(Thank you all for the wonderful comments. Now that I have some spare time on my hands, I'll write as much as I can. Keep the comments coming. I'm contemplating whether or not to finish this fan fiction at Marissa and Ryan's meeting. Ideas? Also, please keep in mind: The street names, and addresses are all fiction made up for the purpose of the story.)
Chapter Eleven
Ryan started to walk in a different direction, one where the wind harassed them uncontrollably, stretching across their faces fiercely. Seth tried to catch up to his quick walk, but more so, he wanted to know where Ryan was heading so urgently, and why. Seth managed to grasp Ryan's shoulder, turning him around firmly, "What's going on?" Seth asked, curiosity pounding at his breathless chest. It wasn't often that the wind was so overpowering in Newport, that they could barely walk against it, "What'd she say?"
Ryan wished that he could speak about Marissa with such indifference- she. Marissa wasn't just any she. She happened to be the love of his life, that was taken away from him so brutally and heartlessly, "She said she had to go," Ryan said with a shrug, as he continued to walk, diminishing the speed at which his legs carried him.
"Go where?" Seth asked quickly, working hard to stay at Ryan's pace, "What's going on? Where are you going?" The horrid weather carried away most of his voice, making it almost impossibly to speak at a normal, conversational tone. Ryan simply stopped abruptly, leaving Seth to take some solitary steps ahead, "What is going on?" Seth asked, more as a demand then question this time, seeing that his politeness was getting him nowhere.
"Nothing's going on," Ryan muttered.
"Then where are you going?" Seth asked briskly, sincerely wondering what was going on in his friend's mind.
"I don't know," Ryan asked as honestly as he knew how. In that moment, he felt like he needed some air- so he started to walk, regardless of the fact that Seth could barely catch up. He didn't know what he was going to do. He didn't know where he was going, even. Time was simply carrying on, whisking everything and everyone from their feet, sabotaging the natural course of events.
"Ryan, we need to sit down, and think of a plan. We can't just carry on, not knowing what the hell is going to happen next. If you haven't noticed, New York is pretty big, my friend. We'd have a lot of ground to cover, if we're going to walk," Seth tried to relinquish his friend, that had been so deeply lost in the clouds above, "Let's go to some café, or pub or something, grab a beer, really relax, and then think of how we're going to play this out," Seth said calmly, watching Ryan's blank face.
"This isn't some game, Seth," Ryan said, his feathers obviously ruffled by the comment. Seth threw his head back- somehow everything he said was wrong in Ryan's eyes at the moment.
"It's an expression," Seth said, heaving a great sigh, "You know what? We're going to go to a pub, I say, and think of what we're going to do next, in this un-gamely situation," Seth said, as he turned around scanning the rows of buildings that were clattered like piano keys, searching for a place to go, "And until then, no bitch-fits please," Seth said, ignoring Ryan's contemptuous glare. When Seth spotted the nearest pub, with flashing neon lights melting into the day, he quietly led them toward it. They entered the small, but oddly comfortable-looking place, with a swift push of the door, walking inside neatly.
Seth studied the crowd- he figured, that it wasn't anything that he hadn't seen in the Bait Shop. They continued to proceed to one of the barstools, hauling over one of the bartenders.
"Anything you want?" He questioned nonchalantly, as he held a glass in his hand, and a cloth in the other, wiping it clean.
"Just a beer," Seth nodded to himself, pressing his lips together, "Two," he added with a silly grin. Ryan turned to Seth, shaking his head lightly- there was no way the bartender would think that he was able to drink legally.
"ID?" he asked simply, a sheer spark of satisfaction in his gloomy eyes.
"Oh, well- ID. I kinda forgot it back in Newport," Seth laughed lightly, "Don't worry though, I tip fairly,"
"Do you tip nicely on some warm milk, or apple juice?" The bar tender mocked carefully, wondering how far he could play around with Seth. Ryan was already ready to leave, but Seth continued boldly.
"I want to beers!" What was supposed to sound like a manly demand, sounded like a schoolgirl whine, which made the crew of bartenders laugh quietly under their noses. Before Seth could make an even bigger fool of himself, Ryan grabbed him by the arm, dragging him out of the pub.
"At least one of 'em's smart," the bar tender called off behind them, smirking lightly. Once they were back against the chilly outdoors, Ryan looked over at Seth.
"Did you really think you would be able to get away with that?" Ryan asked, with an almost laughing expression.
Seth frowned, "Pah, yes." He replied earnestly, giving Ryan a smirk, "Let's concentrate on getting to that girl of yours, then, okay?" He smiled empathetically, pocketing his hands, "Since you know your address, let's just make our way there before we get jumped by some kids who can drink,"
Ryan laughed, "Okay, good idea. One of the best you've had," he laughed for a moment, before it was interrupted by the girl who was talking to them earlier- the same girl, that was wearing the tank top, and that frivolous skirt of hers.
"I see you two haven't gotten very far," she giggled gently, folding her arms across her chest.
"And I see your boyfriend didn't show," Seth replied ruthlessly. He didn't need yet another obstacle before they reached the new house of Marissa.
"Oh, defenses down, geek-boy," she smirked, "I noticed you two couldn't even get yourself a beer," she rolled her eyes, with a questioning smile, "So what are you guys looking for here in NY?" she asked, her voice more serious now.
"Well he's," Seth pointed to Ryan awkwardly, "Looking for his girlfriend,"
"Aw, that's cute. Little tough-boy here, needs little geek-boy to speak for him," she smirked- her voice was oddly queer, and mocking.
