When the Top Guns got back to their hotel, they went to their rooms and relaxed. They hadn't had any time to relax since they got to Orange County. It was only 5:30, but so much had happened that day. So much that it was overwhelming. All they wanted to do was do nothing; not tennis, not shopping, not looking around, and not even talking. Well, maybe a little.
"I can't believe we're here," Tanis said.
"It's so weird," Cody said.
"It's hot," Adena said.
"It's the O.C.," Squib said as he walked into the girls' room.
"At least we aren't going somewhere boring like Vancouver," Cameron said.
"But why Orange County? I mean, these people are so… not us. They are preppy, rich, spoiled… the list could go on," Cody said.
"Well, at least we get to go to a nice school," Adena said.
"And our tour people are nice," Tanis said.
"Yeah, but that Seth guy is weird," Cameron said.
"He's a lot like Rick!" Adena said, looking at the ceiling.
"I know; it's weird in a way," Squib said.
"Well, what do we do now? I mean, do you guys wanna go out?" Cody asked.
"We could just order up," Tanis said.
"I love being in a hotel," Adena said, all giggly.
Cody reached over for the phone and dialed room service. After about twenty minutes of waiting they finally got their food. As the five of them talked about Orange County and what tomorrow would be like, about twenty blocks away the Cohen family was having their dinner.
"So what are these new kids like?" Kirsten asked. Kirsten was the mother of Seth and legal guardian of Ryan. She was married to Sandy Cohen and was the daughter of Caleb Nichol. Kirsten grew up wealthy and always getting what she wanted.
"Let's see, there is a girl named Adena, she is a lot like summer," Seth said as he took some Pad Thai from the take out container.
"Oh, and a guy named Cameron," Ryan said.
"Oh, and there is a girl named Cody, but she doesn't play tennis," Seth said.
"Then why is she in a tennis school?" Sandy asked.
"Her dad was the shrink!" Ryan answered.
"Still doesn't make sense why she is in the school," Kirsten said.
"Then there is a girl named Tanis…" Seth said.
"Tennis?" Said Sandy, "Well, now we know why she is playing tennis!"
"Haha Dad, and it's Tanis! And she scares me…"
"How can a girl scare you? And she is younger than you!" Ryan said, eating his rice.
"Because… she… I don't know…" Seth tried to answer but just ended up looking at his plate.
"Oh, and then there is a guy named Squib!" Ryan said.
"What mother names her son Squib?" Kirsten asked, taking some rice from the container.
"I don't know, but he reminds me a lot of those Abercrombie ads!" Ryan said.
"Well, there will be no face pounding this month, okay Ryan?" Kirsten said with a little sarcasm in her voice.
"Yeah, yeah…" Ryan agreed.
As the Cohen family continued their meal, the Top Guns played cards in the girls' hotel room. Neither group knew what to expect for the days to come, but they all knew something was going to happen.
The next morning was a normal, beautiful Orange County morning. The waves were splashing onto the shore and the surfers were already out surfing on the waves. Marissa Cooper woke up and had a shower. She was going to pick up Ryan and Seth and then go to school where she had five extra people to hang out with. When she got out of the shower, she got dressed and did her hair and makeup. When she went downstairs her mom was already awake and eating a bagel while reading an US magazine.
"Hey, Mom," Marissa said as she went into the fridge and got an apple.
"Oh, hey, hunny!" Julie Cooper got up from her seat and gave her daughter a hug. Julie had come a long way from where she started. She was once nothing; she had no money and lived in a mail truck. Then she met Jimmy Cooper and everything changed. She had everything she ever wanted, two daughters and a fabulous home. Kaitlin was sent off to boarding school, but when Jimmy was caught stealing money from his clients, she divorced him only to get married a couple of months later to Caleb Nichol, the richest man in Newport. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack. Now it was only her and Marissa who lived in a huge mansion.
"Yeah Mom, we need to talk about you wanting to be my best friend…" Marissa said, biting her apple.
"What are you talking about?" Julie asked as she sat back down in her chair.
"I'll talk to you later… I have to go pick up Ryan and Seth," Marissa walked out of the kitchen and out to her red convertible Mustang and drove away. Today was going to be an interesting day.