"What the hell, Marissa?" Seth asks, startled by her outburst.
"What are you talking about? Because you don't want to know what I'm thinking…" Marissa replies, flushed. She closes the door behind her.
"I'm going to get a shower. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday." Ryan's face shows no emotion, all the earlier anxiety and emotion is gone from his expression. He disappears into the bathroom before they can protest.
"Damn, Marissa…Damn…" Seth sits down, still pale from Ryan's confessions.
"What? What were you guys talking about?" Marissa asks.
"It…I can't believe I'm saying this but…you have to ask him. I mean, I knew he was from the bad part of town, but I had no idea…" Seth loses his voice.
"Seth Cohen, you better tell me…"
Ryan walks back into the room, gathering some clothes. "You can tell her, Seth. I don't really feel like talking about it anymore." He leaves, his attitude still radiating indifference.
"Seth…"
"Did you know that Ryan's been shot before?" Seth asks, quietly. Marissa gasps, shaking her head, negatively. "And one of his friends died…when he was thirteen…he really doesn't like guns…" Seth stops talking, seeing Marissa's stricken expression.
"So if he's been shot before…why would he put himself in the line of fire like that?" Marissa asks, quietly.
"He said that he couldn't just stand by and do nothing…" Seth finally shrugs.
"That's what I did last time," Ryan states, walking back into the room with wet hair. He is shirtless and he goes to stand in front of them at the couch with his t-shirt in his hand. "It was pretty much the same situation, a bunch of kids sitting around and one guy pulls out a gun." He points at the scar on his stomach, his eyes glazing for a moment. He pulls on his shirt. "A couple of people tried to talk him out of it but he snapped and started taking people out…"
Marissa takes the hem of his shirt and pulls it up, touching the scar lightly with her fingertips. He doesn't flinch from her touch this time. After a few seconds, he takes her hand and gently steps back.
"I didn't even know I'd been shot, I was too busy with my friend…His name was Art." Ryan steps away from them. "If someone had tackled that fucker, maybe we could have gotten out of there without as many casualties."
"I'm sorry, Ryan," Seth says, breaking the silence.
"It's alright…"
"No it isn't, obviously. This is tearing you up," Marissa comments.
Ryan hesitates. "I just don't like to think about it. It was a long time ago…"
"You said you had been shot twice. What was the second time?" Seth asks, suddenly.
"Drive-by. Wasn't intended for me, but I happened to be walking by, picking up something for my brother and I got caught in the crossfire. I got tagged in the thigh, but it missed the bone and shit so I don't limp or anything." He turns away from them, trying not to see the look of pity on their faces. "God, I really need a drink…"
"A drink? Ryan, are you sure…" Seth stammers, startled.
"Of course he's sure. Have you ever heard him ask before?" Marissa remarks, giving Seth a glare.
"Guys…" Ryan starts.
"Let's take a drive. Come on. We need to get away from here for a while…" Marissa says, standing up.
"Where are we going?" Seth asks.
"Out. We'll be back by dinnertime. You need your parents' permission, Cohen?" Marissa asks, dryly.
"Let's go, Ryan. Come on…" Seth remarks, leading Ryan from the pool house.
