--**For those of you with short memories, let's cover the bases**--
Disclaimer: I do not own the O.C. I am not in any way affiliated with the actors, producers, writers, etc. All I own is my thoughts, the plot and the new character, yet to be uncovered by you guys. Enjoy.
Title: Jump Over The Candle Stick
Rating: PG-13 [There might occasionally be some language, drug use - i.e. cigarettes, alcohol, and sexual references. If anyone of the previous things offend you, I am sorry but you have been warned]
Summary: Four angst-ridden teenagers on the path to discovery or greatness or whatever. Finding your soul purpose in life might be hard. That's why you have so many eventful parties on the way. [Please read and review]
Chapter One: Ryan: For Any Other Information, Click Here
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I was being polite. That was a first. For no money, or any other circumstances, of course. But when you get taken by teen-rebel turned kind-hearted father along with his cool and humorless wife, and son with no sense of when to stop talking, you honestly go out of your way to be nice to them. Especially the wife. Now, she's one tough cookie to crack. As soon as I met her I knew she wasn't one to be messed with. It wasn't being smart, it was being observant. Her name was Kirsten. Her name, alone, was to show that she wasn't going to put up with my never-ending bullshit. That, and the fact it took me a few times in front of the mirror to pronounce it correctly.
It was dinner time in the Cohen house. Now, that would've never been said in Chino. Mom would've just slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the table - or box whatever we were using - and said, "Get some McDonald's. Your head looks like an over-sized tomato on that body of yours." Oh yes, I remember it well. I probably would have argued with her about it until the cows came home, but she was technically right. Until I'd gotten a few decent meals into me, my head did look like an over-sized tomato on my body. I never told her that, of course. There's one thing worse than buying my mother fifty dollars worth of alcohol; telling her she's right, while watching her drink the fifty dollars worth of alcohol. That was just something I never let myself do.
Seth sat down next to me and smiled. I felt like I'd been slapped in the face. Not because a smile feels like a slap in the face, but no one's ever smiled over something as simple over Friday night dinner. People don't smile because they're not grounded or because their favorite television show is on in an hour. People smile when they haven't been punched all week or have enough money to buy more than four groceries at the supermarket. At least, where I come from anyway. But here, people are just happy. Something else I just have to get used to.
"Ryan." I was being summoned without the cigarette smoke being blown in my face. "Ryan, could you help me with this lamb? It's awfully heavy." I was being summoned to carry the lamb. Oh, life was grand.
Kirsten handed me the plate carrying the big monstrosity of the dinner we were about to eat. I carried it with ease and set it down on the table, and noticed Seth lick his lips in anticipation. That made me realize I was starved. I slumped back into my seat, and relaxed against the chair. That's right. These chairs were comfortable. God, I love this new lifestyle.
Sandy came into the dining room. He looked exhausted. Probably working on a new case. Not mine, I thought with a grin. I'm clear. Nothing else to pin on me now. "Ryan, can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Ah, yeah." Great. Maybe I spoke to soon. Maybe some dead guy's turned up with my fingerprints all over him. Not that I'm saying I killed some dead guy. Or alive guy. Or previously alive guy. Again, great. I've gone ahead and made myself even more confused in less than three seconds. Atwood, you're truly magical.
Sandy leads me into the living room. He looks around and sees Seth, before leading us outside towards the pool house. We pass Seth on the way out. He waves. That makes Sandy even more nervous.
Finally, we stop. I think he believes we're safe since he realizes Seth can't hear us through glass. "OK. OK. Look, it's Seth's birthday in a week."
I knew that. Seth told me last night. Or more accurately, he told me what he wanted last night. Somehow, I don't believe they're currently putting price tags on Pam Anderson. I nodded at Sandy. "So ..."
"I want to throw him a party. A surprise party. And since you're his only friend." He stops. It may be true, but it's not particularly nice to hear something like that. "Since you're his good friend. I want you to make sure he doesn't find out. I'll organize everything, but I resting the timing and place on you. OK?"
I nodded. It seems easy enough.
"All right. All right. Excellent. I'll, uh, see you inside." With that he begins to walk off. Suddenly, he looks back. "Should we go in together, or should you come in like five minutes later?"
"Let's go for Plan C," I advised.
"What's that?"
"Where we didn't do anything remotely bad or anything anyone, except for that weird Party Planners store, would find unacceptable. I think we should just walk in. No harm, no foul."
"Dangerous, but it could work."
I followed Sandy into the house, without a care in the world. That was until Seth announced halfway through dinner, "You should've come in separately, Party Dudes."
I can safely say we'll never vouch for Plan C again.
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[So sorry it's short. But I'm establishing what I want for now. I know this doesn't explain the plot and other characters very well, but every chapter it will be in someone else's POV. Just saying, that Ryan won't be the voice of the story the whole way through. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it. Please review. My life absolutely depends on it. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading - and hopefully reviewing]