Only You (malex, PG)
i wrote this a few years ago, shortly after The Blaze of Glory aired (the episode of The O.C. where marissa and alex broke up). it was around then that i stopped watching the show. i'd forgotten about this, until i recently found it again. it's not that amazing, i was like 14 when i wrote it, but it's not that bad. it's written like a screenplay, rather than like a regular story. italics indicate stage direction.
Title: Only You
Rating: PG
Word Count: around 1300
Disclaimer: i don't own these characters or the dialogue at the beginning, fox and fucking josh schwartz do. if i did, olivia wilde would never have left the show, marissa and alex would be living happily ever after, and ryan would have fallen off a bridge or drowned or something like that.
SCENE: BONFIRE, BEACH, NIGHTTIME
There is a big bonfire going on at the beach. It is the Harbor High School pep rally. Marissa is already there, dressed in a red sweatshirt with 'HARBOR' emblazoned across the front, and a light skirt. She has on brown cowboy boots and her hair is pulled back, with a few wisps left loose in the front. Alex arrives, dressed in jeans and a black jacket, her hair straight and down. She has two huge, tattooed guys with her. They walk up to Ryan and it appears as though a fight is about to break out, until Marissa steps in and breaks them up. She turns to Alex.
MARISSA
This is between you and me
ALEX
Fine, then lets talk, you and me
MARISSA
Fine
Marissa storms down the beach, away from the bonfire, with Alex close behind. When they are far enough away, they start arguing.
MARISSA
You wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?
ALEX
I just wanna talk.
MARISSA
You wanna talk, then why don't you tell me why you brought two skeezy ex-cons to my school bonfire! (stops walking and turns to face Alex)
ALEX
(angrily) I'm sorry if I interrupted your bonfire, it just seems like that's all you ever do lately!
MARISSA
Well I didn't realize moving in with you meant giving up my life!
ALEX
(yelling) I never asked you to give up your life; all I ever wanted was to be a part of it!
MARISSA
Well this (motions towards the bonfire) is my life, ok…that’s it…so what do you think? (voice cracks as she finishes speaking)
Alex looks at Marissa. Marissa looks back, waiting for an answer. When Alex doesn’t speak, Marissa sits down on a log. Alex walks over to where Marissa is and sits across from her. She swallows, seemingly to hold back tears. She doesn't look at Marissa as she starts speaking, and is unable to keep the emotion out of her voice.
ALEX
I think....that this is your life....and I don't fit in. (Marissa looks away) Pep rallies…cheerleaders...boys....
MARISSA
(voice heavy with emotion) Nothing happened with Ryan!
ALEX
(bitterly) Yeah not yet, but what do you give it, a week? A month?
Marissa looks down, away, anywhere but at Alex. When she finally does speak ,her voice cracks.
MARISSA
I really wanted this to work between us. (Alex nods) Look, I’m sorry if I hurt you.
ALEX
(smiles ruefully) I'm sorry, that I brought two skeezy ex-cons to your bonfire. (Marissa laughs a little) Actually only one of them ever actually served time…. (trails off)
MARISSA
So what happens now?
ALEX
You should go, have fun. You deserve it. And....(closes her eyes and takes a deep breath) Go be with Ryan. You should be together. You...belong together.
Alex turns, trying to hide her tears from Marissa, obviously heartbroken. Marissa stands; Alex doesn’t react. Marissa looks at Alex sitting and sobbing softly, then looks at the bonfire, then back at Alex. She kneels down in front of Alex, reaches out and cups Alex’s cheek. Alex doesn’t look at her, but she doesn’t move away either. Marissa starts speaking softly, but meaningfully.
MARISSA
Lex, baby nothing happened with Ryan. Nothing is going to happen with Ryan. Ever.
ALEX
You say that now, but -
MARISSA
Yes, I say that now. But I mean it forever. Nothing is going on between me and Ryan because I don’t want there to be.
At this, Alex looks up at Marissa, her eyes shining with tears. She isn’t trying to hide the fact that she’s crying anymore. Their eyes meet,
MARISSA
Do you really think that Ryan and I belong together?
ALEX
Truthfully, no. I don’t think you should be with him.
MARISSA
Good, because I don’t want Ryan. I’m not still in love with Ryan. I don’t think I ever really was. I want you, and only you. Ryan is my past. And he’s going to stay a part of my past. You are my future. Alex, I…
Marissa looks away, breaking eye contact. She takes a deep breath before continuing, preparing herself for what she’s about to say. She speaks softly, almost inaudibly, but loud enough that Alex can hear.
MARISSA
I…I love you, Lexi.
Alex stares at Marissa, a combination of shock and disbelief and joy etched on her face. Her jaw drops slightly. She looks like she wants to say something, but no words come out.
MARISSA (con’t)
(laughs a little to try and ease the situation) Yeah. I love you. Not Ryan. You. Nothing is going to happen with Ryan because I couldn’t risk losing you. I love you too much. You said you wanted to be part of my life. Well babe, you’re the most important part. God, I think I fell in love with you the first time I met you, at the Cohen’s anniversary party. You were Ryan’s date, and I couldn’t help but stare at you all night. Summer thought it was because I was jealous that Ryan had moved on, but in reality I just couldn’t believe that someone as breathtakingly beautiful as you was single, and with someone like Ryan. Gorgeous blonde hair with that one purple streak, (reaches up and brushes a strand of hair off of Alex’s face), mesmerizing blue-green eyes that I could stare into for hours, (they lock eyes), a dazzling smile that could light up even the darkest places, a body to die for. How could I not fall in love with you? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I don’t ever want to lose you. You’ve taught me how to have fun without drinking. You’ve brought out a side of me I didn’t even know existed, and most importantly, the only time in my life when I’ve been truly, blissfully happy and completely carefree is when I’m with you. Hell, I even made it through a Valentine’s Day dinner with Satan herself because I knew I could go see you afterwards. If you can look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me, I’ll leave. It would break my heart and I’d be miserable, but I would learn to live without you. I’d have to learn to live without you, if you tell me right now that you aren’t in love with me.
Alex still doesn’t speak. She’s too stunned by Marissa’s revelation. When she doesn’t get a response, Marissa looks away, defeated. She stands up and turns to walk away, which is enough to snap Alex out of her daze. She reaches out and grabs Marissa’s hand. She stands up next to her, takes both of Marissa’s hands into hers, looks into her eyes and smiles.
ALEX
Marissa, baby, I’d die without you. I love you more than you can even imagine. From the first moment I ever laid eyes on you you had my heart. I was completely entranced. I wanted nothing more than to be with you. To take you into my arms and never let go, to be on the receiving end of that smile, (Marissa smiles shyly and blushes), but I was scared shitless of the incredible force that attracted me to you. I had never felt anything like that before, not even with Jodie. You complete me, Riss. I need you. I love you. You’re stuck with me, and there’s no way you’re getting rid of me anytime soon.
MARISSA
Good, because I’d go insane without you.
They embrace each other tightly, as though they never want to let go. When they pull away, they look deep into each other’s eyes.
MARISSA
I love you, Alex Kelly
ALEX
And I love you, Marissa Cooper
They both lean in, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. Neither is rushing, they are just enjoying the feeling of their bodies pressed together. As they pull away, they lean their foreheads together and nuzzle each other’s nose.
ALEX
C’mon babe, let’s get out of here
MARISSA
I thought you’d never ask
They kiss again, then walk hand in hand towards the parking lot, where Alex’s jeep is waiting. They climb into the car and Alex turns the key in the ignition. She turns to smile at Marissa, then leans over the quickly kiss her before backing out of the parking space and driving off to their apartment.
FADE TO BLACK