Notes: Wow you guys, thanks for reviewing! I know my chapters are a bit short, but bear with me
AgnessSophia: To answer your questions, 1) You will find out later what happened too poor poor Ryan in the 47 days he was gone. 2) I think the answer to that question is…Hm... They just started High School, so for me it would be 14, but I think its 16. Ok, their 16 :P and 3) The Troublesome Twosome has a bit of information, but later in the story, they'll be a "sharing time" between the Cohen's and Summer and Marissa. And I don't mind about the C2 thing.
Thanks for all the other reviews, but now it sucks because I know that people are actually waiting for an update, and people actually like it so I can't screw up. Well, hope you like the chap!
Disclaimer: If I get a sex change, make my name Josh Schwartz, make time go faster so my age doubles, making me 28, and move down to California, will I own The OC?
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And The Kirsten was felt that night.
When the boys came home at 5:30, two and a half hours after school had been let out; they found Kirsten and Sandy sitting in the kitchen. Mr. Opal had made Ryan and Seth stay in the shed until everything was dusted, washed, organized, or, in other words, "cleantasiciously clean" as Seth so kindly put it, hands swelling and shriveling like prunes. When Mr. Opal had finally been satisfied, Seth went to get his and Ryan's stuff from their lockers, while Ryan went to go call Sandy and tell him that they were ready to be picked up.
"Hey Mom," Ryan said, growing a bit uneasy. He wished that his Dad had answered the phone, as Sandy was a big push-over," can you come and pick me and Seth up?" Ryan asked, praying that Kirsten would find it in her heart to save them from the long walk home in the hot sun.
"Home. Now. And tell that son of mine he's dead," Kirsten replied, Ryan wincing at her tone. Seth was a dead man. Or at least a very insanely grounded man. Kirsten might even be mad enough to forbid him to go near the Playstation or TV. And Seth without those would be a very pestering Seth.
Ryan found Seth waiting in the parking lot, which was at this time almost bare of all signs of civilization, the students all going off to their respective hangouts. The girls; malls, the jocks; beach, where they would later be joined by the girls, the nerds; home to study, and the geeks; off to the comic book store. Ryan had repeatedly been subject to the last one, Seth loving comic books, or "Graphic novels" as much as he did. Ryan didn't mind them, but he was slowly starting to grow out of them.
"When are they coming," Seth asked, looking hopefully at Ryan.
"We're walking, common," was Ryan's short answer as he accepted his book bag from Seth and started the long walk home.
"Aw, man! Can't we get a ride from someone? Look, there's Mark right there!" Seth said waving to Mark. Mark, oblivious to the wave, started up his car and headed out the parking lot. "Or, look, there's Betty," Seth said, giving another wave. This one was returned, but before Seth could start shouting a request, Ryan interrupted him.
"Dude, remember last time we did that? Mom freaked!" They looked at each other and smiled at the recollection, though at the time wasn't funny in any way.
When they walked in the door, they heard Kirsten's calm voice calling them to the kitchen. They looked at each other and gulped, savoring the calm before the storm.
"Get ready for The Kirsten buddy." Seth whispered as he led the way into the kitchen.
Kirsten stood by the sink and she pointed at the chairs. Seth tried to flatter her the moment he saw her.
"Coming into the kitchen, night is setting in Orange County, and a beautiful lady with a cute button nose is sitting by the table. Her vigor and vim make her glow radiantly; while her tough work ethic is shown as she sits in the place she likes to call home. The Queen of the Manor herself; I am truly blessed by this chance to-"
"Seth. Ryan. Sit." Kirsten said, expressing her anger using the ever lethal short sentences. They both sat obediently, wondering in how much trouble they really were.
"Sooooo," Kirsten started. "Did you do anything at school today? Say, get kicked out of two classes?"
