Summary: Set after The Mall Episode. Seth and Summer work on some things and Ryan and Marissa try to become "friends". But are they ever just friends?

The warm Californian Rays soaked through the light colored drawn shades on the side of the pool house, coming down on the floors, making small bright lines, coming all the way up to the pillows of the plush queen sized bed in the middle of the room. Ryan removed his head from the crease of his inner arm and squinted out to see the view. This was what he had become. The old Ryan Atwood would of never dreamt of living in a pool house, going to private schools, driving a Land Rover, or even having a real family. The Cohen's, they were all great. Seth, with his humor, dreams, smarts, he was a real kid, and knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to try to break out. Kirsten, she never liked him at first, but became the best mother he's ever had. Sandy, the man who looked across the table in the juvie meeting hall, and saw right through that little scared boy. The one who told everyone he was ok, the one who got beaten every night, and had to carry a drunken body home every day. Sandy knew what some of the stuff was like, and knew this kid needed a second chance, a fresh start. He welcomed him into his home and has done nothing but provide for Ryan and be the father and role model he never had.

His family went further than that though, he had real friends here, too. Who were all like his family. Well, hopefully not "family". Marissa… Ryan's first true love. The girl next door, the one he thought he could never have. When you think of Orange County, you think of Marissa, well more of a blonde, cheerleader version of Marissa. But she wasn't all the stereotype's cracked up to be. She had so many problems, and that lured Ryan in. He had someone to protect, and in return, she made him feel less alone. To know that there's other people out there, who are everything you did want, and you realize they're not all that different from you. Through their problems, you learn things about yourself. Things might get in the way, but overall, every time you see her you know what love is like.

Ryan slowly entangled himself from the covers, pausing to stretch and rub his eyes. Today was going to be a long day. Seth and Summer were back together, so that's all that Seth would ever talk about. And now Marissa and Alex. Lindsay left, but he felt better after hanging out with his friends at the mall. For the first time since he came back from Chino, Ryan felt completely alone.

"Dude, I'm going out to breakfast with Summer.. Wanna come?" Seth's head appeared from the side of the door. It was always a mystery how Seth could be so energetic this early in the morning.

"Nah.. I think I'll just hang out here today," Ryan put a towel over his shoulder and sorted through his clothes, looking for something to wear.

"Have fun brooding, while I'm getting-it-onnnn! Yeah!" Seth makes a 'rubbing' motion with his hands.

"Uh huh, right.." Ryan gives Seth a look and Seth sits down on the pool house chair.

"Did I mention me and Summer are back together!" Seth puts his hands up in the air.

"I'm taking a shower," Ryan throws his towel in the air, defeated, and goes into the bathroom.

"Ryan, don't walk away from me damnit! Stop! I need to talk about me!" Seth beats on the door over dramatically.

Ryan rolls his eyes and turns on the water, drowning out the sound of Seth talking about his and Summer's big kiss once again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"She's so beautiful when she sleep," Alex curls up behind Marissa, running her fingers through her hair and making small curls.

"Mmhmm…" Marissa groans, ducking under the covers, afraid to face the sunlight and reality. Just the other day she had the best night she's had in awhile, but now here she was. She was happy with Alex, it just all felt so weird. Some days she would wake up happy, thinking the person's hands that were wrapped around here were Ryan's. How she missed him… What she said at the mall was true, she wanted him back, but knew that wasn't going to happen. So she settled for second best, or somewhere around there. What she and Alex had was real alright, with the rent, dishes, laundry. But with Ryan… she knew she could always be safe. The first night they met, she knew he was un-like anyone she'd ever met. Ryan wasn't just another high class rich kid who didn't have to worry about their problems, but only cared about their material possessions or sex. No, Ryan was the real thing and always would be.

"What time is it?" Marissa sat up in bed, greeted by a kiss from Alex.

"Almost… 11.." Alex said in between kisses.

Marissa pulled away, looking around their messy room, "What time you gotta be at work?"

"It's Saturday, so we have a show at noon," Alex gets off the bed and puts on her shoes," So I should get there soon to set up. Are you going to be ok here all day?"

"Yeah… I can clean up and stuff. Don't worry, have fun," Marissa flashes her one of her fake smiles and kisses her cheek goodbye.

"Marissa Cooper, clean? That'll be a sight to see when I get home, you 'have fun' too. I'll be home at 6, maybe we can do something tonight.. Hang out, haven't been alone in awhile," Alex grins.

"See ya…" Marissa nods and watches Alex walk away. Was this supposed to be this hard? Dating a girl, it's got to take some getting used to, but this just didn't feel right to Marissa. She wanted her old life back, as much as she hated it. She still wanted to be with Alex.. But something was missing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mmm, I miss these days," Seth lays on top of Summer, leaving a trail of kisses down her neck as she plays with his dark curls.

"Nu-uh, you think this is lasting all day you got another thing coming," She sits up and gets off the bed, "What the hell is wrong with me? I had this perfect guy for a boyfriend, and I ditch him on my way to romantic Italy for Seth Cohen, ew!" Seth cuts her off with a kiss and they both grin, "I seriously think there's something wrong with me. Or you. Well we know you, but to think I'm with a nerd who reads like, comic books now. I'm screwed."

"You have no clue."

"Ew, ok, enough Pervy McPerv."

"Ha ha. You're funny, but you know what? There's plenty of mental things wrong with you. That's why you got me. Deal with it."

"Right, now hurry up will you. Ryan is sorta in the pool house and we promised him we'd hurry up and do some Playstation or something. Don't want suspicions to rise."

"Yes Summer, because I never talk about myself to Ryan, he has no clue we're back together."

"Is he still brooding over Linsday?" Summer stands up and adjusts her knee length faded denim skirt, running her hands over her silk tank top to make sure she's presentable.

"Ryan, brood.. No," Summer gives Seth a 'shut up' look and goes to the mirror, "I think going to the mall the other day helped. He showered today, big step in brooding. Remember when I was brooding after Valentine's Day?"

"Ok, Seth.. You don't brood, you lay around probably watching Superman or Action Leauge re-runs. Ryan punches people, and stays angry. And yes, I remember, you smelled like… ugh, it was disgusting. You're disgusting."

"Does that turn you on?" Seth tries to be macho. Summer just rolls her eyes and walks out his door, "I'll take that as a 'you'll find out later'!" Seth yells out the door.