It is a few days later, and as the scene opens up, we see Marissa pull into the parking lot at the beach (by the life guard stand) and Ryan, at the same time (scenes cut in and out of the two of them as they make there way to the same place), goes to the beach for some peace and quite, basically, some time away from Seth, just to think and be by himself. The first Marissa scene shows her parking her car, getting out, taking off her sun glasses and looking around at the ocean until she spots the life guard stand. It is visible by the dustiness of her car that she has traveled a long distance and that she is here for good, because her car is filled with boxes. Then it cuts to Ryan leaving the Cohens'.

Ryan: (He grabs his keys off the counter and starts to head out when he sees Kirsten in the living room, putting the finishing touches on the decorations.) Oh, hey, Mom, I'm just heading down to the pier to take a walk. Do you want me to pick up anything while I'm out?

Kirsten: (Looks slightly worried.) Is anything wrong?

Ryan: (Laughs slightly and motions out the window where Summer is trying to sunbathe, Zoe is playing, and Seth is talking to himself.) Nope, nothing's wrong, I just need a break from Seth/Ryan time. You know, peace and quite for a few hours.

Kirsten: Gottcha. Oh, and yes, could you please pick up some take-out before you return? I don't care what.

Ryan: Sure. See you later.

Kirsten: Bye, sweetie.

The next scene with Marissa shows her walking her way along the beach, slowing making her way to the life guard stand. You can tell she's finally at peace, because there is a slight smile, a genuine one, on her face. Ryan, meanwhile, is shown driving towards the pier, passing along the California coast. He pulls into the parking lot at the pier, notices Marissa's car, and keeps walking towards the life guard stand. When he gets there, he walks up and sits down before he looks over and sees her, Marissa. His breath catches in his throat, for he is taken away by her.

Ryan: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was already sitting here.

Marissa: Don't worry about it. This life guard stand is big enough for the both of us. Stay.

Ryan: Sure? I don't want to bother you.

Marissa: You're not going to bother me. I'm just sitting here enjoying the view.

Ryan: Well, I'm sure you've seen it before.

Marissa: Why do you say that?

Ryan: Well, you are from this area aren't you?

Marissa: Me, no. This is my first day in California, first day ever in Newport and first time ever to see the ocean. Pretty eventful day, huh?

Ryan: Where are you from?

Marissa: Pennsylvania.

Ryan: Visiting?

Marissa: No, relocating. I'm transferring into Stanford next semester, and I couldn't stand another Christmas at home with the snow and my Mom. I wanted a peaceful holiday before starting back to school.

Ryan: Stanford?

Marissa: Yeah, why?

Ryan: Oh, I, um, I just go there, so maybe I'll see you around. (He starts to get up to leave.)

Marissa: Where are you going? Stay. Keep me company. You're the only person in this entire state I know, and now I find out we're practically going to be neighbors, and hey, you never know, we might have classes together.

Ryan: (Looks at her, sits back down.) Yeah, that might be nice. So, what's your name, new girl?

Marissa: Marissa Cooper (holds out her hand) Yours?

Ryan: Ryan Atwood.

Marissa: So Ryan, what's your favorite thing about Newport?

Ryan: Well, um, you really do ask difficult questions, you know that?

Marissa: Don't avoid me! (Said playfully, they're beginning to flirt a little.)

Ryan: You mean besides this moment, right now, well then, I guess I'd have to say my family.

Marissa: Tell me about them.

Ryan: You really want to here about it?

Marissa: Yeah. I have all night to kill. I know no one here, it's the holidays, and until the dorms open back up, I'm spending my winter vacation in my car. So speak up, what's so special about your family?

Ryan: You're living in your car?

Marissa: It's not that bad, and you're avoiding the question again.

Ryan: So, that's your car full of boxes that I parked next to?

Marissa: Unless there's someone else here at this beach who has recently moved and has their every possession crammed into their car, I guess you are parked next to me. Anyway, enough about me, tell me about your family.

Ryan: Okay, well, if I'm going to tell this story, I better start at the beginning.

Marissa: Oh no, another David Copperfield. 'I was born.' (Starts laughing softly)

Ryan: (Moves closer to here so that they're sitting side by side.) Hey, what's so funny, and David Copperfield?

Marissa: English major, I'm sorry, it's a book. When you said 'start at the beginning' I instantly thought of this story. In the book, the character begins his life story with those words. 'I am born' and the book is extremely long. Sorry, not a good joke, something only a nerd would get, I guess.

Ryan: Oh, I get it; you're saying I'm long winded. (Pretends to be insulted and begins to stand up.) Fine, fine, then, I'll just leave you to your peace and quite and the view.

