Chapter 5:

Well? Alex, what are you going tell me? Marissa asked, her voice wavering. She didnt really want to hear what Alex had to say, but she knew she had to.

Alex avoided Marissas gaze, instead looking to Shane for some help on what to tell her. Shane shrugged her shoulders, Im gunna leave you two alone.

No, Shane, protested Marissa, Stay. You can tell me if Alex is lying or not. Marissa sat down next to Alex, taking her hand and kissing it. Alex, you know you can tell me anything, Marissa pleaded, Please?

Alex looked up at the sweet face next to her. She nodded, slowly, and began explaining her story. I wasnt emancipated from my parents. I mean, not originally. I was kicked out. She paused, thinking about what to say next, I I was pregnant.

What?

Alex nodded and then looked up at Marissa again. Marissa looked at her like she didnt even know who she was. The guy didnt want to have anything to do with the baby, or me. So I was forced to live on the streets for a while. Then Shane took me in, helped me find a job, and I realized I was bi.

Marissa looked up at Shane. Shane nodded, telling her that Alex was telling the truth. Marissa put a hand to her face. Alex has a kid? she thought to herself. She turned back to Alex, So wheres the baby now?

It died, Alexs voice was now wavering as much as Marissas was. I had a miscarriage 18 weeks in. I couldnt go back to my parents, so I just stayed. A couple years later, Bette found me a job at the Bait Shop, so I took it and moved to Newport with Jodie.

Marissa looked down at the counter in thought. She rested her head on her hand. What the ***** am I going to do? Marissa thought to herself, Ive changed my whole life for Alex and she didnt even have the decency to tell me the truth about herself.

Riss, baby, are you ok? asked Alex, putting an arm around Marissa in an effort to comfort her.

Of course she wasnt ok. Marissa was fighting an internal war with herself. Should she stay with Alex or go back to her already screwed up life in Newport? She shook her head slowly. I cant do this, she turned to Alex, Alex you lied to me!