A/N: So the official first chapter (called the second chapter here just for continuity purposes since it picks up where the intro left off) is ready. I had to split things up as it was getting a bit long in the tooth, but that's not necessarily awful right? As usual, I don't own any of the O.C. characters that are recognizable, they belong to Josh Schwartz.
The OCs belong to you all. The only one I own in this chapter is Maddie. I also do not own the song in this chapter, that song, the More Boys I Meet, belongs to the great Miss Carrie Underwood.
Chapter Two: The Runarounds and the Runaway
Seth's POV
"Sophie!" I find Sophie seated on a bench outside of an electronics store. She's looking down at her hands, and she's holding back tears. "Soph, hey... What's going on?"
Sophie sighs, shaking her head.
"Come on," I sit next to her. "Are you really that nervous?"
Sophie simply looks at me with a frown.
"Right, it is a new school."
"Not helping."
"Sorry…" I look at my sister as I fidget on the bench. "You know, you could try to talk to some of them."
"No way! You're kidding right?"
"It works."
"Right, because it worked so well for my brother, the high school dork?"
I scoff. "Okay, ouch."
"What would you call it?"
I try to think of a response. "I was perfectly fine in school thank you very much."
"Yeah, after Mom and Dad adopted Ryan. Everyone says so."
"That's…" I trail off dropping my hands into my lap. She was kind of right. More or less. Even though I know I probably could have handled it...right?
Sophie laughs. "If Ryan wouldn't have punched that bully, could you have done it? Without a playstation control?"
I roll my eyes. "Ha ha." I look at Sophie as the laugh dies quickly. I notice her hand keeps going into her pocket, and she's biting her lip. "Did you lose something?"
Sophie's eyes widen. "You can't tell Mom and Dad."
I listen as Sophie explains what happened, and I'm frozen to the bench. Sophie's cell phone had been stolen? For real? "They're going to find out Soph. You can't exactly hide this."
Sophie then looks to the store, then to me. Uh-oh, I know what she's thinking. "Please, please,please!"
"I don't know Soph...I mean…"
"I won't ask you for anything else until next Chrismukkah, please! Mom and Dad can't know."
"They're going to know. Even if it's identical." I rub the back of my neck.
"Maybe but this'll stave off the grounding." Sophie pouts. "Please big brother…please!"
"Fine, but you have to tell them. Don't try to cover up. It'll be worse if you do."
"I will." Sophie nods. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Sophie hugs me.
I glance sideways at Sophie. "I'll believe that when I see it. I'm heading back to the food court if you want to come, Summer said she'll take you to pick out some new outfits."
Sophie nods and we walk back to the food court.
Sandy's POV
I'm in my office at Berkley, and Sylvia and I are going through the required materials for this semester's courses.
"Have you given any thought to our invitation?" I grab a box of books and place it on the desk as Sylvia begins to do the same.
"You mean...dinner with your family?" Sylvia bites her lips and struggles to lift the box. I walk over to help her, but she shakes her head. "I don't…" She stumbles and the box almost falls out of her hand. I grab it and place it next to mine. "I mean, isn't everyone going to be there? I don't want to impose."
"I already talked to Kirsten. It's fine. She's looking forward to it."
"Are...they?"
"Ryan Seth, Taylor, Summer and Sophie?" I nod. "Everyone's going to be glad to meet you. I guarantee it."
"You don't have to...Professor Cohen, the job's enough really. I just, I'm glad to be working with you."
"Well, let me tell you something up front. If we're going to be working together, you're going to have to get used to it." I smile. "And call me Sandy."
Sylvia nods. "Okay…"
"Good. So here's what I'm thinking for the course this semester. Let me know what you think…"
I'm on my way up the driveway when my phone rings. I pull it out and see Taylor's number. I can't help but chuckle. I think I know what this means.
"Is this Taylor or did someone abduct her phone again?"
"Oui."
"Look, Taylor," I continue to play along as I see Kirsten come out onto the porch. "Maddie." I mouth at my wife's questioning look. "I told you I don't speak French. I know you have to practice for your classes next week but-."
"Maddie Lane Atwood!" I hear Taylor's shout and some shuffling. "You get yourself back in the changing room now."
"Grandpa, Mommy's buying me another dress you gotta stop her! PLEASE!"
"It's out of my hands Maddie. Sorry." I try to maintain a serious tone, but it's difficult. "I'm sure you'll look very pretty."
"But I don't wanna." She sighs. "Fine! Mommy says I gotta go now. I love you Grandpa. See you later."
I glance back at Kirsten who is shaking her head. "Love you too Sweetie."
"Sorry Sandy, she took the phone and I didn't realize she did it again." Taylor sighs.
"Don't worry about it. Talking to Maddie is always a highlight."
"I'm sure it is. I just wish she'd ask permission first." Taylor laughs. "See you guys tonight."
"See you tonight." I hang up and then join Kirsten on the porch. "Good afternoon?" I kiss her.
"Well Seth and Summer took Sophie to the mall, so quiet...definitely." Kirsten says. " But good… well better now." She smiles. "How was Sylvia? She had her first day today right?"
"Well since the semester doesn't start for another week, all we were doing was organizing books, but to answer your question she's good. She seems like she'll be a great fit."
"Looks like you've still got your instincts after all. Will she be joining us?"
"I'm not sure." I reply. "It's possible."
Something about Sylvia Walters was nagging at me. I just hoped I could figure out how to best help her.
Taylor's POV
Maddie and I were having lunch at a small sandwich shop, one of those little cafe's with the outdoor tables.
