Chapter Two

From Chino to the OC

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe our mom just left us. They just left Krystal and me to fend for ourselves. 'They' is including my father who left even before Krystal was born. Krystal's father is unknown. Probably some one night stand our mother never ended up talking to again. I refer to my father as hers too, just to give myself a peace of mind.

My name is Ryan. Ryan Atwood. I am 16 years old. My little sister, Krystal Atwood, is only 2. My punk of an older brother tried to make amends with me by taking me out. I was so eager for his acceptance I tagged along. The end product was him stealing a car and crashing it. We were both taken to jail. After my lawyer, Sandy Cohen, got me out on probation he drove me back home. When I entered the house I was shocked to see that everything was gone. My mom and her punk ass of a boyfriend were both absent. But I didn't give a damn about them. All I cared about was Boo. What if they had taken her? Fear gripped my heart and I began to panic. Without her I had no reason to live.

"Krystal!" I cried out in panic. I ran to the small back bedroom I shared with her. To my greatest relief I spotted her. My bed was gone and so was Krystal's crib. Her tiny body was shaking slightly under a small cloth that was draped over her. I lifted her off of the ground, anger rushing through my veins. Our mother, if you could even call her that, had absolutely no respect for me or Krystal. Krystal had been asleep. She awoke as I held her tightly to my chest.

"Iyan," she groggily stated my name.

"Hi Boo. Everything is going to be okay," I murmured kissing her on the head.

"Let's go," Sandy said gently. He was still standing in the door frame. I felt Krystal tense. I knew that with all the men our mother brought home and with our spontaneous ass of a brother she had zero tolerance for men. I felt that she felt safe when I was there. She trusted me. We climbed into Mr. Cohen's car. I held Krystal close to me trying to get her to stop shaking so violently.

A few minutes later we arrived at Sandy's home. Krystal continued to shake.

"We're here guys," Sandy said getting out of the car. I clutched Krystal and I followed.

"It's okay Boo," I murmured again. Sandy was already headed in the front door.

"Talk to me Boo," I whispered. I could feel her grip me tighter.

"Hold you Iyan," she begged. It was her way of saying 'there's no way in hell your putting me down in this strange place pal'. I was still confused as to why Sandy brought Krystal and me here. I didn't expect him to keep us here with his family. A girl stood outside of the house next doors driveway.

"Where's Addi, Iyan?" Krystal asked. I smiled to myself. When Krystal first started to understand things I told her our mother didn't deserve to here us call her 'mom'. So instead I told her to call her Addi. One boyfriend of hers would call her that as an abbreviation for Atwood. Our mom was surprised to say the least when she first heard Krystal refer to her by that name. Krystal was, to say the least, my baby. She would listen intently to everything I had to say even before she could walk or talk.

"Don't know Boo. It doesn't matter though because she won't hurt us anymore."

"She's adorable," the girl spoke up. She was beautiful with long brown hair and a small, petite body. It had been a long time since I had seen someone so beautiful. All of a sudden, Krystal stopped shaking. That surprised me in itself but then she did something unheard of. She let out a giggle. No one had ever made Krystal laugh but me.

"Awww. Hello angel," the girl cooed softly.

"Hey," she stated to me.

"Hey," I nodded my head at her.

"I'm Marissa Cooper," she said.

"Ryan. Ryan Atwood. This is Krystal," I said ruffling my sister's head of brown hair. Her eyes never left Marissa.

"May I?" She asked holding her arms out to my baby sister. I considered then after I found it safe I handed Krystal over. She went more then willingly. Being as cute as she is, Krystal got a shower of kisses from and laughter from Marissa. A large black truck pulled up and Marissa handed Krystal back to me.

"She you around," she said climbing into the truck. I caught a glimpse of the blonde haired, blue eyed driver. I wondered if they were dating then scolded myself. Why did I care I just met the girl.

"Yeah," I said doubtfully. "See yeah." Krystal burst into tears as the truck pulled away.

I sighed. "Welcome to the OC."