Same disclaimer applies. Sadly.
Marissa was momentary thrown off for a moment when she realized who the voicemail was from.
"Um, hi Marissa, this is Theresa. Listen, I didn't mean to take Ryan away from you. I'm aware of how much you both love each other and right now, I feel really guilty for coming in between the two of you. I guess you could say I'm desperate but I really needed support. I'm really sorry for being so selfish. I hope you understand but even if you don't, its okay. Well, that's about it, bye."
She certainly had not been expecting that. She thought Theresa would not bother explaining or anything. After all, the two of them were not that close.
She could not describe how she was feeling at that moment. It was more of a mixture of emotions from all three voicemails. Ryan's had cheered her up considerably, Seth's made her puzzled and to be honest, Theresa's left her feeling slightly touched. Setting her phone down, she hugged herself, staring out of the window into the darkness of the place she called home.
Meanwhile, Theresa and Ryan steps into Theresa's house, only to be greeted with Theresa's mom glaring at them.
Before Theresa could get a word in, her mom coolly asked, "Ryan's the father then? That's why he's here?" gesturing to Ryan who was nervously eyeing the mother and daughter pair.
"Um, the thing is, I'm not sure who the father is." Theresa admitted.
"You mean to tell me that you're pregnant but you don't know who the father is? How can you not know who the father is? Unless you've been sleeping with a couple of guys at a time? I thought you were sensible enough not to become pregnant! Well, I obviously overestimated you 'cause not only are you pregnant, you don't even know whose it is!" Theresa's mom yelled, fury evident in her voice.
"I haven't been sleeping with a couple of guys at a time, it's just two." Theresa shot back, glaring at her mother.
"Just two?" Her mom repeated, unable to comprehend what she's hearing. "You make it sound as if it's alright! I wouldn't be surprise if you turn out to be a home-wrecker!"
"Stop it already! Just shut up!" Theresa screamed as she runs into her room, leaving Ryan standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room.
Just as Ryan tries to figure out his next move, his cell phone rings and Ryan hastily answers, thankful for the interruption.
"Ryan? Hey, it's Sandy here."
"Hey..." Ryan responded, turning to enter Theresa's room. He was bewildered as to why
Sandy had called. Had something happen?
"Um, did Summer call to tell you anything?"
Ryan detected a hint of nervousness in his voice. Did something really happen? Was it about Marissa?
"No. Sandy, what happened? It's not about Marissa, is it?"
Theresa rose from the bed, coming to stand beside Ryan upon hearing Ryan's urgent tone.
A chuckle and 'no' could be distinctively heard down the other end of line and Ryan felt himself let a sigh of relief.
"Actually, it's about Seth. He left." Sandy paused, unsure of his words. "He didn't say where to, he just left us a letter."
Ryan realized the turn of events was linked to his goodbye with Seth. He mumbled guilty,
"That's my fault."
"Oh no, it wasn't, son. He just needed time and-"
"I encouraged him to go to Tahiti and gave him a map to fulfill his dream." Ryan cuts in, feeling even worse as he remembered that moment.
"Oh." For once, Sandy's at a loss of words.
"Yeah... Do you guys want me to go back or anything?"
"No, it's perfectly fine. We're both coping well, for now. We'll call you if we ever need anything.
Take care kiddo."
"Yeah, bye."
After explaining everything to Theresa, Ryan headed back to the now-empty living room to sleep on the couch.
However much he tried, he could not fall asleep. He did not know what the reason was. Perhaps it was the fact that he had grown used to his bed in the poolhouse.
Or maybe it was that deep down, he was feeling really guilty for causing the great domino effect. He should have seen that Seth depended on him. Ryan had thought only of doing the right thing without really considering Seth's feelings. Sure, he had thought of Marissa's feelings, Sandy and Kirsten's, Theresa's... but when it came down to Seth, Ryan had only thought that Seth would be losing his brother. He had never thought of it as being Seth's first true friend, being Seth's 'older' brother who gave him advice on girls, protected him with bullies and saved him from a year of torture and humiliation.
Tossing and turning, Ryan soon fell asleep. A day of job hunting was awaiting him.
A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews! I really appreciate it. I know the story is moving kind of slowly now but it will be developing much faster in the next few chapters. Review please! )