Title: Unbalancing the Equation
By: SethCohenFan
Summary: Ryan is getting sick, but he doesn't admit it, and a family tragedy sends the entire Cohen family into a downward spiral. What will it take to get things back to normal? SS RM
Rating: PG-13 for now, because of language
Disclaimer: Ummm... yeah... I'm still working on that..
A/n: This portion will most likely be Ryan's POV through this chapter, which may be a little hard to write, because I haven't really been getting into Ryan's head too much, but I'll try. I'd also like to add, that I have only seen up from "The Goodbye Girl" on up, so some things may not be right. If you spot them, tell me. Thanks a mil!
Oh yes, I'd like to add that this came out faster than I thought. I don't believe that all my chapters will come out this fast. Besides, the OC is on tonight. Woo!
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Chapter 2: Dishonest Sleep (Thank you Ali for the title!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun shone brightly down through some scarcely placed clouds, blinding me with its horrible rays. Not that I really minded that much. Around here, the sun was always out. I couldn't help buy smile as I walked around, Anything that could keep me from going home was the greatest thing ever.
Sure, Chino wasn't the greatest place to live, or the greatest place to be walking around aimlessly, but hey, it's my life. Not that I really know any better.
A sigh escaped my mouth as I found myself back in front of the place that was supposed to be my home. Somehow I always found myself back there, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it. I continued looking at it for a while. It didn't really deserve to be called a home; that was for sure.
I knew that putting it off any longer would only make things worse. Knowing what was going to happen right when I saw AJ sitting on the couch, I fought the urge to turn around and leave. There he was sitting on OUR couch drinking some beer, or whatever the hell it was.
"You're finally home. Where were you; you worthless piece of shit?" he cursed. I learned that it was better to ignore him a long time ago, and by now I was completely used to it. As usual, I ignored him and headed towards my room, which wasn't really mine either, not surprised to hear AJ stomping up behind me.
In any normal situation, I would have slammed the door in his face, and then locked it, but I could tell that this wasn't going to be a normal situation. A fear ran through me as I ran to the corner of the small bed and then simply froze, waiting for the inevitable.
AJ was inching closer and closer and time seemed to have slowed down. Then, it suddenly sped up and there was barley enough time to duck AJ's hand. Some how, by some amazing miracle, I did, and I could hear him cursing as I quickly looked over to see the new dent that he had put in the wall. Thank God that wasn't my head.
He took advantage of me being distracted; I knew that it was too late to stop him when I felt his hand collide with the side of my head. A fiery pain started at the contact point and start slowly emanating from that spot. I felt the need to cry out or do something to relieve the pain, but that would only egg him on more. I couldn't do that.
"Ryan," came a soft female voice. I recognized it from somewhere, but- my thoughts were once again interrupted by AJ's foot landing square in my midsection. I couldn't help my cry out in pain, it burned so much.
"Ryan," it came again. Maybe I was dying, but everything still burned. Everything still ached. And AJ reminded me of it each time he punched me. Where the hell was Trey?
"Ryan," I heard it again. Slowly everything began fading. It didn't feel like I was losing consciousness like I had so many times before. It felt... different. Maybe I was dying, because I heard it again, "Ryan..."
Slowly, everything became black.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My eyes snapped open, and then slowly closed again. "Ryan," said the voice again. Only this time, I recognized it. Kirsten. I stretched and yawned. It had been a dream, or a nightmare, whatever you'd call it. But it seemed so real, so life like, it was scary.
"I'm up," I said, stretching. I wanted to make sure that Kirsten knew that I was alright. Yawning, I opened my eyes slowly, letting everything come into focus before propping myself up. A side glance at the clock told me that it was four-something. How long had I been asleep for?
"How are you feeling?" she asked. The worry was evident in her voice.
Like shit. That was exactly how I felt. Yet, I couldn't let Kirsten know that. She'd go into that motherly mode, and I didn't want to add any more problems onto her than she already had had. "Fine," I answered.
I could tell right away that she didn't believe me. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, hundred percent," I said. I knew nothing that I could say would make her think any different, but it was worth a try.
The look on her face was anything but what I wanted to. "Ryan, you're lying. It's a motherly thing."
I mentally slapped myself. How could I get myself out of this one? "I had a bad dream." I said simply.
"But that still doesn't explain why you were asleep at four in the afternoon on such a nice day."
She had me there, but I had a quick save stored up. "I had a lot of homework last night, and I was up really late doing it."
A sly glint appeared in her eyes. "Funny, you came in here, and the lights were out by nine. Don't tell me you were doing your homework in the dark."
Damn her. How could she see through my lies, then again, why was I lying about being tired? It isn't that bad, is it?
"I was just really tired. Nothing that big," I admitted. She didn't need to know that I had been tired for the past week or so. Besides, she didn't directly ask that.
"Sure?" she asked. "Because Seth's getting worried about you. He claims that you've been sleeping a lot lately. You know that I'm always here to talk to."
