A/N Thanks to people who took the time to read and review this. Here's the next part, hope you like it...

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Ryan got in late to Marissa's place that night. For after dinner he and Seth were play-stationing it like old times. His continuous focus on the television made his eyes weary by the end of the night. He walked in slowly careful not to make a noise, he accidentally dropped the keys making an audible clanking sound in the muted room. A sudden stir in the darkness alerted him. It was dark and he was unsure of whether to turn the light on or not. The moonlight that shone through the open window highlighted a lone figure. Marissa was curled up on the couch with a novel that was on the verge of leaving her clutches.

Ryan sighed with a small smile on his face, admiring her beauty as she looked vulnerable just laying there. He made his way closing the window as the cooler night air flowing in was making the room a little chilly. Walking over to where she was, he moved the hair away from her face and picked her up careful not to wake her. Like a small child she was draped in his arms, carefully watching his step he made it to her room and brought her to her bed, delicately laying her down and covering her body with the blanket. Ryan took one long look at her and headed out her bedroom door.

"Goodnight", he whispered, to no one in particular and he shut the door behind him.

With open eyes and her back turned, she heard him. "Goodnight." She said softly­­ to herself, closed her eyes and drifted back off to sleep.

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"Hey!" Marissa greeted Ryan, "Wasn't expecting you."

"Yeah I know I finished up early today, my lecturer for industrial drawing was out, sick apparently." He began walking Marissa out of her class and offered to take her books.

"Oh thanks" she smiled kindly. "Thanks for transporting me yesterday" with a small laugh.

"Transporting? Oh… how did you..?"

"I figured considering I remembered falling asleep on the couch, but then waking up in my room."

He gave her a half smile acknowledging her appreciation.

"Want to go grab a bite to eat?" she asked casually.

"Yeah sure", he stopped suddenly remembering something, "just reminded me, I left a book in class"

It was never a mystery that Ryan's passion in life was architecture; it was just something he was always meant to do. He didn't know when or how he knew this is what he wanted to pursue, it just was that way for as long as he knew he wanted to do something with himself. It was probably having the ability to design and create something, and be able to see that creation come to life in a tangible form that attracted him.

"That's okay, I'll go back with you and then we'll go"

After picking up his book they walked through the yards of the University to where he had parked the car.

"Did everything go okay with the apartment?"

"Everything was great, the place was great, I can move in straight away so I'm going to take it; move my stuff over this weekend."

She nodded while opening the car door. "How's the new roommate?"

He paused a moment unsure how to answer. He knew he could be totally honest with Marissa, and she'd find out eventually, but did he honestly want to say to her he's moving in with a girl, a very attractive one at that; and he wasn't just moving in with her because she was attractive either, so he didn't want to give Marissa that impression also.

"It'll be hard competing with the last roommate" raising a side of his mouth producing his infamous half smile.

She laughed "Yeah that would've been tough, neurotic and plays obscene loud music."

Letting out a slight chuckle, he sighed and took a moment and looked at her "I meant you… I know we're not roommates-roommates, but you've been great… with everything, so I guess I'm just saying thanks."

For the first time in a number of days, she felt a sense of normalcy with him. There was no awkwardness in accepting his compliment and gratitude, no shying away from his eyes in which you could be easily lost in, no doubts that their friendship couldn't last. It was a breath of fresh air she desperately needed.

&&&Flashback&&&

The evening had begun as guests began to pour themselves into the Cohen mansion, it was the day of their graduation from high school and their parents thought it'd be a good idea to recognize their efforts by throwing them an intimate graduation dinner. Half of Newport was in attendance but still intimate by their standards. Summer was helping Seth pick out what to wear in his room, and Ryan sat in the pool-house reflecting on his metamorphosis over the past few years. He sat on the edge of the bed with his shirt collar opened and his tie hanging around his shoulders. Marissa tapped on the door lightly.

"Come in" he said nonchalantly.

