Chapter Thirty-Four: What's Your Damage, Summer?
"You want to tell me what's going on with you and Marissa?"
Ryan froze in the back seat, his hands tightening as he furrowed his eyebrows in Kirsten's direction. His mouth lay open as he glared at her through the rear view mirror. "Wh-What do mean?" he asked, shifting nervously in the seat. "Oh come on, Ryan." she said, letting one hand rest on the steering wheel. "Don't think I didn't see your little touches and googily eyes back there." Ryan's eyes fell as he sheepishly grinned to himself, finally look back to meet Kirsten's eyes. "Well?" Kirsten solicited. Ryan shrugged, clearly his throat and trying to formulate the words. "Well…I actually don't really know what to say." he admitted. "I mean, this weekend was great…really great." Kirsten nodded, taking note of his cheesy beam. "So, you guys are…what?" she continued. Ryan stopped smiling, smacking his lips together and wetting them quickly before he pressed on. "Uh…we haven't really discussed it." he said. "So I don't know."
Kirsten knew what he meant. Ryan and Marissa's relationship was always in a different stage…whether they were fighting or caught in a compromising position. Not even Ryan knew where they stood at any given time. Their hearts and minds were all over the place, confused and irresolute every step of the way. There were little blips of happiness here and there, but always the same inevitably doomed relationship that blossomed from the beginning. Kirsten knew Ryan loved Marissa. She could just see it in his eyes whenever she entered a room…even more when his baby blues were saddened with each transitory break up. But there was something so different with her when the happiness came to an end. With any other girl, Ryan would have a short mourning period, hiding himself in the pool house for days, reminiscing and eventually coming out of his break up lull.
But with Marissa Cooper, it was like he wouldn't let himself feel sad. He'd immediately try and move on faster because she broke his heart the most. Of course he would never dare show it, God forbid she would find out. Ryan and Marissa's relationship was just something everyone had gotten used to. It was a huge sort of cycle that came and went, passing a little through everyone's day until one day…it wasn't. The day when Ryan disappeared for a while in sadness and began the whole brooding process over again. "You know, Ryan…" Kirsten began. "Sometimes it works when the guy brings it up." Ryan sighed, nodding with her and knowing Kirsten's advice was always one to work with. "I know, I know." he said. "I just don't want to rush into things too fast and scare her off."
"Ryan, I've known Marissa a long time. She lived next door from us for years, went to school with Seth, and is the oldest daughter of the infamous Julie Cooper…and I have to tell you…I have never seen that girl as happy as she is when she's with you." Ryan half smiled, his eyes falling to his lap where he fiddled his fingers together. "And to be honest..." she continued. "I kind of see the same in you." She looked behind her quickly, flashing him a smile before turning back to the road. "How do you mean?" he asked, curious as to what she saw. She turned the steering wheel, entering the complex where the Cohen house was located. "You just seem really relaxed when she's around, and the way you look at her says a lot." she admitted. "I know things with you two are always all over the place…but it's like that sometimes with me and Sandy too. Love is really hard." Ryan chuckled and looked out the window at the passing scenery. "Tell me about it." he mumbled.
"So what exactly happened this weekend? You two didn't…you know, did you?" she asked with concern. Ryan shook his head quickly in response "No, no…we didn't." he said. "Just…figured we'd wait for the right time." A sigh of relief was heard from the front seat. "I don't mind if you do." Kirsten retorted. "But I'm very proud of you for waiting…rushing into that sort of thing ruins a relationship sometimes." Kirsten pulled the car into the Cohen's driveway, halting to a stop and putting the car in park. Both she and Ryan let out a moan, both tired from the trip and happy to be home again. Stepping out of the car, Ryan popped the trunk and pulled out his bag, again swinging it over his shoulder. Kirsten stood before him, waiting for him to shut the trunk before they both strolled up the walk way. "You're a good kid, Ryan." Kirsten said out of the blue. "We both missed you and Seth over the weekend." she admitted. "And I hope things really work out with Marissa this time."