Seth? Since when was he concerned with my sleeping habits? Concerned enough to tell his mom? Was he too coward-like to talk to me himself? "I'm fine Kirsten. I just haven't been getting enough sleep, that's all." I said, trying to sound like I really was alright.
That was when she got up to leave. "I'm always here Ryan. So are Seth and Sandy. Just remember that."
I nodded. Maybe them being worried about me was a good thing. Maybe it wasn't. It was just so different. I was so tired, unexplainably tired. I should talk to someone. Anyone.
Slowly, I got up. It seemed like I wasn't feeling as good as I thought I was feeling. I couldn't be getting sick. It wasn't possible. Another yawn escaped my mouth. I needed to talk to someone.
After a few moments of deliberation, I decided on one person. Theresa.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I picked up my cell. Hopefully she was home. I needed to talk to someone. Slowly, I punched her phone number, silently praying that she was home. I needed to get some answers.
The phone rang. She didn't pick up.
It rang again. There was still no click of the phone being picked up.
Then again, and again. This went on for what seemed like forever. I was about to give up when I heard that click.
"Hello," said the person on the other end. To my disliking, it wasn't Theresa. No it was a male. Oh God, it sounded like Eddie.
"Hey. Is Theresa there?" I asked, wondering if Eddie recognized my voice. Would he give the phone to her if she was even there?
"I don't know. Why?" he asked, sounding somewhat annoyed. "Who is this?'
Great. He didn't recognize my voice. Was this working for me, or against me? "Look, Eddie-"but I was cut off.
"How the hell do you know my name?" he asked, sounding extremely angry.
"Let me finish my sentence." I said, trying hard not to sound annoyed. "It's Ryan."
I heard the click. The ass had hung up on me. Damn him. Who even said that I wanted to talk to him? I distinctly remember myself asking for Theresa.
The thought ran through my head that maybe I should try again, but why? To have Eddie pick up then hang up on me again. Needless to say, that wasn't something I wanted to do.
I yawned again and got up, working my way out of the pool house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What seemed like an eternity later, I reached the door to get into the house. I tried to look not tired as I walked in.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/n: Well, there is chapter 2... It was a bit weird to write, and I really want to go back to writing in Seth's POV. *huggles Seth* anywho... now time to thank:
benzbabidolll - my first reviewer. You're my hero and... and... shhhhhhh HOTTERTHNU - awww thanks. I'm glad you liked that little comment! Gator-Girl - I know. Thanks. The House, Sara, storymom, moi, Meghan, newport-girl, Tifftt, Christina
If I missed you, I'm sorry, my computer is a tad bit on the slow side...
Now, please hit that little go button and review. :D
By: SethCohenFan
Summary: Ryan is getting sick, but he doesn't admit it, and a family tragedy sends the entire Cohen family into a downward spiral. What will it take to get things back to normal? SS RM
Rating: PG-13 for now, because of language
Disclaimer: Ummm... yeah... I'm still working on that..
A/n: This portion will most likely be Ryan's POV through this chapter, which may be a little hard to write, because I haven't really been getting into Ryan's head too much, but I'll try. I'd also like to add, that I have only seen up from "The Goodbye Girl" on up, so some things may not be right. If you spot them, tell me. Thanks a mil!
Oh yes, I'd like to add that this came out faster than I thought. I don't believe that all my chapters will come out this fast. Besides, the OC is on tonight. Woo!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 2: Dishonest Sleep (Thank you Ali for the title!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun shone brightly down through some scarcely placed clouds, blinding me with its horrible rays. Not that I really minded that much. Around here, the sun was always out. I couldn't help buy smile as I walked around, Anything that could keep me from going home was the greatest thing ever.
Sure, Chino wasn't the greatest place to live, or the greatest place to be walking around aimlessly, but hey, it's my life. Not that I really know any better.
A sigh escaped my mouth as I found myself back in front of the place that was supposed to be my home. Somehow I always found myself back there, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it. I continued looking at it for a while. It didn't really deserve to be called a home; that was for sure.
I knew that putting it off any longer would only make things worse. Knowing what was going to happen right when I saw AJ sitting on the couch, I fought the urge to turn around and leave. There he was sitting on OUR couch drinking some beer, or whatever the hell it was.
"You're finally home. Where were you; you worthless piece of shit?" he cursed. I learned that it was better to ignore him a long time ago, and by now I was completely used to it. As usual, I ignored him and headed towards my room, which wasn't really mine either, not surprised to hear AJ stomping up behind me.
In any normal situation, I would have slammed the door in his face, and then locked it, but I could tell that this wasn't going to be a normal situation. A fear ran through me as I ran to the corner of the small bed and then simply froze, waiting for the inevitable.
AJ was inching closer and closer and time seemed to have slowed down. Then, it suddenly sped up and there was barley enough time to duck AJ's hand. Some how, by some amazing miracle, I did, and I could hear him cursing as I quickly looked over to see the new dent that he had put in the wall. Thank God that wasn't my head.
He took advantage of me being distracted; I knew that it was too late to stop him when I felt his hand collide with the side of my head. A fiery pain started at the contact point and start slowly emanating from that spot. I felt the need to cry out or do something to relieve the pain, but that would only egg him on more. I couldn't do that.
