Down & Out
Thanks for the reviews everyone, I'm glad people like this story! I really hope you enjoy this chapter, uhmn that's all I can really think of to say at the moment. Personally i'm not that fond of this chapter, but maybe you'll like it.
Part Nineteen: And Darling (This Thing That Breaks My Heart)
Marissa awoke the next morning, with a grin stuck to her face. Today was her big date with Alex, well technically it wasn't a big date but Marissa liked to think it was. Alex agreeing to go had to be a good sign, even though there was hesitation in her voice when she agreed. Marissa shook her head to clear her thoughts, today was supposed to be a good day.
Alex hadn't slept much the previous night, she'd worked a long shift and then gotten a call from Marissa. Not just any call, but a call asking about a date, although Alex wanted to jump at the invitation, she took awhile in deciding.
After she hung up the phone last night, she went to her glove compartment box to get the letter. She hadn't been able to find it though. Alex grew into a panic she needed reassurance, the letter usually provided her with hope. Except she couldn't find it, she searched all her clothes, checked the jeep again, she looked everywhere but couldn't find the damn little letter.
She fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming about the letter, and about the date going badly in her favor. Forcing herself up and out of bed, proved more difficult then she imagined. Finally getting out of bed, she began searching again for the letter. But there was no success, Alex just had no idea where the letter was. She hoped it didn't end up in the wrong hands.
By the time Alex had given up her search, it was already 3 o'clock. She was supposed to be in Newport at 6, which meant she had an hour to get ready. Taking a quick shower, Alex spent most of her time picking out an outfit, which proved to be very difficult. She finally decided on her black CBGB shirt, a denim mini, black leggings, her black converse, and a studded belt.
Alex did a quick double take in the mirror, before grabbing her keys and heading for her car.
Marissa stood in her closet, and looked for something to wear, anything to wear. Nothing seemed suitable, nothing seemed right. Marissa's new found confidence was sinking fast, she was a nervous wreck.
After what seemed like hours, Marissa finally decided on a pair of tight skinny jeans, a pair of black converse, and a white wife beater tank. She liked the fact that she looked casual, but not too casual. She felt that it conveyed the look she was going for.
Marissa hit print on Summer's laptop, and watched as the paper slid out of the machine. Taking the paper she began cutting it, then she hastily put it in an envelope. Grabbing a black hoodie, she threw it on and headed towards the ringing door.
"Hey" Marissa said when she saw Alex.
"Hi, you look g-" Alex replied, getting cut off.
"Yeah, you too. Sorry." Marissa muttered realizing she'd interrupted.
"It's cool, so are you ready?" Alex questioned, giving her a smile.
"Yeah, almost. I just gotta grab some stuff upstairs."
"Okay, I'll wait here." Marissa walked briskly up the stairs and into her room, she grabbed the envelope, and a jewel case then proceeded to stuff them into her bag.
Alex watched Marisa go, and realized how much progress she'd made in the past two days. Obviously Marissa could get a lot done when Alex wasn't around. 'Stop it' she commanded herself, trying to stop the negative comments her brain was making.
Marissa returned a few seconds later, and the two made their way to Alex's jeep.
"Hey thanks for driving and everything. I would have, but no one really trusts me to be in control of a car yet."
"It's totally cool, so where to first?"
Marissa put her hand into her bag, and took the envelope out, but for some reason she decided against it. Shoving it back into her bag, she thought of a whole new plan.
"The diner." Marissa said, liking the spontaneous-ness.
"The diner?" Alex questioned.
"Yep, the diner." Marissa replied taking out the jewel case, and putting the cd into the player.
"So I got all dressed up to go to the diner?" Alex asked, putting the car into gear and driving towards the diner.
"Hey, it'll be fun! We'll grab some breakfast, and then go to the um carnival!" Marissa exclaimed, seeing the lights from her window.