Ryan smiled, appreciating her wishes and knowing deep down that he missed her too. Stopping at the doorstep, he leaned forward, taking her in his arms for a light hug. She smiled widely, pulling him in too. Breaking apart, she patted his shoulder; found the right key and opened the front door. Ryan stood back, letting Kirsten walk in first before coming in himself. He let his bag slide down his forearm and rest on the floor next to a tall column and fern. He walked down the small stairs, rubbing his neck, and followed Kirsten into the kitchen. "Where is everyone?" he asked, noticing the silence. Kirsten rested her hands on the marble island, looking around and noticing too. "Sandy's at the office, and Seth mentioned wanting to go to Summer's…so we probably just missed him." Ryan bit his lip and nodded, tapping a finger on the counter.
"You want something to eat?" Kirsten asked, figuring he was hungry from the trip. "I know I'm not the greatest cook yet but there's always Tai if it's horrible." Ryan smiled and declined. "No, thanks." he said. "I had a really big breakfast." He and Will had, after all. "I actually want to get unpacked and maybe close my eyes for a little while." Kirsten okayed his motives, turning around to work on some dirty dishes. Ryan walked back into the foyer, retrieving his bag once again. He crossed the kitchen and opened one of the glass doors, heading across the patio and onto the pool house steps. He cracked a smile, peering inside through the open shades and seeing his perfectly made bed. Walking inside, he tossed his stuff onto a side chair before turning to his back and plopping down on the futon.
He closed his eyes and sighed with comfort, basking in the feeling of familiarity. His bed felt so much better than the dirty blow up one Will had provided. Ryan ran a hand over his face, letting his arm fall to the bed again. He lifted himself up and pushed backward with his legs so he was further up by the pillows. He lay back down, now on his side, facing the night table. He glared at a small whicker picture frame, where a picture of he and Marissa was securely nestled. His eyes grew heavy as he stared at her…her smiling face and arms wrapped around him, posing for the camera as the perfect happy couple. Ryan's eyes shut, a smirk across his face as he thought of how they'd talk that night.
Marissa opened the door to Summer's house, immediately bombarded by the high pitched voices of Summer ad Julie. She rushed through the door, dropping her bag to the ground and finding Summer's arms. She hugged her friend tightly, pulling away and giving her mom a smile as she waited for hers. "Hi, sweetie…" Julie said, pulling her daughter close. "Tell us how it was." Marissa shrugged, not knowing where to start and explain. "It was really nice." she merely said. "Aside from the fact that it rained the whole time and I was ditched more than once by my freshman buddy, I really liked it." Summer and Julie both grinned in unison, beginning to walk further into the foyer and toward the kitchen. "The campus was huge." Marissa continued, following behind. Entering the larger room, Julie leaned against the counter and Summer walked past Marissa towards Seth who was in the midst of pouring himself a drink. Summer wrapped an arm around Seth's waist, leaning into him as he took a sip.
"Hey Marissa" he said with a wave. She smiled and waved back, taking a deep breath and leaning back into a kitchen cabinet. "How was Brown, you guys?" she asked, looking toward Seth and Summer, who clutched each other tightly. The two of them were busy whispering back and forth, muttering sentences very fast so no one else could hear. Summer cleared her throat and pulled away from Seth. He placed his empty glass in the sink and joined Summer again. "It was great…" she said with exertion. Julie and Marissa furrowed their eyebrows, both wanting to know the same thing. "What are you two whispering about?" Julie asked, looking at Marissa and then back at Summer. "Nothing..." Summer answered, walking over to Marissa and touching her arm. "Can uh…Seth and I just talk to you for a minute?"
Marissa half opened her mouth, kind of nervous to agree. "Um…" she spewed. "Okay!" Summer said, pulling Marissa into the hallway and motioning for Seth to follow. Summer held Marissa's hand, pulling her upstairs and into her room, letting Seth walk in before closing the door. Marissa sat on Summer's bed, rubbing her arm where Summer feverishly clutched. "Sum, what the hell is going on?" Marissa asked loudly. Summer gave Seth a look and nodded before proceeding to elucidate. "Okay, Coop." she began. "Seth and I have come up with a plan." Marissa squinted again and shook her head, wondering what they were talking about, "A plan? …to do what?" she asked. Summer sat on the bed next to her, shifting her body so she could face Marissa fully.
"To get you and Atwood back together."