AN: Hey everyone, thanks for reading and reviewing. You have no idea how much I appreciate your reviews. I love reading them too. Well Im sorry it took me so long to get this up. I promise to have try and have the next one up faster. Well I hope you enjoy...Tell me what you think of it :D
-Stacy
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"Mmm time for a check" Marissa tells herself as it must be the millionth time that morning she was checking to make sure she was supplied and equipped with all the necessities, or what she thought all the necessities for the beach were. Towel-check, sunglasses-check-, beach bag-check. Looking down at herself she hopes she looks okay in her brown and pink bikini, wearing simply a jean skirt and light tee over her bikini she can't help but wonder what Ryan will think. Kay so she had everything. Oh, the sun screen and suntan lotion too..can't forget those...
Today just had to be perfect. Checking, double checking, and rechecking her stuff one last time she turns and takes a glance at her clock 11:38, ughh she still had twenty minutes. Moving over to the bed she's about to begin re-brushing her hair...just to make sure it looks okay when she hears a knocking at her door.
"Marissa" She can hear Dan's voice outside her door and she invertly wonders what he wants but none the less welcomes him in.
"Yeah," Her kind voice is projected across the room, "Come in." She lets him know not unkindly before setting her hair brush back down on the dresser and sitting up to welcome his presence.
As Dan enters her room he looks slightly nervous, he feels out of his element and unsure of himself coming in to talk to his disowned daughter, "Hey there," He acknowledges her as he stays standing right beside the doorway and gives her an attempted gentle smile, "How are you doing?" He questions kindly before continuing, "hope everything is good, cause you know if it's not you know, just uh let me know and im sure we can fix..." But before Dan can finish his ramble in nervousness Marissa cuts him off.
"Dan" She quickly cuts him off throwing him a smile and slightly laughing at his ramble, "Everything is fine, Im doing fine. I promise" She tells his this time with a fraud smile as her mind takes her back to the events of the day before.
"Well then, that's good." He tells her as a graceful smile appears on the man's eldering face before continuing, "Im glad to hear you're doing good and well you know, if you don't like something or wanna change something just let me know. Or you know if you ever just want to, or need someone to talk to...Im always here for you." He lets her know and with a final nod, he feels relief as that was what he really came up here to tell her. That although they hadn't been close her whole life that didn't mean a change in their relationship couldn't occur now.
Marissa contemplates a longer response but can't help but feel at least a little bit of childish joy from having a father, one who she now believes does want to get to know her and does lover her. "Thanks" She tells him genuinely as she can feel the silence begin to usher in.
Giving her room a quick once over and finally noticing her attire and bag he begins to speak again, "Yeah..and, if you don't mind my asking I couldn't help but notice it looks like you were on your way out, I hope I'm not keeping you or I mean where were you going?" He questions her, the curiosity apparent in his voice yet she can tell he is also nervous that he is overstepping a boundary that has been created as well as prying to much.
"Oh, no you're not keeping me from anything. I was just going to go check out the beach..." She tells him wondering if she should tell him about Ryan. Nah, it's not like it's a big deal, right? I mean its not like a real date or..right?
"Oh the beach, that'll be fun" The dark haired, chiseled faced man suddenly eyes bright with thought and occurrence, "Do you need anything?" He asks her but continues as he sees her lightly confused face, "Any money, or any supplies or something" He simplifies for her as he finishes speaking.
"Oh, no thanks" She tells him with a smile, "I don't need anything" She tells him as she seems to bite her tongue and is hesitant to tell him what else is on her mind but then decides there's no time like the present, " I was actually, kinda, I don't know...thinking about getting a job," She tells him half hesitantly as she is waiting to see his reaction but continues nonetheless, "I mean I don't really know where or anything but I mean, I just think I should just be able to support myself and I wouldn't want to depend on you." She tells him with a sigh of relief as she tries to explain herself and her situation.
