Thanks for the reviews, they were much appreciated.

And I don't own the OC. Do I have to write that in every chapter?

MONDAY

Ryan hesitated before putting his returned paper on the counter. It was the first time he'd gotten a really bad grade, and he wasn't sure how Kirsten and Sandy would react.

It had started with Kirsten asking to read one of his essays, and somehow it had become routine for him to leave his returned assignments for her and Sandy to read. He did it because they seemed to like it, and it was an easy way to make them happy. Even though he felt a bit uncomfortable about what to him seemed like showing off. But he knew Seth did the same thing, at least from time to time, and that made him feel better about it. It was something of a family thing, and those he treasured.

This time Kirsten and Sandy wouldn't be happy, though. Most of all Ryan just didn't want to show his Childhood Memories and its bad grade to them, but he felt that would be dishonest. Almost like lying. And then the whole thing would have been nothing but showing off.

Besides, they would find out sooner or later. It would probably affect his final grade.

Finally, he dropped the assignment on top of the other one he'd gotten back today, and left for the pool house.

That's where Kirsten found them when she got home. She smiled as she saw them lying on the desk, and decided to save them for later in the evening.

But then she saw the grades, and while the A was no surprise, the F was. She read the essay, and she was affected. It was beautiful; she didn't understand the F. Not at all. The assignment was not only exemplary written, like most of Ryan's schoolwork, but it had a personal touch that was rare in any high school student's work. She shook her head; it didn't make sense. There must have been a mistake of some kind.

"Ryan?" she said as she entered the pool house.

Ryan was sitting on his bed, he'd been reading his history homework. Looking up at Kirsten he saw the assignment in her hand and felt his mouth go dry. He wasn't exactly scared, he told himself, more like apprehensive because he didn't know what to expect. He hoped desperately that she wouldn't be too disappointed.

"I read this, Childhood Memories." she started, waving the paper about a little.

Ryan nodded, looking down.

"I loved it. It was.. beautiful. But I don't understand, why the F?"

Ryan shrugged, uncomfortable.

"There must be a misunderstanding, it's a very good story. She must have-"

"No, the grade is fair." Ryan said quietly. "I kind of misinterpreted the assignment."

Kirsten opened her mouth to speak, but Ryan continued.

"Intentionally."

"What?"

"I'm sorry. I just.. I interpreted the assignment to fit what I wanted to write."

Kirsten was stunned. That sounded like something Seth might have done; deliberately twisting the instructions of an assignment, protesting about something or other. Preferably the neglect of comic books – sorry, graphic novels – as literature. And while she found it a little.. well, childish, it was nothing to be upset about. Just, she'd never thought Ryan would do it; he was too intent on pleasing everybody. Looking at the boy in front of her she saw him fidgeting with his book. She realized he was nervous. She pondered what to say and how to say it.

"It's no big deal. Or.. I mean.. is it?" she heard Ryan say.

Ryan looked up at her, trying to read her face. Was she pissed off? He would understand if she were; they hadn't put him in this expensive private school just so he could fuck up his grades deliberately. She didn't say anything, obviously she was. He looked down.

"I'm sorry. I'll ask the teacher for some extra credit assignment. I'll see what I can do to having it not affect my final grade. I'm sorry."

Kirsten shook her head. Slowly she said "Ryan, don't be sorry. I'm sure you had a reason to do what you did."

She saw him lift his head again, but couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

"I just don't understand. Could I see the assignment? Or could you tell me what it was? I mean, from the title I would have guessed it was to write about your childhood?"

"Early childhood."

"Oh." She took this in. "And you didn't want to.. I can-"

"No, I could have. It's just.. I thought.. never mind. It was stupid."

She tentatively took a step forward and lowered herself beside him on the bed.

"I don't believe it was stupid. Your decisions rarely are." Thinking about it for a second she added "Well, except those involving fighting, stealing cars and burning down houses."

He heard the smile in her voice, and without looking up he smiled slightly in response. Maybe she wasn't very angry after all.

"What I'm trying to say is that I think you had a reason you did this, and that I can respect. I may not agree with you that the reason was good enough, but I can see it wasn't just a whim. I'm not mad at you Ryan, okay?"

"Okay." he said quietly.

Kirsten didn't say anything. By now she knew Ryan well enough to understand that he'd agreed to tell her about his reasoning; he just needed time to put his thoughts into words.

"I was thinking.." he started. "About what makes a childhood. And I realized I never had one." Taking a deep breath he finally looked at her. "Technically I did, of course. I mean, I was a child. I just never.. whatever. What I mean is that there was something missing, something that is now present. Since you took me in I've.."

Again, looking away, Ryan fell silent. Kirsten just waited.

"I just decided that's when my childhood started. When you took me in. What was before that was.. something else. Thus, any memories from the past months would qualify for early childhood memories, and that's what I wrote about. As you know."

Glancing at her, he added "But they aren't, I know that and I knew that when I wrote the paper. I just.. wanted to make a statement. But I shouldn't have, not like that. I'll ask for extra credit. I'm sorry."

"Ryan, don't be sorry." Kirsten said softly. "I think it was a great thing you did."

"What?"

"You have.. I just think it was good. Worth more than a good grade. And I don't think you should ask for extra credit."

"Okay.."

"I think you should turn in the paper again, but with what you've told me now,the reasoning behind your choices, as an introduction. That way you'll give your teacher the chance to give you the grade I think she wanted to give you, but couldn't because it looked as though you didn't follow the instructions. And if she doesn't, that's okay. It's not the end of the world."

"Really? It's.. that would be okay?"

"Yes." Smiling, Kirsten stood. "I'll let you get on with that, or whatever you were doing when I barged in. I'll go order dinner."

When she reached the door, she heard a soft "Thanks." and turned to face Ryan.

"You're welcome." she smiled. After hesitating, she added "And Ryan, I think you should elaborate. Write more about those things, and.. other things. Not in that paper, and maybe not even for anyone to read. But you write well, and.. I think would be good. And if you'd want me to, I'd love to read it." With this she left.