Part III

Marissa went back inside the club. But she spent her time in the storage room the rest of the evening. She couldn't handle the crowd tonight. Tears were still falling from her eyes. Looking down at her checklist, she sighed deeply. She thought of how it was before Alex then thought about when Alex was with her.

I should stop being too hard on myself right? If you were here you'll tell me that. You didn't really mind if you were the receiving end of my bad side. You loved me unconditionally Alex. And I threw it all away.

Marissa held her right hand up and held on to her necklace. She closed her eyes and smiled.

Why do I get the feeling you wouldn't want me to say all of these things to myself? Why do I get the feeling I still have your heart with me?

Marissa opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She hurriedly took care of the boxes which were not properly stocked and listed them down on her list. Her heart was lighter, although she didn't know the reason why.

----

Her lips were like… rose petals that I couldn't get enough of. Her eyes shimmering green… Who would have thought she would fall in love with me? The way she yelled at me the first time we met… The way she ignored my existence the first few days of school…

Alex silently thought to herself as she stared at her shot glass. She was seemingly getting drunk. A few more shots and she was going to knock herself out. Alex frowned when she felt her phone vibrate. She reached for her pocket and took it out. The caller ID spelled in big bold letters: S-U-M-M-E-R. Alex could only roll her eyes.

"Hello?" She immediately said as she flipped her phone.

COHEN! WHERE ARE YOU?

"Uhm… Some place you aren't?" Alex replied resting her forehead on the bar.

Very funny smartass… NOW WHERE ARE YOU? Are you drinking again?

Summer was voicing out an angry tone. Just like Bianca, she worries about her best friend's ex-girlfriend, her girlfriend's best friend. Alex has been a handful since they got to Newport. She wasn't really making it easy for Summer and Jodie.

"Summer… That's none of your business."

DAMNIT ALEX! You ARE my business. HECK! YOU are OUR business. Your mom is worried about your drinking habits. You agreed to stop once she allowed you to look for Marissa. YOU HAVE TO COME HOME NOW!

"I'll come home when I want to. Clear?" Alex replied.

She was tired of the rants and ramblings of her friends. The endless reminders of not to drink too much, not to stay out late were flooding her every minute of the day. It wasn't getting through her though. On days like today, Mr. Vodka and his friends were the only cure to what Alex was feeling inside. Nothing else could soothe it. Except maybe, finding the girl she still loves.

She didn't care if Summer was still ranting on the other end of the line. She flipped her phone to end the call. Summer would probably swat her bag at her face in the morning, but Alex didn't care. She put the phone back to her pocket and signaled the bartender. The bartender smiled at her and knew what she wanted: A few more shots of vodka.

Taking the shot glass in her hand, she stared at the liquid then drank it straight up. She shook her head feeling the heat of the liquor burn her throat, reaching her chest then suddenly disappear. Alex closed her eyes as she put the glass down.

"Bartender, I need more!"

----

Marissa picked up the last set of boxes to be entered into the inventory. She placed it near the last shelf then smiled at herself for a job well done. Mark, one of the bartenders stopped by the storage room and greeted her.

"Hey Marissa! All done?" The black haired boy smiled.

"Yeah." Marissa replied with a smile as she started to make her way out of the storage room.

She was halted by his hand on hers. Marissa turned to him before slowly pulling her hand away from his.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch tomorrow." He struggled to finish his sentence as he found his shoes interesting to stare at.

Marissa smiled and shook her head in reply.

"I can't. My shift is tomorrow, remember? Sorry." Marissa slowly turned as the boy looked up to utter another proposition.

But Marissa wasn't really interested.

You know honey. He's been trying to hit on me since… Well… Ever since I got here. He has this mentality that thinks if I go out with him, I'll forget you. But you know what? I have to die just to forget about you. I'll never forget you Alex. Never.

Marissa made her way to the kitchen and onwards to the bar. She sported a grin on her face which she found rather weird. It was like this for a few hours now. She didn't know it had something to do with the blonde girl who was about to pass out on the bar.

----

"More bartender. I still can take it." Alex slurred as she spoke.

The bartender could only shake her head. She couldn't deny the blonde since she was paying her drinks. She handed Alex her glass of vodka. And the blonde returned her a smile.

"Thanks. You're a good person. You know." Alex rambled as she drank the liquor.

She wiped her lips with her hanky. The girl just smiled and got her another glass. Alex was certainly going to ask for more.

"What's your name?" Alex asked resting her chin on her hands.

She had this weird, drunk, almost goofy kind of smile that the bartender found adorable. Then again, Alex was really cute whether she was drunk or not. You could ask Marissa and Bianca about that.

"Joyce." The bartender replied with a sweet smile.

Alex smiled back with her eyes almost closing. She could see things unclearly but she could make out the shapes. She knew where the people are and where her glasses were. She was so drunk that if she tried to stand up, she was sure to fall down.

Just then she heard Joyce, the bartender, greeting someone behind her. Although her thoughts were incoherent at the moment, she heard the word Marissa. Alex shook her head knowing she must be so drunk she's hearing things. She turned to her watch which read 1130. She had to make her way home. A cab should do her good tonight. Not unless, Summer and Jodie knew where to find her. Slowly she started to stand up. She waved her hand to say goodbye to Joyce.

The alcohol in her system was acting double time. She had drunk too much vodka for her body to take in. Before she could turn, Alex knees failed to support her and she bent down hitting her head on the bar. Before she knew it she was laying on the floor, with warm green eyes watching over her.

"I must be dreaming…" Alex muttered before everything went black.