Ryan surprises Seth by attempting to eat when Luke sets out the hamburgers. He glares at Seth to keep him from commenting.
"So, Ryan. Still don't feel like talking about your visitor today?" Seth asks instead.
"Who came to see you? Marissa?" Luke asks.
"Theresa," Ryan mutters.
"Your ex? What? I talk to Marissa," Luke shrugs after catching confused looks from both boys.
"Theresa's your ex?" Seth asks with his mouth full.
Ryan doesn't respond immediately. He tilts his head and turns to Luke. "Did you go out with anyone before Marissa?"
Luke shrugs. "No. We were together…as long as I can remember. I mean…I cheated on her…but we didn't break up until you got here," He says uncomfortably.
Ryan nods.
"Why?" Luke asks.
Ryan hesitates.
"Come on, man, cough it up," Seth urges.
"Theresa…we were never…together, like boyfriend-girlfriend…but we were always…together."
"You had sex with her but never went out. I got it," Luke nods.
"Yeah. Exactly. So she came by today and she wanted…she wanted a goodbye fuck…" Ryan starts. "And she got all pissed when I turned her down…so…I'm with Marissa, now, right? But we're not…we're not together yet…we haven't made it that far…but it's still cheating, right?"
Luke and Seth are silent and thoughtful.
"So, you've slept with Theresa in the past…and you're not sleeping with Marissa…" Luke thinks aloud. "But I would say, yes. It's probably still cheating. Girls think anything's cheating. Just talking to her today will probably be cheating," He shrugs.
"True," Ryan nods.
"She wanted a goodbye fuck? Does that really happen?" Seth asks.
"Shut up," Ryan smiles.
"I mean, maybe Marissa would understand…if you told her that it was for goodbye," Seth says.
"You're joking, right?" Ryan asks.
"Yeah. Completely," Seth nods.
"So you turned her down? Is she hot?" Luke asks.
"Yes, she's hot…and yes, I turned her down. I mean, sure, I've been with her before but…I'm trying to change. I'm trying not to be…"
"A male slut?" Seth finishes for him. Ryan glares at him as Luke starts to laugh.
"I'm trying to change, Seth. I don't want to be with a different girl every night. I want to be with Marissa," Ryan says.
"A different girl every night? God, I want to move to Chino," Luke groans.
Seth walks into the house and finds his parents sitting at the counter in the kitchen.
"Where's Ryan?" Sandy asks.
"Oh, he got wasted and Luke's dragging him to the poolhouse," Seth says. Kirsten and Sandy look up in surprise. "Joking. He walked around the house."
"Why didn't he come inside?" Kirsten asks.
Seth shrugs. "He said he wanted to get changed."
"Did you guys eat?" Kirsten asks.
"Yeah, Luke made burgers. Ryan even ate, like, half one. He didn't get sick. He seems…better. I think it was nice for him to get out. And, god, I can't believe I'm saying this, but Luke seemed to talk some sense into him."
"Really? Luke?" Sandy asks in surprise.
"Yeah. Weird. Like twilight zone weird. I'm going to go upstairs," Seth says.
"Your turn or mine?" Kirsten asks, turning to Sandy.
"Your turn. He was pretty pissed at me when I talked to him earlier…" Sandy replies.
"How about I just take care of both of you at once?" Ryan's voice startles them both and Kirsten drops her coffee.
"Ryan, how are you feeling?" Sandy asks as Kirsten flushes and cleans up her spill
Ryan is standing tentatively in the doorway to the kitchen from the patio. He closes the door behind him.
"I'm feeling better, Sandy."
"Seth said you ate at Luke?" Kirsten asks.
"Yeah. A little. I didn't throw it up so I'm considering that a victory," Ryan says. He doesn't join them at the counter. He stands nervously by the door.
"So what's up?"
"So. I feel better. I talked to Luke and…Theresa…and I thought a lot about what went down. And I feel better. I just thought I should tell you guys that."
"Oh. Good," Sandy says, surprised.
"Yeah. That's what I thought. So, I'll be good for school tomorrow, if that's okay," Ryan says in reply.
"Honey, are you sure you're ready?" Kirsten asks.
"Yeah. I'm ready. I shouldn't miss any more days," Ryan admits.
"This is pretty sudden…"
"I don't think I'll ever get over something like…this. But I feel better. I think…it's not my fault. The guilt…it's still there, but I'm better. If you want me to stay home, that's cool. But I'm ready to go back," Ryan says.
"Okay. We'll talk about it in the morning. Go get some sleep," Sandy nods.
"Thanks." Ryan hesitates. "For everything."
