Chapter 11
The next day Summer found herself self conscious about her looks for the first time in a while. She couldn't understand why because after all Ryan was just a friend. A very hot friend none the less. She was nervous about their meeting. She though about how much he had changed and how much she had changed and wondered whether they could still be friends.
When lunch time came around she was even more nervous. Even though Allie assured her that she looked fantastic she still couldn't help but doubt herself. She cursed Ryan for still being able to make her feel all gooey inside. She couldn't stop fidgeting and probably looked as nervous as she felt.
She made her way into the cafeteria and looked around for Ryan. When she couldn't find him she went to get herself a bagel and fruit juice. She was startled when she turned and bumped right into very broad chest. "Whoa, sorry to frighten you. I just thought I could skip the line by joining you here…" Summer was flustered when she looked up and into the eyes of Ryan Atwood. She saw that he was grinning widely. He was too hot for his own good Summer thought silently. "Wait for me while I get something to eat?" Ryan asked as he gave her a smile. Summer was only able to give him a small nod before he turned. Summer couldn't help but admire his backside and blushed when she realized what she was doing.
When Ryan finished getting his lunch he guided her to an open table. During their brief walk, Ryan was greeted by six groups of people – more proof to Summer of his popularity. A few girls even gave Summer a jealous stare.
When they sat down Summer was finally able to get her voice back. "So Ryan Atwood. I don't have to tell you look good but you do. What have you been up to? Rumor has it you're PU's own Big Man On Campus…" For a second Summer thought she saw embarrassment flash in Ryan's eyes but he quickly hid it away. "Yeah, I guess you could say that… University is no different than high school in that regard: if you're good in sports you are in with the in crowd." Summer could see that he didn't like speaking about his popularity but she wasn't about to give him a get-out-of-jail-free card so she pressed him further: "Tell me the Ryan Atwood story from that day you left Newport."
Ryan gave her his trademark Atwood smirk and started "When I left that day I went to South-Africa. I worked on a farm for two months and it was the most honest work I have ever done, the farmer was actually very sad when I left. I promised myself though that I would see the world and for the next five months I went everywhere. To France. To Italy. To Brazil. To Argentina. To Australia. To China. Always staying just as long as necessary to earn enough cash for my next plane ticket. Somewhere in a field in Bali I finally realized who I was and knew I could go and make something of myself. I phoned Luke from LAX and he said I could come and stay with him and his Dad. Luke was a senior and captain of the football team so naturally I received a lot of attention as his new house guest. I promised myself that I would go to college on my own steam and I recognized that a scholarship was my only chance and I was willing to do anything to get one. After I left Safe Haven I kept on working out so I was in quite good shape and so I joined the football team under Luke's tutelage. Turns out, I'm a real good quarterback, I was even picked for an all-state team. During everything I kept up my grades and started to like debate. Not to toot my own horn but in my senior year I was quite a popular guy all-round, a role I was willing to play as long as it got me into college. When PU neared me with a full scholarship for both football and debate I was quite eager to accept. That meant I could stay near my best friend, Luke, and fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor. What you see before you today is still the Ryan Atwood you used to know, now I just do what I have to, to get by… But enough about me, tell me the Summer Roberts story…"
The rest of the lunch was spent with both of them sharing stories from the three and a half years they had missed. Summer was surprised to find that Ryan had indeed stayed the same - even though he played football he wasn't a stereo typical jock. She told him about herself and Zach, about how Zach thought he could emotionally abuse her and how when she finally had enough he broke her arm and she had to get a restraining order. He confessed to not having a serious relationship after Marissa. Both realizing past relationships have scarred them deeply. She shared her newfound passion of journalism with him and he told her the story of how he worked in a hospital in Ghana and how that inspired him to become a doctor.
The more they talked the more Summer felt she knew Ryan and what made him tick she also felt a familiar attraction to him silently bubble to the surface. Just as she had almost four years ago she realized she would have to suppress said longing in order to have any relationship with Ryan.