Sorry for taking so long to update, but im finished with all my exams now. Ive started another fic called Forever following on from the season 3 finale...anyway please review!

Chapter 28: Hurting

Summer put on her sunglasses and lay back on her towel next to Marissa. They were both in their bikinis taking in the suns rays. Ryan and Seth were beside them passing a volley ball to and forth.

"Hey," Seth turned to see a girl in a bikini top and mini skirt who handed him a leaflet. "Half price night tonight at the bait shop. Don't miss it."

"Thanks," Seth said taking the leaflet.

"Sounds good," Ryan said walking over.

"Yeah we should all go."

Ryan gently threw the ball at Marissa, who sat up suddenly when it hit her.

"Oh my God! What was that for!" she shouted at Ryan as Seth handed her the leaflet. Summer leaned over and they both read it.

"Sounds like a date, eh Coop?"

"Yeah, it sounds great. I still don't see why you had to throw the ball at me though."

"Who fancies hitting the water? I need some refreshment," Ryan suggested quickly changing the subject.

"No thanks, I'll stick to my bottled water for refreshment. I mean getting salt in your hair is just like….eewww!" Summer said holding up her water bottle.

"Fine then. Let's go Ryan," Seth said. They took a couple of steps before Seth turned back, grabbed Summer, and half picked her up dragging her to the water as she kicked and squealed. Marissa sat there laughing, when she noticed Ryan standing there looking at her.

"Don't even think about trying…"

"I won't." He held out his hand. Marissa stood up and took it, jumping on to his back. Ryan ran to the water where Summer was splashing Seth. He dived underneath with Marissa on his back. They both resurfaced and started to splash each other. Ryan splashed Summer by mistake who splashed him back. It ended up being Marissa and Summer against Ryan and Seth. Right then they were just four average teenagers having fun. But there was definitely nothing average or fun about what was going to happen to them.

Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer came in through the Cohen's front door, laughing and soaking wet.

"Face it we beat you," Summer said putting her beach bag down.

"Not if you discount the fact that it was the surfer that splashed me," Seth said defensively.

"That is not true! He just sort of, umm, happened to be there," Marissa replied unconvincingly.

"Hmm, that was handy," Ryan said sarcastically.

"Just cause you're bad losers," Marissa said to him as they walked into the kitchen.

"Bagel anyone?" Seth asked holding out the basket of bagels.

"Do you eat anything other than bagels?" Marissa asked.

"What's wrong with bagels?" he asked very defensively.

"Nothing. I just thought that, uh….never mind," she grabbed a bagel, "Thanks."

"Hey guys."

"Hey," they all replied to Kirsten.

"How was the beach?"

"It was great. Especially when Sum and I beat the guys in a water fight."

"More like we let you win." Marissa was about to argue with Seth when Ryan cut in.

"We met a girl on the beach who was handing out leaflets for a half price night tonight at the bait shop so we thought we'd go."

"That's fine by me," Kirsten said.

"Well I got to get home. My step mom wants to take me shopping so that we can "bond"."

"Oh sounds fun," Marissa said sarcastically.

"But I'll see you guys later."

"Bye," Marissa hugged her.

"After all that fighting, I'm pretty tired," Ryan said looking at Marissa.

"Hmm, yeah me too," she replied smiling. Seth suddenly noticed the way they were looking at each other.

"I got to go throw up," he said before running up the stairs.

Ryan walked into the guestroom where Marissa was standing with her back to the door looking at two dresses lying on the bed.

"Hey."

"Oh, hey. I can't decide which one to wear. The red or the black?"

"Umm, the black."

"What's wrong with the red?" she asked almost accusingly.

"Nothing. I had to choose one so I did. Plus the red has buttons but the black doesn't…."

"Hmm, I think I like where this is going," Marissa faced him and teased with the collar of his shirt. "So what are you doing later tonight?"

"I don't know," he said playing along.

"Well I do."

"Are you going to tell me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it'll ruin it. But I suppose I could give you a preview." Marissa gently ran her fingers down his arms. She took his hands and gently placed them around her waist, never once taking her eyes off his. She raised her hands and placed them on his cheeks. She slowly leaned her face towards his, stopping when their noses were almost touching. She took her hands off his face and took a step back.

"Hey, why'd you stop?"

"Like I said it was just a preview." She picked up the dresses from the bed and headed to the door. Ryan grabbed her hand.

"You don't get away that easily." He pulled her into him.

"Ryan, I need to get changed," she said laughing.

"You could do that here," he kissed her neck. "I wouldn't mind."

"I'm sure you wouldn't. Ryan…Ryan…." He kept kissing her neck, and gently took the dresses out of her hands.

"Hey!" He stepped back and hid them behind his back. "I need them."

"Come and get them then," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Ryan…"

"Come on." She rolled her eyes and moved over to him. She tried to grab them but he just moved.

