her shoulder. Seth grinned sheepishly.
"Summer is going to be so psyched to see you," Brooke said, as Peyton released her. She motioned for Marissa to follow her to the bedroom. "I think she was in here."
Throwing open the door, she stopped dead at what she saw.
Lucas looked up sharply from beneath Summer and gasped. He hastily pushed her off him and scrambled around for his clothes.
Brooke stood in the doorway, her mouth open, speechless. Summer looked embarrassed, and pulled the sheet up to her chin.
Lucas walked over to Brooke and tried to reach out to her, but she flinched away.
"Don't you dare touch me," she said in a low, dangerous voice. "You bastard."
Lucas looked helplessly at Marissa, but she looked away.
Reaching for her dress, Summer slipped it on and walked toward Brooke. "Brooke…"
"Don't say a word," Brooke said, in the same tone. "I thought you were my friend. But now I see you're just a lying, cheating WHORE!" Her voice grew louder with each word, and with the last one, she reached out and slapped Summer hard across the face.
Summer stumbled backward and the resounding sound of the slap brought Nathan, Ryan, Seth and Peyton to the doorway.
Seth, immediately understanding what was going on, realized he needed to play the part of a boyfriend, lest it look suspicious.
Trying to look annoyed, he stepped into the room. "Summer, how could you – "
Flushed, red-faced and angry, Summer interrupted him heatedly. "No, don't you start!" she said hysterically. "I have been amazing to you! I have kept your secret for months without telling a soul! I have kept single for so long for you! And why did I?" she stepped toward him. Seth desperately tried to silence her, but she continued her rant. "I'll tell you why. Because you're just a stupid demanding faggot!"
Shoving him aside, she pushed past everyone and left.
Secret's out! To everyone reading this - as you can see, the couples and triangles have begun to form. PLEASE review and tell me who all you want together! I have a rough idea, but I need your help...anyway, thanks for reading. )