Summary :
Takes place after the graduates (Season 3) but Marissa didn't die, and she decided to go to Berkeley along with Ryan and his girlfriend Sadie. Unlike Atwood, she doesn't have her own apartment and has to live in one of these on-campus rooms. … Surprise when she meets her roommate! MALEX.

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You again?
Chapter 1 - Prelude

It was a shiny day in Newport, probably the last one Marissa and Summer will see for a while, both girls thought sadly as they were preparing their bags each in her room. Marissa buckled the last of her bags and went in her bestfriend's room to give her a hand, or simply stare at her.

"I can't believe we're going to be separated again Coop", Summer said as she watched her friend come in. "Feels like we just started to speak again, and now…"

"I know", Marissa replied. "But it's only for a couple of months, then we got Christmas break, and Easter…"

"And we'll keep in touch in the meantime", Summer completed. They heard footsteps.

"You girls are ready?" Julie asked, Neil Robert standing next to her.

"Ready to get shipped to the other side of the country and be left there all alone?" Summer replied with irony. "Sure, how can I not be ready?" Marissa rolled her eyes and pulled her friend in an embrace.

"I'm gonna miss you so much", she said.

"Me too. Well at least it's comforting to know Volchok won't be anywhere near you." Marissa couldn't help but smile.

"He's actually a nice guy if you learn to know him." She defended her ex-boyfriend.

"Whatever you say Coop", Summer replied without hiding her disgust as she grabbed her bags and threw them on her father. "It's time", she sighted. Smirking, Neil gave a quick kiss to Julie and left to put the bags in the car. Summer said goodbye to Julie and followed her father, leaving both Coopers alone in the room.

"So, I never thought I would actually drive my daughter to college someday", Julie told her. Marissa could sense a hint of pride in her mother's voice.

"Makes both of us", she said. She couldn't help but to return the smile.

XxX

The airport was packed. Lost in the crowd, Marissa tried to find her bags.

"Looking for this perhaps?" A familiar voice asked her. The brunette turned around and smiled at the sight of a familiar face.

" Hey", she greeted Ryan as the took the bag. "Thanks."

"My pleasure", the blonde replied as they walked together through the college.

"I thought Sadie was moving in with you?" Marissa tried to sound casual.

"She is. She'll be there next week," Ryan explained. They had arrived to the campus, where hundreds of students were trying to find their way.

"I can't believe I made it", she heard Ryan whisper.

"Me neither", she replied, smiling as well. She knew how much this meant for Ryan, how he was the first Atwood to ever made it to college and she promised herself not to screw it up for him.

"So I guess you got your nice apartment now", she teased him, "while I'll be living in one of those on-campus rooms with a complete stranger."

"Well feel free to call me if your roomy turns out to be an overly possessive drug addict, or a punkish robber who initiates people to marijuana." Marissa rolled her eyes.

"I'll take note of that", she said. "And you make sure none of your family members tries a move on me", she added. They were walking in the college, trying to find Marissa's dorm room.

"Since Trey is gone and dad's in prison", Ryan said, "I guess we'll have to watch out for my mom." Marissa pushed him against the nearest wall.

"Very funny", she said.

"Well you're the one who brought it up" He replied, laughing.

"210, that's my room", Marissa said as she read the number on the door. She pushed the key in and turned the doorknob. There was nobody else in the room, but her roommate has already been in there since there was a bag on one of the beds. Slowly, she walked her way to the empty bed and threw her own bag on it. All these years, she dreamed of freedom, and now, here it was.

"Feels weird, doesn't it?" Ryan said as if he read in her mind.

"Come on, I want to see your apartment" She smiled as she pushed him out of her room.

XxX

Ryan's apartment was only five minutes away from the campus, which was perfect if Marissa needed immediate rescuing, as Ryan pointed out.

"Wow, nice room" Marissa said as she walked in. "Very spacious" Ryan rolled his eyes, knowing where this was going.

"Lots and lots of free space…" Marissa kept going.

"Alright I got it" He said. "I know it's a bit empty…"

"A bit?" Marissa mocked. There was nothing in the apartment. Ryan put down his boxes and took out a desk clock and put in on the ground.

"Here, not empty anymore" he smiled.

"You seriously need to do some shopping" She said. "Lucky you, I'm here to help!"

"Lucky me" He grinned, earning a slap on the arm.

"I'll just change first". Marissa said, not offended at all, and they made their way back to her room.

XxX

When Marissa walked back in, she was hoping to meet her roommate, but once again, it was empty. Shrugging her shoulders, she opened her back and searched for some appropriate clothes, throwing everything on her bed. She was so concentrated she did not hear the door swing open and someone get in.

"Am I interrupting?" An ironic voice said, making Marissa jolt and turn around topless.

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Mmm. Who might this person be?

Ethereal-123.