"Hey." Marissa's beauty graced the room. She stepped inside wearing a cream Grecian styled dress that floated lightly as she walked, it was almost – angelic.

She sat next to him and took his hand in hers; he seemed burdened "Is everything okay?"

"You know how…you know how college is coming up… " he began as she listened intently.

"When I first came here, it was just all over the place, and everything just became a disaster wherever I went, and you were just this… Godsend that was willing to accept me, without really having known me… "

She smiled but didn't really know what he was getting at.

"I love you…you know that, and I may not say it enough but I hope you know that, because I do… a lot"

Her smile began to fade but nodded and supported him in what he was saying nonetheless, "I know you do…"

"Good…because I know you of all people would understand the reasons for… - with college coming up I just think its best we took a break…for a while." Ryan began to breathe heavily because he knew what he wanted he just wasn't sure how to say it. "We're complicated and that's not always bad, but I think it's just in the laws of nature that drama will follow us wherever we go, and I guess with starting this new – school, I want to find my place first, get settled", he paused, "…and it's not that It's college therefore I plan to meet new people and hook up with different girls…I just need this… time."

In her heart she understood why he wanted this, in some way he was asking to start over, not start their relationship over completely, but she knew he wanted a clean slate, define who he was now and not who he was three years ago. Marissa knew it was a good idea, if they were to last in the long run it was the right choice to give each other space. She sat there, a tear wanted to fall but she held it for his sake, she didn't want him to feel guilty about this, so she tried to bow out gracefully.

"I think that's a good idea."

He looked up surprised but quite happy on the inside as well that she agreed.

She persisted, "I think it'll be good for us, get some distance, get settled, and even if you do, or we do – meet new people, let's not think of it as a bad thing. I'm glad you said what you said, you're right, and I know it'll be okay."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and drew her in kissing the top of her head. They sat there a while longer, oblivious to the world that moved around them. Not saying a word, trying to convince themselves that they're doing the right thing, and it'll all work out in the end.

"Friends?" he gestured quietly

"Friends…, she replied.

&&&End Flashback&&&

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It was Friday and Ryan decided to just stay in, he was almost done making dinner and wondered where Marissa was. He knew she didn't have class that day, but he left so early that morning he didn't get a chance to ask what she'd be getting up to. Come to think of it, he hadn't actually crossed paths with her since Wednesday after they ate out. He sat alone for dinner that night, eating his half of the pasta that was intended for the both of them.

It was getting late and the clock was about to hit 11 and not a word from his friend. Ryan grabbed his phone and dialed her cell.

"You've reached Marissa, leave a message and I'll call you back. Thanks."

'BEEP'

"Hey, just wanted to see if you were okay…bye." With that, Ryan hung up.

Ryan sat watching TV trying to figure out where she could've gone.

11.18

11.27

11.42

Midnight came and went and no sign of her. Ryan couldn't help but feel a little anxious. He felt uneasy, but he went to the bedroom and tried to get some sleep. He sat there for a while, worried, desperately hoping she was okay. There have been times he hadn't spoken to her in days without worrying if anything had happened to her, he didn't understand why this should be any different and that he couldn't just get on with it.

12.14

12.35

His eyelids became heavy and kept threatening to close; yawning for the umpteenth time.

12.56

He gave in.

1:03. The dishes had all been stacked away; The television was off and the throw rug neatly folded; The left over dinner was packed up in a dish in the refrigerator; The door was locked and Ryan was tucked away in bed; on the other side of the wall Marissa's sheets were still tidily kept without a crease, and no Marissa in sight.

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The sun beamed down onto Ryan's face the next morning, he woke up to a blinding light having forgotten to draw the curtains before going to bed. He sat up rubbing his eyes, slowly he got out to go a brush his teeth. He splashes water on his face to wake himself up, remembering he would be packing up his old dorm room today. He proceeded to the kitchen to start on breakfast. It was when he noticed everything was how he left it the previous night that he remembered Marissa and became much more aware and awake. He quickly paced back and headed for her room to check if she was there. Ryan opened the door to find a still made up bed and his body sank.

