Disclaimer: I do not own these folks from OC. So there!
Ryan stepped out of the school after a long day. He could feel that this year was going to be a stressful one and it was only the first day. Seth came up behind him and they walked silently to the front of the school together.
"Well…this year is going to suck!" Seth said finally
"Yeah, so what did Summer say exactly?" Ryan said turning to Seth.
"Hmm…Let's see. I think something along the lines of "you dirty bastard, you pansy bitch, all you left was a note, I'll hate you until I die you lazy, scummy boyfriend who sucks in bed." But you know it might have been different, I couldn't hear over my own screaming." Seth said recalling the morning.
"That sounds painful, man. Hey, how are we getting home?"" Ryan said scanning the parking lot.
"Um…good question. I know, let's walk. I've never walked from school to home before." Seth said starting to walk home.
"That would be great except for two things. One: home is about twenty miles from here. Two: You're going in the wrong direction." Ryan said setting his bag on the ground. "Maybe we could get a ride from Marissa or something. She's supposed to come over because I wanted her to meet Shayla."
Just then Marissa pulled up with Summer sitting next to her with a huge scowl on her face. "I thought you guys needed a ride."
"Right on time. I guess Seth and I will sit in the back." Ryan said, a little afraid of Summer.
Marissa pulled out of the school parking lot and they drove to drop off Summer and then drop off Ryan and Seth. Marissa was very quiet the whole ride; she couldn't believe she was going to meet Ryan's new girlfriend. This was way too weird, but she must be a good…friend. When they pulled into the familiar driveway, Marissa's stomach back flipped. What if they kissed in front of her? Would Ryan be that heartless? "I think I'm going to barf."
"That was random" Seth said as they watched Marissa run to the nearby trashcan.
Ryan ran over quickly to help hold her hair back. When she was finished she wiped off her mouth and Ryan saw the tears that had formed in her eyes.
"I don't think I can do this. This is too weird. I can't meet your new girlfriend." Marissa said walking back to the car.
"Girlfriend?" Ryan said confused grabbing her arm. "What are you talking about, I don't have a new girlfriend. Where would I get a new girlfriend?"
"You don't want me to meet a girlfriend?" Marissa said embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, but the way you were talking this morning, I thought…Oh my God I'm so embarrassed."
"No, it's not a big deal. I want you to meet my sister." Ryan said smiling slightly.
"You have a sister?" Marissa said, her eyes getting wider.
"It's a total mind blower, I know." Seth said coming up behind them. "But she seems nice. She also looks nothing like Ryan, so that's kind of a good thing. We don't need that many short strawberry blonde muscle freaks in this county."
"I wonder if you've ever heard this phrase before." Marissa said turning jokingly to Seth. "Shut up!"
"Actually, I have heard it, but I'm not too sure what it means." Seth said smiling.
The three walked to the house and quietly opened the door.
"Hey you guys!" Kirsten shouted from the kitchen. She walked into the living room and was completely shocked to see Marissa. "Hi Marissa, what are you doing here?"
"Ryan wanted me to meet his sister, so here I am." Marissa said uncomfortably. "So, where is she?"
"I'm right here." Shayla stepped out from the kitchen, smiling widely. She quickly walked over to Ryan and gave him a tight hug. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too. Shayla, this is my…um…" What could he call Marissa? Was she still his girlfriend, or were they just friends? "This is Marissa."
"Nice to meet you Marissa." Shayla said politely. "Is she your girlfriend?"
Ryan glanced over to Marissa, who looked back at him. "We're still trying to work that out…I guess." Ryan said, not knowing how else to put things.
"You see," interrupted Seth, "this relationship is probably the most complicated relationship of all time. They make Romeo and Juliet look like they have it great. So, what's for dinner mom?"
Kirsten rolled her eyes. "Depends, how was your day. Because if you can top mine, I'll let you chose."
"I got the shit beat out of me by my ex-girlfriend. Then, all day I had to hang around frat wanna-bees and did I mention I got the shit beat out of me? Because if that's not enough, did I tell you that she kicked me in the nuts?" Seth said as he gingerly rubbed his arm.
"Wow, now I think it would have topped mine if you could of used more curse words than shit. I win." Kirsten said laughing. "Would you like to stay for dinner Marissa? I mean, I'm sure your mother has slaved over a hot cook, but I thought you would like just one night away from your family unit."
"Sure, I would call mom, if I cared enough about what she thought. Good thing I don't care." Marissa said smiling. "Plus, I'd like to get to know Shayla better."
"Great, I'll get some menus ready." Kirsten said stepping into the kitchen.
"Wait! I can cook. I'd love to cook for you. It's the least I could do. I mean you're taking me under your wing, the least I could do would be to feed you." Said Shayla turning around.
"You should let her, she's amazing." Ryan said smiling as her wrapped his arms around her head.
"Yeah, I hate to brag but I am amazing. And I can't breathe." Shayla said as she tried to look up at Ryan.
"Sorry, but I'm not letting you go until you make that wonderful spaghetti thingy with all the cheese.." Ryan said, slowly tightening his grip.
"If you mean my Spaghetti Pie then, I would love to. If it's okay with Kirsten." Shayla said as she tried to pull her brother's arms away.
"I don't mind, sounds great. What do you think Marissa?" Kirsten said walking away from the kitchen.
"Sounds great, but only if I can help. Do you need a ride to the grocery store?" Marissa said smiling.
"That would be great. Just let me get my purse and I'll be right there." Shayla walked off as Ryan let go of her neck.
"I'll give a fifty, and you just keep the change, okay?" Kirsten said reaching in her purse.
"Why do you want me to keep the change?" Shayla said turning around to face Kirsten
"You know. You might need the money for clothes or a toothbrush. You didn't really bring much. So I just thought you might want to use that money on stuff like that." Kirsten said. "Besides, I was going to buy it for you anyways, this is just easier."
"I have my own money." Shayla started getting defensive. "I don't need anything. Besides, I'm not staying long anyways."
"Just take the money." Ryan said turning to Shayla. "It would make me feel better, if I knew that when you left you weren't completely broke. Besides, it's not a lot of money anyway."
"I have my pride Ryan. I'm not going to take the damn money." Shayla grabbed her purse and ran out the door.
Marissa stood quietly in the room, wondering if she should go and give the girl a ride or see if she would walk. In the end she finally walked outside and saw Shayla sitting on the front step crying.
"Are you okay?" Marissa walked over to the girl's side and started to rub her back. "If it's about the money, it's not a big deal. I can understand where you come from. I know Kirsten understands too."
"I can't believe I blew up at her like that. She's been nothing but nice to me, and I can' even be respectful to her. Can we leave now, so I can think and when we get back I'll apologize." Shayla said lifting her head from her hands.
"Of course. Come on, we'll take my car." Marissa said helping the girl stand. "I'll even let you choose the radio station. Which is a big deal because I normally don't anyone touch my radio."
Shayla laughed and they walked to the shiny red car that sat in the driveway. They pulled onto the rode and Shayla started to flip through the stations. She finally rested on a station that was playing a song by Rooney. Shayla sat back and stared out of the window.