The return of life… or the end of love?
Seth: I did tell him to sit down…Summer: this is not the time to be sarcastic… do something!
Seth: now you want me to do something? Seeing, as you were so subtle?
He heard them arguing as if from a distance. He tried to speak, but no words came out. He tried to speak again… " Where is she?" a croak… a whisper… "Where is she?"
Both S/S turned to look at him. Then summer ran towards him, enveloping him in her arms.
Summer: thank God, you opened your eyes… I thought I'd killed you…Seth: hey bro… how are you? Stupid question, I know…
What were these people talking about? All he needed to know was the answer to the one question that they weren't telling him. Why weren't these people giving it to him? He tried to shout it, scream it…
Ryan: where is she? How is she? You guys don't understand. We were in an accident. I need to find her. Oh god… please, please let her be alive. I killed her. Volchok killed her. I killed her and I lost her. I'll never forgive myself if something happened to her…
Summer looked at Seth, for the first time really scared. It was like Ryan had been transported back in time. In his mind he was on that gravelly pathway again. his eyes had a glazed look. His voice was hoarse and he was screaming…
Summer: Ryan, please calm down… Coop, she is alive. She is all right. She is coming here tomorrow.
LISTEN TO ME. PLEASE SNAP OUT OF IT. STOP IT. SHE IS ALIVE. SHE DID NOT DIE THAT DAY. SHE IS COMING HERE TOMMORROW.
But he kept struggling… he kept shouting. Seth tried to hold him down… but he kept shaking, hoarsely… uncontrollably…
And then summer hit him…
Everything went blank. After ten seconds, Ryan's clear blue eyes collided with summers…
Ryan: how? I need to know…
How was she going to explain to him everything? All the years in between? She decided to stick with simple facts.
Summer: You know, when you came out of the car…you yourself had lost consciousness. None of us knew what had happened, but that night an elderly couple that was passing down the road rescued you. They took both of you to hospital. We came as soon as we knew. Marissa was in the I.C.U. we didn't tell you that coz your condition was critical too. Something happened and her heart stopped. The doctor's declared her dead, but it seems they had made a mistake. I, myself, didn't know it until 9 months later. Only Jimmy and Sandy knew.
Ryan: (his voice reflecting a long buried hope that he had finally allowed himself to feel) she is really alive?
Marissa was really alive? And then it struck him…
Ryan: she didn't tell me? You didn't tell me? You kept all this from me for all these years? She kept all this from me for all these years?
Seth: listen my man, before you rearrange my jaw for me, I plead you to remember the number of years we have been friends.
Ryan clenched his fist.
Ryan: get out.
Summer: Ryan… we are really sorry but we really had to do it. Coop really made us swear…
Ryan got up from the couch.
Seth: listen baby… if you value my life, lets just get out.
Summer: but…
Seth: (for once strongly) no buts. He needs some time alone. And we are leaving.
Once outside, Seth looked at summer,
Seth: well, no one said that would go well…
Summer: yeah, but did it have to be a mayhem?
Seth: Ryan and Marissa? It has always been mayhem!
Summer: he did take the news better than I had expected. I was expecting more along the lines of a few broken jaws, a few facial bruises…
Seth: is that why you gave me a huge breakfast today morning while you were chewing your nails?
Summer: no that was for the bruises I gave you last night. For this, I decided to prepare a gigantic dinner tonight.
Seth: you mean with pudding for dessert?
Summer: uh hmm.
Seth: see, I knew I loved you for a reason.
When Seth did not elicit any response from her…
Seth: I can see the wheels turning in your head. Something is going on in that pretty brain of yours…
Summer: I was just thinking how Ryan would react when he'll first meet Coop?
Seth: you will have to prepare an eight-course meal to get me through that one.
Summer: you know, Coop really had to do it. For his own good.
Seth: yeah… well… somehow I don't think Ryan's going to see it that way.
Summer: hmm… maybe not. Do you think we should tell him why she did what she did?
Seth: Woman… are you hell-bent on killing me?
Summer: no. At least not yet. But maybe in another ten years…
Ryan woke up the next morning, the now all too familiar dream on his mind. He'd had this dream a hundred times before, and still he woke up with an ache in his heart. He thought time would diminish it, but it didn't. The dream always ended with her smiling and going into the water. Maybe if he'd run faster… but today there was something different. Mixed with his feelings of guilt and loneliness and utter hopelessness there was a feeling of… hope? And then he remembered…
Ryan: oh my God!
And then all the fear and the anger and the betrayal came crashing onto him. She had fucking done it again. How could she do it? The things she had put him through these past few years. He needed to get out. He put on his tracks and running shoes and went for a run on the beach. Suddenly he realized he had come outside "the model home" he stood outside the gate not really daring to go inside. It had all started over here for him. All the memories… the first time they had met here… the last time they had said goodbye… the time when she had ridden behind him on his bike… their first date… their first kiss… the first night they had made love… all came crashing onto him. And he started laughing hysterically…it had all been a lie for her… a big, fat fucking lie… While he was moping here, trying his damndest to forget her, she had as selfishly moved on with her life, not thinking about anyone but herself. He was sure she had some self absorbed reason for this whole thing in that juvenile brain of hers. He felt like a fool. But he promised himself that this was the last time she would be able to make a fool of him.
