A/N: Thanks for all your great reviews. Please continue…

A determined Summer drove straight to the location she knew Marissa would be at, the lifeguard stand. She was so angry with herself for masterminding this reunion plan and putting her two best friends through this. It was the reason she was here, in torrential rain, driving to the beach to find Marissa. Back at the apartment, after Marissa slapped Ryan, he too walked out and Summer was left with a dumbstruck Seth and Jake. She could honestly say those two men were useless in a dramatic situation, taking control she ordered her fiancé to go and talk to Ryan and told Jake to go home and she would drop Marissa over there.

Pulling up in a parking bay she squealed as the rain soaked her and she clumsily crossed the sand, reaching the lifeguard stand. There she found a completely drenched Marissa, cradling her legs as she shivered from the cold, her mascara slightly running.

"Riss?" Summer cautiously made her way up the ramp as Marissa looked in her direction.

"You look freezing, let's go to the car and I'll take you home…"

"No. I…I don't want to see Jake at the moment…and I don't want to see Ryan ever again." Marissa's voice broke at the last part. Summer worriedly sat next to her.

"You don't mean that Marissa. You two still care about each other" She tried to reason but instead of an angry reaction she was surprised when Marissa immediately broke down in sobs on Summer's shoulders. Summer moved her arms around her and let Marissa cry until she was ready to speak.

"Why is this happening Summ?...Why?"

"I'm sorry for this Riss. I know you're happy with Jake. I had no right to bring Ryan back into your life."

"But that's the thing. I love Jake, I do. Yet when I saw Ryan I wasn't angry…I felt like I still loved him."

Summer smiled softly as she wiped Marissa's mascara off her wet cheeks.

"It's understandable, you loved him."

Marissa sniffed as she nodded, agreeing with her best friends kind words.

"But I need you to tell me what happened that night, of your engagement party?"

She knew it'd be hard for Marissa but she needed to know the facts.

Marissa hugged her mother again as Ryan went off to find them all drinks.

"I can't believe you're getting married."

Marissa smiled excitedly, she could hardly believe it herself. She was finally going to pronounce her love faithfully to Ryan Atwood and they'd both start a new life, together. This was why the Cohen's offered to throw a party, and most of Newport was congratulating her and her fiancé. She was so happy to have her family surrounding her, Jimmy couldn't have been prouder yet her mother didn't look as excited. It was understandable of course she had never had the best relationship with Ryan.

Speaking of Ryan, she looked around the crowded living room towards the bar area. There she found him and a too close for comfort, leggy blonde. Marissa couldn't help but notice her openly flirting with Ryan, and just as she spitefully watched her giggle at something Ryan said, Julie spoke near her ear.

"That's Chloe Jackson; I was talking to her earlier. She was one of Ryan's friends, she didn't mention where from. Do you know her? She seems to know Ryan."

Marissa eyed her suspiciously as Chloe proceeded to touch Ryan's arm, Ryan awkwardly moved back a step.

"No I don't. Ryan's never mentioned her before."

"Oh well…I'm sure he…uh…meant t. Speaking of which have you told him you're planning on transferring to NYU?"

Marissa had completely forgotten. She was planning on telling Ryan that after two years at Berkeley she had gotten a spot in a nursing course at NYU. She was transferring to the east coast, but right now she was more concerned with the blonde who was obviously trying to hit on her fiancé.

An hour later, after meeting every resident of Newport, she looked around for Ryan. She missed spending time with him, even if it was only an hour. Spotting her mother by the pool house doors, she asked.

"Have you seen Ryan?"

"I think he went into the poolhouse for some more wine. I'm sure he'll be out in a moment…"

Marissa looked at her mother's anxious expression, and tried tog et past her to find Ryan.

"Sweetie, you won't want to go in there…."

"Mum, why not?"

Marissa looked through the poolhouse doors, her heart immediately shattered, along with her dreams. There was Ran with the blonde pushed up against the wall, her leg wrapped around his as they kissed…

"So then I ran out of there, packed my things and transferred college's...Maybe I should've spoke up, asked him. But…I was too heartbroken and scared…" Marissa sadly retold as Summer stroked her wet hair.

"I'm so sorry…"

Marissa smiled sadly in appreciation and allowed Summer to take her home. The whole way though, Summer pondered Marissa's recount. Something was up; she knew deep down Ryan would never cheat on Marissa.