"Hey," Ryan interrupted her, "that was Seth not me! And our gym teacher was an ass-"
"Ryan Atwood, do not finish that sentence. You are both grounded for 2 weeks," she held up her finger in such a threatening way, the jumble of protests didn't even manage to make it out of either ones mouth. Kirsten seemed angrier then usual; she was mostly pretty laid-back when they got in trouble, as long as they didn't get bad comments or bad marks on their report cards. Something was irritating her today, something that wouldn't leave her alone. She didn't even notice she was taking it out on her sons. "Ryan, go to your room, I'll call you for dinner."
Ryan got up and followed orders, but when Seth moved to do the same, Kirsten stopped him. "Me and you have got to have a little chat…"
Ryan didn't hear the rest of it, but knew it didn't go well when Seth stomped up the stairs half an hour later. Not thinking it wise to use the doors, Ryan locked his, then removed the netting on his window and silently crawled out onto the roof. Crossing over to Seth's room, he tapped lightly on his window until Seth removed his head from his pillow. Noticing Ryan hanging outside, Seth got up as quietly as he could and opened it for Ryan.
"How'd it go?" Ryan asked Seth once he was safely inside.
"Not to good… I got my ear chewed off, and now we're waiting for dad to come home and tell us off," he replied.
"That sucks… hey; you wanna go to a party? Holly's beach house?" Ryan said hopefully, trying to lift Seth's spirits.
"Oh yes, another one of those. Actually, that might be.." Seth trailed away as there was a knock on his door.
"Seth. It's me. Open up right now." Seth and Ryan both froze.
"Shit," they said as one, Ryan Jumping through the window, hanging onto the sill with his fingers. Seth went over to the door and unlocked it, letting his dad in.
"So," Sandy started, not noticing the pinks of Ryan's slowly reddening fingers on the sill. "I heard what happened today, and your mom seemed pretty upset…"
"Yes, it was very tragic. I and Ryan are awfully sorry, and we've learned our lesson. May the Playstation gather dust. But," Seth said, trying to shoo his father out the room. "Can you just go downstairs and tell mom not to order…radish! I think I'm getting allergic to it, and the whiteness reminds me so strongly of," Seth didn't get to finish what of.
"Seth… is that someone outside your window?"
Ryan had felt his fingers slowly but assumingly start losing grip. Grabbing onto the pipe outside, he started transferring himself onto it, hoping it wouldn't break under his weight. The transition had created so much noise that Sandy was torn from his son's pointless rambling. Sandy crossed over to the window and looked out to see Ryan hanging awkwardly, his body suspended in the air. One hand was hooked around the pipe, the other reaching for something non-existent to hold. One foot was planted flat against the wall, and the other was hanging loosely in the air.
"Hey dad, how's it hanging?" Ryan asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
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Morning found Ryan in a sleeping bag on the floor, at the foot of his parents' bed. Sandy's face had been a mask of fury; Ryan's ears still rang. The playstation had been taken away, the junk food had been hidden, and the next two weeks were going to be a living hell. Kirsten was already up and planning 6 day's worth of charity events that Ryan and Seth were forced to attend, and Ryan was waiting for Sandy to wake up so he could drive him and Seth to help set up for one of the numerous events. Ryan heard Sandy stir so he abandoned his sleeping arrangements, and fled to the kitchen. It had been decided that Ryan wasn't "old" enough to sleep on his own. Until he showed he was "mature" he would be spending his nights sleeping where he currently was. In his parents' bedroom. The ultimate embarrassment.
"Hey mom, can I cook you anything?" Ryan asked, as he entered the kitchen.
"Actually, I got up early and made you and Seth this," she pointed to a blackened mass on the table. "But yah, you can make me and Sandy something."
Ryan swallowed. His mom didn't know how to cook. His mom shouldn't be allowed to cook. This was going to be a long two weeks…
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Ok, really short chapter. I'm sorry for the long delay, but my teachers are insane. Hope you liked it, give me a review. Sorry again for the delay and the shortness! Don't hate me!