"Marissa" He begins consolingly, "You do not have to find a job, it is absolutely no big deal, do not think that you are depending on me because that is the last thing you are doing." He tells her as he voices to her his instinctual inner thoughts about her declaration. "If we're being honest here" he tells her as his voice softens and he takes a few steps forward, "I'm the one who owes you everything." he finishes as he looks down and his regret is for leaving her is evident.
"It's not like that" she tells him, letting him know she is trying to forgive him and get past everything, "If anything would have been done differently I wouldn't be who I am today, and I wouldn't have anything any other way" she tells him with a small graceful smile. "But I still might look into some kind of job." She lets him know matter of factly as she finishes off smiling.
"Okay okay" he says finally giving in and knowing he should let her do as she pleases, "but I do have one thing I want to give you, and before you say anything," he lets her know, knowing she wouldn't want what he is giving her he continues without giving her time the chance to interrupt with her input, " I want you to have it, even if you never use it, it will always be there for an emergency." He finishes off softly as his hand has now wondered to his pocket and he is fishing out his wallet.
Opening his wallet and taking out a credit card he walks over to her and hands it to her as her hand doesn't make a movement to reach for it, "Marissa" he begins again, "I want you to have it, I want you to go crazy with it," he lets her know with a large grin, "take yourself shopping, treat yourself to some new stuff. You deserve it. I can tell." he finishes as he places the card almost forcingly in her palm.
"Its really not necessary" she begins trying to tell him she does not think of the credit card as a necessity but as he giving her slight playful glare she agrees, "okay okay, but its good of have." she finishes with a bright smile. She can tell Dan is about to say something but they both simultaneously look towards the door as they hear the doorbell go off. Looking over at the clock Marissa notes the time with a large smile on her face...12:00 o'clock on the dot.
He was hooked.
"Wonder who that could be." Dan spoke out loud and began walking out the door but not before turning to Marissa, "Have fun at the beach." he told her before walking out and beginning his descent down the stairs.
Standing up off her bed and composing her self, smoothing out her outfit and slipping her beach bag onto her shoulder she looked around her room and her eyes soon fell onto the credit card Dan had gave her. Staring hard at it for a couple of seconds she quickly held it and slipped it into her wallet. She wondered if he was trying to buy her love, it didn't seem like it but doubt seemed to be a tendency of hers lately. Anyhow she wasn't one to depend on others, and right now she really didn't want to but she knew she was going through a hard point in her life...and a couple new outfits didn't sound like a bad idea.
Making her way out the door and shutting it she began heading down stairs and she could already hear Seth and Ryan talking. Maybe it was more like bickering but yet she couldn't help but laugh at the friend's relationship.
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"Seth, would you just shut up" Ryan says giving his best friend a glare.
"All I'm saying is if you wanna get in her pants" he begins throwing his hands up, trying to act as innocent as possible, "You're gonna have to try harder than a trip to the beach."
"Seth" Ryan begins, starting to get agitated by his friends constant teasing banter, "For the last time, I am not trying to get in her pants" Ryan says, speaking the last word almost disgustingly before continuing, "We are just friends" Ryan finishes off, trying to convince himself more then Seth that that was what they really wanted, "Plus," Ryan adds for teasing effect, "At least I got a girl to try and get some love from" Ryan finishes off with a snicker, only succeeding in laughing harder at Seth's, at first, shocked face and then in, thought facial expression.
"You know" Seth starts off smugly and matter of factly, "she's not your girl" He tells Ryan and points a finger at him while speaking. Only receiving a glare he continues, "And you know I got Summer, she's more woman than I can handle." he says and then laughs at the thought of knowing if she was here and listening he would have received a swat in the head and or stomach.
"Yeah" Ryan says mumbling under his breath, "and we both know she doesn't wanna give you any love." But is interrupted before anymore is said.
"Hey guys" Marissa speaks chirpily as she enters the foyer where the boys are standing. As they both snap out of their conversation and Marissa comes over and stands by Ryan she looks up at him and gives him a gently and pleasing smile.
