Alyssa and Jean-Paul came off the plane tired, sluggish and irritable. Jean-Paul hailed a cab and Alyssa gave the driver the order to take them to a Motel 6. Jean-Paul and Alyssa rented a room and were out the minute their heads hit their pillows.
********************
(The Next Day)
After calling Rent-A-Car, Alyssa and Jean-Paul rented an Oldsmobile Olero and drove to the address that Lynn had mailed her. Alyssa thought about how her life used to be. How life with Ryan used to be. Alyssa sighed as she pulled into the driveway of the house who’s address read 2430.
“This is it.” Alyssa said, unbuckling her seat belt. Now that she was there, Alyssa was starting to feel a little nervous. Alyssa and Jean-Paul walked up to the front door and knocked. Alyssa heard footsteps and Lynn opened the door.
“Lyss!” Lynn exclaimed. Alyssa laughed and hugged her best friend. “It’s been way too long.” Alyssa nodded.
“It has. Lynn, this is Jean-Paul Marquis. Jean-Paul, this is Lynn Michaels.” Jean-Paul kissed Lynn’s hand.
“Pleased to meet you.” Lynn blushed.
“Same to you. Everyone is out back.” Alyssa followed Lynn into the backyard with Jean-Paul trailing behind. Everyone was gathered around a beautiful Olympic size pool, including Alyssa’s parents and her baby sister Kira.
“Alyssa!” Her mother exclaimed, motioning for her to come closer. Alyssa was frozen in place as her eyes came to rest upon Ryan, who’s arm was wrapped around a short brunette’s waist.
“Earth to Lyss!” Trista called out. Alyssa shifted her gaze to Trista and saw her niece Rachel in person for the first time.
“Hey guys.” Alyssa and Jean-Paul both grabbed lawn chairs and sat down.
“Guys, this is Jean-Paul.” Lynn said, introducing him before Alyssa had the chance. “Jean-Paul, this is Ryan, Alexia, Josh, Julie, Trista, Mira, Jane Morgan, John Morgan, Julie’s friend Taylor, Alyssa’s little sister Kira, and her niece Rachel.” Lynn pointed to each person.
“Pleased to meet you all.” Jean-Paul said politely. Alyssa had begun to feel sick to her stomach. Julie noticed that she had turned the color of paste and got up.
“Come help me get some sodas Lyss.” Alyssa nodded gratefully and followed Julie into the house.
“Are you okay Alyssa?” Alyssa shook her head, her short brown hair swinging in response.
“It’s just weird to see Ryan again.” Julie nodded.
“I knew it would be but I didn’t expect you to turn the color of a sheet.”
“I just--” The two little girls came rushing into the room.
“Soda.” Kira stated, and grinned widely. Julie grabbed a cooler and filled it with ice and soda. They then headed back out into the backyard.
“Finally!” Alexia exclaimed. “I’m like dying of thirst.” Julie rolled her eyes.
“If you were that thirsty, you could have gotten off your lazy butt and got your own soda.” Julie retorted, setting the cooler down. Ryan shot her a dirty look as everyone grabbed a soda.
“So how’s life in France?” Josh asked. Alyssa took a sip of her Pepsi before replying.
“It’s different, but I love it. After living there for a year, I don’t think I could live anywhere else.
“How’s college going?” Julie inquired.
“Well,” Alyssa began, shifting in her chair. “I changed my major. I decided that I wanted to try to write books and novels someday instead of reporting.” Julie crossed her arms over her chest.
“Speaking of writing, you should have written or called more often.” Alyssa looked down at the ground.
“I know.” Julie narrowed her eyes, her anger rising.
“Then why didn’t you?” Alyssa’s head snapped up at the harsh tone of Julie’s voice.
“I was busy Julie. I had a life over there. It may not be a good excuse but I was busy.”
“Too busy to keep in touch with your friends? That’s messed up Alyssa.” Ryan put a hand up to stop Julie from saying anything more.
“Stop. We didn’t come her to fight.” Julie sighed, and Trista looked at her watch.
“I better put Rachel down for a nap.” Mrs. Morgan nodded.
“Kira too.” The ones who remained outside scattered, leaving Alyssa alone with Alexia.
“So you’re the famous Alyssa I have heard so much about. The bitch who broke Ryan’s heart.” Alyssa narrowed her eyes and nodded.
“You must be the whore I have heard nothing about.” Alexia leaned forward in her seat.
“Frankly, I don’t see what all the fuss is about. You’re certainly not the goddess he makes you out to be.” Alyssa glared at her, shooting daggers from her deep brown eyes.
“Do you have a point?” Alexia nodded.
“Stay away from Ryan. I worked hard to get him and I’m not going to let you waltz into town and take him away from me.”
“I’m not going to let a wench on a power trip ruin my time here. Is it my fault that I’m serious competition? No, I didn’t think so. Deal with it.”
******************
Alyssa Morgan
Here is where everything gets complicated. Before I came back home, I was happy. I loved college, my job in that little cafe, spending time with Jean-Paul. He helped me get over my fear of commitment. But no matter how happy I was out there, I could not miss Julie’s wedding. Not for anything in the world. Now I have to deal with feelings for ryan that I can’t deny, a wench who sees me as competition for Ryan’s affection, and my over bearing parents who seem kinda distant from each other. Isn’t life wonderful?
~~~~~~~~
Trista Morgan
My sister still wants Ryan. You could tell because she looked absolutely devastated when she saw him with Alex. Ryan still wants Alyssa even though he is happy with Alex. Alexia looked like she wanted to kill Alyssa. I wonder what’s going to happen.