He was done with her. Her lies, her betrayals, her problems. It was over. He was going to stop ruining his life over her, and it was gonna start now…
Marissa raised her hand as if to stop him but couldn't. Before he could see her, she ran all the way to summers house, opened the door and collapsed on the floor.
Summer: coop, are you okay?
Marissa: yeah… I saw Ryan.
Summer: oh my God!
Marissa: exactly.
Summer: so what happened? You didn't really run away before meeting him, did you?
Marissa: no… he did that…
Summer: I did warn you…
Marissa: but I was hoping you know… that he'd… I don't know… be easier…
Summer: Coop… you left the guy letting him think that you were dead.
Marissa: don't you think I know that?
Summer: maybe if you tell him why…
Marissa: just as soon as I get enough guts to go and face him…
Summer: well… there's no need for that. I have already arranged it…
Marissa: what? Summer Roberts Cohen… what have you done?
Summer: I am giving a dinner party at my place and you are invited. Ryan would be there.
Marissa: then it is easy… I wont come.
Summer: oh yes… you will.
Marissa: give me one good reason why I should?
Summer: for one thing it is private enough so you guys could talk… and public enough for him to not create a scene.
Marissa gave her look…
Summer: okay, scratch that. It's Ryan and you we are talking about. Scenes and drama are like your middle names. But at least he won't get too violent. And Seth and I would be there in case you know…
Marissa: things get out of hand?
Summer: or you kill each other…
Marissa smiled…
Marissa: I really lucked out you know… when I met you.
Summer: so you'll come?
Marissa: sure… it looks like the best shot I have got.
Summer: and it's the earliest one… since its tomm night.
Marissa: what?
Summer: so we don't have a lot of time. Get your ass in gear coop… we have to go shopping if you have to sway Ryan…
Marissa: somehow I knew you'd say that…
Ryan came back from his jog and opened the door to his bedroom. He went to his bath to turn on the shower. When he turned around he saw Seth sitting on his bed.
Ryan: I knew it was a mistake giving you the spare key to my house.
Seth: ah… but you knew you couldn't live without the early morning Seth-Ryan times.
When Ryan didn't say anything…
Seth: so I gather… not one of your better days…
Ryan: (gives him a look)
Seth: okay I get it… if I value my life I shut up… but would you just consider beating me at the ninja if I say the next few words?
Another look…
Seth: okay… a few letters?
Another look…
Seth: ah… another no… but…
Ryan: yeah… yeah… these are more than a few words…
Seth: okay, Ryan, man I get it. I should have told you, but Marissa…
Ryan: (shouts) listen, I don't care about you… or her… and if you ever get the word 'Marissa' out of your mouth, I will kill you.
Seth: okay but do you not care about your goddaughter Zoë either? Remember, the one that you promised to grant every wish to?
Ryan gives him a look saying what is he talking about?
Seth: (getting up) so be there tomorrow for Zoë's second birthday or she would never forgive you. The invitation is on your desk.
Ryan: I am not coming, Seth.
Seth: (made as if he hadn't heard that.) oh… and incase you are wondering, the 'M' lady is not coming.
Ryan gives him a questioning look.
Seth: I am not going to say the name man. I love my jaw… and I love summer who loves my jaw… and now there's Zoë too…
Ryan to himself…: sometimes Seth is even crazier than he normally is…
Seth and summer's bedroom (that night)
Seth: so how was your day?
Summer: Marissa and me went shopping. Speaking of which… how did it go with Ryan? Is he coming?
Seth: do you doubt my ability to charm and coerce now?
Summer gives him a look.
Seth: okay… so I needed some persuasion. I called on Zoë.
Summer: thought as much. How did he take?
Seth: well… considering that he is never speaking to you or me again… and he doesn't even want to hear the name Marissa… and if I say one more word he'll probably kill me… and the only reason he is coming is because of Zoë… good, I think!
Summer: can't say I blame him. Think how you would feel, if it was me.
Seth: I don't even want to think about it. I am glad we worked out. I love you…
Summer: I love you too… (Leans in for a kiss)
Seth: (not really understanding) I wonder if Captain Oats is hurt with the whole Ryan thing?
Summer: Cohen … will you never understand the moment?
Seth: oh is that what we were having?
Summer: never mind… lets just sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day…
Seth: with you my dim sum… its always a hectic day… (And kisses her passionately)
(author's note:sorry for the first chapter mess up. I have corrected it. thanx for the reviews guys. It was good to know that you liked the story. I am hoping to answer all your questions effectively in the next chaptesr. Also I am really worried if I am getting ryans character in line or not. Tell me what you think. Also all criticisms are welcome, coz that is the only way ill be able to give you what you want)