I do not own any of the original characters from the OC.

Chapter 4

The usual morning ritual in the Cohen kitchen was more subdued this morning. Everyone felt the weight of the tasks at hand today. When Ryan entered, he found Seth already there munching cereal from the box. Kirsten was pouring thick black coffee into her cup. Ryan shuffled over and helped himself to a cup.

Ryan: Morning

Seth: Hey Ryan. I thought for a minute maybe you had decided to hide out in the pool house today. Can't say I would blame you.

Ryan: Don't tempt me. I'd rather have a root canal than do what I have to do today.

Seth: Maybe we could take the boat out and both disappear this time.

Ryan: That is an option I don't care to explore this morning..... get back with me this afternoon

Sandy enters the kitchen and snatches a bagel out of Kirsten's hand.

Kirsten: "Hey", she laughs swatting his hand.

Sandy: Ryan.. Seth.. did you boys sleep well?

Ryan: actually I did and I was really hoping I'm still asleep and all this is a nightmare. I better call Marissa.

Seth: Ryan why do you persist in being so negative... it is your karma to be masticated by the jaws of life.. tilt your self at every windmill... climb every mountain, swim every sea..

A bagel bounced off Seth's head. Kirsten stood smiling at her son.

Kirsten: Want another bagel?

Seth: umm.. no thanks Mom, one was sufficient.

Ryan dialed the phone but when a voice answered it was not Marissa. Julie had been straightening Marissa's blankets when her daughters cell phone. She quickly answered to keep it from waking her sleeping daughter.

Ryan didn't quite know what to say.

Ryan: "May I please speak to Marissa ", he finally stammered.

Coldness crept into Julie's voice as she realized who the caller was.

Julie: I'm sorry Ryan but Marissa isn't feeling well and won't be going to school. You'll need to find another ride.

Ryan: Mrs. Nichol, I'm not calling about a ride, I just need to speak with Marissa

There was silence on the other end and Ryan realized she had hung up.

Julie surveyed her daughter's room. The empty vodka bottle lying just under the bed might have escaped her notice if she hadn't bumped it with her foot. She looked at her sleeping daughter's face.

"Marissa, what is going on with you", she thought. She didn't understand her daughter at all. All she tried to do was to give her family the things she never had it seemed no one appreciated her sacrifices. Ever since "that boy" came here there has been nothing but trouble. "She would do what had to be done to save her daughter and no one had better get in her way" she said to no one. She left the room to make some calls.

Ryan: Sandy, Julie says Marissa is ill and won't be going to school. When I asked to speak to her , Julie hung up. I have to do something.

Sandy: Ryan, maybe Marissa is feeling bad.. too much to drink can do that. Tell you what, we'll call Jimmy, tell him what is going on and develop some type of strategy, then we'll all meet with Julie. You go on to school and call me later at the office.

Ryan had no choice. All he could do was go along with Sandy. He was uneasy and quite frankly afraid. He wasn't sure of what but his instincts told him something was very wrong. He would continue to try and contact Marissa. Maybe Summer would be able to get through.

Kirsten: If you boys are ready I'll drop you off on my way.

As Kirsten pulled up to the school a green Ninja pulled into the parking lot. Until this moment Ryan had forgotten about its rider. Now the memory of the new girl came rushing back and he hoped he would get to talk to her again. Seth too, followed her arrival with an approving grin..

Seth: Caliente.. What do you think, Ryan. You never really said.

The grin remained on his face and he watched his friends discomfort.

Ryan: ummm.. she seemed nice enough

Seth: come now Ryan... you all but slobbered down the front of your shirt yesterday. Let me assure you, your composure not only slipped yesterday but also it kicked you in the butt before it left.

A "Ryan glare" only served to throw him into fits of laughter. As they climbed from the car and headed toward the school Ryan glared over his shoulder at Seth but didn't utter a sound.

As they entered the classroom Ryan nonchalantly scanned the room. Seth behind him leaned close and smirked.

Seth: Gee I don't see her either

Ryan: See who?

Ryan knew it was useless, that Seth knew exactly who he was looking for but none the less decided to stick to his game plan. They found two empty seats at a table and sat down.

Emily was running late. Her meeting with her advisor had been longer than she had expected. She ran down the hall to get to her first hour class. She had dropped some classes and added some others so now she had hardly any idea where she was going.

She found her room just as the bell sounded and slipped into the closest empty chair. Schoolwork had always come easy for her so she found herself lost in the work and was surprised when the hour was up.

She was starving by lunchtime and as she approached her locker she was surprised to see Ryan and Seth standing by her locker.

Emily: hey guys.

Seth: we missed you in algebra this morning.

Emily: My advisor was able to get me into some classes I wanted but I had to swap a bunch of classes around. Nothing personal, in fact you guys are about the only people that have spoken to me except for the teachers. What is it with this school?

Both boys looked at each other and burst in loud peals of laughter

Seth: what is with this school? Emily, you are probably standing with the two most qualified people to fill you in on that but that will require more than one lunch hour. We can start today.

Dropping one arm across her shoulder and the other on Ryan's they turned to go to the cafeteria and ran right into a surprised Summer.

Seth: Summer! We were just going to find sustenance, would you care to join us?

Summer didn't speak. Her tiny foot was tapping and her eyes shot daggers at Emily. Seth dropped his arms and looked bewildered at Summer. Summer took a step toward Emily and looked up into her eyes.

Summer: Aren't you the whore on the motorcycle?

Just for a second a deadly shadow came into Emily's eyes but it was gone as soon as it came.

Seth: Summer! What the hell is wrong with you?

Emily: Yes, I ride a motorcycle, a green one.

Summer glared at Seth and then turned back to Emily.

Summer: you have your hands all over private property there and if you know what good for you, you'll stay away from them.

Ryan: Summer back off.

Again Seth made opened his mouth to speak but Emily raised her hand to stop him.

Emily: It was not my intent to "handle your private stash". Please accept my apology. See you around guys.

Emily shouldered her way clear and walked down the hall. Summer turned to watch her. When she turned back to Seth and Ryan, the anger she saw in their eyes made her step back. Ryan stepped away and began following Emily.

Ryan: Seth, you really need to put her on a leash!

Grabbing Summer's arm and leaning into her face Seth's eyes said more than his mouth ever could.

Seth: Summer, we need to talk ... now!