NOTE: I do not own any of these characters. you can thank FOX. If you have any questions or comment you can e-mail me at liverbrain22@hotmail.com
(Thanks for the Reviews!)
Chapter Ten
Everyone knows what went down
Because the news was spread all over town
And fact is only what you believe
And fact and fiction work as a team
It's almost always fiction in the end
That content begins to bend
Its All Understood - Jack Johnson
"Cohen! Come on, let's get a move on it!" Summer yelled from the Cohen's driveway. Seth then came running out of the house, without Ryan. "Where's Ryan? We don't have all day. We're already going to be late at the rate you two are going."
Seth climbed into the passenger seat of Summer's car and glared at her. "It's only eight, Summer. We're not late."
Summer sighed, "Where's Ryan?!" Just then Ryan appeared. "Come on, let's go!" Summer was getting frustrated. She had agreed to drive them to school at seven forty-five, not eight. "Seat belts!" Summer said, as she put the car into reverse and backed out of the Cohen's lane way.
Ryan sat in the back seat of Summer's car enjoying the bickering between Summer and Seth. They were like a married couple.
"It's 'la champagne'! Not 'le champagne'." Summer corrected.
"No, it's 'le champagne'! Trust me, I'm the one that didn't fail French." Seth added.
"Whatever, Cohen. We all know that its 'la champagne', right Ryan?" Summer asked, looking at Ryan through her rearview mirror.
"Uh, actually Summer, I think is 'le'.But, seriously, who cares. Why are you guys fighting over it in the first place."
Both Summer and Seth shrugged.
"So, Marissa's coming back to school today." Summer said, changing the subject.
Ryan ignored Summer and continued looking out the window. Right now he didn't want to think about Marissa. He just wanted to think about nothing for once in his lifetime. But he knew that it was impossible, considering he was an Atwood and he was known to have bad luck his entire life.
When they got to school, Ryan walked off on his own, leaving Summer and Seth fighting over French words. He saw the glances the rich kids were throwing him. He wasn't blind and could see them a mile away.
Ryan met up with Luke at his locker. "Hey, so how much shit did you guys get in last night?" Luke asked.
"None, really." Ryan replied, fiddling with the lock on his locker. When he finally got it open he threw in his backpack and grabbed his first period books. Ryan and Luke then walked off to their first period class.
When Ryan walked into the class, the whole room went silent. He made his way to the back of the class and took a seat next to Luke. A couple of Luke's friends were starring at him and laughed. Ryan looked at Luke.
Luke stood up and walked over to his old group of friends. "What the hell are you guys looking at?" Luke demanded. "Oh-what's that? Can't hear you?" Luke put his hand up to his ear.
Chad and his friend, Craig, sat there and flashed a look over to Ryan. "Chino's your boyfriend now or what?" Chad asked, a smirk plastered on his face. Both Chad and Craig laughed.
"Watch what you say." Luke threatened. The teacher then walked into the class and Luke took his seat. "Sorry about that." Luke whispered to Ryan.
Ryan nodded at him and continued starring straight up at the blackboard, where the teacher kept on hiding his glances at Ryan. Ryan then raised up his hand without even thinking of why.
"Yes, Mr. Atwood?" Mr. Schmidt asked.
"Uh, I forgot my textbook in my locker. Can I go get it?" Ryan asked, ignoring Chad and Craig's snickers.
"Fine." Mr. Schmidt said, and Ryan walked out of the classroom. He felt very uncomfortable. Everyone was looking and him and his stone-still arm that hung by his side. When he finally made it out of the class, he let out a big sigh and walked down the deserted hallways, not really caring where he went. He regretted not listening to Sandy and Kirsten. He should have stayed home today. Hell, he should have just buried himself in a hole and never woken up.
With his head down, Ryan walked the hallways for what seemed like the whole first period. Then, all of a sudden, he heard his name. He recognized the voice, but wasn't sure whom the voice belonged to. He turned around and noticed Dr. Kim standing in the hallway starring down at him sympathetically.
"Ryan?" Dr. Kim called his name again, walking up to him.
Ryan looked around in the hallways making sure no one was around. "Sorry, I was just going to my locker to get my textbook."
"How about we go to my office, Ryan. I think we need to have a talk."
Ryan nodded and followed Dr. Kim to her office.
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"Hey, Anna." Luke walked up to Anna in the food court and sat down next to her.
"Oh-Hey, Luke."
"Have you seen Ryan?" Luke asked, biting down hard into his chicken wrap, causing Mayo to run down his chin.
