Disclaimer: I do not own THE O.C. or any of the characters.
The Birthday
Seth peered into the window of the pool house hoping Ryan wasn't asleep. He saw his friend fast asleep on the bed. Seth quietly opened the door and tip toed in the room. He sat down softly next to Ryan and began to try to wake him. Ryan did not even flinch. Seth again tried to wake him: nothing. He cleared his throat very loudly then a second time. Ryan opened his eyes alarmed at the noise.
"Oh Sorry man did I wake you?" Seth asked.
"Yeah what do you want?" Ryan said in anger.
"Nothing you should just go back to sleep." Seth said as he walked back to the door.
Ryan closed his eyes waiting for the door the shut. Along with the sound of it closing would come the silence of no Seth. It closed as he pulled his blanket closer to him.
"You know as long as you're up, do you know what time it is?" Seth asked coming back into the room.
"It's three in the morning, Seth."
"Actually at exactly this time seventeen years ago the handsome man you see before you was brought into this world."
"Happy Birthday, Night." Ryan said pulling his blanket over his head.
"No Ryan I don't think you understand. At this time every year the Cohen family wakes to reminisce about the essence of Seth Cohen."
"I don't think so."
"Well if that's how you feel I understand. So do you think that Summer still has feelings for me? Cause I am totally over her. In fact she looks like a little ant from how over her I am. Of course now if she were to suddenly want to get back together I wouldn't say no. She's might be an ant but at least she's a cute one." Seth started babbling.
"I'm up." Ryan said.
"I knew I could talk you into it."
They both walked into the kitchen where Sandy and Kristen were already having coffee.
"Ryan I can't believe you're up this early." Sandy said amazed.
"Neither can I." Ryan said.
"Come join us around the table Ryan. Embrace the Birthday man." Seth said.
"Yeah so where do we start?" Ryan asked.
"My mother recites the telling of my birth. Mom?"
"Well I was in labor for….." She said getting cut off by Seth.
"Eighteen hours, I just did not want to come out. I had a little bench and desk set up in there it was nice."
"I picked you up and you were the ugliest thing I've ever seen, but at the same time you were beautiful." Sandy added.
"That's enough of that. Now let's go around the room and say the one word that describes the essence of Seth."
"Every year." Sandy commented.
"Dad, lets start with you."
"You're consistent."
"Ok and Mom?"
"You're a big supporter of tradition."
"Ok and Ryan?"
Ryan hesitated for a moment looking at Sandy and Kristen.
"I'm going back to bed."
