A/N: Okay so came up with this idea and decided to write about it. It focuses mainly on the fab four and the relationships they have with each other. Somewhat different from the show read on to find out more. Please Review and Comments I want to know what you guys think of it. Title inspired by the song Different by acceptance.
Wanting to be something different
Ryan had been working out of Boston for the past two years. After he graduated from Berkeley he got a job at a big firm and he was an architect and fairly new at it since he was just promoted months before.
The company believed in his designs and felt he had a knack for this kind of work. Currently he was arriving at the airport when his cell went off "A lack of Color" Could be heard a Death cab song which could only mean it was Seth on the other line.
He smiled and picked up. "What's going on man?" Ryan said. "Nothing I was just wondering if you got to the airport already?" Seth said. "Well actually I'm about to head toward the terminals Kirsten's expecting me by this afternoon. So when can I tell your parent's you should be in by?" Ryan wondered.
"Yeah um see…. he was interrupted by Ryan. "Seth come on how many times to I have to go through this? You have to be there for Chrismukkah. You already told your mom you were coming and you wouldn't want her to be disappointed would you?" Ryan said. "Look I said I'd come for Chrismukkah but I was thinking I'd come in a few days" He said sitting at his desk filing through papers.
"Does this have anything to do with the annual Newport X-mas gala held by the new port group? The one party where you and Summer will actually have to be in attendance?" He said. "Summer's going?" Seth said. "Yep she told your mom already. Look man you guys have to talk eventually so just suck it up and get your ass on the next flight" Ryan said.
"So I'm sure you're just as equally excited to see Marissa this year?" He said. "Marissa always spends x-mas in New port?" He said. "Yep and she too will be attending the gala" Seth said. "Your mom forgot to mention that" He said shrugging.
"Your going to keep this charade up still pretending you guys don't mean anything to each other?" Seth said. "Seth I told you for the millionth time there's nothing going on between me and Marissa. Honestly I can't even tell you the last time I saw her" Ryan said knowing it was awhile ago.
"So what are you going to do?" Seth said. "I'm gonna get on the plan before I miss my flight and you will be in New port by tonight or otherwise I'm driving down to L.A. to kick your ass all the way back to New port" He said. "Okay okay" Seth said.
"Okay because Captain Oats can't wait to see you" Ryan joked. "Humor? That's funny" Seth said. "See ya later man" Ryan said hanging up heading towards the right terminal.
Ryan arrived in New Port shortly after and before he knew it he pulled up in front of the Cohen house, the house he had called home for many years. He grabbed his bags and tipped the cab driver and went up the walk. He opened the door setting his bags down.
"Kirsten? Sandy? I'm home" He said looking around and then he spotted Kirsten dashing from the kitchen with a big smile on her face. "Ryan it's so good to have you home" She said enveloping him in a hug. He smiled. "Yeah it's definitely good to be home. Where's Sandy?" He said.
"Well he's she was interrupted by Sandy "Right behind you. How you doing kiddo?" He hugged Ryan. "I'm good. How's it going sandy?" he said smiling. "Well it's definitely better now that you're here. So did you talk to Seth?" He said.
"Yeah I talked him into it and he called back about thirty times or so and I had to convince him some more but he's definitely coming" Ryan said. "Did he say what time?" She said. "He said he should be here in time for the party tonight" Ryan said.
"Great my two boys home for the holidays this is great" She said. The phone rang and she ran off to get it. Ryan smiled at her enthusiasm. "So how's the architect business?" Sandy said helping him carry his bags to the pool house.
"Uh you know it's busy a lot of traveling but you know it fits me" He said reaching the destination and turning the knob.
"Well it certainly does and I'm sure Kirsten will go into it with more detail being she is one" Sandy said. Ryan laughed. "Well you know you could always get into a big discussion with Seth seeing as your both lawyers" Ryan said.
"I intend to. So I'm going to let you get settled and I'll see you a little later on" Sandy said. "Okay" Ryan said. Sandy stared at him. "I'm glad you decided to come this year" He said. "I wouldn't miss it" Ryan said smiling.
Sandy walked away with a smile. Ryan then noticed he was alone and inspected the pool house as he hadn't been in New port in awhile, yet everything about the pool house remained the same. He smiled at the thought of being home.
This was definitely what he needed and he was really glad he decided to come. With that his cell went off signaling it was Seth yet again. He flipped open the cell. "Do I have to convince you to come again or do I have to use force?" He said.
"Relax Atwood I'm only calling you to say that I'm leaving the office and heading home and I should be in by six if the traffics right" Seth said. "Well good so I don't have to use force" He said. "Oh please like you'd ever punch me in the face" Seth said joking.
"Don't tempt me Seth" Ryan said. "You know Ryan I'm upset. Here you are my best friend wanting to punch me in the face seriously what did I ever do to you?" He said.
"Hmm besides chickening out of coming like a bazillion times and your need for these incessant phone calls over the past few days over your nervousness of seeing summer I could go on really" Ryan said. "Sure like I don't listen to you sulk about Marissa Cooper" Seth said.
"Seth I don't sulk what Marissa and I had was a long time ago. Things have changed we moved on" He said. "Well I'm gonna let you get away with that now because I really have to start going in order to make it but this conversation is not over" Seth said. "Actually it is see ya later" He said hanging up.