"Don't you like it Maddie?" My daughter was currently sitting across the table, arms crossed. "I thought you liked ham and cheese."
Maddie dangled her legs, purposely kicking at the shopping bag under our feet. "I don't like the dress."
I frown. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"'Cause you want me to wear a dress."
I sigh. "You know you can tell me right Sweetheart?"
Maddie doesn't answer right away, but her legs keep swinging. "Guess so."
"So why didn't you?"
Maddie shrugs, the hood of the small batman hoodie a steal from Seth's old things, rising with the action. "Grandma, you and Aunty Summer always say dresses are pretty. I thought I'd see if you were right."
"So this is a fact finding mission?"
"Yup." She bites her lip. "But I still kinda don't like it."
I can't help it. I laugh.
"It's not funny Mommy!"
"I know," I nod. "I know."
"But you're laughing!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I school my expression. "There, no more laughing."
"There better not be."
"I promise." I nod. "Now finish your sandwich."
"Okay Mommy." Maddie goes back to eating.
As she does, I can't help but think about the exchange we just had and several more just like it in the last couple of weeks. There were moments when Maddie was almost too willing, and other moments when her behavior was the complete opposite. I had a feeling I knew what was bothering her, the same thing that has been bothering Ryan and I. Maddie was starting kindergarten, and I wasn't sure how to help her, because I was just as scared.
"Mom, Mommy, do you hear that?" Maddie kicks my shoes. I look up to see her looking across the street. "Are you listening Mommy?"
I follow Maddie's gaze to see a young girl singing.
This boy here wants to move too fast
He sees my future as having a past
Well, I don't think so
I don't think so
That boy there, well, he's playing a fool
He thinks he's funny and he thinks he's cool
Well, I don't think so
I don't think so
Cheap date, bad taste, another night gone to waste
Talking about nothing in so many words
It's not like I'm not trying
'Cause I'll give anyone a shot once
And, I, I close my eyes
And, I kiss that frog
Each time finding
The more boys I meet the more I love my dog
Here's this guy, thinks he's bad to the bone
He wants to pick me up and take me home
Well, I don't think so
I don't think so
Cage fights, PlayStation, X-Games, Raider Nation
Oversize pants with an ego to match
It's not like I'm not trying
'Cause I'll give anyone a shot once
And, I, I close my eyes
And, I kiss that frog
Each time finding
The more boys I meet the more I love my dog
Why can't they be like the one's that mean everything to me
The warm and loyal, open and friendly
It's not like I'm not trying
'Cause I'll give anyone a shot once
I close my eyes
And, I kiss that frog
Each time finding
The more boys I meet the more I love my
I close my eyes
And, I kiss that frog
Each time finding
The more boys I meet the more I love my dog
The more I love my dog.
As I watch her perform, I study her. She has blonde hair, which is wild around her face, unbrushed. Her clothing is oversized, and she has this look in her eyes, there's something much older. There's something... I have this feeling I can't shake.
"Mommy, can we ask her to sing more?" Maddie pulls my hand. "Please?"
I look down at Maddie. "We can go say hi." I say. I notice that there's a cup with some cash in it near the girl. I hand Maddie five dollars. "Remember to say something nice."
I grab another five dollars as I clutch Maddie's hand and we cross the street.
Lexi's POV
I release a breath as I finish my song. A few people had dropped money in. I take a look. That should be enough to get something to eat. I then see that two more people were coming up, a woman and a little girl.
The little girl comes up grinning ear to ear. "That was awesome!" She puts a crumpled bill in my cup. "You should go on one of those singing shows with a real stage like the one Carrie Underwood was on. Not the crummy sidewalk. It's dirty, and people don't stay."
I give a small smile in spite of myself as I notice the woman squeezing the girl's hand. "Maddie…slow down kiddo." There's a warning in her eyes. Is this the girl's mother? She places her own contribution in. "Sorry, she heard the song and got excited."
I shrug. I study the pair. The woman has this look. I see them all the time, and it causes me to look away.
"Is this your job?" The girl, Maddie, asks.
"Does it matter?" I say harshly.
The girl flinches and turns to her mom with wide eyes.
"No." The woman says. She then turns to me still with that look, the concerned look. I know what's coming. "Are you out here by yourself? You seem pretty young to be out here alone."
I sigh rolling my eyes. "Look, I appreciate the cash. And that you liked the song, but how old I am is none of your damn business!"
"You don't gotta say that word…" The girl still has the wide-eyed look, an I'm hit with guilt, but it's fleeting. I know I didn't watch what I said, but it doesn't matter anyway. If it gets them to leave me alone and stop looking at me that way, then it works for me.
"I'm sorry." The woman says. She's seems to be as shocked as the girl by my outburst. "Have a good day."
"Whatever." I respond. The woman and her daughter then return across the street. I'm assuming their car or something is parked nearby. I sigh and resume my position. Whatever, right? It's none of their business anyway. I can take care of myself.
A/N: So we met Sandy's new teaching assistant at Berkley, Sylvia, whom Sandy invited to dinner with the family, Taylor and Ryan's daughter Maddie who just has a bit of a mischief making side where her grandparents are concerned, and a girl whom Taylor and Maddie crossed paths with while out to lunch, Lexi, whom seems to be in some kind of trouble. Next chapter, we'll hear from Ryan, Sylvia directly, and Kirsten as the family and friends dinner, the truth regarding what happened when Sophie was at the mall, and the arrival of a friend of Sophie's leads to some awkward drama.
