Disclaimer- I don't own The OC, this was just an idea that came to me when I was trying to sleep. This chapter is short cause it's the prologue.

Ryan fidgeted with his car door. It was a rental and he didn't like it. He wanted his car back. He wanted- No. He couldn't have his car or her back.

He looked at the church where his whole family was right now. Where her whole family was right now. He quickly turned back to his car for the fifth time.

"Chicken." He heard someone mutter.

He looked up to see a girl with auburn hair in a black dress. She was muttering to herself and she seemed to be going through the same motions he was. She'd get out of her car start for the church, then turn abruptly on her heels and go back to her car.

She let out a groan and he finally called to her, "Taylor? Are you okay?"

She looked up shocked, "Ryan? What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside right now?"

"Could ask you the same question." He shrugged walking over to her car.

"I…" she started and stopped staring at her hands, "I'm not sure I belong here. I did get Ma-" she paused when she saw him flinch, "her kicked out of Harbor."

"Yeah, but then you got her back in." he pointed out.

"Why aren't you inside?" she countered ignoring his point.

"I can't face them." He said simply, and Taylor knew not to pick at old wounds.

Ryan looked at her for a long time. He didn't even know Taylor Townsend that well. He'd spent three years of his life chasing after Marissa Cooper, and now she was gone, and what did he have to show for it?

"Well since we're not going to this, do you wanna go to the diner and get a cup of coffee?" he asked.

Taylor looked back towards the church and he followed her gaze. He knew what she was thinking before she said a word. They should be in the church, paying their last respects. She should be comforting Summer, and he should be giving a eulogy and telling the whole place what a great woman Marissa Cooper was. They both had things they were supposed to be doing, but nevertheless Taylor said, "Sure." And Ryan climbed into her car, hoping Seth would take care of the rental.

"Is it okay if I say this is weird?" Taylor asked softly.

Ryan nodded, "I was thinking the same thing." Taylor sighed in relief as she stirred some sugar into her coffee, while Ryan drank his black and devoid of any taste.

It was weird. Ryan knew it was going to be. He didn't know this girl outside of Seth and Summer, and she didn't know anything about him other than the fact that he was Seth's brother.

Well he did know that she had been extremely annoying in school. One of those girls who would pretend to have sympathy for you if you failed a test before proudly showing off her 'a' so you can return the ego stroke. And then she did get Mar- her kicked out of Harbor which subsequently got him kicked out of Harbor. But then she had a hand in getting both of them back in so in the end it all evened out.

"So how much did you hate me when we were in school together?" Taylor asked, with a smile to show she wouldn't get offended.

Ryan frowned wondering if she had read his mind or if he'd spoken his thoughts aloud, "We didn't hate you."

"Oh please," she grinned, "You were probably the President of the 'We Hate Taylor' club."

Ryan shook his head modestly, "No. I was the secretary." He mirrored her grin, "I took the notes."

"Ryan!" she said happily, "You made a joke."

He nodded suddenly at ease, "A little one." When the laughter subsided her side of the table got awkward again, while he was still actually okay. He wanted to tell her. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling she'd understand in the way that Seth and Summer wouldn't. It had only been a week since Mari- her death and he knew what he needed to do, "I'm leaving."

"Oh okay. I can get the check. Do you need a ride back to your car?" the girl prattled on, trying to disguise her hurt at his abrupt announcement.

"No, I mean… I'm leaving Newport." He said.

"Oh." She said happy he wasn't leaving the table. She fully processed his comment and widened her eyes, "What?"

"I'm leaving Newport. I need… I think I need to get away."

"Where will you go?" she asked.

He shook his head, "I don't know."

"Will you ever come back?" Ryan shrugged his shoulders, "Okay." Taylor said nodding.

Ryan finished the rest of his coffee.

He looked in the mirror at his bloody and bruised face, grinning, then he looked at the picture of Marissa next to his bed, and shook his head. Nope, still hurts.

The door opened and she hanging her apron up on the hook, she took one look at his face and sighed, "Give me a minute."

She left the room again and returned moments later with an icepack, like always. Well not always, just since they ran away from Newport together.

Taylor climbed up to the top bunk and Ryan lay on the bottom one, still holding the ice to his eye, still grinning from the sight of the other guy going down. Taylor stretched her hand down to reach his and he stretched his up to meet her, before they both started drifting off to sleep.

Okay kinda weird right? But it will get better, I promise.

Please review.

-Em