Hey all, this is my first O.C. fan fic. Enjoy.


It was another usual sight of teenage boys loitering around the streets during school hours. Kirsten Cohen thanked herself for not letting her son, Seth to be part of those good-for-nothing youths. She never liked driving down the roads of Chino, all thanks to her client who insisted she had to collect the documents from his place. As she took a left turn a familiar tone was heard - her cellphone was ringing. Rummaging through her handbag she took the phone and saw that her son was calling.

"Mom? Are you in Chino yet? Cos if you're not, I'll hang up so that I can call when you are - you know, the right time-right place kind of thing...I saw it in the movies and it's kinda cool, and the receiver doesn't get angry because it was all right timing you see?"

"Seth..." Kirsten sighed "..I'm in Chino. Why are you calling me at this time of day? Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"I am, mom. Lunch break. Remember the last time you went to Chino? You didn't like it, dad didn't like it and I didn't like it as well. Are you sure you have to get that document from there? Cos..."

"...Seth Cohen," Kirsten interrupted him, feeling annoyed yet at the same time touched that her son would call from school to check on her.

"Alright, I just want to see if everything's okay. Big bellied, drunk, middle-aged men with tattoos isn't your kind of guy, you know.."

"I'm alright honey, now get back there"

"Okay, but remember to call if there's anything. I know I'm in school, but hey, you can call the school, I'm sure they would be happy to hear your voice and they'd do anything to help you out. After all, the cheque dad gave them last summer had them owe us a favor..."

All Kirsten wanted to say at that moment was a plain 'Goodbye' to end the conversation and to concentrate on her driving. Then the thought of those boys she saw earlier changed her mind. She needed to say something.

"Okay, Seth. I get your point. And Seth?"

"Yes, mom?"

"I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, mom."

That phone call left Kirsten with a slight grin on her face. Maybe coming to Chino wasn't so bad after all, she had the chance of being grateful for what she has - A loving husband and a growing up son who never cease to amaze her from time to time.

A man saw the Land Rover driving up the street, and smacked his right fist to his left palm.

One boy, one of those Kirsten looked down upon earlier, was observing the whole situation.

As Kirsten pulled over the curb, busily cursing the town under her breath for agreeing to stop by, the same boy who had been observing her ran up to her and snatched her handbag that was hanging loosely over her shoulder. Kirsten almost fell but she managed to steady herself by clinging to the car door that was half open. The boy stopped and they managed to exchange a glance before he ran off. She wanted to call for help, but realizing the condition of the neighborhood she was in, it was best to keep quiet. Since her ID and other important documents like her driving license was left in the extra compartment in her car, there was nothing much to worry about.

Standing at his doorway was Steven, the one who persuaded Kirsten to get to Chino in the first place. He ran towards Kirsten after he saw what happened and started to apologize frantically.

"I am so sorry Kirsten, I should have known this would happen, these kids here aren't what you normally see in Orange County."

"I'm sure they aren't. Who's that boy who got my bag? He's pretty quick on his feet." Although she was robbed off a few hundreds, she was amazed at the speed the boy went, as though he was trained for this.

"That…..was Ryan Atwood. Lives down the street with his broken family, just like the other kids here. But hey, I'd say that kid just saved your life."

Giving Steven a rather curious look, he read her mind by continuing, "The person who could have robbed you would have been much worse." Leaning towards Kirsten's ear, he whispered, "His mother's good for nothing partner would've gunned you down instead."

Kirsten still didn't understand. But she wasn't going to waste anymore time in Chino, all she could think off was to get the documents and head back home, not wanting to be a part of this rough neighborhood.

But little did she know that that boy who stole her handbag would be pretty much be apart of everything she does…..

"Hey kid what do you have there?" A.J. grabbed hold of Ryan and took the handbag from his grip. Ryan did not fight back, it was meant to be. If he hadn't done what he did, A.J. would've acted by himself and hurt that lady. Although he wanted very much that A.J. would somehow end up in jail and leave his family alone, he didn't want anyone else to get hurt. He knew his mother needed him, his brother Trey has been jailed, there wasn't anyone left to keep her company.

As A.J. rummaged through the bag, he found a few hundreds and stuffed them into his pocket. He threw the empty bag at Ryan and told him to get lost – he has earned enough for the day, and he didn't want to share it. Ryan ever wonders if his mother ever knew about the money, or if A.J. used it up for his own purposes without telling her. Oh how he hates him. He wondered how that blonde lady felt now, but he was also relieved she didn't leave any of her important belongings in it. 'She's smart,' he thought.

Kirsten thought about her brand new Prada as she drove back home. 'That boy is lucky,' she thought he might just sell it and earn more cash. Her loss is his gain, and she couldn't help but feel that she had done her good deed for the day.

But there was something about the boy that caught her attention. She didn't know what it was but when the boy stopped to look at her, it was as though he was trying to say he was sorry through his eyes. She tried to recall the name Steven told her, "Ryan Atwood" and something about saving her life. Did he really? She couldn't help but think about that innocent look Ryan had along the way home. It was the same hesitant look Seth had when he was forced to tell what the water polo players did to him.

Thieves are not hesitant. They're supposed to be quick and ruthless.

This boy was not a thief.

She wanted to see him again.