"Hey" Ryan says returning her smile and looks her up and down with his eyes, unable to help himself. Her slender, toned and tanned legs nothing short of stunning, her slim torso and round, pert breast a watering site for his eyes, leaving him nothing short of mesmerized. Finally looking up and into her soft eyes he gives her a smile and speaks, "Ready to go?"
"Yup, lets go" she says as she begins her way out the door waiting for Ryan to trail behind her and then catch up. Turning around one last time as she hears Seth speak.
"Oh Ryan" he speaks in a higher pitched tone, "Have her home by dinner time" and with that a smug Seth finishes closing the door and chuckles to himself.
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"Marissa" Ryan whines as he turns to face her again, "You cannot tell me we came to the beach, your first time at the beach, and you're not even gonna try the water" he whines, referring to the fact that all they'd done, she'd done so far was lay out.
"Ryan" she speaks sweetly, "calm down we haven't even been here even an hour, and yes of course I'm gonna try the water," she finishes off rolling her eyes at his exceeded whines.
"Aren't you dying to go in" he says turning his gaze from her to the sea. They'd been there a fairly short time, just talking, laughing, enjoying each other's company and making small talk. Not wanting to make the air thick and heavy they just kept the playful banter going. " I mean, bathing suits are meant to get wet you know?" He continues to tease, holding back a laugh at her failed attempt of a glare.
"Alright Mr Smartie Pants" she begins, "just so you wont have a heart attack, let go get in the water already." she continues. Quickly getting up and looking herself over, making sure her bathing suite was still in place she dusts herself off and her limber, tanned and toned body stretches and welcomes the fresh breeze of the ocean. "How bout this" she tells him, "I'll race you to the water." she yells as she giggles and begins to run down the beach stretch and to the ocean water.
Ryan though doesn't seem to hear a word. He is to mesmerized, enticed, and captivated by her slender moving limbs. Her scantily clad body had left his mouth watering at the sight and wanting nothing more than to peel off the rest of the clothes impeding his view. Looking up at her body that is now casting a slight shadow over his own. He hears her speak of going into the water and wants to get up but yet can't seem to get his body to work. Suddenly though he hears her let out a squeal of laughter and begin to race off to the water.
Of course not one to be outdone he gets up and follows her peels of laughter and races off with her, into the water.
Now slightly ahead of her he dives into the water. Letting the salty ocean water overcome his body and meld into it for a few seconds, only returning to the surface when he can no longer hold his breath. Coming up above surface he expects to see Marissa's stunning face to be doing the same, what he does see though is very different, making him give out a chuckle of laughter.
There, at the edge of the water stood Marissa, the water barely making it even half way up her calves, her arms protectively curling into herself as she seemed to peel away from the water. Looking up when she heard Ryan laugh, smiling at him slightly but still refusing to give in and get in the water fully. Seeing Ryan motion for her to get in the water with his hands, she shook her head playfully no, still not wanting in.
"Oh come one" Ryan says finally coming up to stand level to her. "You are such a chicken" he says teasing her, his laughter heightening when she stuck her tongue out at him.
"I am not" she protests, "Its just, well the water was a lot colder than I thought it was going to be." she says slightly pouting, getting Ryan on her side again.
"Kay" he tells her, "how bout this? Lets just slowly make out way in, just walk into the water until you're use to it, deal?" he asks her. Putting on his most convincing face possible he knows he's got her to agree.
"Fine. Come on." she says beginning to slowly lead herself into the water. Suddenly though she's feels herself being pushed into the water and as her legs are taken from under her by none other than Ryan she feels her entire body become consumed by the salty water. Finally rising back up she lets out a loud huff only to see Ryan paying hardly any attention to her, to busy laughing and chuckling at her.
"That was so not funny" she argues with him, the smile on her face displaying otherwise.
