Author's Note: Sorry for the delay and thank you for all the reviews across various platforms. The insight people have had so far has been wonderful and I'm glad you think I'm doing the characters justice.
This chapter is Ryan light, Anna heavy. As you remember, the Oliver saga was a traumatic time, so prepare for some distance and miscommunication. But I wanted to really explore how Anna and Ryan would've dealt with those horrible few weeks/episodes.
Quite a tonal shift from the more sombre and reflective first 4 chapters as well, I think that comes from leaving Anna and exposing Anna to Luke. So my apologies. We will be back to the usual style shortly. Hope you enjoy anyway
Anna knew she should be focusing on Seth and his continued, failing attempts to tell Summer that they were now 'going out'. At the very least she should be focusing on Rooney, the supposed reason they had all come to this concert.
But Anna wasn't focusing on either of them. Instead she found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the haunting trio that was Ryan Atwood, Marissa Cooper and Oliver Trask.
They seemed to be apart from the crowd, even as they stood in the middle of the pulsating mass of fans. Marissa was trying to be oblivious to the situation, trying to have a good time. Oliver, smiling his plastic smile, staring intently at Marissa like she was his goddess. In turn, she felt a slight sickness in her stomach every time she saw Ryan. Guarded, aware, tense and powerless.
Anna replayed his words in her mind, summoning the courage to go over and speak to him before shaking herself out of it. They hadn't spoken properly since that night.
"Looking pretty intensely at Chino there", Luke said, smiling as he leaned against the bar she had propped herself against. Anna tried to feign a smile.
Busted, she thought, and by Marissa's ex. So much for being above Newport drama, Stern. At least it was Luke and not Summer, or god help me, Marissa, who noticed.
Anna stumbled over a lie for a second before Luke shrugged.
"It is okay, I think I get it", he said, and she realised his smile was genuine, his blue eyes shone with something more than just vacant small talk. Luke and Ryan did seem good friends, maybe he did genuinely care how Ryan was doing. She couldn't ask Seth, not without revealing more than she was comfortable with. Anna took a deep breath in and took a chance on the Captain of the Water Polo team.
"I'm worried for him. It is like watching guerrilla warfare over there".
"I don't know Stern, Gorillas fighting sounds much better than whatever is going on over there", Luke said, taking a sip from his plastic cup. Anna shot him a look and Luke beamed
"I'm kidding!" he said, seeing the look on her face. "You know that Guerrilla Warfare isn't a giant primeape fight then?"
"Yeah, it is what Rambo does. Big knives and hiding in the woods", Luke pretended to take the pin off a grenade with his teeth and throw it. Anna couldn't help but giggle. "I like history, doesn't mean I'm any good at it. But I like it".
The next song started up and the two fell silent. Anna watched Ryan, Marissa and Oliver intently. Had Luke intentionally deflected her concerns? Was he already planning to run off to Marissa and Summer and tell them about the weird pining pixie chick at the bar.
After a minute or so, Luke moved closer to her in order to be heard and Anna got her answer.
"Seriously though, I get it. Marissa isn't the best judge of character these days. And I know her. She has been through a lot the last six months and I guess she thinks this Oliver guy fills a hole that me, Sum and Chino can't". He shook his head. "But, if she keeps this up, it'll end up like me and Chino fighting over her all over again, only worse".
Much like when she had spoken to Ryan on the pier, her iconoclastic reflex kicked in. That inability to hold her tongue, that desire to speak her mind that made her a poor fit for Newport Beach society.
"The difference is that Ryan won't cheat on her", she said, reflexively and forcefully. Just like it had been on the pier she winced as she saw the pain cross Luke's face. "I'm sorry Luke, I-"
Luke held up his hand, his posture relaxing slightly.
"No. No, you are right. Call me out on it. I was a piece of shit. Summer hasn't forgiven me. Compared to her, you don't know me. You probably just know...well, that". He trailed off, looking towards the door. Anna cleared her throat, slightly hoarse from competing with the music.
"You can't take it back, so I'm sorry. It wasn't related, it was unfair. I don't approve obviously, but...With everything that has happened, the last thing you need is me jumping down your throat about something you can't change…" Luke gave a weak smile in return.
"Thanks. Yeah, my world collapsed a little", he said, looking down at his drink. "But honestly, I'm just glad to be here with you guys. Chino has been a bro, despite how shitty I was to him. And Cohen is cool. I'm glad he stopped messing around with you and Sum around…" Luke stopped, laughing slightly, "Not that I can talk about that".
Despite her better judgment Anna felt her animosity towards Luke melting. She had meant it when she said to Summer she couldn't tolerate men who treated women like Seth and Luke had, but god damnit if he didn't seem like a sad and repentant puppy.
"Don't beat yourself up Luke. It sounds like you are changing. And I think Ryan and Summer have given you enough of a beating already". She raised her plastic cup and Luke beamed.
"Thanks, it means a lot".
"Anytime", she replied, trying to sound cool.
Anna and Luke found themselves standing quietly as Rooney continued into a second song. She could feel his gaze following hers to Ryan, Marissa and Oliver once more.
"Luke", she said quietly, moving her head towards him without turning away from the trio. "Can I ask you something about Marissa, as her ex?"
"Shoot, I'll see if I can help".
"Do you think I could talk to her about this...pattern of behaviour", she said, gesturing ever so slightly at the trio.
