Disclaimer: I don't own any O.C.-related - only the characters I may invent during the writing of the story - they're all FOX's property.. thanxx 2U, guys
Autor's note: Concerning the content > This is my VERY FIRST fanfic to be posted, so please be gentle. Concerning the mistakes > English is not my mother language, so please forgive me for all the mistakes I'm sure going to make, both in vocabulary and grammar PLUS so far, I don't have a beta (anyone interested? Anyone?)
Summary: Meanwhile, the former outsider has established himself - yet he'll always remain a stranger. Just when he learns that losing people doesn't depend on where you're from, he realizes that opening up to people you might then lose does somehow depend on it. Sometimes it takes a blast from the past to let someone come close.. or someone who drags you in.. -Set after "The Rainy Day Women" but before "The Blaze of Glory"- (OK, I suck at summaries but I'm willing to learn) ""Hope you enjoy"" ;o)
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"Dude, this is just.. I.. I'm actually at a loss for words. Can you believe that?" Seth was standing outside the still closed "Comic Parlor", pressing hands and nose against the glass door, like a child that couldn't wait to lay hands on his newest toy.
When Lester, the manager opened the door, Seth almost fell inside, head first, but he saved himself with a more funny than graceful move.
Ryan smiled despite himself as he watched his friend struggle to regain his posture. He cleared his throat and motioned to the railing of the pier nearby. "Seth? I'm gonna wait outside, okay? Kirsten suggested to refresh my tan a little. I'm sure you'll get along well without me." Seth was already fully distracted by what was awaiting him, as if he was sucked inside. "Oh.. yeah.. I'll be right back.." he slurred like a drunk. Ryan patted him on the back and watched him stagger towards the shelves full of those objects that meant so much to him.
Ryan smiled again.
To any other of their friends Seth's childlike demeanor would be nerve-racking, embarrassing, pathetic or ridiculous. Seth often got on his nerves for sure, but being more a loner himself, a quiet one, he almost relished his friend's constant babbling, like one would enjoy the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Other people of his age couldn't stand kids making noise, but during his childhood there had rarely been this kind of sound. Where he'd grown up, the children avoided to be noisy. Seth's carefree, happy chatter reminded him of a sunny childhood he'd never really lived. He was often amazed by the child in Seth just like he was astonished by kids who actually behaved appropriate to their age, since this, like nothing else, represented innocence. Something he otherwise couldn't quite remember. He'd only known a few of those kids. And as much as he wanted to deny it, he'd quit being one of them earlier than he'd even realized it.
Deep in those thoughts who just wouldn't fit into sunny Newport Beach, he strolled towards the end of the pier – and suddenly bumped into a small boy who instantly took hold of his jacket in a reflex action to stop himself from tripping.
"Whoa! Sorry!" he exclaimed when he'd found his balance, and by the sound of that voice, Ryan perceived that the boy was obviously a girl, though one with a rather deep voice.
"Excuse me. I didn't watch where I was going", he said. "You okay?" She nodded, her face hidden under the peak of a base-cap. "Better watch your step", she advised him before moving on.
Ryan gave her one last look over his shoulder, then shook, his head and reached for the railing of the pier. He took a deep breath of the salty ocean breeze – when all of a sudden realization hit him. Hastily he checked his pockets. Cursing under his breath he took a look around.
He discovered the black and grey checkered flannel shirt at the end of the pier where she just stepped onto the sidewalk to disappear in the crowd. Calling after her would only make her run away, so he sped down the wooden path and was only a few feet away from her when she became aware of him and started to run herself. And damn! She was pretty fast! Ryan had almost grabbed the back of her shirt when she suddenly turned sharp to the left, ducking under his hand and fled down to the beach. He cursed again he followed her. Running on sand wasn't that easy but at least she seemed to have the same problem. She threw him a glance over her shoulder, obviously annoyed to find him still on her heels. He needed to surprise her.
When they approached a lifeguard-tower, he forced himself to take the longer way to the right, around it, taking advantage of the fact that this path led slightly downhill and, when he saw her in front of him, at that moment looking over her left shoulder again, he took his chance and lunged towards her.
He hit her harder than he'd intended to, knocked her off her feet and caused her to roll down the beach with him, since he took a firm grip around her waist, which felt strangely fragile under her heavy lumberman-shirt and the baggie pants. When they finally came to a halt, she lay on top of him, with her back against his chest, struggling to free her wrists from his hands. Not succeeding with that she smashed the back of her head backwards but to his luck she missed. Still, he didn't want to take a risk, so he rolled over and pinned her, face first, into the sand. All the while he had to use all his strength, and became more and more worried that he was breaking her bones. After what seemed like hours, her struggling weakened and he could hear her panting breaths, interrupted by coughs.
Carefully Ryan loosened his grip, prepared to catch her in case she just fake-surrendered. But nothing like this happened. She just settled on her elbows, spat out some sand and wiped her face with the arm of her hand. Besides, it'd be difficult for her to stand up as long as he still sat on her knee-joints. Allowing her, and himself, to catch her breath, Ryan watched one small hand slide to the back-pocket of her baggies and pull out an all too familiar looking purse. Not looking at him she held it out to him, saying "Sorry.." with a hoarse whisper. You should really pick more carefully", he recommended, shifted his weight from her knees onto his own and stowing away his wallet.
"Really. As in not picking a goddamn runner who'll report me to the cops?" she asked with a voice that betrayed her sarcastic words while adjusting her base-cap and pushing herself off the ground.
"No", Ryan contradicted, "As in not picking the only one in Newport who races after only ten bucks."
Something like a short laugh escaped her. He held out his hand to her and she accepted it to pull herself up. They both spent a moment dusting off their clothes.
"So. What now?" the girl managed after this. She seemed to be totally cool about the whole thing but Ryan had experienced enough of likely situations to notice how tense her whole body was under the sluggish attitude. It was all "fight or flight". He shrugged and shook his head. "Already told you. The risk should be worth it." He could feel how she became even more tense while thinking this statement over and then she seemed to relax a little, what had been his intention. Letting out his breath he was caught by surprise hen she cleared her throat and said: "Actually, it was YOU who picked ME." One corner of her mouth curled up slightly when she explained: "In fact, you really ran into me. No need for fake-tripping." Still, only the lower half of her face was visible, half because of her cap, half because she constantly held her gaze down, but the smile was clearly a nervous one when she asked again: "Well.. you're takin' me to the cops..?" Again, he was amazed by the sound of her voice. It was indeed very deep for a woman's voice, but of a strange, unintentionally melodic quality which made her words resound in his ears even though they'd been spoken very softly.
Ryan put these thoughts aside and said in a joking tone: "Ask me once more and I'll get the impression you absolutely do want me to take you there. Guess, we both just have bad luck at picking people today, hm?"
For the first time he caught the shortest glimpse of her whole face when she threw him an amused, relieved glance, and he froze noticing the fading bruise covering the right side of her cheek, including a small, healing cut on her cheekbone.
She quickly looked back down at her toes, burying both hands in her pockets as if to prove that he'd be unharmed from now on. "Well.. then.. Thanks.. I guess." Ryan nodded and said: "Nevermind. Uhm.. see ya." Again this short, dry laugh. "Better not." With this she turned away, first slowly, then faster walking away from the beach until she disappeared in the crowd and he lost sight of her.
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Papermonster: Please R & R --- Maybe soon, you'll learn her name. And more of her.. and of course of our heros.
PS: Thanks for my first reviews ever! Even though writing oughtta be a "self-fulfilling purpose", a little encouragement from time to time.. ya know.. :o))