Before moving to Newport, Ryan done his fair share of getting wasted. He and Trey would steal from 7-11's and then sit with the rest of Chino's youth drinking the depressing nights away. Teresa was often there, they'd fool around and she'd get drunk quickly, often spending the rest of the evening in his arms. Since moving he'd tried to stay away from it, It didn't offer any answers to problems, he knew this. He's seen his mom and Kirsten go through so much this was something he was sure of. But tonight, here, with Summer, the drink flowed easily and eased some of the knots in his shoulders.
"Hey Atwood. I might aswell be drinking alone here." Summer looked across at her companion who was deep in thought. Her heart ached a little for him. As hard as Marissa's death was for her, it must have been even worse for Ryan. People told him he wasn't to blame, but people's eyes betrayed them, especially Julie and Jimmy. Summer lightly laid her hand on his shoulder.
"You ok?"
"Umm, yeah. Just thinking." Ryan replied.
"Brooding you mean?" Summer managed a small grin and Ryan saw some life in her eyes for the first time since the accident.
"I'm sorry." It was said so low it was barely audible.
"What?" Summer looked perplexed and then realised he meant he was sorry about Marissa. "No, Ryan. No." Her voice was strong and cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "Don't be sorry, or guilty. It wasn't you, you helped her. You always helped her." Summer's voice faltered a little and as Ryan looked up he saw her eyes brimming with water. He took her hand.
"I wish I could have saved her. I should have killed that son of a bitch when I had a chance, nearly did, but I thought I should stop, fought to stop." Summer squeezed his hand with her own.
They looked at eachother now, searched each others eyes to see if they could convey the pain they both felt, helped the other realise no-one was alone.
In a tiny second of time Summer leant in and crushed her lips to Ryan's. He was knocked sideways with the sensation of soft lips bruising his own and a hand stroking his face. He lifted his hand to grab onto the back of her head and pull her in closer when Summer jumped back, like struck by lightning.
"I, I'm sorry Ryan. I don't know why I don't that. Forgive me, God, I'm some friend huh?" Summer slid from her stool and ran from the bar, into the rain.
Ryan took a moment to take in what had just happened, before downing the rest of his drink and slamming a $20 down on the bar.