Down & Out

Sorry for such a delayed update! But I hope you enjoy this chapter. As always reviews are always appreciated and thanks for reading! Enjoy.

Part Twenty: Last Chance to Lose Your Keys

"Summer, Summer, Summer!" Marissa yelled through her position on the bed. She stood and stuffed the letter into her back pocket, then began pacing, waiting for Summer.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Summer asked, rushing into the room, doubling over and breathing hard.
"I need your help." Marissa stated simply.
"What happened?" Summer questioned, through strained breaths.
"Wait why're you home so early? I thought tonight was your date…"
"It didn't go over too well, but that's not the point."
"It's not?"
"Summer, I remember everything." Summer's mouth dropped open, and her eyes got wide, "Wait you remember everything?"
"Yeah…Look I need your help."
"Okay…with what?" Summer asked, confusion written across her face.
"I need you to help me get Alex back."
"What do you mean get her back?"

Marissa pulled the letter out from her back pocket, and held it in front of Summer, "Do you remember when I asked you to give this to her? After I left for Hawaii?" Summer merely nodded, sitting down on Marissa's bed. "After our date tonight, I didn't think she liked me…but then I found this and everything just kind of came back to me. How I hurt her, and everything I put her through. I think that's why she seemed kind of distant tonight. I want to show her that she's the one for me, and that I won't put her through something like that again." Marissa said taking a deep breath, after her declaration.

"What is it that you want me to do?" Summer asked, folding her hands in her lap. "I need you to help me figure out where she is, I'm going to go up there and get her back, but I don't want her to know." Marissa said, determination lacing her voice.
"Do you think it'd be fishy, if I called Alex for her address?" Summer questioned, looking at Marissa.
"Maybe a little bit."
"I can call the bar she works at…" Summer said taking out her phone, and going through her phonebook.

Marissa sat quietly next to Summer, not wanting to blow her cover.
"Hi, is Alex there? Oh she's not working tonight. Right well do you think it'd be possible for me to get her home address? No, okay well thanks. Yeah, really? Okay thank you so much. Bye." Summer hung up her phone and turned to face Marissa again, "Okay so they couldn't give me her address, but they did tell me that she's working tomorrow night."
"Thanks Sum, I owe you big." Marissa said, engulfing Summer into a hug, and not letting go.
"Coop, can't breath." Summer giggled, while Marissa let go. "Do you really remember everything?"
"Yeah, it just all came back to me. Kind of like the letter was the key to unleashing it all…okay that sounded a lot cooler in my head."
"That did sound a little coheney, even for you."
"Coheney?"
"You know, something Seth would say. But anyways get some sleep and we'll figure out how to get her back tomorrow okay?"
"Okay, thanks again." Marissa said pulling Summer in for another hug.
"Anytime." Summer replied walking to her room, and closing the door.

Marissa awoke the next morning, literally jumping out of bed. She barged her way into Summer's room, and woke her up.
"Marissa I know you really want Alex, but seriously. This is my sleep your interfering with."
"But your already awake!"
"Because of you." Summer said pushing herself up in bed. Summer patted the area next to her, and Marissa got under the covers next to her. "Let's hear your plan."
"Well I was thinking maybe just showing up…."
"Just showing up?"
"Well…"
"C'mon Coop I know your more romantic than that."
"Can you help me?"
"I know you can come up with something."
"Fine, but will you at least help me pick out an outfit for tonight?"
"Of course I will, but later. First let's get some more sleep." Summer said smiling and going back under the covers. Marissa laughed and followed suit.

Hours later, Marissa opened her eyes surprised to see Summer gone. Slowly she climbed out of Summer's bed and glanced at the clock, it read 3 pm. Surprised at the time, Marissa started stretching her sore limbs and paddled towards the bathroom. She washed her face, brushed her hair, and brushed her teeth before returning to her own room and eyeing her closet.

Summer stood behind her a few minutes later, holding two Starbucks cups. "I thought you might need a little caffeine but you seem to be up and ready already. Someone's really excited."
"More like nervous, but thanks." Marissa said taking the cup.
"So do you know what your going to wear?" Marissa shook her head no, "I don't know what kind of outfit this occasion is."
"You could always wear something that has like a meaning…"
"So what like a hospital gown?" Marissa joked, nudging Summer.
"Real funny." Summer scoffed.
"Well I was wearing this kind of peachy colored top when I really knew I liked her…when we saw Rachel Yamagata play…"
"So wear that…I can't believe you know what you were wearing that was like over a year ago."
"It's amazing isn't it? How much we can remember about certain days." Marissa said pulling the top off the hanger, and tossing it on her bed.

A few hours passed, while the two best friends continued to raid their closets looking for the perfect pants and shoes.
"I hate to say this Coop, but you gotta go."
"What're you talking about? I have like 3 hours."
"Yeah, but your not allowed to drive fast, I want you to obey the speed limit. I don't want to have to go to the hospital again."
Marissa sighed, and gave Summer a hug, "How do I look?" She questioned spinning around.
"For the hundredth time, you look hot." Summer replied crossing her arms, a tired smile on her face.

Marissa unplugged her ipod, and shoved a small postcard into her back pocket. She made her way towards the front door, with Summer trailing behind her.
"Thanks for your help."
"No problem, and hey good luck. Now go get your girl back!" Summer called, waving from the front door.

Marissa threw her purse into the passenger side, put the keys into the ignition and plugged her ipod into her car, letting the music fill the silence. Pulling out of the driveway she looked one last time at Summer's retreating figure in the doorway before speeding off.

the next chapter will be the last one.