Hello dear readers. Do I really have to say that I do not own the characters, nor the show? I mean we all know that, right?
So well whatever this story takes places a few years after the second season, but in my version, Alex and Marissa never broke up and their relationship has only grown stronger since then. So yea, read and judge.
Thank you for the reviews! D
- Here's a pack of 2 chapters!
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Chapter 12 – Apart
A week had passed since Marissa had woken up. Sitting on her bed, she was passing her hands on her crutches. She did not need them anymore, but Alex insisted that she used them until the doctors would tell her to stop. Alex was becoming a bit too protective, Marissa thought, but she found it sweet because at least that way she knew that someone cared. Unlike her mother who didn't even bother fly from France to see her... Marissa did not blame her father because he did visit her twice while she was asleep and promised to come see her soon. "Don't worry, she had told him when he apologised for not being there, I'm in good hands".
- Hey, you woke up, Alex said as she entered the room with two cups of coffee.
- I'm aloud to drink coffee? Wow... Marissa noticed with irony. Alex rolled her eyes.
- Shut up, she said, handing her the cup. Have you spoken to Ryan yet? She asked, trying to sound casual.
- No, Marissa replied after taking a sip. And Dean?
- Neither, Alex said. We should get this over with tonight. I'll invite Dean for a diner..
- And I'll go grab a coffee with Ryan. Okay, seems perfect. I'll give him a call.
- And I'll call Dean, Alex said, taking her cellphone and leaving the bedroom. Marissa watched her close the door as Ryan picked up his phone.
- Hello?
- Ryan? Marissa said. Hi, how are you doing?
- I'm great, he answered. How about you?
- I'm learning to walk again, Marissa joked. So I was wondering, are you free tonight?
- I've got nothing planned yet, why?
- I was thinking that we could go grab a coffee or something...
- Me you... and Alex? Ryan carefully asked.
- No, just me and you, she replied. Ryan remained silent on the other line.
- I figured we are not spending enough time together anymore...
- You're right, Ryan finally said. Yea, I'd like to have a coffee with you. Marissa smiled.
- Pick me up at seven, she said before hanging off. She threw her cellphone on the bed and took another sip of coffee.
- Everything allright? Alex asked as she came back a few minutes later. Marissa nodded and returned the question.
- He's coming at six.
- Oh great, Marissa said with sarcasm, I'm leaving at seven.
- He won't bite you... Alex said.
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Summer was sitting in front of her dresser, putting on some eyeliner. As she hoped, Jody did not remember a single thing about the kiss they shared a week ago, and therefore, they could still speak as normal friends without the awkwardness of an ex-couple or whatever they have been that night. However, a part of Summer was... disappointed? Sad? She did not know exactly, but she did feel guilty for wanted to kiss her again, and also for taking advantage of the poor girl. Oh Summer, please, she told herself, feeling sorry for taking advantage of Jody's body? Like she haven't done that to anyone herself? But you kissed her right after all the awful things she told Marissa, which is against the best friends code... she thought again. The door bell rang. Speaking of Jody, she thought, getting up and weirdly exited.
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- So she asked you out? Seth asked for the third time as they were heading to the crab shack.
- She wants us to grab a cup of coffee, Ryan explained again, to catch up.
- Catch up uh, Seth said with a wink. They heard a ringing at the door and saw Summer and Jody come in.
- Oh, girls, over here, Seth called. Ryan raised his eyes and greeted the new comers.
- How are you two doing? Jody asked. She was staring at Ryan. Summer had summarized everything she had said that night, and Jody had never gotten the occasion to apologise for all the harm she caused. Apparently, it wasn't necessary for Alex and Marissa, since the next morning they seemed to get along pretty well... was Jody relieved about that?
- Oh, we're cool, Seth said. Ryan's got a date with Marissa in a few hours. Aie, he added when Ryan hit him in the sides. The last person he wanted to know about him and Marissa was Jody.
- A date with Marissa? Jody asked, interested.
- It's nothing, Ryan said right away. She just want us to spend time together like the old times.
- Right.. and she wants this suddenly after five years...
- What are you trying to say? Ryan asked.
- I don't know... Jody said. It's just that she never asked anything about you, and now, suddenly... maybe she's tired of Alex and needs a change again...
- Did she tell you anything? Ryan asked. He couldn't help being interested.
- She told me, Summer said, interrupting their conversation, that she was madly in love with Alex. You know Ryan, her girlfriend for now five years? He blushed.
- Of course, he said, I know that... Seth looked away, feeling the tension.
- So Summer... he said after a moment, I see you're hanging with Jody today... again.
- Has anyone told you how bright you were? Jody said with sarcasm.