Anna gave him a disgusted look and offered him a napkin. "No, I haven't. I didn't even know he was coming to school today. How's he doing?"
"Fine, I guess. He just disappeared though.Maybe he's with Seth." Luke said, cleaning up the Mayo on his face. He then turned his full attention to Anna. "Anna.I was wondering." Luke couldn't believe that he was actually going to ask Anna Stern out. He never realized how much he liked her until a few weeks ago. "I was wondering.if maybe some time.you know, we could hang?"
"Hang? As in go on a date.Together?" Anna asked in disbelief. How dumb does he think I am? Anna thought to herself. "Uh, I." But before she could continue Seth and Summer sat down at the table and interrupted.
"Hey, Anna." Summer said, offering her a soft smile. "Hey, Luke."
Luke nodded and bit down into his wrap.
Anna got up from her seat, "Sure Luke, I'd like that a lot." She then grabbed her books. "I've got an algebra test to study for. I'll talk to you later."
"Sure, yeah.Go study." Luke said, with a smile on his face.
"Um, what was that all about?" Summer asked.
"I just asked Anna out." Luke said.
Seth nearly choked on a piece of chip. "Okay, that's just by far the freakiest thing ever, Luke."
"Eww! You're going out with Pittsburgh?" Summer exclaimed.
"Okay, both of you shut up." Luke said, then changed the subject. "Have you guys seen Ryan? He just disappeared from first class and I haven't seen him since."
Both Seth and Summer shook their head.
Seth was having a mental picture in his head. He pictured Anna and Luke making out. He shivered at the thought and took a hold on Summers hand. "Come on, let's go. I'm not really that hungry. Why don't we go play a game of pool before the bell rings?"
"And kick your ass? Sure!" Summer added.
Seth rolled his eyes at Luke and left the table, leaving him alone.
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After leaving Dr. Kim's office Ryan headed for his locker to grab his backpack, where he noticed Marissa leaning on his locker waiting for him.
"Hey." Marissa said, getting out of Ryan's way. "Can we talk?"
"What's there to talk about?" Ryan asked. His left hand was shaking from the tension of the day. He fumbled with the lock and opened his locker.
"I'm sorry for what I said to you at the hospital. I didn't mean any of it. I was still overwhelmed by what happened to you and Oliver."
Ryan didn't say anything.
"Look Ryan, I'm sorry. I want to be with you.I still love you." Marissa said.
"No, you had your chance and you blew it with Oliver. I can't love you." Ryan said, pulling his locker shut. "I just can't love you anymore."
"You don't have to love me, Ryan." Marissa replied. "You can't just ignore me, Ryan. You need me as much as I need you right now. Can we at least be friends?"
Ryan knew she was right. He did need her right now. She was the only one that understood him. "Friends? I-I think I can do that. But just not right here, right now, okay? I have to go." Ryan started to walk off.
"Wait!" Marissa caught up to him. "Where are you going?"
"Home."
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"Kiss me." Seth demanded.
"What are you talking about, Cohen?" Summer asked.
"If you like me, you'll kiss me."
"You know I like you, Seth Cohen!" She turned around and noticed Holly and a couple of other girls laughing at them. "Is that why you want me to kiss you? Because they are jealous of us?"
"Just kiss me and we'll find out, won't we?" Seth said, grabbing her waist and pulling her closer to him. Summer kissed him and kissed him long. "See, that wasn't bad, now was it?"
"Not bad at all, Cohen. Which makes me wonder.how are you so good at kissing? I mean.It's not like you've had anyone to kiss."
"You prove a point there, Summer." Seth said raising his finger to his lip. "But, I guess I'm just a natural."
Summer laughed at him. "I have my suspicions." She kissed him again, but this time on the cheek. Behind her, she heard the giggles of the girls who were supposed to be her friends. Not anymore though, she thought to herself and smiled. "I'm going to go over to Marissa's, want to come?"
"No-I've got to uh, go study for a test." Seth lied. "Have you seen Ryan?"
"Nope."
"Huh, he told me to meet him here after school today. My dad's supposed to drop me off at home and take Ryan to rehab."
"Rehab? Isn't that, like, a place for mental cases?" Summer asked.
"Uh, no, Summer. It's like physiotherapy, you know, where you get to use your arm again." Seth then saw his dad pulling up in the parking lot of the school. "Well, I guess I'll call you later then?"