~~~~~~~~
Ryan Brennon
I want Alyssa, because I love her. I want Alex, because well I love her too. I’m more confused than I have ever been in my whole life.
****************
“Earth to Ryan!” Alexia exclaimed, snapping her fingers in front of Ryan’s face. Ryan looked at her sheepishly.
“Sorry Alex.” Alexia rolled her eyes.
“You’re thinking about Alyssa aren’t you?” Ryan shrugged his shoulders.
“She was one of my best friends and it feels like she’s a stranger.” Alexia let out an exasperated sigh.
“Need I remind you that I am your girlfriend? I won’t let her waltz into town and steal what’s rightfully mine.” Ryan sighed and pulled her close.
“You have nothing to worry about Alex.” Ryan swallowed hard as he said the bitter lies. “You’re the only one I want.”
******************
(The Next Day....)
Julie, Alyssa, Trista, Lynn, and Taylor decided to have a girl’s day out. Their first stop: the mall.
“Let’s look in here.” Lynn suggested, pointing to a trendy boutique. The girls went in and started to look around.
“It’s too bad Alexia didn’t want to go.” Trista commented. Alyssa rolled her brown eyes.
“No it’s not.” Everybody looked at her in shock. “That girl has a bone to pick with me already.”
“Really?” Lynn inquired, surprised. Alyssa nodded, her messy ponytail bobbing up and down.
“I don’t know what all the fuss is about.” Alyssa said, imitating Alexia’s condescending tone. “You’re certainly not the goddess he makes you out to be.” Julie’s mouth dropped open and the others gasped in shock.
“What does she know?” Trista said, inspecting a deep blue skirt. “There’s a reason that Ryan talks so highly of you.” The others nodded in agreement.
“Maybe while you’re here, you can work on your tan. I hear that Paris is always cloudy.” Alyssa sighed.
“Paris is just as sunny as Florida, and I have other, more important things to think about then my tan. Besides,” Alyssa stopped to look at a tank top. “We’re all probably going to get skin cancer when we’re thirty.” Julie stopped in her tracks.
“Jesus, Alyssa! I only mentioned it because you’re tan used to be really important to you.” Alyssa rolled her eyes.
“Grow up Julie. I have important things going on in my life right now. I don’t have time to worry about my tan. Just because everything in your life is all sunshine and roses doesn’t mean ours are too.” Julie narrowed her eyes at Alyssa.
“Fuck you Alyssa.” Julie angrily grabbed a shirt off the rack. “God, you went away to college and came back a snotty bitch.” Alyssa put her hands on her hips.
“EXCUSE me?”
“You heard me.” Julie stated. “You’re nothing but a--”
“STOP!” Trista demanded. “We’re here to have fun.” Alyssa shrugged her shoulders and turned to leave.
“I’m outta here.”
*********************
When Alyssa returned home, her parents were argueing in the kitchen, loud enough for Alyssa to hear.
“I’m not going to babysit both of them.” Jane Morgan stated. “Kira is enough for me to handle. Trista can find the money for a babysitter.”John Morgan shook his head.
“She’s our daughter Jane. Granted, she made a mistake but we should still help her. Her and Craig can’t do it all on their own.”
“No John. She needs to be responsible with her money. Trista should put the money that she buys CD’s with into buying Rachel the necessities that she needs.” Jane put a hand to her forehead in frustration. “I wish Alyssa would move back home.”
“There you go playing favorites again Jane.” John shook his head. “Trista deserves as much love and respect as Alyssa does.” Jane narrowed her eyes.
“Alyssa didn’t go out and get pregnant John. Alyssa is more responsible than Trista. And if you don’t like that, then leave John. Get out of my house.” When Alyssa stepped into the kitchen, the arguments stopped and Jane’s mood brightened immediatly.
“Hi Daddy.” Alyssa said. John smiled, as if trying to reassure Alyssa that everything was okay.
“Hello Alyssa.”
“Why were you guys argueing?” Both her parents looked at each other cautiously.
“It was nothing Alyssa. Don’t worry about it.” Alyssa shrugged her shoulders, disbelief in her eyes. Her parents had fought with each other, not in the twenty-six years they had been married. As Alyssa headed up to her room, one thought went through her mind. What’s happening?
******************
Alyssa Morgan
My parents have been married for tweny-six years. That’s a long time. They’re just now starting to argue? Of course, I can’t say that they didn’t argue before I was born because, well, I just don’t know. I know Mommy didn’t mean it when she told Daddy to get out of the house. Did she?
~~~~~~~
Trista Morgan
I hope Alyssa isn’t too surprised about Mom and Dad fighting. Daddy’s defending me and Mom’s being......well, a bitch. Maybe things would be better if Alyssa moved back home.
~~~~~~~~
Alexia Jordan
I come from a poor family and all my life I have had to work hard to get what I want. When Ryan finally started paying attention to me instead of pining for Alyssa, I was ecstatic. It really seemed like he was in love with me. Maybe he is, but the moment she came into the backyard, Ryan was gone. Yes, his arm was around my waist, but it was her he was thinking about. I bet Alyssa thinks she can come in here and steal Ryan away from me. I would love to say that she can’t, but I saw the way he still looks at her. Yet another thing I’m going to lose.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jean-Paul
From the first moment I saw Alyssa on that plane, I knew that I could fall in love with her. I gave her my number but I never expected her to call me. And when we started dating, I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. She was kinda apprehensive at first, only because she had a fear of commitment. At least she’s over that now, so if her and Ryan get together, they might have a good chance. Yet another thing that I’m going to lose.
Chapter Three
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