Chapter 2

DISCLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS

Note- Thanks to simcecilia, juzadream, who-am-i 91, BrSoccerChic89, raindrops falling, mystripedskirt, kursk, and NicS311for the great reviews! It really means a lot to me and I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!

"It's not just another Noopsie party. It's a real charity event!" Kirsten was unpacking the P.F. Chang's take out while trying to explain to Sandy the purpose of the next riveting Newport Beach social event. Sandy wasn't convinced.

"Sweetie, A charity event? All of these parties are charity events. If you ask me, they only donate the money as a condolence, so they don't have to feel bad about being rich, spoiled sons of bitches. Because you know if they didn't get to put on their Gucci dresses and Armani suits and drink expensive champagne they wouldn't think to give a penny."

"The champagne is good though, you have to admit that." Kirsten wrapped her arms around her husband. She loved it when he became emotional over some social injustice, especially when he went on angst-ridden tirades about the flaws of Orange County. Smiling, Sandy said suggestively, "You know we have some wine in the liquor cabinet." Kirsten added playfully, "We do?"

"Yes, we do. A merlot from Napa Valley."

"Napa Valley, where 'The Parent Trap' took place. Seth used to love that movie."

At that moment, Seth and Ryan entered the kitchen, and made their way to the take out. Picking up the cold noodles, Seth said, "What movie did I used to love, mom?"

"The Parent Trap sweetie. Remember, you used to know every line. You cried at the end and said it was the most touching thing you had ever seen."

Ryan snickered at this, and looked at Seth amusingly. Taken aback, Seth came to his own defense.

"I was sensitive, okay? And if you ask me, Lindsay Lohan looked pretty good in her youthful wholesome days."

"Seth, she was like, 13," Kirsten replied. Seth decided to change the topic, annoyed at the focus on his younger, traumatic days.

"What are you guys doing anyway," Seth asked his parents, whose arms were still wrapped around each other. "Aren't you to a little bit too old for this flirting thing?"

"Your mother was just telling me about the next Noopsie charity event."

Pulling a cup out of the cabinet, Ryan asked what this one was for. Kirsten began to explain that her company was hosting a fundraiser to donate money to the Red Cross. "We haven't been to a Newport party in a while actually," Ryan commented. "In fact, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually looking forward to it. It, might be-I don't know-refreshing." Ryan thought back on the times he spent with Marissa last year at these kinds of parties, and he smiled to himself. Seth seemed alerted by his comment. "He's famished! He's famished! He doesn't know what he's talking about anymore. He must eat. Somebody feed the poor boy!" And with that, the family sat down for dinner.


The next morning, Lindsay and Ryan walked down the hallway to the school café. Lindsay was chattering excitedly about the party the next night. "So, if you think about it, this is my first official Newport Beach party. I mean, there was Chrismukkah, and Mr. Cooper's goodbye party, but those didn't include the Orange County society as a whole. I'm excited! I feel so guilty, like I'm giving into the superficiality of a typical rich county fancy ball gown type party where all the kids go to some beach house afterwards and get drunk, but-" Ryan cut her off. "It's just a party," he said. Lindsay, slightly taken aback, began inquiring.

"Are you okay? You seem a little out of it today. Is there something wrong?"

"No," said Ryan. "I'm fine." He made his way up to the counter and ordered two coffees.

"Well, do you not want to go? Because if you don't want to, we could stay at your place. Rent a movie, hang out?" She touched Ryan's chest with her finger suggestively. Ryan handed her a cup of coffee. "No, I want to go." Then he thought, he did want to go, but not to be with Lindsay…

He shut the idea out of his mind. Lindsay, he reminded himself, was pretty, intelligent, and safe. He forced a smile and kissed her politely. Withdrawing his lips from hers, he thought, 'but she isn't Marissa.'

Ryan and Lindsay joined Seth and Summer on the large, comfortable brown couches. Seth was explaining to Summer the art of comics, while she persistently tried to shut him up.

"Cohen. Cohen! Newsflash, since when do I care about The Hulk?"

"Well, sorry Summer, for trying to express to you the fine literature embedded inside these graphic novels. Hi Ryan, Lindsay. Now Lindsay, I'm sure as the intelligent young woman that you are, you have an appreciation for what I am talking about. Do you read comics?"

"Ummm, no. I liked Spider Man though." Summer added, "Oh my gosh! Toby McGuire looked so hot in that movie! His whole, I'm just a normal guy thing was so sexy." Seth rolled his eyes. Ryan, who hadn't really been listening, saw Marissa buying a coffee. He knew what she was getting, a large decaf with half and half and two sugars. He used to tease her for not drinking caffeine. She began to walk away, looking lonely and sad, as if fumbling through another day with no one to turn to. "Marissa!" Ryan called. She turned around, and he smiled. Returning the smile, she walked over to him. "Hey," she said.

"Hey. Were you going somewhere?"

"Oh, no. I was just going to go sit outside at one of the tables."

"By yourself?" Ryan frowned, and Marissa shrugged. "Come on, why don't you sit with us?" Marissa looked at Lindsay, who seemed uncomfortable with the situation. Sensing this, Marissa politely replied, "That's okay, I'm fine. Really." Marissa smiled and walked away, as Summer shouted a "Bye, Coop!" from behind her. Lindsay saw Ryan's gaze following Marissa walk outside.

"I'm gonna go," she said. "I have to get to class."

Ryan turned to her, realizing now why Marissa left. Suddenly he felt torn and horrible. He was neglecting his girlfriend and making her feel miserable and inferior. Ryan stood up.

"Do you need to go now?"

Lindsay half smiled and nodded. "Yeah, my teacher hates me. If I'm late I don't think I will see a free afternoon for a week." Ryan smiled, said "alright," and kissed her gently, trying to convince himself of his feelings for her. Still, it wasn't the same as with Marissa. He watched her walk off, more confused now than before. Why was he allowing himself to feel this way? Everything was fine until he had that dream. Maybe he was letting fictitious thoughts plow through his head. But he knew what he was feeling was real, as real as anything he had ever felt before. He sank back into the couch, and was face by two very intrigued faces. Seth was quick to start the interrogation.

"Summer…look Summer! We are currently witnessing the metamorphosis from the new Post-Chino Ryan Atwood to the brooding Ryan of last year." Ryan glared at Seth with unappreciative eyes. "See it! Do you see that? The brooding eyes! It's like a werewolf who comes out at the full moon!" Summer looked at Seth. "What are you talking about Cohen? Have they taken you off your medication?" Seth had no response except for a sarcastic laugh, and Summer knew that she had defeated him. "Moving on," she began, "what was that about, with you, Coop and Lindsay? Is there something going on?" Ryan felt relieved to be able to talk to someone. "You sensed the tension too?"

"Please man, it was practically filling the air," Seth offered. Did something happen that we don't know about?"

Ryan considered it. No, nothing had happened. He hadn't done anything. And yet, he knew that there was something going on. He didn't want to run from his emotions. He just wasn't ready to face them.