"Sure, Cohen. Bye!" She gave him a kiss on the cheek and Seth could hear his dad laughing.
"Daaad!" Seth groaned and hopped into the car, watching Summer walk away. "Promise me you'll never embarrass me like that ever again!"
"Okay, I promise." Sandy said, raising his right hand to his chest. "Where's Ryan?"
"No clue. Luke said he just disappeared in the middle of class, so I don't know where he is."
"Huh, odd." Sandy pulled out his cell phone and called home. It rang three times until someone picked it up. "Ryan, you're home?"
"Yeah, sorry. I forgot to let you know. Dr. Kim sent me home."
"Oh, okay. Well I'm on my way to pick you up."
"Okay."
"Bye." Sandy flipped his cell phone off and drove out onto the city roads.
"So, he wasn't abducted by aliens?" Seth asked. "'Cause I was hoping he was.I mean, you know cool that would be. It would be just like the X-Files-But way better though, none of that David Duchovny crap where-"
"Seth." Sandy stopped him.
"Yeah?"
Sandy laughed at his son. "You should really reconsider your options and take up Law School after High School. We would make a great team."
"Yeah, the day I marry Summer Roberts is the day I become a lawyer."
Sandy eyed his son. "I wouldn't say that if I were you, because that day might actually come."
"Whatever dad, just keep your eyes on the road and let's go home."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ryan was already thirty minutes into the therapy when he had enough of it. This lady was forcing his arm to do something that he couldn't do.
"Come on, Ryan," The lady named Chelsea, picked up his right arm and began flexing it. He felt like a child, the way she talked to him. "I need you do to this everyday, four times a day, for fifteen minutes, okay?" She looked at Ryan then at Sandy who was sitting in a chair at the corner of the room reading a magazine. "Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help, okay?"
"Yeah." Ryan replied. Chelsea still had a firm grip on his arm. She was pulling it up and down, left to right. Ryan felt embarrassed. Chelsea was hot-really hot and Ryan began to turn shades of red, every time she spoke to him.
"Okay," Chelsea grabbed a ball and placed it in Ryan's hand. "Now use your other hand to help flex the muscles in your right hand. I want you do to this every time you are bored, okay?" Ryan nodded and began to use his left hand to help his right hand. "There you go, just keep on doing that." She stood up from the table they were sitting at and walked over to Sandy.
Sandy looked up from his magazine. "Everything good?"
"Sure is, Mr. Cohen. Let's say we call it a day. The first day is always tough on the patients." Chelsea said, looked at Ryan. "He's doing good. You just have to make sure he uses his right arm. And like I showed you earlier, when he eats, someone needs to support his arm and hand. But you can't force him too much. Too much strain on the arm is bad, okay?"
Sandy nodded his head and stood up to shake Chelsea's hand. "Thank you, and we'll see you on Wednesday."
Ryan dropped the ball onto the table and waved to Chelsea as he left the room with Sandy. It wasn't until they were almost home when Sandy finally spoke. "So, how was it?"
Ryan only shrugged.
"So.Chelsea.She's a pretty thing. Don't you think? She looks around your age, you know." Sandy commented.
Ryan blushed. "Try late twenties, Sandy."
This time it was Sandy's turn to shrug. "So, what happened at school today?"
Ryan didn't say anything. He kept looking out the window.
"If you don't tell me, I can always call Dr. Kim and ask." Sandy said, keeping his eyes on the road.
"She just called me into her office and we talked. She told me that I didn't have to go to detention anymore and that the break-in is not going to be looked at, considering everything that happened."
"Oh."
"Yeah, and she told me to go home."
"Oh, so you'll listen to the 'dragon lady' but not me?" Sandy laughed and eyed Ryan from the corner of his eye. He saw Ryan produce a small smile on his face. "So, does that mean you're not going to school tomorrow?"
"I'm going to school tomorrow.Today was just a little hard, but tomorrow will come easier to me." Ryan replied, as they pulled up into the Cohen's driveway.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Ryan sat around the Cohen's dinner table. They were eating pizza; which Kirsten didn't cook, thank God. Ryan felt relieved. No one forced him to eat with his right hand.
Just as they were piling the dishes in the sink the phone rang and Ryan picked it up. "Hello?"
"Oh, hey! It's me, Summer. Is Seth there?" Summer asked, her voice was all bubbly.
"Sure, hold on." Ryan said, walking into the den and handing the phone over to Seth. He was in the middle of playing video games.
"Hello?" Seth said.
"Hey! Oh my god, guess what!"
