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Disclaimer : I do not own any of the characters.
"Hey honey, how did your trip to Chino go? Everything okay?" That was Sandy Cohen - loving husband and caring father. He knew how much Kirsten hated Chino, the downtown life just wasn't her cup of tea.
"It went okay," replied Kirsten, kissing him back and continued, "but my Prada's gone. So there."
"Aww...take this as an excuse to go shopping then hun," Sandy was now hugging her.
"I never need a reason for that." Kirsten flashed a cheeky grin at him.
Just as they were to take it further, Seth entered the kitchen - disgusted.
"Mom, dad, how many times do I have to tell you that there's a teenager living under this roof? Please, act your age guys! Or at least, get a room?" Seth was pointing his thumb to the stairs as he told them, clearly irritated. "Oh anyway, how was Chino?"
"I lost my Prada."
"Great, another excuse to go shopping then." By this time Seth was pouring some juice into his glass. Just then, Rosa, their maid, entered.
"Don't you dare spill that on the counter. I just polished it," threatened Rosa as she shot a sharp look towards Seth.
"Okay, okay.. Mom, what are you paying her? She's threatening your son now!"
Kirsten and Sandy exchanged satisfying smiles on their 16 year old son.
A confused Seth looked down as though he spilled something, and asked, "What?"
Ryan Atwood didn't like his life at all. He didn't like the idea of working at the construction site when other boys his age were at school. His grades were above average, and if given the chance he knew he would be able to achieve something great - and not stuck in this construction area.
Trey.
His older brother Trey was hard to hate - hard to love either. He supported the family by earning daily wages but ever since his mischief landed him in jail for 2 years, Ryan had to take over. His mother didn't help though, being constantly drunk and sticking to A.J. all the time. She had no idea how much cash A.J. has kept from her, and how he wasted it all on gambling, alcohol and drugs. He knew A.J. had a gun, and he would use it on his own free will. He would've used it on Kirsten as well. Ryan had no choice.
"Hey son, are you going back to work or are you just going to stand there with the shovel?" a voice yelled from behind.
Frustrated and dissatisfied, Ryan dug the shovel into the cement.
"Kiki, I need you to search for...Kiki? Kiki!" Caleb Nichols didn't like distraction. But he loved his daughter, and she was normally very alert - just not this time.
Shaking it off, Kirsten bounced back to reality and looked up just to see her father tapping her shoulder. "Uh..Dad? Yes? What is it?"
"I think that question should be proposed to you. I'm not the one distracted."
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking about... never mind. What is it that you want me to do?" asked Kirsten, changing the subject.
"It's alright. Take a break today, Kiki. Go home. I'll ask Mel to take over today."
Surprised by her father's compassion, Kirsten hesitated at first but went with it anyway. She couldn't stop thinking about Ryan. Not that younger boys are her type but she wanted to know the person behind that cold, yet innocent look.
She knew what she was going to do with all her free time.
"Cohen! How blind can you get! I bought this just two day ago and this is my first time wearing it!" That was Summer Roberts, obviously very angry at Seth for spilling soda all over her top. He liked her a lot, and he sure wasn't happy when she wasn't either.
"Wow, Summer. You know what? I don't think I ruined your outfit.. I think I just added some finesse onto it. You see the soaked part? It darkens the fabric, giving it a little bit of shade... Yeah..that's right Summer..."
Summer looked as though she was about to explode. Her best friend, Marrissa Cooper, Seth's neighbour, just stood aside, containing a laugh. There was just something about Seth that she knew Summer and him would make a perfect couple. But not just yet...
"Cohen! You're just unbelievable! If I can't get this stain off my shirt you better pray you're transported to somewhere on the other side and get a name change!"
"Nice thought Summer.. I never really did like Seth anyway.. I'll probably move to Iraq and call myself Saddam. Saddam Cohen. What do you think? Cliche?"
As Summer couldn't stand him any longer, she strongly shoved him aside and stomped off.
"Oooooh..such anger.. Me like.." said Seth with a slight Italian accent. "How do you stand her anyway Marrissa?"
"I don't have to put up with her Seth. Only you do. See you around." Marrissa smiled as she went to join her friend.
Kirsten did not know where to start. Going back to Chino wasn't such an inviting idea but she knew she had to if she wanted to see Ryan. She heaved a little sigh and took a right turn - she needed to reimburse her caffeine intake. Stopping by a local cafe, she stepped behind the line waiting for her turn. Just then, a familiar face entered the cafe - it was Ryan.
As he lined up behind Kirsten, not aware that it was her, Kirsten wondered if she should call him. 'What is a Chino boy doing in this cafe anyway?' she thought.
Then she had an idea.
When it was Ryan's turn to pay, the cashier told him the lady in front of him has paid for his order. Surprised, he told the cashier it had to be a mistake.
"Is your name Ryan?" the cashier politely asked.
"Er...yeah...how'd you...?
"That lady told you to meet her next door, the souvenir shop. Now if you'll excuse me, next customer please." she flashed him a friendly smile.
Feeling odd, Ryan took his latte and headed next door. And there she stood. The lady he stole from - just yesterday in Chino. What does she want? Has she called the cops?
Just as he was about to turn and run away, Kirsten grabbed his arm firmly and told him.
"Don't, please, I won't hurt you. I'm not angry at whatever happened yesterday. I just want to talk. Can we find a place to sit?"
Ryan wasn't very sure if that was a good idea. But every inch in his body told him he should agree with her. Looking at her with curious eyes, he wondered.
'What does she want?'