"Crash and Burn"

Cuz there has always been heartache and pain, and when it is over you'll breath again.

Author's Note: Song title/lyrical quote comes from Savage Garden's "Crash and Burn". Thanks for reading. I hope you like it. Please leave reviews whether they are good or not. Because most of my stories are one parters, I never get the chance to mention how much reviews mean to me. I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to leave a comment.

"Ryan, ole buddy. Pal...come on please. Please!" Seth stands in front of me, eyes wide trying to look pitiful, but I don't back down.

"Nope. Notta. Sorry not gonna happen." I return my attention to the physics book placed on my lap. I need to study. Correction, I HAVE to study.

"But it is really important. How many times in my life would I get this opportunity?" He resumes begging. I continue to ignore him.

"I'll buy you a baboa bar."

"No, Seth. If I wanted one, I could by my own. They're like three bucks."

"Fine. I'll buy you two."

"No, Seth. You're not gonna get me to budge. This isn't gonna happen."

Later that night it is just Sandy, Kirsten, and me at the house. Seth left. I guess he decided when it comes to the "big" moment that I will cover for him. The kid has too much faith.

"So where did Seth go tonight, Ryan?" Kirsten asks as she takes the chinese food we ordered out of the stryaphone boxes.

I shrug.

Sandy picks up on the fact that I'm hiding something. You'd think I'd be better liar after the shit I did in Chino. Then again, my mom didn't care enough about me for me to have to form lies. I could tell her the truth, and she wouldn't care because she ultimately did not care about my wellbeing.

"Kid, why aren't you with him?" Sandy asks as he goes through the mail.

"Didn't feel like it." That is true.

He looks up from the mail. I just know he is on to me. It must be from all those years as a public defender.

"You're hiding something," Sandy simply states.

"What makes you think Ryan is hiding something, Sandy?" Kirsten asks as she places the Kung Pao Chicken in a crystal dish. It seems out of place for takeout Chinese to be served in fine dishes.

"I worked as a public defender. I've seen it all and heard it all. I know the telltell signs of lying, and Ryan is definately hiding something. Spill it son."

I swallow nervously. "You'll kick his ass if I tell you," I answer truthfully.

"And I'll ground yours if you don't tell me where he is," Sandy replies. He doesn't sound mad. In fact he is grinning. He's just looking out for his son, and I decide to betray Seth and tell Sandy. Afterall, I wish I had grown up having someone worry about me. Seth doesn't know how lucky he is.

"He staying the night at Summer's," I tell Sandy wondering how he will react.

"You're right. I will kick his ass. He can stay the night and have his little fun cuz he sure as hell will need something happy to remember while he spends his weekend nights at home."

So Sandy is grounding him. Interesting. I've never been grounded a day in my life prior to Newport.

"Well on that note, I am going to go to the poolhouse until dinner." I stand up planning to enjoy a few minutes alone by myself.

"Not so fast, son. You'll be joining him."

Damn. I guess Seth doesn't have too much faith. Afterall I am also going down with him.

FIN