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!)
Okay, this chapter is really short and sappy. So, read on and please tell me if you liked how I ended this story. I really don't want to end it, but it's been going on and on. I need something new and fresh. I'll start working more on my 'Patience Still Waiting' story. Also, I'm going to start writing my own story at fictionpress, using the same pen name. So, those of you who like my work on the O.C, check out my other stuff. Some of you are asking for a sequel…I'm not sure what I'd write about, but if you have any suggestions feel free to say them! Thanks!
Chapter Twenty Nine
And the world's got me dizzy again
You'd think after 22 years I'd be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I'm always pacing around,
And walking away…
I've grown tried of holding this pose
I feel more like a stranger each time I come home…
And it all boils down to one quotable phrase
"If you love something, give it away."
One foot in front of the other – Bright eyes
"Is it okay if I crash here tonight?" Ryan asked. He was already sprawled out on Luke's bed, looking up at the ceiling. Luke was sitting on his chair at his computer desk.
"Don't you think you should call the Cohen's?" Luke questioned. Ryan still didn't know that Sandy was on his way to pick him up. "You've already worried them like crazy this past month." He added.
Ryan sat up at glared at him. "I don't think I can go back there." He stated.
"Well, you want to tell me why? I'm getting tired of always trying to read you. It's impossible, Ryan." Luke waited for Ryan to say something, but it never came. "What happened tonight at the Lighthouse? And what about the other night at the club?" Luke asked.
Ryan shrugged. "Marissa and I got into a fight about Oliver." He replied, not going any further.
"Okay, so what about the night at the club, Ryan?"
"What about it?" Ryan asked.
"You were piss drunk. You kept on telling me that you had to leave and get out of here. You cried, Ryan, and you told me to leave you there on the side of the road. You said you were nothing but fucking leftovers. What the hell is up with you?" Luke yelled at him.
Ryan shook his head at Luke, trying to control his emotions. He was on the verge of tears again. "I don't remember saying any of that." Ryan whispered.
"Well, you said it and you meant it." Luke replied. "What's up with you?"
"Oliver." Ryan replied, covering his face with his hands. Ryan began explaining his conversation with Oliver the night that he killed himself and shot Ryan. Luke listening tentatively, nodding his head every time Ryan looked up at him. "So, I can't go back and live with the Cohen's." Ryan explained. "I don't belong there. I don't belong here, Luke."
"Shit, Ryan, I didn't know." Luke replied. "But, what you're saying, Ryan, it's not true. You're letting Oliver get to you. You do belong here." Ryan shook his head. "Shit, would you just listen to me?" Luke yelled at him.
"I've already made up my mind." Ryan replied.
"Well, then just listen to me. You can't leave." Luke stated. "Marissa needs you, Seth needs you and I need you. We all need you."
There was a knock at Luke's door.
"It's open." Luke shouted.
Sandy walked into Luke's bedroom. "Ryan."
Ryan got up from Luke's bed and backed away from Sandy. "What are you doing here?" He turned to Luke. "You called him, didn't you? I told you not to."
"Ryan, I had to tell him." Luke replied.
"Come on, let's go home. Kirsten and Seth are worried about you." Sandy said.
"Mr. Cohen." Ryan said. He never called Sandy by his last name. "I don't think I can live with you and your family anymore. I don't belong here."
"Ryan, I know about the tape recorder. Don't listen to Oliver. He was sick and you were right about him. Don't let this eat away at you, like it already has. You're a fighter. You have to fight this." Sandy explained, moving closer to him. "Now, I want you to come back home with me."
Ryan stepped back and folded his arms over his chest.
"Listen to him, Ryan." Luke spoke up. "We need you to stay here in Newport. Marissa needs you to be there for her and you're Seth's best friend. He would be devastated if you left him. And I need you. You're the only one that understands me. You never stopped being my friend when my Dad came out of the closet. You were there for me then and now I'm here for you."
"You guys don't really want me. I'm from Chino. I've already screwed up." Ryan whispered.
"This is your second chance. How many kids get seconds chances, Ryan?" Sandy asked.
Ryan shrugged.
"Hardly any." Sandy stated. "But, you're lucky enough to have Kirsten and I. We are your guardians. I don't care if you burn down another house, you will always be like a son to me."
Ryan couldn't hold in his tears anymore. The tears started flowing down his burning cheeks. He quickly wiped them away and asked, "How do you know that?" He asked. "You could just not want me one day."
"Boy, you sure do have a thick skull. Maybe next season you should try out for the water polo team." Sandy smirked. "If you leave us, not only will Seth lose his best friend but I will lose a son. So, come on. Let's go home." He stepped closer to Ryan and put his arm around his broad shoulders.
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"Summer, you're tired. You can go home if you want, I'm okay, really. Ryan should be coming home with my dad." Seth said. Summer was curled up on Ryan's bed in the poolhouse. They were both waiting for Sandy to come home with Ryan.
Summer yawned and then sat up. "You sure?" She asked.
"Yes, positive. I'll see you tomorrow." Seth said and then kissed her on the top of her forehead. Summer smiled at him and then left the poolhouse. All she needed right now was her precious beauty sleep. She cared about Ryan, really she did, but she was exhausted.
Seth went back into the house after Summer left and found his mom sitting in the den watching television.
"Are they back yet?" Seth asked. Just then Sandy walked into the house with Ryan. "Hey…" Seth said, looking Ryan over. "Whoa, what's with the abercrombie and fitch look?" He asked, jokingly.
Ryan looked down at the T-shirt he was wearing. "It's Luke's."
"Yeah, I can tell." Seth replied.
"Oh, Ryan, are you okay?" Kirsten went up to him and gave him a hug. Ryan awkwardly accepted it and smiled back at her. "Promise me you won't ever run off again? I'd hate to have gray hair at my age." She whispered into his ear and then let go of him. "Okay?"
"Yeah, I promise."
"Okay, well it's late boys and you two have to wake up early and help me out at the Lighthouse." Sandy said.
"Crap." Seth mumbled.
"Goodnight, boys." Kirsten said, walking away from them. Sandy followed her upstairs.
"Sorry." Ryan told Seth, as he made his way over to the kitchen and pulled open the fridge.
"No worries. I wasn't worried at all, you know. Are you okay though? I mean, is everything cool? Everything should be cool though, right?" Seth stammered. "I wouldn't want things not to be cool. 'Cause that just wouldn't be cool." He laughed nervously, trying to think of something better to say to Ryan.
Ryan shook his head at Seth. "I – I have no clue what you just said."
Seth scratched his curly brown hair and frowned at him. "Neither do I, Ryan, neither do I."
There was an awkward silence, as Ryan and Seth stared at each other.
"It's cool, Seth. At least, I think it is, or will be." Ryan explained. "Only time will tell."
THE END
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*Tear* 'tiss the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed it, as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please check out my other stories; Glory Fades and Patience Still Waiting.
(I can't believe we have to wait another 2 weeks for the O.C.! Insane. *What's this about Luke in a car accident? No!*)
