"Good morning!!" Abby beamed, brighter than the sun. She'd taken it upon herself to make sure that her mother knew how much she loved her and supported her. What she had gone through was harsh and Abby felt a little guilty, as if she had willed the baby to die. "This is for you." Abby brought a tray of food and placed it in her mother's lap.
"Is this breakfast in bed? It's been ages since I ate in bed."
"Then now is a good time to start again."
Kiersten nodded and picked up her fork.
"I have to go; I promised some of my friends I'd introduce them to Mike."
"Who's Mike?"
"I love you, Mom. I'll tell you later." Abby rushed out the door. Kiersten was the only one left in the house. There was no reason to go to work. She savored her food, got up and dressed. She vacuumed a bit, rearranged the flowers and sighed. It'd been a while since she'd been home. Looking around it felt like it needed a little sprucing---did she just say sprucing? It was quiet, too quiet. She grabbed her keys and decided to take a vehicle of for the day.
"I really like UCLA. It's so different from other schools that I've visited. Its fun but not a total party school. I could actually learn something which is cool." She nodded and smiled. He returned the gesture. "Would you be able to deal with seeing your girlfriend everyday?" She asked.
"He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers through the spaces between hers.
"Are you kidding me? I'd love it." He stopped and took her other hand in the same way. They leaned their heads together and shared a kiss. The bright California sun shone down on her, lightening the path for her future.
Ryan drove home, preoccupied with his work responsibilities. Running a multi-billion dollar corporation was not simple. He was worried he'd gotten thrown in over his head. As he rounded the corner to the condo entrance he swerved to miss an oncoming car.
Had he just not seen it, or what? He turned the wheel too far and didn't hit the brake enough, causing him to enter into a 180 spin. The other car slammed its breaks as Ryan finished his spiral. Uninjured, Ryan popped the door and stepped out a bit disoriented.
"Oh my God, are you okay?" The other driver rushed towards him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. One question, are there really little bluebirds flying all around your head?"
"What? Sit down." She sat him down on the curb.
"Guess I'm a bit woozy." He looked up at her; she was slender, beautiful, and slightly familiar.
"Ryan?!" She exclaimed in a shocked tone.
"Yeah?" He struggled to figure where he'd seen her before.
"Marissa." She replied after a few moments, knowing he was confused. "It's a small world isn't it? It's been a while. My God, how are you?"
"Other than the crazy imaginary birds and shooting pains in my head, I'm good." He cocked his head and smiled.
"Living with the Cohen's?"
"No, Anna and I have a condo over there." He pointed towards them.
"Anna and you?"
"We're engaged."
"Oh----that's nice." She faked a smile but the pause and the lack of enthusiasm in her voice was evident.
So, we'd like to give you the job. It starts at ten dollars an hour and as you know it simply requires you to write a short column and take a few pictures. Are you still interested?"
"Of course, when can I start?" Seth perked up excitedly.
"Tomorrow would be excellent. You'll have a desk ready in the morning. Welcome to the staff, Seth." She stood and he shook her hand.
"Now, I can wear one of those little hats that say "Press" on it and use on of those little notebooks without looking like a fool."
"You'll still look like a fool." Ryan sipped his minorly alcoholic drink and ate a pretzel or two.
"Seth Cohen, Writer, Newport News. It has a ring to it, doesn't it?"
"It's not quite Clark Kent, but its okay." Ryan sighed.
"What's up buddy? Why do you look so down?" Seth put his hand on Ryan's shoulder.
"I ran into Marissa, today."
"Where was she?"
"No, I almost hit her with my car."
"Oh, rough. Where?"
"Going home."
"So?"
"I don't know. It was just awkward."
"Was she pregnant, or fat?"
"No."
"Geez, I thought she might be by now."
"She just seemed really cold when I talked to her, especially about Anna."
"Holy awkward! She still has a think for you?"
"I don't know, Seth! What does 'I don't know' mean to you?"
"Mr. Grumpy pants, geez. Love you too, Bro."
"Seth---I'm sorry."
"It's cool. I'm just gonna go see Summer. I know you're confused. Call me."
"Who would have thought that three years of cosmetology school would have taught me so much about music? Not me." Summer raised her hand as Seth flipped through her CD and album collection.
He picked up a CD case, placed the disc in her player and turned to her.
-----------
Yeah I'm waiting
For you it's been so long.
Yeah I'm waiting
For you it's been so long
-----------
He whispered something of the news of his job.
She smiled.
She whispered soft words to him.
He smiled.
He touched her lips with his, withdrawing slowly.
She followed his lips with hers, longing for their kiss.
------------
Yeah I'm sad when I'm on my own
They said it takes a long, long time
If it's not too much
Could you hear me now?
------------
His hands searched for her hips.
She rocked towards him.
With a crash she landed on top of him.
He barely noticed.
They were together.
------------
Come around again
Come around again
Please come around again
------------
She sat in the living room playing with her new furry friend. It yelped in excitement.
He entered the room and noticed its presence.
She explained her need.
------------
Yeah there's something I was thinking about
Get it out of my head
Yeah something was kicking around
------------
His words were gentle and patient. His eyes and arms, understanding.
------------
I don't know when I'm right
I only know when I'm wrong
So when you gonna live some life
------------
The animal was left by the wayside, but not forgotten.
His eyes did the talking.
She felt again, by his hands.
------------
To show it off
Keep the lights from goin' off
Cause I don't see....Yeah!
------------
He appeared in the doorway.
Her eyes widened, as if caught in the beam of a headlight.
------------
You promised me you'd always be
------------
He moved towards her, kissing her ruby lips.
She squirmed a bit, confused.
------------
If it's not too much
Could you hear me now?
------------
His whispered words asked a question.
A question she didn't know the answer to.
Her heart skipped a few beats, her brain waves accelerated to a mile a minute.
-----------
When I wake up please come around again
Come around again
You promised me you'd always be
When I wake up please come around again
-----------
She'd missed his touch and his voice.
He didn't really know why he was there. It was what his heart wanted.
She hadn't seen this coming.
They simply spoke.
He gave a few rushed and slightly awkward kisses. She took them.
It was about his presence there, and nothing else.
------------
Come around again
Come around again
Please come around again
------------
If anyone is confused by those scenes, reread and think about it then comment or email me. I shall explain.
"Come Around Again" lyrics by Jet