Thanks for the feedback. It's like writing fuel. I guess there are still some people out there reading. Which is good, I would like to keep writing cause otherwise my workdays go very slowly (I am totally just kidding IT department, I would never use my computer for anything non-work related!)
Oh yea, and thanks to Cassy, whose review the other day got me out of my end of winter malaise and writing again.
xxxxxx
The throbbing pain from Summer's ankle woke her up. She swore and looked over at the clock. 5am. Time didn't mean much to Summer anymore; it just passed as she holed up in her room trying to hide from it. She had thought that the worst of it was when most of the student body saw Zach kick her ass, but that was before she realized that most of the school had picture phones. Several people even had video phones. Normally, it would be only the Harbor students and maybe some students from surrounding high schools that would care to see the pictures and videos of Summer on a backboard being placed into an ambulance and Zach being led away in handcuffs.
Zach, however, was the son of a United States Senator who had devoted his career to family values and moral righteousness. Those that had fallen prey to his ethical witch hunt were only too happy to discuss how his son had been arrested on domestic violence charges. This was not the way Summer had planned on getting famous. How had her life gotten so out of control? Just a week ago she was a happy and normal high school student, her only major concerns involved math tests and wardrobe decisions. Now most of the nation knew her as a "victim of abuse," or "that poor girl that the senator's son beat up." Apparently the story had even been on Entertainment Tonight and CNN.
Summer sighed and shifted her weight to take pressure of her ankle. She had never broken a bone before and now in a span of a week, she had a broken ankle, a broken nose, and three cracked ribs. She was in quite a bit of pain, but she didn't want to take anymore painkillers. She had been content to take her painkillers and drift in and out of consciousness on Thursday and Friday, but when she woke up this morning, she felt different. She knew that she had been using the painkillers as an escape, so that she didn't have to face reality.
Reality pretty much sucked right now. "Reality", Summer groaned out loud. Reality was the fact that her boyfriend, who she had trusted and perhaps loved, had kicked her ass in front of the entire school, and through the miracle of technology, the entire country. How am I going to go back to school? Summer wondered. She couldn't even imagine how bad it was going to be. Everyone was already gossiping about her and staring at her and that was before the big show. Several of Summer friends from school had called to see how she was doing, but Summer hadn't talked to them. She had a feeling they were just digging for gossip anyway. Summer knew who her real friends were.
The only people Summer had seen since Wednesday was her dad, step-mom, and Marissa. Her dad had become ultra protective of her since she had gotten home from the Cohen's. Unfortunately, his idea of protection was to lock Summer in her house and take away her cell phone. He wouldn't even allow any visitors except Marissa. Summer would have liked to talk to Seth and Ryan, but her father didn't like either one of them, so she didn't have much hope that she would see them anytime soon. Plus, she thought that there might be tension between her and Seth and Ryan.
That was another thing that Summer had been trying to avoid thinking about. Seth and Ryan. Six months ago, Summer had been convinced that she would be in love with Seth forever and that they would get back together. She had started dating Zach as a diversion, but she had gradually grown to really care about him, and her feelings for Seth had been pushed farther back in her mind. Now when she closed her eyes, it was Ryan that she saw. He was the one who had taken care of her injuries that night after the party and he was the one who slept in her uncomfortable chair to make sure she was ok. She liked his quiet strength and the way she felt when she woke up next to him. She also liked the way he had softly, yet confidently told her that her loved her before she was wheeled out of her hospital room.
Ryan lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He had been in a daze for the last several days. He didn't go to school on Thursday and when he went today some people treated him as a hero, but mainly they just stared and pointed. Ryan was used to the staring and pointing, but being called a hero took some getting used to. Dr. Kim had called him to the office and had a long talk with him. Actually it was more of a talk at him, since Ryan just sat quietly as she went on and on. Ryan got the gist of it though. The school couldn't discipline him since he was trying to protect Summer, but they were concerned about Ryan's continued use of violence.
"You can understand how the trustee's of Harbor are concerned about the school's image. We pride ourselves on offering a safe environment in which gifted students are able to learn without fear of violence. We understand that you were acting to protect Ms. Roberts, but once again you were involved in a violent situation. This cannot keep happening." Dr. Kim dropped her voice and leaned closer to Ryan. "Personally though, I am glad that you were there to help Summer and I think Zach got what he deserved," she whispered conspiratorially. She sat back in her chair and reverted back to her authoritarian voice. "We are especially concerned now that the story has been picked up by the national media." Ryan nodded as Dr. Kim handed him the morning's newspaper. Ryan hadn't seen it yet. He had stayed in the pool house until the last possible second and then bolted for school. Ryan looked down at the paper and began reading.
Senator's Son Attacks Girlfriend at School.