They arrived at the diner, and got a booth instantly. Marissa ordered chocolate chip pancakes, while Alex ordered blueberry ones. The meal was eaten in silence, something Marissa had not been expecting. Alex seemed to be preoccupied the entire night, something was clearly on her mind.
The check arrived, and Marissa stood to pay.
"Hey, I got this." Alex said, standing as well.
"No, its on me."
"I've got a job though, let me pay."
"I asked you out, so I'm going to pay."
"But…"
"Look do you want to dine and ditch?" Marissa asked, a smile playing on her lips.
"No.."
"Then let me pay, go wait outside for me." Marissa ordered. Alex walked dejectedly towards the car, and sat in the drivers seat.
Marissa returned to the car within a few minutes, and Alex turned to her as she buckled herself into the seat.
"Hey are you tired?" Alex asked, she knew Marissa had been through a lot the past few days and didn't want to wear her out.
"Not really, why?"
"I just don't want you to overwork yourself."
"Hey if you want to go home, or call it a night just tell me." Marissa joked. The look on Alex's face however made the smile on Marissa's face disappear.
"Is there something on your mind?" Marissa asked, placing her hand on Alex's thigh. She felt her instantly stiffen at the contact. Marissa sensed she'd gone too far, and quickly removed her hand.
"Maybe you should just take me home then." Alex remained silent, and drove back to Summer's house.
The atmosphere in the car had changed drastically. A tension filled the air, and neither girl knew how to make sense of what had happened. Alex didn't want to take Marissa home, but the fact that she couldn't find the letter was really bothering her. Marissa on the other hand felt as if Alex didn't really want to be with her, and regretted asking her out in the first place.
Before Alex even turned the car off, Marissa opened her door and jumped out. "Hey," Marissa turned around at the sound of Alex's voice.
"Um I think I left a pair of pants in your room…do you think I could get them?" Marissa stood stunned, she couldn't believe Alex had actually asked her that. "Just wait here, I'll get them."
Marissa went inside, and up to her room, grabbing the pants in a hurry she didn't notice the letter that fell out of the back pocket. Marissa returned outside, and threw the pants into Alex's backseat and turned around, slamming the front door. Alex winced at the sound, Alex knew she should apologize, but she couldn't. She couldn't do anything until she found the letter. She didn't exactly know why, it was just something her gut was telling her.
Taking her phone out, she hit the number one button and waited for the person on the other end.
"Hey" A male voice said.
"Hey…" Alex's voice trailed off, as she pulled back onto the main road.
"It's not even 9 yet, and your calling me? I take it the date didn't go too well?"
"You could say that again."
After Marissa had slammed the door, she stormed upstairs and sat on her bed, numbly going over everything that had happened. Obviously Alex didn't like her, she seemed to have her mind elsewhere the entire night.
Slipping her shoes off, she noticed the white envelope on the floor, and picked it up. She saw Alex's name on the front, but took out the letter anyway. The handwriting looked very familiar. Marissa scanned the words on the paper, and at that moment everything came back to her.
The accident, graduation, everything she'd been through, but most importantly her and Alex's history. She remembered the bon fire, the way Alex had walked away, their last hug, every little detail came back to her. All the hurt she'd inflicted upon Alex came back, and it tore her heart apart just remembering what'd she'd done to the blonde.
It was no wonder why Alex didn't tell her if they'd been together, and why she never wanted to be really close to Marissa. It even explained why Alex seemed distant during their date. Every little piece was fitting together. Marissa had hurt Alex really badly before, why would anyone want to go through something like that again?
Marissa knew that finding the letter had to have been a sign, this was the second chance she'd been waiting for. This was her chance to make things right, this was her chance to get the girl of her dreams back, this was her chance and she wasn't going to let it slip out of her fingers. She wasn't going to lose Alex a second time.
How was that? Reviews would be really nice and appreciated! SORRY if you didnt like this chapter, i'm not that fond of it either. But the next one should be good, i promise. and yeah reviews would be appreciated.