He thought about his conversation grabbed his keys and his coat and decided to go out. He told Kirsten he'd be back by five and headed towards the pier.
He stood there for awhile watching his surroundings and thinking about things that have happened to him over the years when a voice broke his thoughts.
"Atwood" She said.
He smiled knowing that the voice was most definitely Summer Roberts. He turned towards her.
"How ya doing Summer?" He said. "How am I doing? I haven't seen you in like forever give me a hug" She demanded. He laughed at her forwardness and hugged her.
"It's good to see you" He said. "You too. So what's the reason for you beckoning me here? I mean other then wanting to spend some quality time with me" She said with a smile.
"I just wanted to see how you are? You know kill some time before Seth came back to talk my ear off" He said. She laughed. "So how is he?" She said looking at Ryan.
It was a thing they always were able to do with each other they both asked about Seth and Marissa and they knew that it wouldn't lead to drama much like it would if Ryan was to ask Seth how Marissa was.
It was an understanding between them both. "He's you know Seth" He said. "Nice choice of words Chino. So I assume he doesn't know about all our little talks still?" She said. "Did you tell Marissa?" He said.
"No I just thought it would be better if it stayed between us for now but she's good" She said looking at him. "I know I saw some of her pictures in the magazine Kristen had sent me" He said softly. She nodded. "She loves the freelance work" She said.
He nodded. "So where does Seth stand on the whole job thing with Sandy?" She said. "Umm for right now he's sort of undecided mostly because he likes it out in L.A." He said.
"Right and if he came back how could he avoid me since I live here too" She said. "It's not like that" Ryan said. "I love you for trying Chino but it is like that" She said with a sad smile.
"So what do you say to a cup of coffee at the diner? So we can catch up and you can tell me how the designer business is going?" He said with a smile. "Sure just as long as you tell me how the architect business is" She said with a smile.
"Come on" He said and off they walked towards the diner that became a part of their group during high school they were there so much.
Ryan and Summer had managed to become good friends while attending college being they both ended up in California. Marissa and him had ended it Senior year of High School having crashed and burned after having everything that was thrown at them.
Seth and Summer gave it another go towards the middle of Junior year of High School only to have broken up in the senior year of college due to the distance and just plan burning out whatever was left of the relationship.
Summer stayed in California opting not to go to Brown and attending the University of Southern California while Seth decided to go to Pace in New York city.
Ryan had also stayed and went to Berkeley while Marissa had gotten into a photography program at NYU opting not to Join Ryan at Berkeley just because of the weirdness that still stayed between them.
Neither Ryan or Marissa had really talked since their last falling out at least not the way they used to. When they would see each other which wasn't often and barely for long they would be formal with each other never really getting to close completely masking their feelings from each other.
Seth and Summer were on the same road but now it was getting harder for Seth to be near Summer and not talk to her the way they used to which is why he usually choose to stay away from New Port coming as little as possible.
While for Ryan it was hard but it was home and he knew eventually he would have to deal with Marissa being around although it was different for him.
Since she didn't spend all her time in New port much like himself her job made her travel so while he would visit most times she wouldn't be home except for x-mas where they would inevitably run into each other.
Marissa heard her cell and checked the caller and smiled. "So to what do I owe the honor of this call?" She said with a smile. "Just checking up on you Cooper? Making sure you don't back out of the party tonight?" He said.
She smiled. "Seth I talked you into coming remember and don't call me Cooper that's just weird" Marissa said. "Come on you know you needed convincing especially since Ryan is going to be there" He said.
"Seth I expected to see him there. This isn't about me and Ryan this about you afraid of seeing Summer" She said. "You talk to her recently?" He said. She smiled.
"Yes she's doing awesome and her designs are really going great this season" She said with a smile. "Well good for her" He said. Now it was her turn. "So how's Ryan?" She said straightening the living room.
"He's good you know keeping busy with the job and you know seeing you again as I know you are too" He said. "Seth Ryan and I are not together. Why can't you just accept that?" She said.
"Because if that means that's it for you guys then that means it basically over for me and Summer" He said. "Seth you and Sum are not me and Ryan and you shouldn't base whether or not you and Sum get a second chance on me and Ryan" She said.
"Actually it would be the third chance and who actually gets a third chance" He said. "Who really gets a second chance? But you know you guys did so have some faith" She said. "Does she ask about me?" He said. "Seth" She warned.
"I know. I know you can't betray her trust. Does she even know we talk?" He said. "Does Ryan know we do?" She said. "No I just thought it would be easier for him that way" Seth said. "I highly doubt Ryan would care" Marissa said.
"Oh he most definitely would" He said. Marissa remained silent "So when do you get in?" She said. "Well I just stopped for gas so I should be there within the hour. See ya at the party?" He said.
"Of course. And while you're here we'll have to meet up you know talk more. As it's obvious we can't let on to much around Summer and Ryan" She said. "Okay so see ya later Cooper" He said.
"Later Cohen" She said with a smile and hung up.
It was weird that they shared talks like this and yet neither she nor Seth could ever get themselves to tell Ryan or Summer about it.
That's because for the most part it started simply to keep tabs on each other for their best friends knowing that they would want to know how the other one was doing but eventually it was less about Ryan and Summer and more about her and Seth actually becoming close friends.
It was the exactly the same for Summer and Ryan's friendship.