Running his hands through his hair he wondered what happened to her and was about to call Seth and Summer when he heard the door open.

"Hey! I got breakfast – the Sandy Cohen special, bagels and cream cheese!" she said while holding up a bag of groceries.

Ryan didn't know how to react, he was so relieved upon seeing her face but a little bewildered that she just came in so blasé and unfazed.

She looked at him puzzled when he hadn't said a word yet. "Ryan?"

She broke his train of thought and he stuttered. "Uh…uh…yeah um… I tried calling your cell last night."

"Oh my God! Yeah I know I just got it this morning. Sorry, my battery died." She said sincerely. "Yeah I had to meet up with someone."

He didn't want to pry but he couldn't help but ask. "With who?"

"Oh I needed to meet up with someone from my design histories class."

"Anyone I know?" he continued

Marissa wasn't sure where he was going with all these questions, but she obliged and answered them.

"I don't think so, Sam Jeffries?"

Marissa began placed the bag on the kitchen table and started unpacking her bought items.

He shook his head indicating he didn't know. "What were you guys doing?" He then came over to help her store the strewn items away.

"Oh we totally forgot we had this assignment to do and so I went begging to the lecturer to give us until first thing today so we could work on it the rest of Thursday and Yesterday." She bit her lip and put a carton of milk in the fridge and wondered what was bothering Ryan this morning. "So that's why I left so early, to hand it in."

"Did you get any sleep?" he asked, digging for more information. Call it jealousy but he was genuinely worried, he hated to think she spent the night at some random guys' house.

"Yeah, it was late but I came back here around 2"

His ears perked up, "You slept here?"

"Yeah where else am I going to sleep?" she asked innocently

Surprised, "No I just thought… I saw your bed was made and… "

She wondered, "You went to my room..?"

Ryan didn't want to show the anxiety he had felt about her long absence and didn't know what to say, "Yeah I just, I just needed to borrow something so I checked if you were there earlier."

"I see", she let it go not wanting push further but got an inkling to the situation in front of her, she knew because she was feeling the same way earlier that week.

"Anyway, I'm going to go get my things in order." He said turning his back to her and walking in the direction of his temporary room.

A few minutes later Marissa knocked on his door, and nudged the door open to find Ryan placing his belongings back into his large bag.

"Hey" he said quietly.

She carried with her a coffee in one hand and a plate with a bagel rested on it in the other. "Hey" she said setting the plate down on the bedside table and offered the coffee up to Ryan. He took a sip and set it down next to the bagel.

"Thanks" Ryan said.

She took a deep breath, "consider it my peace offering" she paused for a moment, "thanks for worrying about me" giving him a heartfelt smile.

"I wasn't –", he denied, keeping his focus on what he had been doing to avoid getting into it further.

She stood up and placed her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah."

He was surprised at first but gave in and held her close to him. Memories began to flood their minds with all the times they had done this, just being together, not saying a word.

They stood there in the middle of the room, with his arms around her waist and her arms still around him. It wasn't an embrace that was looking for more, it was finding comfort; thanking the other for being there and for caring so much. It was honest, letting the other know there was still a place for them in each others lives, and that he hadn't forgotten what she meant to him and what he meant to her.

Marissa broke the silence figuring she had been keeping him from what he needed to do. "Let's get you packed – yeah?" she said somberly.

He didn't know if he was ready to let go of her, but he did all the same and nodded.

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That afternoon Marissa decided to help Ryan pack his things up from his old dorm room. There wasn't much to pack, but Kirsten and Sandy insisted on getting him a few pieces of furniture and a computer and some more clothes to take with him. Marissa sat on his bed folding while Ryan disassembled his shelving unit on the floor in his room.

