Jalouse

The O.C

A/N: Thanks for the reviews so far. You guys seem to be enjoying the story so that's excellent. Sorry if it seems like it's going slow. These next few chapters will be moving things along very quickly. And as for the pairings, well, you'll just have to wait and see. Happy reading! Genevra and Steffi. xxox

Chapter Five: The Unmissable Teen Event

"Hey, Sia!" Marissa called as her car pulled into the parking lot. Sianna hopped out and waved at her new friend.

"What, don't we get a hello?" Ryan asked, coming over to Marissa and giving her a hug.

"I didn't see you there," Marissa answered, hugging him back. She pulled away and waved at Seth who was whispering into Sianna's ear.

"Seth, please tell me you aren't corrupting the new girl," Marissa sighed.

"Sianna's a clever girl. She can corrupt herself," Seth said. He turned to her and began cooing at her like she was a baby. "Can't you? Yes, you can. Yes, you can."

He stopped abruptly, looking up to see Summer glowering at him.

"Cohen, maybe you should stop acting like such an imbecile," she spat, before turning to her friend. "So, Riss, I was thinking about this after-party thing."

"We're having it at Sianna's," Marissa said. "And that's it."

"I was just going to ask how we were going to get alcohol," Summer said, quietly. "But since you think that I'm just trying to take you away from your new best friend, don't worry about it. Stay sober. See if I care."

"Sum…" Marissa called out. She sighed and looked at the group. "I'll see you around?"

"What was that all about?" Ryan asked, confused as Marissa walked off. Sianna opened her mouth to talk but before she could, someone else spoke.

"It's a girl thing. You of all people should get that, Seth. Didn't I teach you anything?" a familiar, lisping voice cut in. all four turned around to see who had cut in on their conversation. "Hey, guys."

"Anna?" Seth asked, turning around slowly. "What are you doing here?"

"Same as you," she answered, walking into his open arms.

"I doubt it," Seth answered, squeezing her until she squealed. "You aren't pissing off ex-girlfriends or living in this hellhole."

"I mean the carnival," Anna laughed. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Don't they do this sort of thing back in Pittsburgh?" Ryan asked, giving her a quick hug.

"Please," Anna replied. "We're way to classy for that."

"Well, I'm glad you're here," Ryan replied. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

"He doesn't need sense," Sianna smiled. "He needs a teacher."

"I was his teacher," Anna shot back. "And it turns out, I taught him nothing."

"Nothing useful anyway," Seth deadpanned. "You sure did play a mean game of Jenga though."

Sianna nudged Ryan who was closest to her. He turned to her and she glanced pointedly over at Anna, shrugging her shoulders as if to say 'who is she?'

"Oh, yeah. Sianna, this is Anna. She used to live here," Ryan started. "And Anna, this is Sianna. She just moved here."

"It's nice to meet you," Anna replied with a smile.

"It's nice to finally put a name to a face," Sianna replied.

"Oh, so you've heard about me?" Anna asked, looking over at Seth who was squirming.

"All nice stuff, of course," Sianna replied, nonchalantly. She turned to Ryan. "Listen, I'm going to see if I can go and find Summer and Marissa. See if there's anything I can do."

"I'll come with you," he said. "You might need a guide."

"And I guess I'll stay here with the lovely Anna," Seth answered, feigning a disappointed sigh. Anna hit him on the shoulder. "I need a girl that doesn't hit me every time I say something."

"I wouldn't hit you," Sianna answered automatically. She gained a smile from Seth, who so clearly adored her, a laugh from Ryan, whose feelings she couldn't figure out, and a slight glare from Anna, who was clearly unsure of her standings anymore. "Anna, I'm having a party at my house afterwards. Maybe you'll come?"

"Sure," she chirped. "Newport party's are always fun."

"Good. I'll see you then," she said. "I'm driving Seth and Ryan home. You should come with us. We'll meet back here at ten."

"Ok," Seth and Anna replied as they walked away.

"I don't think she likes me," Sianna said, as she and Ryan walked under the bright and cheery 'Kick-off Carnival' sign that adorned two parallel and matching poles. She smiled as she looked around at the bright lights, breathed in the smells of hot dogs and popcorn, and listened to the yells of the operators who were trying to sell their wares.

"How do you know? You've only just met," Ryan asked.

"It's a territory thing," she replied. "It's the same with Summer. They hate me because I'm on their turf."

"They don't hate you," Ryan said. "Believe me, I know. I've lived in Newport for long enough now to know how it works. They're both good girls. They don't hate you. They are, however, wary of you. That's the thing with Newpsies. Once they get their territory, they become determined to do anything to keep it."

"That's what I was trying to say to you," Sianna said, exasperated. "You are so male."

"Thanks, I think," Ryan replied, unsurely. "Hey, you want to go on a ride?"

"Chino, I've heard you say some pretty stupid things before, but this one takes the cake," someone said, slapping him on the back.

"I've seen you do some pretty brave things before but this one takes the cake," Ryan replied. "Coming back to Newport? You're a brave man."

"It's good to be back."

"You staying, man?" Ryan asked the bronzed, blonde male before him.

"Are you joking?" Luke Ward replied. "I'm not that stupid."

"Didn't think so," Ryan answered. He felt Sianna nudging him again and he smiled. "Luke, this is Sianna. She moved into Marissa's old house."

"Hey," Luke smiled. "There's been a lot that's happened in that house."

"So I've heard," Sianna retorted. "As I believe, you were at the center of most of it."

Ryan hid a smile but Luke, unabashedly, flashed a grin.

"I was at the center of most it, yes," he answered. "I'm a reformed man now."

"It's true," Ryan answered. "As far as I know, he's been with the same girl for three months and hasn't even cheated on her."