"Yes it was" he responds as she comes over towards where he is standing. The water rising to about their waists she continues to mock and banter with him. She's now standing eerily close to him as she begins to speak again.
"That was so not fair" she tells him as she pushes one of his shoulders playfully.
"Well, it's the best way to get use to the water" he lets her know with a smile playing on his lips.
"Oh yeah" she threatens as she begins to push him with a bit more force, still playfully of course.
He just lets out a soft chuckle at her advances to get him back in the water involuntarily. As they continue to laugh she continues to attempt to get him in the water and after a few attempts her hands seemed to be pushing at his mid torso, getting a feel at his abs. Looking up at him as their eyes meet one more time, there's nothing but intensity in them as they look deep into each other's. Letting her hands stray on his chest a little longer than she meant she can't help but let a deep blush creep into her warm cheeks.
Ryan feels her hands on his chest and makes no movements to remove them, liking them there. Letting their eyes meet he lets his stray to her lips and wants nothing more than to lean in and kiss them, resisting though he can't help but catch a look at her wet body, the water droplets across her neck and chest sparkling in the sunlight. Finally tearing their gazes apart and snapping out of the moment he feels Marissa's hands fall from his chest as she begins to speak.
"Come on" she tells him lightly, "let's get back to the shore" she finishes softly as she turns away from him and begins her trudge through the deep waters to the sand.
"Yeah right" she hears Ryan yell, "where do you think you're going?" he questions playfully as he runs up to her and before she can answer him she feels his arms encircle her waist as he picks her up and walks deeper into the water, despite her protests and giggles the entire way. And before she can get loose of his grip he throws her into the water and she is left to plunge into the water for the second time that day, courtesy of Ryan Atwood.
"Ryan!" she yells as she emerges from the water and brings her hands to her face to run her hair back. "I can't believe you just did that" she yells at him in a playful disbelieving tone, but before he can even respond back he sees her dive back into the water only to have his legs pulled out from under him as he too joins her beneath the depths of the salty ocean.
And that's exactly how Marissa and Ryan spent their afternoon, frolicking, playing, and bantering beneath the afternoon sunshine and in the water of the ocean.
Yup, the beach was definitely a first for Marissa to remember. A day she would never forget.
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"So" Ryan begins a soft smile playing on his lips as they're standing on her doorstep. The sun just beginning to set. "Did you have fun today?" he questions her, almost already certain of her answer.
"It was the best day I've had in a while" she tells him honestly, "Thanks." she tells him genuinely as she gives him a soft smile.
"I had a lot of fun too." he lets her know.
"So" she asks
"So" he answers her before letting minute pass them by as he is hesitant to ask her his next question, "I don't know if you know yet but my Uncle Sandy's birthday party is on Saturday and I was kinda wondering if you wanted to go with me?" he aks her, "Be my date." he finishes looking up at her, the hope wavering in his eyes.
"I'd love to." she tells him genuinely, "where's it at?" she asks, the question apparent in her tone.
"Oh next door. Where I live" he lets her know. "Everyone's going, Seth and Dan should be there too" he elaborates for her.
"Oh, cool" she tells him, "Sounds fun. I didn't know you lived with your uncle." she tells him, suddenly questioning how much she really knew about this intriguing boy.
"Oh, well how bout this, you agreed to be my date, so I'll tell you all about myself on Saturday." he answers her with a smile.
"Can't wait" she answers, "well I should go in now but I'll see you on Saturday" she says taking a step closer to him giving him a smile.
"Yeah"
"Well thanks again" she says leaning in for an embrace, the hug is magnetic, as his arms encircle her body she never wants him to let go and he doesn't ever want to let go. Blushing sightly she pulls back looking him in the eyes she leans in and places a simple, yet sweet and meaningful kiss on his cheek. Backing away from him she gives him one last dazzling smile as she finally makes her way in the house.
Turning away from her doorstep when he can no longer see her he makes his way back to his house, the smile undoubtably there to rest on his lips for the rest of the day to come.