"Oh my god, whaaaat?" Seth shrieked out.
"Cohen, never do that again!" Summer said, then continued on. "I just had the brightest idea ever!"
"Whoa, I got to hear this!" Seth yelled out sarcastically. Ryan was giving Seth his brooding look.
"Okay, Coop just called me and was like crying over Ryan and all, and well I had the brightest idea, like I said." Summer was rambling on. "Anyway, we need to go out! Bring Ryan too and I'll bring Marissa."
Seth looked at Ryan, who was looking at him, then walked out of the den and into the kitchen. "Uh, I don't think that's a good idea.I mean, with all that's happened."
"Cohen, she loves him! And he did say he wanted to be friends with her! Now all they need is a little pushing together. Just imagine." Summer said, "Ryan and Marissa happy! Just like it was before.. Before Oliver came along and screwed everything up!"
"Hmm, that is a good idea. But, like I said, don't you think it's a little early to go all." Seth stopped himself before he gave too much away to Ryan, who just in the other room. "Where should we go? It's a school night, we can't do anything.well. Whatever. What do you guys usually do when you hang?"
"Well, we could go over to Marissa's. Her dad is supposed to be going over to your house tonight to talk business with you dad."
"A movie?" Seth asked. He did not want to go over to Marissa's house to watch some sappy-lovey-dovey, girls' movie. "My choice?"
Summer let out a sigh. "If that what it has to take to get you come over with Ryan."
"You're on!" Seth said.
"Okay, great! Come on over right now, I'm leaving my place right now. I told Marissa we're just watching TV. So just tell Ryan you guys are.are going over to a game store.I don't know! Anything! Okay? Bye!" Summer shrieked out, hanging up the phone.
Seth walked back into the den. "What did Summer want?" Ryan asked suspiciously.
"Uh, nothing, just obsessing over something.Hey, do want to come to the store with me? I've been dying to buy this new video game!"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So, how did everything go with Ryan today?" Kirsten asked.
"Rehab? It went good.I mean, it's not like he loved it.But you know.It went good." Sandy replied, keeping his eyes fixated on the television screen.
"You're as bad as Seth, Sandy." Kirsten commented, pulling the playstation controller out of Sandy's hand. "Don't you think we should have punished the boys for what they did the other night? They shouldn't be drinking."
Sandy looked at Kirsten. "I'm sure at seventeen you got drunk with your friends."
Kirsten laughed, "True, but what I'm trying to say is.We just have to be careful with Ryan. He has a history of alcoholism in his family and I don't want him to think its okay to drink when he wants. And I don't want Seth thinking he can drink, either."
"Okay, fine. I'll talk to the both of them when they get home."
"Where did they go again?"
"Seth dragged Ryan off to some game store." The doorbell rang and Sandy stood up. "I must attend to some business." Sandy said in a deep, intimidating voice.
Kirsten laughed, "You two have fun."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Seth, why are we at Marissa's?" Ryan questioned. "What happened with going to the video game store?" He was getting nervous now. Seth didn't say anything and parked the Range Rover. "Seth!" Ryan yelled out to him.
Seth got out of the car and headed up the steps on Marissa's place. "Come on, Ryan.We're just going to watch a movie.That's all, I promise."
Ryan shot Seth a glare. "You lied to me, Seth. I'm not going in there."
"Well good luck getting home then, cause I'm staying." Seth said, knocking on the door. He could here Summer yelling.
"HOLD ON!" Summer then pulled the door open. "Hey guys, come on in."
"Do I smell popcorn?" Seth called out, walking into the house. He then took a seat on the couch, next to the bowl of popcorn. He then pulled out a movie, Caddyshack "Hope you guys are up for a fun night!"
Ryan took a seat next to Seth on the couch. "I'm going to kill you." Ryan whispered. Marissa then walked into the living room. Ryan nodded towards her direction.
"Hey." Marissa said. "What movie are we watching?"
"The best movie ever, Caddyshack." Seth said, throwing more popcorn in his mouth. "Want some?" Seth offered Ryan.
Ryan glared at Seth. He wasn't in the mood for Seth's 'comedy' right now, nor was he in the mood to watch some stupid movie. He didn't want to be a party-pooper, but this wasn't exactly what he planned on doing tonight anyway. "Seth, I think I should go." Ryan said.
Marissa was confused. Summer had told her that Ryan wanted to see her tonight. But from the looks of it, he didn't want to see her. He did say he wanted to be friends.
