PART VI
4:30 PM
"I hope this diner is alright for now. I'll take you to somewhere else for dinner later." Alex spoke up taking Marissa's hand.
Marissa didn't feel any better though. The butterflies in her stomach were doing overtime and her mouth decided they couldn't speak.
"Burgers are great here." Alex added still not getting a reply from Marissa.
The blonde smiled but at the back of her head, she was screaming what the hell was her problem. She can't seem to make Marissa comfortable. In all her days that wasn't a fact. She could make people comfortable around her. Why can't she do it for Marissa.
"Did I do something wrong?" Alex asked out loud, startling Marissa who just sat on the booth.
The brunette shook her head violently.
"I'm sorry you have to put up with me for the rest of the day. Kaitlin has a date and I can't find another decent person to accompany me." Alex smiled once more as she took a seat opposite Marissa.
"I'm decent?" Marissa squeaked out.
Finally a word from the goddess' mouth! Goddess? Goodness Kelly you're not thinking straight...
Right... I'm not thinking straight. Where have I read that joke before?
Alex shook her head.
"I'm not?" Marissa squeaked out again.
"No. I mean yes you are decent. Of course you're decent." Alex waved her hands nervously in front.
She was rambling. She was babbling.
She was unsure. She was uncertain.
Great.
She thought to herself. Marissa Cooper just reduced Alex Kelly into an idiot without doing much.
What changed?
Alex asked herself taking a menu from the waitress. She searched for a good burger and glanced to see Marissa sitting quietly across her.
"What will you have Riss?" Alex asked, mentally kicking herself afterwards.
Nicknames already Kelly? You're fast.
The blonde thought to herself.
"I'll have what you'll have." Marissa replied with a faint smile.
Miss Cooper was nervous and unsure. The butterflies aren't helping her much either.
"We'll have two of these and sodas please." Alex ordered as the duo dissolved into silence once more.
A glance here.
A glance there.
They seemed to be feeling awkward with the other but neither said anything about it.
A small smile here.
A small smile there.
Marissa felt she had to talk to Alex about something or anything. She didn't really want to spoil her chances just by keeping her peace.
Hehe. Peace.
At least make a conversation, goddammit!
Her head screamed. Marissa closed her eyes for a brief moment then let the butterflies fly away. She drank a gulp of soda before engaging to the netherworld of the unknown.
"Heard you got a love letter." Marissa started, her voice evidently unsure.
"Yeah. Nothing fancy, like most people in school say."
"Can I read it?"
"Sure." Alex replied taking the letter out.
Marissa took the letter and silently read it. A small smile crept out on her lips then gave back the letter to the blonde.
"She really likes you."
"Yeah. Enough to make my last day weird."
"Sorry…" Marissa bowed her head and stared at her burger which arrived just in time.
"No. You're not part of the weird. I mean you're not weird. Actually, it's nice to finally spend time with you." Alex tried to ease her embarrassment but to no avail.
Idiot. Lay out everything so she could freak out why don't you.
She heard her head screaming once more. Alex Kelly going gaga over Marissa Cooper.
It was a good thing the school paper wasn't doing an issue now.
5:00 PM
"I thought you said you were in love with her?"
"I am."
"Then why did you do that? If you love her, why did you push her away from you and not pull her to you?"
"Because I love her."
"You love her? You love her enough to be with someone else?"
"No. I love her enough to see her happy."
"What makes you think she's going to be happy with Marissa? What makes you think Marissa is going to be happy with her?"
The blonde girl turned to the blonde boy.
"I know so, Ryan. I know so."
5: 40 PM
Marissa leaned her back against the booth and drank the last bit of soda in her glass. She rubbed her tummy and thanked the heavens for filling it up.
"Do you want more?" Alex asked with a cheeky grin.
"No thanks. I'm full."
Alex smiled and took her wallet out to pay for their meal.
"Here. This is for my part of the bill."
"No." Alex pushed Marissa's hand away.
"I said I'll treat you today. No complaints." The blonde winked and paid their bill.
Marissa smiled back feeling a little less nervous now. Maybe she just needed a little more time to get used to Alex. Maybe she'll be able to tell her soon.
"I'll take you home." Alex offered moving out of the booth.
"No. I can walk. You can just pick me up later." Marissa smiled big realizing she made a whole two sentences reply worth of more than six words.
She didn't realize it made Alex feel at ease too. The blonde was happy to note that Marissa Cooper wasn't fainting or giving her one word replies anymore.
"Alright. I'll be there by seven." Alex replied rubbing her hands.
She felt a little cold. Was the diner's aircon set on high? She wouldn't know.
"Don't you think that's a little late?" Marissa looked at her watch.
5:45 PM
"Oh…" She added realizing they have been in the diner for more than an hour.
Not that she was complaining.
"Seven then." Alex smiled and took a bow.
"I'll see you later Miss Cooper." The blonde added before making her exit.
Marissa sat there on the booth - Her mouth a little bit open.