Part 7
A/N: I'm sorry this update took so long. No excuse, I just suck. Anyway, I'll try to put another chapter up by the end of the week.
As always thanks to the wonderful 60schic for the beta.
Part 7
Eventually Ryan got tired of all of the hovering and kicked everyone out of his room, insisting they all get at least 8 hours of sleep and a shower before returning.
"Ryan, can I talk to you for a second?" Summer requested, lingering behind as the others left the room.
"Summer…"
"I'll just be a second, and then I'll go home. I promise."
"Yeah, okay, go ahead," Ryan sighed and settled back against his pillows.
"I actually wanted to talk to you the second you woke up, but I think it's probably better this way. Less… traumatic or whatever."
"Okay," Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"I just wanted to… have you had the chance to think about Marissa at all?" Summer asked delicately.
"Not really. I've been trying not to and everything's been so," Ryan gestured around the room.
"Things have been a little nuts," Summer agreed. "But, look, eventually you're gonna have to think about her, and how she's gone. I just wanted you to know, I'm here. You know, to listen, or to cry, or whatever."
"Thanks Summer. I… It's… I keep having flashes, memories of that night." Ryan shook his head slightly, conscious of his injuries. "God. She was so drunk. I've never, ever seen her that wasted. I should have taken away her keys or-"
"Chino, no!" Summer exclaimed. "This is exactly what I didn't want you to do. No one blames you Ryan, not even Julie Cooper. It was an accident. You did the absolute best you could to keep her safe."
"Summer…"
"Ryan, it's true. You had no reason to be in her car that night. Everything you did for Marissa was above and beyond the call of duty."
"I…"
"Quit arguing with me Chino," Summer instructed. "I can argue things to death and eventually I will win. Just accept that I'm right and move on."
"Fine. You're right."
Summer grinned gleefully. "Now that's what I like to hear!"
Ryan furrowed his brows at her. "Are you okay?"
"I wish people would quit asking me that," Summer told him frankly. "My best friend just died. Of course I'm not okay."
"Sorry. It's just, we care about you, me and Luke and Seth. With Marissa gone it's like, you're our girl. We just want you to be okay," Ryan looked up at Summer intently.
"The guy lying in the hospital bed wants me to be okay?" Summer exhaled loudly.
"Summer you're obviously exhausted. Go home," Ryan advised.
"I don't want to," Summer confessed. "I was there earlier. It hurt. She's everywhere in my room and I don't… It hurts."
Ryan nodded then winced. He gestured to a chair next to his bed.
"Sit."
"What? I thought you were kicking us all out."
"But you aren't secretly dying to go home, and it's not like I have any big plans," Ryan pointed out.
Summer smiled and sat. She took Ryan's hand in her own.
Ryan glanced at their joined hands in surprise.
"Life's too short for bullshit," Summer stated, squeezing Ryan's hand. "You're my friend and I care about you."
"I care about you too."
"I know. And Ryan? I will be okay, eventually. We all will be."
"Good. Did you, um, did you hear Marissa's funeral is scheduled for Saturday?"
"No. Isn't that kind of soon?"
"I don't know. I guess Caleb was here earlier and he told Kirsten that's what Julie had planned."
"Okay. God, do I not want to deal with that. It just makes the whole thing so… real, you know?"
"Yeah. But the good news is I think I'm getting sprung tomorrow or Wednesday. Definitely in time to be with you at the funeral."
"I'm glad Ryan. I'm really, really glad."
"Good. So…"
"Yes?"
"Seth. You. Together all night and all day. What's the deal?" Ryan asked.
"You and Luke, oh my God," Summer exclaimed. "I have never had anyone so fascinated with my love life."
"So Seth's part of your love life now?" Ryan interrogated.
"No. He's… Seth. Ryan you know it's complicated. It would be complicated even if I wasn't with Zach."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"You know what makes you happy. If Zach does and Seth doesn't, I'm fine with that," Ryan explained. "Life is too short to spend it unhappily."
"I'm not unhappy! Why does everyone think I'm unhappy? Zach is a good guy. You know him. You like him, right?"
"Zach's fine. He just seems a little… bland for you."
"What makes you say that?"
"I admit I don't know much about your taste in guys, but Seth? Danny? And then Zach? It doesn't really track."
"Okay, but," Summer yawned delicately, "maybe I'm ready for a change. Someone just a little less… loud."
Ryan couldn't repress his yawn.
"Is that why you're really with Zach?"
"No."
"So then…"
"It's none of your business Ryan Atwood. Can I ask you a question now?"
"Of course."
"There's no of course about it. You're like the king of quiet or whatever."
"Summer."
"Yeah. Okay, so if you think Seth and I are like destined to be together, or like he's my one true way to happiness, why haven't you said something sooner?"
"I came to you on the second day of school."
"Yeah, but, what is it about Marissa dying that seems to make people think Cohen and I have a shot now? I mean, nothing's changed."
"Except everything," Ryan countered. "You're appreciating Seth now, he's appreciating you too. You need each other."
"I know that. He's one of my best friends."
Ryan sighed dramatically. Summer responded by rolling her eyes.
"Friendship does not necessarily equal love. He's one of your best friends too, but that doesn't mean you want to throw him down on a bed and have your way with him… does it?"
"Summer! No."
"Too bad. It's kind of a hot mental image," Summer closed her eyes and tried to picture it. "Mmm."
"Quit it Summer. That's not what I meant."
"I know. Still. Hot."
"Okay I just do not… ew."
Summer giggled. "Hearing you say 'ew' is like, the funniest thing ever."
"Glad I could find a way to entertain you in my crippled state," Ryan yawned.
"Ryan! Oh God, it's late and you're hurt. I should go. Let you sleep," Summer stood quickly.
"I'm not tired," Ryan yawned again.
"Right."
"I'm not-" Ryan protested anxiously through another yawn.
Summer was starting to understand Ryan's eagerness to have her around. Going to sleep after being unconscious for 18 hours had to be a slightly scary undertaking.
"Want me to stay 'til you fall asleep?" she offered.
"Would you mind?" Ryan asked apologetically.
"Not at all," Summer picked up the television remote. "Shall we see what's on?"