Marissa: (Puts her hand up, grabs softly onto his arm, and pulls him back down. There are definitely sparks flying during this moment when their eyes meet.) No, wait, I don't care how long your story is, I want to hear it. I don't want you to leave. (Ryan sits back down.) Besides, this view is too good, you should enjoy it, too.

Ryan: (Looking at her and not at the ocean.) You're right; it is too good to leave. (A silence grows, but not an awkward one, just one where they look at each other for a few seconds.) So, you want to know my story. Okay, let's see. When I was sixteen, my older brother stole a car, and he kind of roped me into it. We got arrested and that's when I met Sandy. He was my lawyer. He helped me get out of prison, but my Mom's boyfriend was abusive, and he beat me up and she kicked me out of the house when I tried to fight back. I had no where else to go, so Sandy took me in. It was supposed to be for the weekend, but my Mom left, I stayed longer, and by the time my Mom came back for me, I didn't want to leave the Cohens' and they, for some reason beyond me, didn't want me to go. They became my legal guardians, and I've been their son and they've been my parents ever since.

Marissa: So, you mentioned Sandy, but you said parents. Is he married?

Ryan: Yeah, her name is Kirsten, and they have a son, Seth. He's my best friend and my brother. He has a girlfriend, Summer, and she's my other best friend. In fact, the three of us share an apartment at school. And there's also Zoe.

Marissa: Your girlfriend?

Ryan: Well, I do love her, and she's the only girl in my life, (He notices Marissa's crestfallen face- she was hoping he didn't have a girlfriend.) but you see, she's only two and a half. (Marissa looks confused.) She's my little sister.

Marisa: Whew, that is a relief; I was beginning to wonder about you.

Ryan: Nope, I prefer women my own age.

Marissa: Which is?

Ryan: 21. You?

Marissa: Same.

Ryan: Good.

Marissa: Why is that good?

Ryan: Well, it will better our chances of having a class together next semester, you know so someone can show you the ropes around Stanford.

Marissa: You just met me?

Ryan: So, I'm the only person you've met.

Marissa: True.

Ryan: And I like talking to you.

Marissa: Well, no wonder, I let you do all the talking.

Ryan: Not any longer. Your turn, why did you leave home?

Marissa: Oh, you don't want to hear that.

Ryan: I don't think so, I told you about my family, now you have to tell me why you're here in California alone, during the holidays, and why you left.

Marissa: Well, it's more like I ran away. (Ryan gives her a quizzical look.) Okay, the short version is that I just don't belong there. I hate the cold, I hate snow, I hate small towns. I wanted a warm climate, and, more importantly, culture. Plus, for what I want to do, I need to be out here for my future job.

Ryan: Which is?

Marissa: A screen writer.

Ryan: Yeah, I could see why you'd have to be out here. Movies?

Marissa: No, TV, movies are too impersonal. I want to write something that is constantly evolving, constantly changing and never ending, because life doesn't end, relationships never end. You may think you've moved on, but really the relationship is just into a new level, a new place, a new dynamic, and you can't show that with movies.

Ryan: Wow!

Marissa: What? (Slightly embarrassed)

Ryan: I can tell you write.

Marissa: Huh?

Ryan: You're very articulate.

Marissa: Thank you. Most people just say I talk too much.

Ryan: No, Seth talks too much. He talks to hear his own voice sometimes, but not you. When you talk, it is detailed when you're passionate about something, but you don't speak when it is not necessary.

Marissa: Seth, huh, he sounds funny.

Ryan: Well, by saying that, I know already that he'll like you.

Marissa: You'll have to introduce us when we get back to school.

Ryan: Will do. So, what about your family? You have to have some.

Marissa: Don't we all, unfortunately. No, I'm not serious. I really love my Dad, his name is Jimmy, and my little sister, her name is Caitlyn. They're my best friends.

Ryan: And do you have a mom?

Marissa: Not really. I mean, yes, I do, but she's totally self-involved and a drunk.

Ryan: Been there, done that. Drunks for mothers are not fun.

Marissa: (Confused) Kirsten?

Ryan: No, my biological Mom. So, if you were close with your Dad and sister, why did you leave?

Marissa: I just felt trapped there, and I've known for a long time that I didn't belong there. I knew that now they didn't need me anymore. Three years ago, I was supposed to go to school in New York, but I couldn't leave them then, but now, I felt I could. Their lives were together enough, they didn't need me to take care of them anymore. So I left a note, packed my bags, and left.

Ryan: You left them a letter? That's kinda harsh.

