Title: Ryan's First Ski Trip
Summary: Ryan and the gang go to a ski resort for the weekend.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to The O.C..
Chapter 7 - House Party
Ryan led Luke around the outside of the resort lodge to the back of the restaurant's kitchen. According to Ryan's watch, there was still 5 minutes before Ramirez's shift was over, so they waited. While Ryan and Luke were sitting outside, one of the waiters that Ryan knew came out. Ryan stood up.
"Oh, hi, Atwood. I thought you left."
"I did. We're waiting for Ramirez. I believe his shift is about over."
"Ah, OK. I'll let him know you're here."
"Thanks."
After the waiter went back inside, Ryan sat back down to wait again. After about 5 minutes, Ramirez came out. He was a latino teenager, about Ryan's height.
"Hey, Chino, you waiting for me?"
Luke looked at Ryan. He thought that Ryan hated to be called 'Chino'. But this time Ryan didn't look disturbed by it.
"Hey, Ramirez. Yeah. Ortiz invited me to the party tonight. I was hoping you could give us a ride."
"Us?"
"Yeah, do you think it would be OK if my friend comes?"
Ramirez looked at Luke skeptically. "Isn't he a guest? One of these spoiled rich kids --"
Ryan interrupted, "He's cool. It's not his fault his Dad's rich."
Luke looked at Ryan. He was amused by this whole exchange. He couldn't believe that he was being discriminated against because he was rich. Luke was used to it being the other way around.
Ramirez considered. "I guess it would be OK." He turned to Luke. "Where are you from?"
Luke looked at Ryan. Ryan gave him a slight nod. Luke turned back to Ramirez. "Newport Beach."
Ramirez started to walk away. "Well, come on if you want a ride. Chino. Newport."
That was the first time Luke had been called 'Newport'. He had to admit, it was kind of annoying. Luke hurried to follow Ryan who was following Ramirez to his car.
When they got to the house party in the working-class neighborhood, Ryan fit right in. Luke, on the other hand, stood out like a sore thumb. He'd never been to any neighborhoods like this. He could see now why Ryan didn't want to bring his father's Lexus down here.
As they entered the party, they both got looks. As far as Luke could tell, the ones for Ryan were because he was good looking (from the girls) or sizing him up as one of their own (from the guys). The ones for Luke, though, made him feel like everyone was looking down at him. It was a weird feeling.
Right after they got there, Ryan pulled Luke aside.
"Look, man, I know you can take care of yourself, but try not to insult anybody. You remember Donny?"
Luke gave Ryan a look. Of course Luke remembered Donny. Donny shot him.
Ryan continued, "Right, well, any one of these guys could be like him, and you may not get so lucky the next time."
Luke had only been shot in the arm. It could have been worse. "Right. I'll lay low."
"Good idea."
Their talk was interrupted by Ortiz, another latino teenager, taller than the last, and darker. "Hey, Chino. You made it. Who's your friend?"
"This is umm.. I guess we're going to call him Newport. He's a guest at the resort, but don't hold that against him. He's cool."
Ortiz nodded at Luke. "Hey."
Luke nodded back. "Hey."
Ortiz turned back to Ryan. "Hey, Chino, do you know that girl over there?"
Ortiz pointed out a girl who looked to be older, maybe 20 or 21, white, short dark hair. She didn't look familiar to Ryan.
"No, should I?"
"She says she's from Chino, too."
Ryan was interested. He took a closer look at her. "Really?"
Ortiz laughed. "Come on, I'll show you where the beer is."
Ryan and Luke followed Ortiz over to the beer. Then Ortiz went off with other friends. Luke got himself a beer and started sipping it. Ryan got two beers. He started sipping one. He stood by the beer looking at the girl from Chino.
Luke pushed Ryan, playfully. "Go ahead, dude. What are you waiting for? You're single now..."
Ryan gave Luke a half smile and headed over to the girl. Luke watched as they talked and Ryan handed her the second beer. Then Luke went looking for a girl of his own.
A little while later, Ryan went looking for Luke. He found him, half drunk, laughing with a bunch of guys. He guessed Luke was laying low just fine. He got Luke's attention. Luke came over.
"Hey, Chino, what's up?"
Ryan nodded over at the girl from Chino, who was waiting for him. "I'm going to her place for a little while. You'll be OK here?"
"Whoa, nice going, man. Go ahead. I can take care of myself, remember?"
"Yeah, I can see that. OK. I'll be back."
So Ryan went over to the girl's apartment. Her name was Kim. She was 19. And Ryan had a really good time with her. He didn't know her from Chino, and she didn't even know Trey, even though they were the same age. But, still, it was really nice to be with somebody from home. They had a lot in common, unlike him and Marissa.
A couple of hours later, Ryan left Kim's and headed back to Ortiz's party. He found Luke even more drunk now, and dancing with a girl. Ryan got himself another beer and watched them dancing. It looked to Ryan like the girl was interested in getting together with Luke, so he was surprised when it looked like Luke turned her down and headed back over to the beer.
When Luke got to the beer, he saw Ryan there. "Hey, man, you're back."
"Yeah. Hey, looks like that girl's into you. Why'd you turn her down? You're single now, too..."
"No, I'm not."
Ryan was surprised. "You're not?"
Luke, even almost drunk, realized that he almost spilled the beans about him and Julie Cooper. "Um.. Yeah, but it's a secret. So don't tell anybody."
"Sure, man." Not that there was anything to tell. Luke didn't tell him who he was going out with.
Ryan spotted Ortiz and headed over to him. He'd been looking for him. "Ortiz."
Ortiz smiled. "Chino. You're back. Did you have a good time with Chino girl?"
Ryan smiled back. "Yeah. Hey, listen, Newport and I got a ride here from Ramirez. Do you know if there's anyone we can get a ride back to the resort with?"
"Yeah, sure, but not until morning. I know a guy that has the morning shift. He can give you a lift at about 6 AM."
"OK. Great. Can we crash here?"
"Sure, of course." Ortiz looked over at Luke. Ryan followed his gaze. Luke was totally drunk. "I don't think your rich friend is going anywhere, anyway."
To Be Continued