VAMPING THE OC

PART I

Noblesse Oblige

Allies

"What price pride?" Seth asked the empty room. He rocked back in his desk chair and contemplated the printouts he held in his hand. What price was he prepared to pay to do what he wanted - to not back down? The temptation was strong to crumple the pages he'd printed off the Internet and forget the whole thing. "Do I really want to spend four hours on a bus and make all these transfer just to make a point? Maybe this is a point that I don't need to make." The room was empty and silent except for the hum of his computer. He slumped forward and rested his elbows on the desk, his head in his hands.

Rapid transit sucked in Southern California. Rapid transit wasn't even an oxymoron for what Southern California had. What was needed was a whole new word to describe its suckiness. Invented words were a Seth Cohen specialty. He usually relished the challenge but with no one with whom to share his brilliance, he just didn't feel up to the challenge tonight. Seth had become accustomed to his "friend" being around at these moments but he'd been conspicuously absent today. Thinking back over his day, Seth realized that he hadn't felt him around since Sociology.

Resigned to the fact that his neurotic manifestation was not his to summon or dismiss as he pleased, Seth turned back to the depressing printouts in front of him. Seth raised a finger to his lips and tapped them in thought. "I could use my skateboard to get from the bus stop to the Y in Chino." He shook his head and grimaced at that image.

"I guess it's a good thing Newport needs maids or I wouldn't have a prayer of getting there. You've got to need a job pretty badly to transfer four times each way." Seth looked down at the sheets of paper and wondered if he really wanted to go to Chino that badly. It would be easier to go along with his mother. Giving in and going along could have definite benefits. His mother hated confrontations like tonight's and if he "came to his senses" there'd be something in it for him. He did the calculations. It could be big. It might even be worth a car to her.

"God, I'd like a car! But, Mom's wrong this time." Seth didn't know why; but he felt certain about that. This was something he had to do. Muttering to himself he tried some of the alternate search parameters offered by the transit system's automated route information system. "She worries so much, you'd think she was Jewish. What does she think is going to happen to me there: I'll get wasted in a driveby; mugged by a street gang, or be seduced by a sultry temptress from the barrio?" Some of his bravado leaked away as his eyes fell on the new travel times brought up by his latest search.

Straightening his shoulders he selected Harbor School from the Favorites list on his browser. "Nothing is going to happen if I don't apply for that job, right?" This time he felt agreement in the room and was filled with the calmness that comes with having made the right decision. It was as though he'd been trying to tune in a distant radio station. Where before there was only crackling static, confused signals, and meaningless noise, now his life seemed locked onto one powerful, crystal clear signal.

Seth drilled down through the many levels of the Harbor School website and finally found the application form for Student Volunteer Opportunities. Seth was so absorbed in completing the form on the computer screen, that he didn't hear the knock on his door. It wasn't until Sandy stuck his head in the door and spoke that he realized he had a visitor.

"Mind if I come in?

"No, come on." Surprised by this previously unknown consideration for his privacy, Seth gave permission before he remembered that he was angry at both his parents. It was more than just anger with his dad though – he was profoundly disappointed. Dad should have been on my side in this.

Seth swiveled in his chair to face his dad as Sandy made his way over to Seth's bed and sat down.

"Do I still get my allowance tomorrow?" Was Seth's first question.

"Yes, Seth, you'll get your check tomorrow." The corners of Sandy's mouth twitched as he answered. "We aren't going to punish you for disagreeing with us. That's why I'm here though. Your mother's adamant. Punishment would only be on the table if you went behind our backs and disobeyed us on this."

Seth reached behind him and blanked out his computer screen. "Okay, I get where mom's coming from. Except for her years at Berkeley, she's spent her whole life in this little artificial world of pod people, money, and privilege that we call home. What's she know about the world outside Newport?" Seth asked leaning forward in his chair. "But you know what the world is like outside. Hell, you grew up in a neighborhood that mom wouldn't even let me drive through. Why didn't you back me up? It's not as though I'm moving to the barrio to become a community activist. All I'm doing is going to Chino, once a week, to do two intro computer classes for three hours. Seth rolled his eyes. "Really scary stuff, Dad." The exasperation in Seth's voice was clear.

"You're right, son. I should have supported you and I let you down. I know it wasn't intentional on your part but you surprised us. Worse, you frightened your mother. Surprise and fear are a deadly combo when your child's safety is involved. You put Kirsten into protective mom mode. Your mother didn't really hear anything you said after she saw Chino on your list and doesn't understand what you're proposing to do. When something frightens you and you don't understand it the path of least resistance is to reject it. That's what your mother did." Sandy ran his hand through his hair. "Are you sure you want to apply for that particular job, Seth? Things would be simpler and more peaceful around here for all of us if you picked something else, something closer to home.

Seth, who'd been rocking back and forth in his desk chair while his father spoke, stopped and met his father's stare. "Dad, this is the one I need to do. No, it's the one I have to do! I've got the qualifications but more importantly it feels right. Maybe they won't select me; but it's my first choice."

"Knowledge is the enemy of fear, Seth. Show me everything you've got about this position in Chino. I'll do some checking on my own and if it looks okay I'll try to convince your mother that you aren't really sailing blindly into the heart of darkness." Seth smiled as he swiveled back to his desk and pulled the booklet off the top of the pile of books on his desk. Sandy studied the job description and the description of the Chino Valley YMCA contained in it.

He looked up when he finished. "Okay, I'll talk to your mother." At Seth's delighted expression Sandy sighed and shook his head. "It looks okay," he said waving the booklet. "There aren't any obvious red flags but I'll check, just in case, to make sure that there's nothing I've missed. Still, Seth, there aren't any guarantees. You need to have a backup plan in case I can't budge her. And remember Seth, your mother is right about one thing – Chino will be a whole new world for you. You'll be like a fish out of water there."

Seth bounced out of his chair and dropped down onto the bed next to Sandy. He draped an arm across his father's shoulders. "I am totally not worried. No woman, not even mom, can resist the charms of a determined Cohen man. I've got faith in you, Dad. You'll soften her up with your lawyer's logic and then finish her off with the Cohen charm." Seth gave Sandy's shoulder a manly squeeze. "I'll leave it up to you how you close the deal with mom. There are some things a guy just doesn't want to hear about from his dad. As for the other, I may just surprise you guys."

Unable to sit still, Seth began to pace back and forth in front of his father as he strategized on the best way to persuade the Chino Valley YMCA that he was the one they needed for this job. Sandy watched his son's enthusiasm and cringed inwardly at the thought of the coming conversations with Kirsten. It was going to take a lot of persuading and cajoling to get Kirsten Cohen to change her mind about this.

As he listened to his son's crazy schemes and witnessed his growing excitement, a broad smile slowly spread across Sandy's face. He didn't know why he was smiling. There was no reason to smile. Kirsten was going to be a hard sell; but, for some reason he didn't understand, the whole crazy idea felt right to him too.

AN – These first four short chapters were all written last Spring when my arm was in a cast. When I got back the use of both arms I had A Bad Monday to finish. So, now the newer chapters start and they tend to be considerably longer and will be coming out at a slower pace so I can keep ahead of you guys. The Real Chino: First Impressions will post about the 24th and the ensuing chapters should follow the same two-week schedule.

Oh and by the way, Seth does finally meet Ryan next chapter.