Marissa: I know it's not the ideal way to say goodbye, but, like I've said, I'm a writer, I can express myself better by writing, and I knew if I told them, they would try to stop me, and I couldn't stay there any longer. I felt like I was suffocating, I couldn't breath, and then I got here, got out of my car, walked down to this life guard stand, and I could finally breath again. I felt like I had finally come home, like I belonged here. (Slight pause as Marissa looks out at the ocean, watching the waves come pouring in and Ryan just watches her in amazement.) Well, enough about me and my tale, back to happier subjects. We've already covered how I'm spending Christmas, what is your family doing.

Ryan: Oh, yeah, happy topics, you living in your car for practically a month. (He rolls his eyes.)

Marissa: It's not that bad. It is comfortable enough, I have music and books to keep me entertained, and during the day, I have the ocean to keep me company and the beach to go to.

Ryan: Are you being serious?

Marissa: Yeah. Besides, I'm not one for a lot of company. I'm one of those people who enjoy the quite, being by myself, just thinking, but you probably think that sounds weird?

Ryan: Seth would think that was weird, but I don't. That's why I'm here, for peace and quiet.

Marissa: Oh, I'm sorry, and here I am interrupting you, and I keep talking when all you want to do is have some peace and quiet. I'll leave. (She starts to get up.)

Ryan: Wait, don't go. (This is his turn to stop her by grabbing hold of her arm.) This feels good, talking to you. Please, stay, keep me company. I suddenly realize that I really am not in the mood for peace and quiet.

Marissa (She gives him a quizzical look) Positive?

Ryan: I've never been more positive about anything in my life. (They share an intense moment of just looking at each other before Ryan breaks the moment.) So, what's your favorite thing about Newport so far?

Marissa: The company.

Ryan: Thank you.

Marissa: No problem, but I warn you, if you keep being nice to me, you might be stuck with someone.

Ryan: What do you mean?

Marissa: Well, like I've said, you're the only person I know in this whole state. If you keep being nice to me, I might have to rely upon you and hopefully your friendship to get me through the first few weeks of school, at least until I meet a few people.

Ryan: Or there could just be me? (He gives her a flirtatious look.)

Marissa: (She playfully hits him.) So, what they say is true.

Ryan: What?

Marissa: That all California boys are flirts!

Ryan: Just wait till you meet some of the girls!

Marissa: Let's hope they don't try to flirt with me, okay?

Ryan: Let's hope no one flirts with you.

Marissa: Oh, so I can spend all my time in California alone and miserable?

Ryan: Well, not completely alone, you'll have me.

Marissa: I see, and what will your roommates think of that?

Ryan: Oh, they'll be thrilled. They've been trying to set me up with someone….. (He realizes what he says and blushes, embarrassed.)

Marissa: Time will tell I guess. So, what are you going to Stanford for?

Ryan: Architecture.

Marissa: Then I don't think we'll ever have classes together.

Ryan: Why?

Marissa: Well, I take it, because of your age, that you're a junior, too, which means that you've probably already completed all of your general requirements, and since you're an architecture major and I'm an English major, I doubt we'll have too many classes together.

Ryan: I do have a creative writing course next semester.

Marissa: Really? Why? What time?

Ryan: Let's just say that I'm not the biggest fan of English…(Marissa feigns being insulted), but I'm really fond of English majors.

Marissa: Nice save.

Ryan: Thanks. Anyway, I put my English requirement off for as long as I could, dreading the class, but now I have to take it, and I thought creative writing might be easier, so I took it. Oh, and I have it Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:30.

Marissa: Oh. (Pretends to be disappointed) So, I guess I will have to have a class with you.

Ryan: Well, don't get excited at all, I wouldn't want you to exert yourself by showing a little delight.

Marissa: Oh, can't someone take a little teasing? (He gives her the look, which just makes her laugh harder.)

Ryan: You laughed? I can't believe you laughed; everyone always shuts up after that look!

Marissa: Well, you don't scare me at all Ryan Atwood.

Ryan: I don't, do I? (He begins to move closer to her.)

Marissa: Nope. (Looks away, pretending not to notice that he is moving closer to her, and then he starts to tickle her and she laughs so hard she beings to cry.) Ryan, please stop! Ryan. Don't! (More laughing) I mean it, stop! Please.

Ryan: No, not until you take it back.

Marissa: What?

Ryan: That I don't scare you!

Marissa: Well you don't, and I don't want you to be able to scare me.

Ryan: (Stops tickling her and looks into her eyes.) You're right. I don't want to scare you, ever, but (He smiles.) I do want to tickle you again! (He begins to tickle her again, and she just laughs even harder. The camera pans away.)

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