"Ryan," came a soft female voice. I recognized it from somewhere, but- my thoughts were once again interrupted by AJ's foot landing square in my midsection. I couldn't help my cry out in pain, it burned so much.
"Ryan," it came again. Maybe I was dying, but everything still burned. Everything still ached. And AJ reminded me of it each time he punched me. Where the hell was Trey?
"Ryan," I heard it again. Slowly everything began fading. It didn't feel like I was losing consciousness like I had so many times before. It felt... different. Maybe I was dying, because I heard it again, "Ryan..."
Slowly, everything became black.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My eyes snapped open, and then slowly closed again. "Ryan," said the voice again. Only this time, I recognized it. Kirsten. I stretched and yawned. It had been a dream, or a nightmare, whatever you'd call it. But it seemed so real, so life like, it was scary.
"I'm up," I said, stretching. I wanted to make sure that Kirsten knew that I was alright. Yawning, I opened my eyes slowly, letting everything come into focus before propping myself up. A side glance at the clock told me that it was four-something. How long had I been asleep for?
"How are you feeling?" she asked. The worry was evident in her voice.
Like shit. That was exactly how I felt. Yet, I couldn't let Kirsten know that. She'd go into that motherly mode, and I didn't want to add any more problems onto her than she already had had. "Fine," I answered.
I could tell right away that she didn't believe me. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, hundred percent," I said. I knew nothing that I could say would make her think any different, but it was worth a try.
The look on her face was anything but what I wanted to. "Ryan, you're lying. It's a motherly thing."
I mentally slapped myself. How could I get myself out of this one? "I had a bad dream." I said simply.
"But that still doesn't explain why you were asleep at four in the afternoon on such a nice day."
She had me there, but I had a quick save stored up. "I had a lot of homework last night, and I was up really late doing it."
A sly glint appeared in her eyes. "Funny, you came in here, and the lights were out by nine. Don't tell me you were doing your homework in the dark."
Damn her. How could she see through my lies, then again, why was I lying about being tired? It isn't that bad, is it?
"I was just really tired. Nothing that big," I admitted. She didn't need to know that I had been tired for the past week or so. Besides, she didn't directly ask that.
"Sure?" she asked. "Because Seth's getting worried about you. He claims that you've been sleeping a lot lately. You know that I'm always here to talk to."
Seth? Since when was he concerned with my sleeping habits? Concerned enough to tell his mom? Was he too coward-like to talk to me himself? "I'm fine Kirsten. I just haven't been getting enough sleep, that's all." I said, trying to sound like I really was alright.
That was when she got up to leave. "I'm always here Ryan. So are Seth and Sandy. Just remember that."
I nodded. Maybe them being worried about me was a good thing. Maybe it wasn't. It was just so different. I was so tired, unexplainably tired. I should talk to someone. Anyone.
Slowly, I got up. It seemed like I wasn't feeling as good as I thought I was feeling. I couldn't be getting sick. It wasn't possible. Another yawn escaped my mouth. I needed to talk to someone.
After a few moments of deliberation, I decided on one person. Theresa.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I picked up my cell. Hopefully she was home. I needed to talk to someone. Slowly, I punched her phone number, silently praying that she was home. I needed to get some answers.
The phone rang. She didn't pick up.
It rang again. There was still no click of the phone being picked up.
Then again, and again. This went on for what seemed like forever. I was about to give up when I heard that click.
"Hello," said the person on the other end. To my disliking, it wasn't Theresa. No it was a male. Oh God, it sounded like Eddie.
"Hey. Is Theresa there?" I asked, wondering if Eddie recognized my voice. Would he give the phone to her if she was even there?
"I don't know. Why?" he asked, sounding somewhat annoyed. "Who is this?'
Great. He didn't recognize my voice. Was this working for me, or against me? "Look, Eddie-"but I was cut off.
"How the hell do you know my name?" he asked, sounding extremely angry.
"Let me finish my sentence." I said, trying hard not to sound annoyed. "It's Ryan."
I heard the click. The ass had hung up on me. Damn him. Who even said that I wanted to talk to him? I distinctly remember myself asking for Theresa.
The thought ran through my head that maybe I should try again, but why? To have Eddie pick up then hang up on me again. Needless to say, that wasn't something I wanted to do.
I yawned again and got up, working my way out of the pool house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What seemed like an eternity later, I reached the door to get into the house. I tried to look not tired as I walked in.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/n: Well, there is chapter 2... It was a bit weird to write, and I really want to go back to writing in Seth's POV. *huggles Seth* anywho... now time to thank:
benzbabidolll - my first reviewer. You're my hero and... and... shhhhhhh HOTTERTHNU - awww thanks. I'm glad you liked that little comment! Gator-Girl - I know. Thanks. The House, Sara, storymom, moi, Meghan, newport-girl, Tifftt, Christina
If I missed you, I'm sorry, my computer is a tad bit on the slow side...
Now, please hit that little go button and review. :D