"I was just moving in a little while ago, now I'm packing up all over again" he said as he broke into a sweat trying to dismantle the pieces.

"So do you know what happened to the last room-mate at your new place?" She asked

He forgot they hadn't made mention of his new room-mate since a few days ago. "They uh… they got a job offer somewhere else and had to go I think."

"Oh" she said picking up another shirt to fold. "What happens to the money you paid in advance for this place?"

"I would've lost the whole amount if Sandy hadn't convinced them to at least refund half considering I'm not staying a whole year's worth. So I'm gonna put that towards my rent."

"Hey, you know what I was thinking?"

"Not 'The Notebook' I hope"

She laughed, "No, no, not that! I'm thinking of getting a job."

He became intrigued by her initiative. "A job huh? What made you think of that?"

"Well, I don't really have anyone to ask for money like I used to be able to. Did that just sound spoilt?" She thought for a split moment. "Anyway, I'm glad my mom's able to pay for college and my board and everything but I thought I could do something part-time you know. I was passing Jacobs and they had a waitress position open." She thought, "Plus, how am I gonna keep my car in order if I don't."

The day they were leaving for college Marissa woke up to find a Range Rover identical to the Cohen's, parked in the Robert's driveway. At first she thought Ryan was there, but a man knocked on the door asking for her. The man passed along an envelope with a letter, some paperwork and a set of keys. It was from Jimmy. In his letter it said it was her graduation gift, completely bought and paid for legally, no questions, just his way he thought he could do something for her without messing up entirely. Marissa had no idea where he could've gotten the money for it, but was grateful nonetheless. She hadn't heard anything from him ever since, and even more so she felt the need to keep it, for it seemed it was her last piece that connected her to a father she once had.

"You want to work at the café?" he asked as he continued to listen to her new venture.

"Yeah, it's close by and I can work the hours around school. I'm going to apply for it."

"That's great Riss" he smiled, "A job actually doesn't sound half bad, I don't want to live off Sandy and Kirsten forever."

"They like doing this for you guys though you know. They're your – parents."

Ryan knew that's exactly what they had become, and before them he never really had anyone to disappoint, which made it that much harder to have to do well in his academics.

"Where are Seth and Summer, I called them like 40 minutes ago to come by and help." Marissa speculated.

"Seth will no doubt try and stall for a while to avoid – everything really." He laughed and she concurred.

Right on cue the inseparable couple walked through Ryan's bedroom door.

"Hey guys" Summer greeted.

"You're early." Marissa said sarcastically. Seth shot her a sarcastic laugh that she again returned.

"It's not my fault. Cohen still drives like an old lady"

"Summer, it's caution!" he neurotically tried to justify.

"It's slow is what it is." She replied.

Ryan figured he try to get them to stop bickering before they went further. "It's okay, you're here now. Seth, help me take this unit apart."

Seth looked at it for a moment totally clueless as to what he was even meant to be doing to it. In attempts to get into some sort of position in which he thought he was helping, he really wasn't.

"Aah! Seth don't lean on it, you're making it heavier." Ryan said while laying down on the floor trying to undo a screw from underneath."

Summer just buried her head in her hands reminded of their endeavors to build an entertainment unit a couple weeks ago.

Marissa just looked on as she kept folding holding in a giggle as Ryan and Seth tried to work cohesively. "I'm going to get some more boxes." She said as she walked out and left the room.

Summer took a spot on the bed a continued with the folding that Marissa had started. Looking over to her boyfriend, "God Cohen… "

"You're just mad" he grinned

"Oh yeah at what?" trying to deny but obviously letting her emotions seep through.

"That I told you about Ryan's new hot girl roommate!" he chuckled.

Ryan slightly laughed to himself because of the conversation he was being made to sit through.

"What hot girl?" Marissa asked harmlessly as she came back in carrying a hollow cardboard box.

Upon hearing her voice, Ryan sat up, but immediately knocked his head on the shelving board.

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