- We have to go, Summer said.
- But we haven't even ordered yet... Jody started.
- We have to go NOW. Summer pulled her out of the restaurant by the wrist.
- What's wrong? Jody asked.
- Eating with them is way too weird without Marissa and Alex, Summer explained.
- Seth is your boyfriend, it shouldn't be weird, Jody noticed.
- It's not because of Seth, Summer replied, it's because of Ryan...
- Whatever you need to believe, Jody whispered, following Summer.
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Marissa silently crutched her way to the kitchen and watched Alex cook. The blonde was everything she wasn't, Marissa thought with a smile. Watching Alex cook was like poetry. She had this natural skill with food that probably came with practice, since the girl had to live on her own by the age of seventeen... Marissa shook her head, an idiotic smile on her face. Here she was, admiring Alex's cooking skills. Damn it girl, she thought, you've really fallen hard for her... But after all, Marissa had her reasons to admire her, since she could barely prepare pancakes (after Alex had thought her five times with extreme patience) and frozen pizza. In other words, without Alex, Marissa would probably live on take-outs. Today, tacos where on the menu.
- I see you're spoiling Dean, Marissa said. Alex jolted and turned to face the brunette.
- It's his consolation price, she explained, since he can't have me.
- Oh, Marissa said with a laugh, that's really modest of you.
- I know uh, Alex winked, turning back her attention to the salsa bowl. Marissa stole a taco from the plate.
- You just ruined the presentation!! Alex screamed, slapping Marissa's hand. Why did you have to take the one in the middle?
- It looked tastier... Marissa replied, her eyes asking for forgiveness.
- You're lucky you're crippled, because I would have so pushed you right now... Alex said, waving her cooking spoon around.
- Oh you did not just say that!! Marissa said, taking another cooking spoon and threatening Alex with it.
- What are you trying to do? Alex said, raising an eyebrow. Marissa looked at her, still holding the spoon in a threatening way.
- I'm trying to scare you, isn't it obvious?
- With a wooden spoon? Alex laughed. Marissa hit her shoulder with it.
- AIE you bitch.
- This will teach you to use the C-word! Marissa said, hitting her again.
- You're the one who stole my taco! Alex replied, not believing it.
- Ehm Sorry for interrupting... a voice said. They both turned to face Dean, Marissa's spoon frozen near Alex's shoulder. The blonde blinked once and took the spoon from Marissa's hand, hiding it behind her back.
- Hi Dean, she said. I wasn't expecting you before six... she said, looking at her watch, which is right now... Wow I'm sorry, she apologised.
- It's alright, he said with a smile. His eyes met Marissa's, and they both stared at each other, waiting...
- Oh, Alex said after Marissa hit her in the stomach, Dean, this is my girlfriend Marissa. Marissa, this is Dean, the owner of the manager's school I studied in a few weeks ago. They shook hands.
- Nice to meant you, again, Dean politely said. I'm sorry about what happened...
- It's alright, Marissa said. They stood there, silent, while Alex was cooking. The blonde could feel four eyes staring at her back.
- Dean, she said, Marissa's the one who took care of my club all these times I was studying.
- Oh really? Dean asked, interested. How did you manage that, I mean, without any experience or help...
- Who said I managed it? Marissa joked. They spend an hour laughing about all the crises she had while managing the club.
- I had no idea you had that much trouble... Alex said, listening to the conversation.
- That's because you wouldn't have left for L.A if you knew about it, Marissa replied, looking at her.
- True, she agreed. The doorbell rang.
- Oh, this must be Ryan, Marissa said. She looked at Dean.
- See, she said before leaving to open the door, civilised people announce their presence instead of just coming in.
- She's joking, Alex immediately added, seeing Dean's hurt expression.
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- Hi Ryan, Marissa greeted him. You want to come in? She proposed, opening the door wide.
- It's okay, Ryan said. Let's just go. He had never been at ease being with both Marissa and Alex at the same time.
- Sure, Marissa replied. Let me just grab my coat. He nodded and watched her go. He could hear Alex laugh... and was that a male's voice? Alex was staying in the house with a man, while Marissa was going out with him? Maybe Jody was right, maybe he did have a shot...
- Let's go, Marissa said, closing the door. Ryan helped her to the car since she wasn't totally independent with the walking yet.
- So, the guy with Alex... he started.
- It's Dean Ashmore. He's the guy...
- Over who you and Alex had a fight that night, Ryan completed.
- ... I was more going with : He's the guy who's responsible of Alex's club's major success... and how do you know about the fight anyway?
- Which fight? Ryan asked right away, starting the engine and hating himself for talking too much.
- None, Marissa replied, accepting to drop this conversation.