"And little bitch-girl here, doesn't know when to go away," Seth continued with his dry, and immature retorts, unable to think clearly in the presence of the young, female beauty. He seemed mesmerized by her deep green eyes, that twinkled and sparkled like an emerald itself.
"Listen babe," she smirked, "It's not you I'm interested in," she laughed to herself lightly, as though mocking Seth's flaring expression. She took one devious step closer to Ryan, as though she were to attack him, with the force of a predator, "So what are you doing in New York?" she asked courteously, ignoring Seth's inquisitive stare. Ryan seemed to be completely dumbfounded by the girl's entrancing voice, and complete openness.
"Going to see my girlfriend," he replied coolly, as he turned his head away from the chilling stare of her glowing eyes.
"Oh, are you?"
"Yeah, girlfriend," Seth cut in intrusively.
"Gotcha," she smirked, ready to leave, "Well listen- I know how far pretty boys get in NY. If you can't handle the Big Apple, give me a call," she bit her lip lightly, looking over at Ryan, as she pulled out a pen from her bag. Before Ryan could object, she jerked forward for his hand, scribbling a sloppy number onto his arm. She grinned at him lightly, raising an eyebrow, as she turned on her heel to leave.
"Wow, that was creepy," Seth muttered, when the gorgeous blonde was out of sight, "Really, really creepy," he corrected himself almost immediately, "Anyway, member Marissa?"
Ryan shook his head lightly, as though returning from his daze, "That was creepy," Ryan said, before he started to walk further on, a blank expression plastered on his face. It was as though he was deep in thought.
"That's what I just said," Seth muttered quietly, wondering what had gotten into Ryan. He decided not to question him, for his temper was probably brittle and fried. Seth understood that Ryan was nearing the moment of confrontation, and he needed time to think things through- quiet time. Seth squinted his eyes, in order to see the distant road sign that labeled the road on which they walked on, "So what'd you say Marissa's address was?"
"8790 24th Street," he replied, as though he were chanting it softly in his own, tired mind. Seth, although shocked by his reply that simply whipped through the air, he decided to mentally manage the numbers, trying to imagine what the new Cooper house would look like- another fine mansion? Or a run-down townhouse on the side of the road?
"Hold on, I'll go grab a map from some convenience store- I think I have some spare change. Hold on, will you?" Seth asked, as he noticed that they were passing right by a little shop, that was bound to have some sort of map of any kind. Ryan nodded as he watched Seth disappear into the store. He felt like one miserable cell, in the constantly moving and waddling horde of people. They all seemed to pressed for time, and as much as he wanted to see Marissa, he was scared to death of the actual confrontation. Before long, Seth wandered out of the shop, carrying a neatly folded map.
"We're good to go then?" Ryan asked, holding out his hand so that he could see the map. He opened it up curiously, searching for the 24th Street on the map intently. His glances were first occasional, and calm, but within a matter of moments, they began more pressed, "I can't find it," he said, awed by the thought of Marissa giving him a false address.
"What?" Seth asked firmly, jerking the map away from Ryan, studying it on his own, "Why would she do something like that?" Seth muttered, looking at over and over again, "She said she had to go, right?" Ryan nodded in reply, "Well then call her again- maybe she really had to go?"
"Yeah, coming from the girl who gave me a fake address," Ryan groaned, his frustration apparent. Once Seth saw his annoyance, he took out his own phone and dialed Marissa's cell phone. As Ryan watched Seth, he hoped that Seth would be successful in retrieving the address. The rings seemed to be as slow, and menacing as ever but soon, Seth heard a voice on the other end.
"Hello?" Marissa asked quietly.
Seth smirked to himself quietly, turning his back on Ryan, "Hello, this is the new owner of your home," Seth started, his voice heavily accented, "I've found something that I believe is yours, or your mothers. Is your mother around by the way?" Seth continued confidently, wondering if his little scheme would work.
"Sorry, but how did you get my cell phone number?" Marissa asked inquisitively.
"This is your cell phone number?" Seth huffed to himself lightly, as though appalled, "I was told that this was your mother's. Sorry for the inconvenience, but since I'm already on the line, do you mind grabbing her for me?"
"Yeah, fine," Marissa said, hollering for her mother to come upstairs, "It's for you," she said wonderingly, handing her the phone when she walked in.
"Hello?" Julie said into the phone.
"Hello, this is the new owner of your home. I'm sorry for bothering you, but I believe you or your daughter has left something back home, and I was wondering if I could send it back to you?" Seth said, ignoring Ryan's wide eyes, and dropped jaw. Seth simply smiled, entirely satisfied at how things were turning out.
"Oh, thank you Mr. Gabriel. I had a feeling I forgot something," Julie laughed lightly, "Do you have a pen?"
"Oh, yes, yes of course," Seth replied- he could barely believe how easy things were.
"Okay, good. Well then it's 6787 21st Street, New York," Julie continued with the rest of the address, continuously curious as to why the new owner had called Marissa. She shrugged, "I really appreciate this- thank you," she smiled gently, "I hope to hear from you soon, sir. Bye, now." Julie said, clicking the phone off. Seth and Ryan simply dwelled in a pleased silence, both grinning from ear to ear.
"How did you think of that?" Ryan laughed, "And you actually got the address?"
"Oh, cause I'm good Ryan," Seth continued in his deep voice, "Yeah, and I actually got it- hopefully real this time," he smirked, speaking in his normal voice this time around, "Let's get to 6787 21st Street," Seth said, scanning the map, and finding the street almost immediately. He realized that it was a bare kilometer at most, from where they stood. A quick stroll would do them good, after their long plane ride.
