Jimmy meets them outside the church. Ryan is steady and composed, his hand on Summer's back. She holds Seth's arm.
"Um…It's just the viewing right now…it's an open casket and…its just family now…if you want to see her…" Jimmy tells the three teenagers as they pause to speak. Summer flinches and Ryan supports her as she falters.
"Hey, we talked about this, okay?" Seth whispers to her, gently. "You don't have to…"
"Yeah…I need to…" Summer replies, nodding. "Yeah…Ryan?"
"I'm cool. I'm cool, Summer," Ryan promises, steadying himself.
"Let's go…" Summer links arms with Seth and Ryan follows them closely until Summer reaches her hand behind her and he accepts it.
The waiting room is chaotic with whispers and nervous laughter. Seth is the leader suddenly, ignoring the glances and calls and walking into the foyer leading to the smaller chapel.
Ryan is cold, he stops. He is frozen for a moment. Summer turns, alerting Seth. Ryan closes his eyes. She's gone. It's only her body in the box. She's gone.
"Ryan." Summer's voice is quiet but urgent. Worried.
He opens his eyes. He takes a deep breath. His lungs are still functioning. He's like ice now. He's numb with cold but he has to keep going.
"Let's go. It's cool," Ryan says, taking Summer's hand and ignoring her panicked expression. "I'm ready when you are."
"Are you ready, Summer?" Seth asks. She takes his hand in reply and the three friends step into the room with the coffin. The room is empty of people. Except Marissa is there.
"Fuck you two, I don't think I can do this…" Seth says suddenly.
"We go together or not at all," Ryan replies.
Summer steps away from them and goes to the white casket, peering inside with a gasp.
Ryan joins her, worried, but he doesn't look in, he closes his eyes as he puts his hand on her shoulder.
"No, Chino…look…" Summer says. "It's okay…it doesn't even look real…it's not real…I mean…its not her in the box…she's somewhere better…"
"God…" Seth whispers.
Ryan turns away from them, losing his breath again. He focuses and recovers his strength before Summer or Seth can speak. He looks in the coffin.
Summer distracts him suddenly by reaching in and lifting Marissa's hand. Summer deftly slips the bracelet from Ryan's drawer around Marissa's wrist and gently replaces it. Summer has tears running down her face as she places the tube of lip-gloss in Marissa's hand.
"In case she needs it where she is…" Summer whispers. Seth hugs her impulsively and she returns it, needing the reassurance.
Ryan is not looking in the coffin again. He is standing. He is breathing. He is not crying.
"I'm good. We can go," Summer says, glancing at Ryan.
"Okay." He nods, giving her a slight smile to keep her from worrying about him. They step back into the foyer.
"Ryan. Can I have a moment?" Julie Cooper's voice startles them all.
"Yes, ma'am."
Summer and Seth walk into the waiting area and join Kirsten, Sandy and Jimmy.
A few seconds later, Julie exits the foyer in a rush. Ryan steps out, expressionless.
"Ryan?" Kirsten calls, stepping forward.
"Mrs. Cooper doesn't want me here," Ryan says evenly.
Kirsten and Summer gasp.
"Ryan, don't listen to her…" Jimmy starts. "You should be here…"
"No, it's okay. Really. It's probably for the best. Mr. Cohen…" Ryan looks to Sandy.
"Sandy, stay…" Kirsten says, suddenly, startling everyone with her tone.
"I'm not going to disrespect Marissa's mother no matter what she says to me. I can call a taxi if you want Mr. Cohen to stay…" Ryan says quietly.
"I'm not staying without you," Summer says.
"Guys…please stay. Marissa would want you here…she would understand why I have to go," Ryan says suddenly, to Seth and Summer.
"Take him home, Sandy," Kirsten says.
"Call me when you're heading home, okay?" Sandy says, kissing her cheek. Kirsten nods and embraces Ryan as he starts past her.
"It's cool, Mrs. Cohen…" Ryan says.
"Go home, Ryan. Don't go anywhere else yet. Let Sandy work," Kirsten whispers in his ear.
"Hey." Ryan pulls away. "Everything's going to be okay. Your son has great wisdom," He nods.
Seth does an exaggerated bow. "You are a good student, grasshopper."
Ryan bows in return and leaves with Sandy.
In the car, Sandy turns to him before starting the engine. "I'm supposed to take you home."
"Don't take me home just so they can watch me leave again," Ryan states quietly. "I'm ready for this. Nothing could be worse than standing beside her coffin."
"Okay, Ryan, but…"
"I really don't think I can talk anymore," Ryan interrupts. He closes his eyes and leans his head against the window.
At the police station, Sandy sits by, frustrated, as the officer and federal agents interrogate Ryan. Ryan remains calm throughout. He didn't know the gunmen. He just moved schools. He didn't have any classes with them. He helped Luke because the safety of the kids around was more important than their feud.
"You're on probation, Atwood, why would you attack that kid? Why not let some of Luke's water polo boys do it?" An officer asks.
Ryan's eyes flash darkly. "They weren't where I was. They couldn't have gotten to him without getting shot." He shakes his head. "I mean…I was holding Marissa and she was dying and you expect me to be thinking about my probation? People were shooting at us…"
One of the officers exits the room. There is a long silence.
"Mr. Cohen? Can you step outside?" They leave Ryan alone in the room. He leans forward and lays his face on the table. About ten minutes later, Sandy returns.
Ryan lifts his head. He sees the officers behind him. He automatically puts his hands behind his back in anticipation of the cuffs.
"Three days minimum," Sandy says quietly.
"Okay," Ryan nods.
"Because the child's parent has filed a complaint against the school they have to charge you…" Sandy begins.
"I don't care. Just…tell Seth and Summer that I'll see them in three days."
"Stay out of trouble…" Sandy says, trying to be reassuring as they push Ryan from the room.
"Easy for you to say…" Ryan mutters.