:Disclaimer still stands:
A/N: Guess who's back. Back again. The O.C.-oholic is back. Tell a friend. Okay I better stop there. Hey guys, this is The O.C.-oholic here and we are on to chapter 3! So exciting. Anyway, start with the shout outs, as I really, like shouting out to our fans or let's say, loyal readers.
kis:Thanks SO much for reviewing! I love people who read stories first because my other one, Lonnie revewed it first, and she still reviews it loyally. I'll call you our loyal reviewer.
ClaraCohen: Hi, I sent you an email, so any other details, please email Bec. Thanks for reviewing!
Okay, if you want chapter 4, review after!
When Kaela and Ryan arrived at the Cohens, everyone was there (A/N: Duh, obviously). Marissa was already in her bikinis, and Summer was just about to get changed but saw Kaela and rushed over to her.
'Hi, I'm Summer Roberts,' She introduced herself. Summer needed to know a lot about this girl for Marissa's plan to work. Ryan gave Summer a funny look. Kaela seemed startled since Summer was so sudden, but introduced herself anyway.
'I'm Kaela Strachan. Nice to meet you.' She said uneasily.
'Well, I have a habit of calling people by their last names so... I'll call you by your last name,' Summer explained briefly and shook Kaela's hand dumbly. Summer looked down at Kaela's arm and noticed something. Cuts and bruises. Then something hit her. Abuse? Child abuse? Summer remembered when she was 5 or 6. When she knew a boy from class who got abused by her mom continuously, which left cuts, bruises and one deathly skinny looking boy. Summer thought of helping, but couldn't. Wasn't she supposed to be the princess? Summer at that time was very confused by choices and consequences. Several days later the boy disappeared, and everyone assumed him dead. Summer regretted not helping the boy and she felt bad for at least half a year. Summer never forgot. This Kaela girl looks miserable, Summer thought. Should I invite her to the pier? The beach?
'Strachan, we're going to the pier.' Summer said decisively.
'But I thought this was a mini-pool party?' Kaela was confused.
'No. We're both going to the pier. Or the beach.' Summer had to sound bitchy so that she won't sound suspicious to Marissa.
'Okay...' Kaela mumbled, unsure. Summer dragged Kaela out, receiving Marissa's happy look which meant 'Great work Sum!'
Once Kaela and Summer got outside, Summer started talking.
'Well, you better be thanking me because I just saved you from Coop.'
'Why?'
'Because Coop is like, totally aiming for Chino and you realize, Chino's likes you so... Coop's not happy, obviously. Anyway, sorry for introducing myself so suddenly before.'
Summer and Kaela chatted while they walked to the beach.
'...and Coop's Seth aunt-in-law since his grandfather – Caleb – got married to Coop's mom – Julie.' Summer finished explaining and sat stood by the sea shore, looking out to the sea with Kaela beside her, trying to take in Summer's explanation.
'I... I understand, I think.'
'You know, you're really pretty, if you weren't too skinny. No offence, you look like you have eating disorder. How many times do you eat in a day?' Summer asked eagerly.
Kaela suddenly looked sad. 'I... I dunno. Probably once or twice – that's if I'm lucky. Now it's once since I get food at school, but I don't get any at home. I live with my dad and step mom. My brother died and my mom as well.'
'What? Once a day? Oh, my god. You must be joking.' Kaela shook her head.
'Then can I ask you one thing?' Summer asked again.
'...yeah.'
Summer touched Kaela's arm.
'What's with the cuts and bruises?'
'I... I... It's just my dad... He gets drunk sometimes and he just hits me.'
'This bad?'
Kaela shrugged carelessly. 'I guess. I just wish sometimes... that... that my mom and brother would come back again.' Kaela smiled weakly. 'But they're gone.'
'You know, I knew someone like you. When I was 5 or 6 in kindergarten, a boy in my class was child abused. I wanted to help him but... I dunno. Just... And he disappered after a while. I couldn't forget that. I felt so guilty.'
Kaela and Summer stopped talking for a while. They silently watched the waves roll in and out.
Kaela cried silent tears. At least someone understands her now. Summer.
'If you want anyone to talk to...' Summer broke the silence with her gentle voice. 'Then I'm there. If you need help, just come to my house.' I'm not going to let her get abused continuously like that boy did 11 years ago. Summer held Kaela's hand and started walking, back towards the Cohen's.
'C'mon. Seth, Chino and Coop will be waiting for us.'
First friend, Summer. Kaela made a mental note in her mind.
A/N: Was that good enough? Now that you've read, go and review.