"Dude, what are you talking about?" Seth asked.
"I've got a lot of homework to catch up on.. This wasn't a good idea." Ryan replied, then looked over at Marissa. He could see the hurt in her eyes. "Maybe another night?" Ryan lied. He didn't want another night, the way this night was going. He was having second thoughts about Marissa. As much as he wanted to be her friend, he couldn't. Oliver was still in his way. He would never tell Seth that, or anyone for that matter. Maybe Oliver was right when he said Marissa wasn't right for him.
Summer walked into the room. "No, you can't leave, Ryan! You just got here."
"Look I know what you guys are doing." Ryan said. He turned over to Marissa. "Sorry, I have to go."
"Wait, Ryan." Seth pulled out his keys and through them at Ryan, but Ryan missed them and they fell to the floor. "Take the Range Rover.I'll, uh, get a ride home from Summer."
"Seth, I shouldn't be driving.My arm, its not safe."
"Ryan, I've never seen you drive with two hands on the wheel. Just take the car, its okay." Seth replied.
Ryan couldn't believe that Seth wasn't going to ditch the girls and go with him. Maybe he was wrong after all. Maybe Seth wasn't really a good friend to him, like he thought he was. "Uh, yeah, fine.Whatever." Ryan said, slamming the door behind him.
"Coop, I'm so sorry!" Summer said, turning to Marissa. "I thought.. I thought it could all work out."
"Whatever, Summer.Let's just watch the movie."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So, I'm glad you stayed tonight." Summer said. She was parked right out side the Cohen's house.
"Me too." Seth said, shyly. "Sorry, about Ryan and everything.Maybe it was just too early."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Yeah, well.I better get going. I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
"Sure, you two need a ride in the morning?"
"That would be awesome." Seth replied, opening the door of Summer's car. "So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning, then. Bye"
"Bye." Summer blew a kiss at Seth and drove off.
Seth walked into his house. It was quiet, too quiet. After searching the house for Ryan, he went to the poolhouse. He knocked at the glass door but didn't hear anything, so he walked in.
"Ryan? Dude, you in the bathroom?" Seth yelled out, knocking on the bathroom door. He didn't hear anything. He then opened the bathroom door, but Ryan wasn't there. He went back into the house and went upstairs to go find his parents.
Seth opened the door to his parent's bedroom. "Whoa, Dad.Mom.Sorry."
"Oh, Seth." Sandy rolled off Kirsten. "It's not what it looks like.I mean.You know what I mean, right?"
"Yeah, sure Dad. Whatever you say.You do realize that I'm never going to sleep tonight. Thanks a lot."
"Seth!" Kirsten yelled out to Seth. Seth moaned and closed the door shut.
Seth lay down on his bed and threw a pillow over his face. He wanted to scream so loud into it, but he knew that it would not accomplish anything. Today had been a long day for him. Luke and Anna together, his parents making out - half-naked, Ryan.Wait, Ryan.Where is Ryan? Before he could finished his thoughts there was a knock at his door.
"Come in." Seth yelled, through the pillow.
Sandy walked into Seth's room and sat at his computer chair. "So, I see you've decided to take 'pillow talk' a step further."
Seth through his pillow at Sandy, "I was actually trying to suffocate myself, but that wasn't working."
"Oh. Well, about what you saw.It was nothing. Really."
"Yeah, I know Dad. You don't have to go all weird on me. I'm seventeen and I know a lot more than you think I do." Seth said, sitting up on his bed.
"Oh, uh, okay then, good. So, how was the comic book store?" Sandy asked.
"Uh, it was the video game store.Have you seen Ryan?"
"No, he was with you.wasn't he?"
"Uh, yeah.But I let him drive himself home because.Because I saw Summer there and she wanted to hang out with me. So I gave Ryan the car keys and he said he was going home to work on his homework."
Sandy was mad. "You let Ryan drive home! Seth, how can you do that? Did you not think of his arm?"
"Sorry, I thought maybe he was okay to drive.Are you sure he's not home?" Seth asked nervously. He knew he screwed up badly.
"No, he's not here." Sandy stood up and paced the room. "Does he have a cell phone on him?"
"No.I have it."
"Great, just great. For all we know he could be in an accident and not even know it! I can't believe you! This is very irresponsible of you Seth." And with that Sandy left the room, leaving Seth stunned.
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Okay, I hoped you liked the chapter. This story has taken a sharp turn.and I promise a little less angst in the next chapter. Stay tuned!