Zach Johnston, son of Senator Johnston, a 2nd term democrat from California, brutally attacked his girlfriend, Summer Roberts, at Harbor High School in Newport Beach on Wednesday afternoon. The attack took place after school and was witnessed by a large group of students who were leaving campus for the day.
Witnesses report that one student, Ryan Atwood, ran from the crowd and tackled the attacker. He pulled Zach away from his girlfriend and began punching him. Security guards were quickly on scene to contain the situation.
Senator Johnston, who has long been known for his zealous pursuit of ethical and moral responsibility issued the following statement. "I am deeply saddened and troubled by my son's actions. These actions are not the actions of the son that I have raised. In no way do I condone violence such as this. On behalf of my family, I would like to apologize to Ms. Roberts for Zach's inexcusable actions and for the pain suffering that they have caused. Dating violence is a serious issue among our youth today and perhaps this terrible situation can help bring attention to this issue."
Johnston was held at the Youth Detention and Diagnostic Center for 24 hours and was released into the custody of his parents pending the upcoming legal actions. Ryan Atwood will not be charged for assaulting Zach. Atwood, who has a colorful criminal past himself, recently moved to Newport and was adopted by one of the counties wealthy and powerful families.
Ryan was still angry about the way it had become such a big story. It was painfully ironic that Summer hadn't gone to the police after the first time because she was afraid people would find out. Now practically everyone in the country knew. Ryan wondered how Summer was holding up. He really wanted to talk to her, but when he had tried to call her father had told him not to call again and had hung up on him. Seth's luck hadn't been any better. Marissa had been over to see Summer, but she said that Summer was pretty much sleeping all the time.
"Hey Ryan," Seth from the door of the pool house, interrupting Ryan's thoughts. "Mom and Dad want to you come in for lunch," Ryan shook his head and said, "I'm not…" Seth had been expecting this response and quickly said, "Sorry man, you don't really have a choice. If you don't come in, we are all coming out." Ryan sighed and got up off the bed. He had been avoiding everyone for the last two days, spending the time brooding in his room. Sandy and Kirsten must have had enough of his brooding as they were both waiting for him in the kitchen.
"Oh my God, it's alive!" Sandy said as Ryan walked into the kitchen. Ryan gave him a halfhearted smile. "Sandy," Kirsten said sternly as she walked over and gave Ryan a hug. She knew that Ryan was having a hard time, but she didn't realize how bad he looked. Ryan had dark circles under his eyes from not sleeping and Kirsten thought he looked like he had lost weight. "Seth grilled burgers for us and I made potato salad." She thought that Ryan might make a joke about her making potato salad, but he just sat down and said, "Great."
They ate quickly, the silence broken only by Sandy's and Seth's attempts at jokes. Finally Kirsten could take it any longer. "Ryan," Kirsten stopped to clear her throat and then continued. "Honey we are worried about you." Ryan looked Kirsten straight in the eyes and said, "I'm not the one you should be worried about." Kirsten put her hand over his, "You are worried about Summer." Ryan pulled his hand out from under Kirsten's. "Of course I am, this whole thing is crazy, especially with all the media attention and Marissa has been the only person allowed to see Summer. We haven't even been able to talk to her." Seth nodded and said, "He is right mom, we have to do something."
Sandy and Kirsten looked at each other. They had discussed how they were going to handle this situation and had decided not to get involved unless there was a very good reason. "I understand that you guys are upset, but Neal is her father and we have to respect his decision." Sandy said, not quite sure he believed what he was saying. "Are you guys serious?" Seth asked incredulously. "Summer is going through a major crisis and the only person that she can talk to about it is Marissa Cooper? Granted Marissa's had a few surprising moments of clarity and wisdom lately, but I think she's used them all up." Kirsten though for a moment and then looked at Sandy and said, "He does a point, maybe I should go over there." Seth and Ryan waited quietly and hopefully for Sandy's answer. "Ok, we will go over there this afternoon," he said. "Sandy, I think it would be better if I went alone, you and Neal have never really gotten along…" Sandy interrupted, "That was a long time ago, and besides I was right. Neal never treated Cynthia very well." Kirsten silenced him with a sharp look and said, "I will go over there this afternoon, and I will go alone."
Summer laid on her bed staring up at her ceiling. She had spent the last two days doing pretty much the same thing and had come to the conclusion that her ceiling was boring. If she at least had a sky light or something to distract her, or maybe a tv in the ceiling like her dentist had when she was little. She used to trip out on nitrous and watch Disney movies while she got her cavities filled. Summer had already watched several episodes of The Valley and had sunk so low that she was watching 90210 and Melrose
Place reruns on the Soap channel. It had been fun to make fun of their clothes, but now she was tired of tv. Now she had nothing to do but think. Summer had tried to avoid thinking, but now she was out of entertainment and had to finally face herself.
