Ryan was grabbing some coffee, while Sandy was making his morning bagel. Ryan had missed their little morning ritual.
"So how are you liking being back?" Sandy asked, taking a bite of his bagel.
"It's great, I've really missed everyone." Ryan said.
"We missed you too, kid." Sandy said smiling.
Ryan smiled back at Sandy, not knowing what else to say.
"So, what are your plans for the summer?" Sandy asked, taking a seat at the table.
"I was actually thinking of taking a trip this summer." Ryan said, as he joined Sandy.
"A trip?" Sandy asked.
"Yeah, I mean I have the summer off and I thought this would be a great time to see the world." Ryan said.
"Really? What part of the world were you thinking of?" Sandy asked.
"Greece." Ryan said.
"Greece huh? And this wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that, Marissa is there too?" Sandy asked, giving Ryan his signature eyebrow raise.
"She's there? I completely forgot." Ryan said, trying to seem innocent.
"Well if that's not the reason, then why don't you go to some other country?" Sandy asked.
"I was thinking Greece because I could learn so much about history and it's such a beautiful country." Ryan said.
"I bet. What's this really about?" Sandy asked.
"Why does this have to be about something?" Ryan asked sheepishly.
"You forget that I was a public prosecutor for years, I can tell when someone is lying to me. Spill it." Sandy said.
"Last year, when Marissa was leaving, I dropped her at the airport and ever since things have felt unfinished. I thought it was just one of those things you feel when someone is leaving but I've spent this past year thinking about her and that moment. My second year is going to start soon and it wont be easy and I need to know before it starts where we stand." Ryan said, finally giving up the charade.
"Do you really think it's a good idea?" Sandy asked.
"What's a good idea?" Kirsten asked, as she walked into the kitchen with Seth. He'd already figured out what was going on.
"Ryan wants to go to Greece for the summer." Sandy said, looking at Kirsten.
"Greece? Why Greece?" Kirsten asked, taking a seat at the dinner table next to Ryan and Sandy.
"Because I want to go see Marissa." Ryan said looking at Kirsten.
"Marissa? I didn't even know you two were friends." Kirsten said.
"They're not." Seth said.
"Then why do you want to go see her?" Kirsten asked Ryan.
"Because Ryan wants to give his relationship with her another chance." Seth said.
"Oh. Well you just got here, you can't leave right away." Kirsten said.
"I'm not leaving right away, I was thinking about leaving next week, if that's okay with you guys." Ryan said.
Kirsten and Sandy shared a look and after what seemed like telepathic communication between the two, Kirsten said, "It is."
"Thank you guys so much, you don't know how much it means to me." Ryan said smiling.
Kirsten and Sandy smiled back at Ryan, happy seeing him so excited about something. Only Marissa Cooper could get Ryan so tied up in knots and excited at the same time.
Ryan hadn't ever been so nervous and excited at the same time, about anything in his life. He knew he had to see Marissa, he owed to himself and her to give them a shot. Their timing was never right, until now. All their struggles, their differences were gone, they'd both grown to be the people they needed each other to be. This was their only thing he was worried about was if Marissa was ready to give them another chance.