"Ryan…" she kept grabbing for them, and started tackling him. She laughed as he started to tickle her. She pushed him onto the bed and landed on top of him.

"Are you sure you can wait until tonight?" She felt a shiver go through her body as Ryan placed his hands on her back, under her top. He planted kisses on her forehead and cheeks as he gently ran his hands up and down her back. He smiled as she closed her eyes, trying to resist. He moved his hands up the side of her body. Suddenly she grabbed his face and attacked his mouth with hers. She moaned as all the built up passion was released.

"Hey Maris….Oh my, I really need to learn to knock. I'm sorry. Carry on," Seth said backing out of the doorway. It seemed to him that every time he saw them they were groping each other. As he reached the bottom of the stairs and even worse image entered his mind.

"What is this place! A brothel!" he said on seeing his parents kissing passionately.

"To normal people kissing is a sign of affection," Sandy told him.

"To normal people seeing their parents making out is kinda sick."

"Well are you just going to stand there?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah actually, yeah. Upstairs is Ryan and Marissa and down here is I think we all know what."

Ryan and Marissa walked into the kitchen holding hands.

"Hey Seth are you ready?"

"Marissa you look beautiful," Kirsten commented.

"Thanks," Marissa said smiling sweetly.

"Let me just grab my jacket."

"You kids have fun. And be careful," Sandy warned.

"Yeah, whatever," Seth shouted back as he shut the front door.

"Seth…."

"Hey don't," Kirsten said, grabbing his arm. "We're alone now and can show each other as much affection as we want."

"Hmm. I like the sound of that," Sandy said smiling before kissing Kirsten.

"I don't think I've ever seen it this busy," Seth commented as the four teens walked into the Bait shop.

"You guys go and find somewhere where we can move and we'll go and get drinks," Ryan said to Summer and Marissa.

"Okay," Summer said as they parted ways. Summer and Marissa barged their way through the crowds.

"Hey, Coop. Over there," Summer pointed to a quiet spot in the corner.

"You go. I need the toilet," Marissa said to her.

"Uh, okay," Summer replied as Marissa disappeared into the crowds.

Marissa walked into the bathroom. There were a couple of girls at the mirror, chatting and checking their makeup. Marissa walked passed them and locked herself in one of the cubicles. She put the toilet lid down and sat on it. Her heart started to race and her hands started to shake as she unzipped her bag. She stuck her hand in and brought out a full bottle of vodka. She reminded herself that she wouldn't feel scared once she drunk it. That's why she kept drinking it. In a strange way it made her feel safe. Everything was going great with Ryan, but it just wasn't enough. She took the lid off and let the clear liquid run down her throat. She brought it away from her mouth and gasped, choking as she felt it burn down her throat. She had drunk almost 3/4 of the bottle and stuffed the rest back in her bag. She leaned her elbows on her knees and held her head in her hands. She couldn't help but let tears escape her eyes. She hated this bit, as her body was taken over by the alcohol. She sat up taking deep breaths, feeling herself grow weaker.

"Hey," Summer said as Ryan and Seth came over carrying drinks.

"Where's Marissa?" Ryan asked her.

"She went to the toilet like ten minutes ago. I don't know what's taking her so long. I'll go and check if she's still there."

"I don't think you'll have to." Ryan and Summer turned to where Seth was looking. Marissa was walking towards them, stumbling all over the place.

"Oh god," Ryan sighed as she approached them.

"Hey guys," Marissa slurred.

"You were at the toilet for a while," Summer said to her.

"Yeah well," she grabbed a drink off Seth and downed it in a oner.

"Why are you doing this Marissa?" Ryan asked her.

"Doing what?" she asked innocently.

"You know what," he said coldly.

"Lighten up Ryan," Marissa opened her bag and took out the bottle. Seth and Summer looked at each other worried. She lifted it up to her mouth.

"Don't you think you've had enough of that?" he said quietly but angrily.

"No."

"Marissa…."

"Ryan, don't okay! I don't want to hear it!" Marissa slurred angrily.

"You're going to hear it whether you like it or not!" he shouted back. "Do you not realise how stupid you're being?"

"I don't care anymore!" Marissa shouted tears streaming down her face.

"You're just hurting yourself! And you know what! You're hurting me!"

"Well then maybe you should just go!"

"You know what maybe I will! If you want to ruin you life, FINE! I'm done!"

"FINE! Have a nice life!" Marissa tipped the rest of the vodka into her mouth and thrust the empty bottle into Ryan's hands. She turned and shoved passed people, disappearing out of sight.

"Marissa….." he shouted. "Aaarrgghh!" Ryan threw the bottle into the wall, smashing it into tiny pieces.

"Ryan, you alright?" Seth asked him, knowing it was a stupid question.

"Maybe we should find Coop and get out of here," Summer suggested quietly to Seth. Seth was about to nod his head when suddenly there was a gun shot and an ear piercing scream………..

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