"Living with your mother doesn't count," Sianna shot-back.

"He lives with his Dad," Ryan countered.

"So, she doesn't know the whole story, then?"

"I do now. All you Californians. You and your sordid ways, I just can't keep up."

"You'll learn," Ryan and Luke said together. Someone called out Luke's name and bought their hand down on his back in a thump even Sianna heard.

"Look, I've got to go," Luke said. "We should catch up but."

"Sianna's having a party alter tonight," Ryan said. He looked at Sianna for confirmation. She sighed but nodded. "You should drop by."

"Yeah, I will," he said. "I'll see you."

"So, that was Luke," Sianna stated simply.

"That was Luke."

"He's different to what I thought he'd be," she said.

"Really? How?" Ryan asked, intrigued.

"He's not as cute as I thought he would be," she answered. Ryan stopped in his tracks and glared at her, scrutinizing her expression.

"Most girls think he's the sexiest thing on earth," he said finally. "I've heard him likened to a sex god ten to many times and you're saying you don't think he's cute?"

"I'm not saying that."

"So, you do think he's cute then?" Ryan asked.

"No."

"Then, what are you saying?" Ryan asked, trying to keep the laugh out of his voice and the smile off his face.

"I'm saying I think he's cute but he's not cute enough to have caused all the trouble he caused," she answered. "That makes sense?"

"I guess," Ryan said. he pointed to a familiar blonde mane and smiled. "I think I found them."

"We're looking for Marissa and Summer, not Seth and Anna," Sianna grumbled as they walked over to them.

"We're just about to go on the Tilt-A-Whirl, if you're interested," Anna smiled at them.

"Definitely," Sianna said, the smile on her face growing. "The Tilt-A-Whirl is my favourite ride. There is no way I'd ever say no."

"Umm, I think I'll say no," Ryan said, looking queasy at the idea.

"You're not scared, are you?" Sianna asked incredulously.

"Not scared," Ryan said, indifferently. "I just really don't feel like showing everyone what I ate for dinner."

"Takeaway Chinese," Seth said. "See, now everyone knows anyway."

"I think I'll say no," he replied, adamantly.

"Wow. I never thought I'd hear manly Ryan Atwood say no to a carnival ride," Sianna noted.

"My man Ryan is a very interesting and surprising fellow," Seth answered. He turned to Sianna. "You coming?"

"Sure," she said, turning to Ryan. "If that's ok with you."

"It's fine," Ryan answered. "I think I see Marissa anyway."

He glanced at Sianna, whose face had fallen, and then at Anna, who was watching them intently. Seth had already turned his attention away from them and was busy counting the number of people in line before them.

"I'll see you soon," Ryan said, quickly walking away from them and towards his ex who was standing in the line for the Ferris Wheel. He walked up to her and took her arm. "Is this seat taken?"

"No, of course not," she smiled as he joined her in line. "Where's Sianna?"

"With Anna and Seth going on the Tilt-A-Whirl," he answered.

"I don't get you," she said.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, as they were sitting in their seat.

"You hate heights and yet you're here with me," she replied.

"Still not getting you."

"She's going to get confused. You won't go on the Tilt with her and yet your quite happy to come on the Ferris Wheel with me, your ex, even though it's a widely known fact Ryan Atwood is scared of heights," she said.

"You're my best friend," he answered.

"And she likes you," Marissa replied. "We might have a past, 'Chino,' but you and her might just have a future."

"Did you find Summer?" Ryan asked, quickly and expertly changing the subject. Marissa smiled at this before answering.

"Yes, I did."

"And?" he prompted her.

"She's still coming to the party but I don't think she's happy about it," Marissa answered.

"I was explaining to Sianna before that she's just jealous because she thinks Sianna is stealing her territory," Ryan said.

"Which is stupid. she's been my best friend for as long as I can remember," Marissa spat. "If anyone should be unconcerned, it's her."

"Girls," Ryan sighed, earning a punch. He sighed again and glanced over at his beautiful, beguiling friend. Someone down below called her name and she leant over the side to wave at them.

"Did you know Luke was here?" she interrupted.

"Yeah. He and Anna said that this was one thing they weren't missing," Ryan said. "Who would have thought that you would have invented and organized the unmissable event of all American teenagers?"

"That was the most confusing sentence in the world," she laughed.

"Are you ok with him being here?" Ryan asked. She looked at him and nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. They lapsed into a momentary silence. "Keep talking, Riss. If you keep talking, I won't even notice that we're about to plunge headfirst into the crowd."

She laughed at him.

"Remember last year?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she smiled at the fond memory. "Do you think it's weird we've done a complete circle since then?"

"Not really," he answered. "I think it's pretty cool."

"Yeah, me too," she said. "But do you miss it sometimes? The was it used to be?"

"Not really," he answered. "I mean, there are some things I miss, but on the whole, I like the way it is now."

"I like it too," she answered truthfully. They went silent again. Ryan felt his stomach drop slightly as they whooshed around in an arch but in time, the feeling went away.

"Hey," Marissa said, softly, catching his attention. He turned his head to her and she smiled at him. "How about a kiss for old times sake?"

"Sure," he smiled. He leant over and brushed his lips over hers. They held their mouths together for a few seconds before pulling away. It was nothing but a peck. Ryan, feeling suddenly brave, leant over the bar and looked down.

Sianna was staring up at him, her eyes suddenly full of hurt and confusion. She grabbed onto Seth, while Ryan was still watching, and whispered something into his ear. He smiled at her and nodded readily. Ryan sighed, knowing Marissa had caught the whole exchange.

"It's going to be a long night," he muttered.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's ok, Riss," he replied. "It really is."