"Summer," she heard Marissa call from outside her door. "Are you awake?" Marissa asked as she opened the door. "Oh my god, are you watching 90210?" Marissa asked as she sat down on the bed next to her. "Yea, it's the one where Dylan and Kelly hook up at the beach while Brenda is in Paris." Marissa laughed. "Your dad told me to tell you that he and the monster are going out for a while and you can call him if you need anything." Summer smiled, "Some time without my dad will be nice. He doesn't really know what to do about all this. One minute he is threatening to kill Zach and the next minute he is asking how I could let this happen." Summer stopped. She hadn't known what to answer when her father asked how she could let his happen. That was the question she as having the most trouble with.
"Have you taken any painkillers today?" Marissa asked as she pulled a bottle of vodka out of her bag." Summer shook her head, "No I haven't had one since last night. I thought that maybe I should like face reality today or something, but reality kinda sucks." Marissa took a drink of vodka and studied Summer. Summer looked terrible. Her face was full of bruises that were now almost every color of the rainbow. The older bruises had turned into a muddy brown color, while the new ones were still bright shades of purple and blue. "Yea, reality does suck. I would advise you to put off dealing with it as long as you can," Marissa said as she offered Summer the bottle. Summer took a quick swig.
"Lets go downstairs, I am sick of being in my room and I don't feel like drinking this straight with no chaser." Marissa picked up Summer's crutches and handed them to Summer. Summer groaned. "I hate these things, I can barely make them work." Marissa carefully helped Summer down the stairs and into the living room. "What do you want to drink?" Marissa asked. "How about a Diet Coke for a chaser and a couple shot glasses." Summer replied.
Several shots later, Summer and Marissa were laughing about the ridiculous fashions Summer had seen on 90210 and Melrose Place. "Do you think people will look back on us in 10 years and laugh at what we are wearing?" Summer asked. Marissa looked at Summer's outfit and replied, "Well sweatpants and tank tops don't really go out of style." Summer playfully swatted at Marissa, "Well I laugh at some of the stuff you wore last year." Marissa pretended to be hurt, but she couldn't hide her laughter. Suddenly Summer stopped laughing and grabbed her side. "Shit!"
"Are you ok?" Marissa asked, suddenly concerned about her friend. "Yea, I just don't think I can laugh anymore today. It hurts." Summer replied. "But, I think this will help." She said as she took another shot. She had a pretty good buzz going, which was probably helped by the fact that she hadn't really had any food for a couple days. Marissa seemed to be pretty buzzed as well and Summer suspected she had had a few drinks before she came over. "So have you talked to Ryan?" Summer asked. She had promised herself she wasn't going to ask Marissa about Ryan, but she couldn't help it. "Yea, he is pretty worried about you. He's tried to call, but your dad always hangs up on him. You could call him now," Marissa offered. Summer hesitated, she really wanted to talk to Ryan, but what she needed to tell him couldn't be said over the phone. "That's ok, I would rather see him in person."
For a moment, Summer considered telling Marissa what Ryan had said to her in the hospital. Instead she asked, "So what has it been like at school?" Marissa looked at her friend and decided that Summer wasn't ready to deal with that yet. "Things will probably die down by the time you get back," Marissa lied. "Yea right," Summer said as she rolled her eyes. She knew that this would be one of the main topics of conversation for the rest of the year unless something else happened. "Are you sure you don't want to OD in TJ again? Or maybe Ryan could steal another car?" Summer suggested
"He would probably do that for you," Marissa said. "So it ah … said in the paper this morning that Zach is out of Juvi and back home until the court stuff is sorted out." Marissa could tell by Summer's surprised look that she hadn't known about this. "He is out of Juvi already?" Summer asked her voice suddenly shaky. She had just assumed that Zach would be locked up for a while. She wasn't worried about him hurting her again, there was no way that could happen, she just couldn't believe that he could attack her like that and spend less that two days in jail.
"I … I have to go to the bathroom." Summer stood up too quickly, forgetting about the cast on her ankle. "Shit!" She cried as a wave of pain shot up her leg. Marissa jumped up and grabbed the crutches. "Here," she said. "Let me help you." She took Summer's arm and steadied her. "Are you ok?" Marissa asked wishing she hadn't told Summer about Zach. "Yea, it's just all that vodka." Marissa stared after Summer thinking that she had probably done more harm than good today. Marissa took another shot as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" she called, her voice starting to slur.
Marissa opened the door and found Kirsten waiting on the other side. "Uhh … hi Kirsten." Oh crap, Marissa thought wishing she had at least thought to hide the vodka. "May I come in?" Kirsten asked politely "Yea sure, Summer's dad isn't here though." Marissa said as Kirsten stepped into the house. Marissa watched Kirsten's eyes sweep across the room and stop on the table with the shot glasses and bottle. "That's ok, I actually came to check on Summer."