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- That's a cute apartment, Dean said as he sat at the table.
- Thank you, Alex replied. Marissa designed everything.
- She's got a good sense of fashion.
- Something I don't, Alex completed as she sat down as well.
- I didn't say that... Dean started.
- But you were thinking it, Alex replied. It's okay, she said with a smile, she's the designer, I'm the cook, that's what makes us so perfect for each other.
- You really love her, don't you? He said.
- I do, she replied. Listen, I'm sorry if my actions weren't clear...
- No don't be, Dean cut her, I understand. Besides, the fact that she took care of the club all this time without bragging about it says a lot about her personality...
- Yea, she's a good person, Alex nodded. They remained silent for a while, eating.
- This is all very good by the way, Dean said, I'm touched that you did all this for me.
- Thank you, Alex replied, and it's my pleasure.
The rest of the diner went well. Slowly, they both got comfortable with each other again and it was like if the kiss had never occurred. Dean kept giving her some ideas about the club without asking her to come back to L.A. He probably knew Alex would have refused anyway. As they were having coffee, the doorbell rang.
- I'll get it, Alex said as she got up.
- Oh it's late, Dean noticed. I probably should get going. He followed her to the door.
- Oh, hi Jody, Alex greeted her friend as she opened the door. Here, this is Dean. Dean, that's Jody...
- I know him, Jody said, he's the guy you kissed a few weeks ago. Where's Marissa? Alex felt a scene coming.
- Dean was just leaving, she said.
- Yea, right, Dean replied and hurried to the door. Before leaving, he turned to face Jody.
- I just want you to know that what happened a few weeks ago was a terrible mistake and it won't ever happen again. Jody gave him a "whatever" look as he left the apartment. Alex closed the door behind him.
- Okay Jody, don't make a scene please because noth...
- Make a scene about you? Jody cut her. Haha, honey, you're the one who's being cheated on.
- What?
- Do you even have an idea of where Marissa is right now?
- Yea, she's with Ryan, they're having a coffee it was my idea.
- Okay hon, in that case, you're even more dumb that I would have imagined because you're responsible of what happened.
- Nothing happened! Alex screamed, getting fed up. I spent the night with Dean while she spent it with Ryan, so we could both make things clear with the guys.
- To me, Jody said, it looks like you spent your night with a guy for who you got absolutely no feeling, while the girl you love is spending hers with the love of her life.
- Ryan is not...
- No? That's why she kissed him?
- Now you're pretending you saw them kiss? Alex rolled her eyes.
- I'm not pretending anything, Jody replied, arms crossed.
- Forget it Jody, it's not working, Alex said.
- Whatever, Jody sighted as she left to the living room. Just don't say I haven't warned you this time. Alex watched her go. Was she telling the truth? It did happen before... She heard a car's engine and recognised Ryan's Cadillac. The blond walked her to the door and Alex waited a minute before opening the door, so they wouldn't think she was spying on them or something.
- Oh hi, she greeted them, you came home early. Marissa checked the time.
- It's one am, she said.
- I know, Alex replied. Early. Marissa smiled.
- Really funny, she said as she got in the house. Good night Ryan. Alex did not say a single word to Ryan. He stood waiting a moment, but the blonde kept staring at him in a threatening way, wondering if he really did kiss her girlfriend.
- Good night, Ryan finally replied before heading to his car while Alex closed the door. They would definitely never see eye to eye.
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While Marissa was reading a novel, she could see Alex standing in the doorway but pretended not to. She kept reading the same sentence over and over again without getting the meaning, her mind too busy wondering why the hell Alex was standing there.
- Okay, she said, dropping the book, what's wrong? Alex pretended to be surprised.
- Something should be wrong? She asked.
- It should not, Marissa said, be clearly it is... Alex got closer and sat on the bed next to Marissa.
- Tell me, what did you do with Ryan today? She asked.
- Why are you giving me that look while asking the question?
- Which look? Alex innocently asked.
- ... nothing happened with Ryan.
- Ok, Alex said. Because you have all my trust, so if you tell me that nothing at all happened, even a tiny mistake that you regret right now... then I'll believe you. Marissa sighted.
- Why do I feel like you're not believing me? She asked.
- I am, Alex replied. Nothing at all?
- ... Have you spoken to Jody?
- What does Jody have to do in all that? Alex asked.
- Nothing... Marissa said as she laid in bed. Alex stayed still, surprised by Marissa's sharp answer. Why did she bring Jody in the conversation? Did something happen between them tonight? Did she really see something? Sighting, she slipped herself under the covers, making sure not to touch Marissa. They could both feel an unpleasant cold between them, and neither one really slept that night.
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- Ethereal123