FOLLOWING WEEK WEDNESDAY

Zach had left with Abby the day before, and had hinted at staying in Italy for a while; possibly find a job and live there for about a year just to clear his mind.

It was 10am in the morning, and Trey's funeral was in an hour. The mood was somber and depressing in the Cohen house hold. Everyone had decided to gather there before going to the funeral. The funeral was going to be grave-side.

Summer, Marissa and Seth were waiting in the entrance hall of the Cohen home. Sandy and Kirsten were in their bedroom getting ready.

"You think he'll be okay?" Kirsten asked Sandy in concern as she put in her earrings.

"Ya know, yeah, I think so. No doubt it's gonna take some time for him to adjust. I mean he's lost not only his brother, but the business too… Basically he's lost his whole life… Even at twenty-five, it's still going to be incredibly difficult for him to rebuild now."

Sandy sat on the edge of the bed and did up his shoes.

"I'm gonna go see if he's ready."

Sandy fastened his tie and walked downstairs to the pool house where Ryan had slept the night before. As he opened the door, he saw Ryan standing by the mirror doing up his tie.

"Hey." Sandy greeted tentatively.

"Hey." Ryan returned as he turned to see who had come in.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Sandy walked over to Ryan and put his arm around his shoulders. "I don't want you to ever try making it through this on your own."

"Thanks. I know…" Ryan half smiled at Sandy, but his eyes were full of sorrow.

Sandy and Ryan walked out the pool house and met the others in the cars. Sandy and Kirsten took their car, and Seth had brought his. Summer sat up front with him and Marissa and Ryan took the back. The convoy of two slowly left the driveway.

"You okay?" Marissa asked turning to Ryan. He didn't reply, just half-smiled.

Half an hour later they pulled up to the gravesite where the service and burial were to take place. Several friends and relatives had begun to gather; everyone dressed in smart black and white outfits.

Clouds were gathering overhead, and the wind was beginning to pick up.

The four friends got out the car, and immediately put on their jackets. They walked over to the graveside where chairs had been set out in a semi-circle. In the middle was the coffin suspended above the hole with poles and belts.

The four of them, together with Sandy and Kirsten, took up seats in the front row. From left to right it was Seth, Summer, Ryan and Marissa. Sandy and Kirsten were on the end.

"Do you know if your mom is going to be here?" Marissa lent over and asked Ryan.

"Not sure. I spoke to her the day after we got the news, but she wasn't sure if she could get a bus out from Reno in time."

The weather was really turning bad now, and the gathering clouds were starting to look threatening.

"This show better get on the road, else we'll be witness to a watery grave." Seth commented in jest.

"COHEN! God! Have you no tact?" Summer snarled through gritted teeth, while punching him on the arm. This caused Seth to grab the area that she had punched and rub in pain.

Although it was a grossly inappropriate statement to make, the little scene between him and Summer at least brought out a smile from Ryan.

The minister stood up and began proceedings.

"Dear friends. We are gathered here today to celebrate the life, and moan the loss of Trey Marshall Atwood. Trey was a man who, although never lived the perfect life, had a profound impact on the lives of those who knew him. It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to him today."

The minister continued to talk for about half an hour quoting scripture, and sharing stories and parables about life and death. He ended off his message with a short prayer.

"The casket will now be lowered. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

Everyone stood up as the casket began to decent in to the hole. No one said a word, but there weren't many dry eyes around.

After this the minister opened up the service for friends and family to say a few words. A couple of people stood up and said some things. Ryan indicated he had something he wanted to say, so the minister called him forward.

Ryan slowly got up and went and stood next to the open grave.

"Trey was more than just a brother to me; he was my friend. From early on I remember him always being there. We never had the best clothes, housing or even the best life, but one thing Trey did know how to do was make every important moment special. He was the one who taught me how to live life to the fullest, and although he was the one who told me dreams don't come true, he was also the one who showed me how to pursue them with everything I got. I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'm gonna miss you bro."

With that he picked up a rose lying in a basket next to the grave and dropped it on the coffin.

Ryan's eyes were filled with tears, but he kept himself composed as he made his way back to his seat.

Just then light drops of rain began to fall.

As the group began to disperse, passing on their condolences to Ryan, he saw someone standing away at the back. It was his mom. He walked over to her and the two of them hugged for what seemed like forever.

"I thought you weren't going to make it." Ryan said as they eventually broke off their embrace.

"Me too, but I just had to be here."

"Well, what are you doing this evening? We could…"

"I've gotta head back tonight." She turned and looked behind her and Ryan saw who she was with.

"You still with him?" Ryan was shocked. It was AJ.

"Yeah, we sorted out our differences you know…"

"You sure it's what you want?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. We're probably gonna get married shortly…"

Ryan looked over to the car where the other three were waiting for him.

"I gotta get going…"

Mother and son hugged again. After wishing each other well, Dawn and Ryan parted ways.

Back at the Cohen's house, dinner had been delivered and all six friends and family sat down to eat. Little was said as no one know exactly what to say. Only time will heal now.

After dinner the four friends went over to Seth and Ryan's place.

The wind was howling and the rain was really pouring down now.

On the way over, they had pulled up to the local video store and rented out some DVDs. Snuggling tightly under blankets in front of the TV, they watched for quite some time.

Seth was the first to feel sleepy, and eventually said good night to the group and headed off.

The other three finished watching The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez.

"I think I better get going too… it's been a long day and I'm flying out to New York again tomorrow morning." Marissa said as she got up to leave.

"Oh, uh Coop… Can I get a ride with you?" Summer asked.

"Sure. I'm just gonna go use the bathroom."

Summer and Ryan were left under the blankets. Summer looked over at Ryan, who was almost asleep.

"Hey, sleepy head." Summer said jokingly.

Ryan opened his eyes and smiled.

Then, suddenly, for the very first time ever, they locked gazes. Almost as though caught in each other eyes, they just looked at each other for what seemed like forever. Drawing closer together they were about to kiss. It seemed so wrong, yet… so right… They were caught up in a moment.

Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew through the house causing a door to slam shut with a loud bang. Ryan and Summer, both startled, pulling away from each other.

"Ryan, what are we doing?" Summer said in confusion as the moment was now lost.

"I… I… dunno… We…"

"We can't be doing this… can we?"

"No… no… we can't… what about… Seth…"

"Marissa…" Summer said this at the same time as Ryan said Seth. "They're out closest friends, it just wouldn't be right… I… um… I think… I…"

"Yeah… I'm… sorry…"

"No… don't be… it was me… I'm sorry." Summer was very apologetic and clearly unsure of what to do next. Ryan got up as Summer stood up.

Just then Marissa came back through. "Wow, sorry about that door… the wind just took it as I opened it…!"

"Oh, yeah… never mind… happens all the time… wind blows… doors slam…" Summer responded looking between Ryan and Marissa, but clearly feeling very out of her depth.

"Okay… Sum… you alright?" Marissa questioned now herself slightly confused.

"Yeah, just peachy… lets go."

"Bye Ryan." Marissa said and gave him a hug. As he looked over Marissa shoulder, he looked straight at Summer was confusion, concern and just total bewilderment was what just almost happened.

Summer and Marissa left, leaving the door open and Ryan just standing their staring out it wondering what was going on.

And just then Seth came through in his pajamas and looking very sleepy.

"Oh, hey… you still up?" Seth said rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah… just about to go to bed too…" Ryan replied stumbling for words.

Seth went and closed the door. "No wonder doors are banging around here. Dude, what have I said about keeping the front door closed during rain storms?"

"Yeah, sorry." Ryan said unconvincingly. He walked past Seth and went to his room.