"Huh", he said, genuinely considering it. "You could try. Ryan and I can't without it sounding like jealous dude talk...And Seth and Summer seem...Busy". Luke pointed to the other side of the concert venue. Anna saw Seth following Summer subserviently causing her to feel her own pang of jealousy.
"Honestly, if she is going to listen to anyone, maybe it is another girl". Luke said. "But let me know if you want me to tag along".
"No, I think you are right. A purely feminine approach might get Princess Mononoke off the war path".
"Princess Monowhatke?" Luke asked, and Anna nearly snorted.
"I'll tell you some other time," she said, turning to him with a smile. "Thanks Luke, good talk".
"Rock on. I'll hang back here. Got your six". She gave him a small nod and a mock salute before making a wide berth around the crowd. Once she was in position, she found herself waiting for the chance to talk to Marissa without her shadow-warring suitors. She heard Luke shouting 'Woo, Rooney!' and despite his significant flaws she couldn't help but like the big blond Jock.
When Anna re-emerged from her brief meeting with Summer, she saw her chance. Oliver and Ryan had disappeared. She hoped Ryan was okay. Marissa was alone and off to the side. Only slightly nervous, Anna took a deep breath and approached the tall blonde.
"Hey, enjoying the show?" she asked innocently.
"Hey! Totally, they are incredible aren't they" Marissa replied, turning to face her and smiling warmly. "Oliver did great getting us all in didn't he? Nice to just do something normal for a change".
"He sure did", Anna said, pausing before taking her first step into the unknown. "First New Year, now this. You've made quite the friend" she said, trying to make the true intent of her word clear by tone alone.
"Oh god, not you too", Marissa shot back with a semi-playful sigh.
"I'm just trying to help a sister out. Offer some advice after all the craziness". Anna said, trying to sound more reconciliatory. She watched as Marissa's face changed at her closing words.
"Right, like you've been helping Summer", Marissa said with a very different smile. Anna went cold at the aggression in her voice.
"Th-this is different", she stammered out, her lisp coming through strong.
"Oh, is it?" Marissa asked.
Clearly not a fan of Guerrilla Warfare then.
"I-I'm just worried that this will end up like everything that happened with Luke and Ryan if you don't address it early in a mature way," she paused, collecting her thoughts. "Ryan has been through a lot". Anna said, stalling slightly from the pressure and not sounding as authoritative as she hoped.
"Thank you for telling me all about MY boyfriend, Anna", she said, scoffing and shaking her head. Marissa looked her up and down. "God, look at you. Hmm, yes. You are so mature aren't you". Marissa moved closer to Anna and the five inch height difference became very apparent. "Drawing Seth Cohen a little comic book. Staring longingly at my boyfriend. If you are so interested in an open conversation. Why don't you start?" she said, gesturing towards the door. "Say what you really think".
Though it was now a conscious effort, Anna managed to control her breathing. This had gone wrong, so horribly wrong. Princess Mononoke was on the hunt and shooting to kill. Marissa loomed over her as she imagined Luke had loomed over Ryan at the pier diner.
"No, no. You are right", Anna said quickly. "This isn't my place". Anna had to stop herself from saying sorry. Marissa relaxed, and a lukewarm smile emerged on her face.
"Okay, good".
Before Anna knew it, Luke was there beside her.
"You two all good?" he asked, in his most oblivious fratboy tone. "Great concert eh?"
"Yes, sorry Luke. Emotions were just running a little high, you know, with everything that happened. Guess I get my back up easier these days", she gave a small, embarrassed smile. "But we sorted it out, we are all friends, right?" Marissa asked, and Luke followed the question to Anna, hiding concern from his face. Anna just nodded in response.
"Right, yeah, all good", she said, looking down in defeat.
As if on cue, Marissa felt her phone vibrating and flicked it open to answer it. Anna felt Luke's hand pulling her gently away and back to the bar.
"What happened?" he said under his breath.
"I've got no idea, Luke", Anna said blinking. "It was like bullfighting, or bear-baiting. Whichever of those two has the highest fatality ratio".
"Bears probably", Luke said reflexively. "Maybe Bulls? Besides the point. I've never seen her get that aggro that quickly. What did you say?"
"Nothing really, I mentioned Oliver and Ryan. I said she needed to be mature and open about things with Ryan and she just lost it with me. Like I flicked a switch" Anna said slowly as she processed what had happened.
"Wow. Shit. So much for the feminine approach I guess…"
"Yes, Marissa is a no-go, at least for me. I don't think there is anything I can do Luke", she looked down at the floor. "We are going to have to leave this to Ryan. Maybe the novelty of Oliver and all this will grow old".
"I hope so…" Luke said, grimacing as he looked back across the dance floor.
"Thanks for extracting me", she said, placing her hand on his forearm. He smiled.
"No problem. Told you I had your six".
"Thanks, IceMan". She said meekly, feeling slightly better.
Luke ordered them another set of drinks and Anna gratefully accepted it. Her throat was raw from all the talking.
"Do you mind if I leave you Luke? I should probably tend to my own relationship. I'm guessing Seth still hasn't told Summer".
"Told Summer what?" Luke asked.
"That we are dating…"
"Oh wow...How hasn't that come up yet?" he said, laughing.
"Seth is very...concerned. About Summer. Let's leave it at that", Anna said with a sigh as Luke shook his head.
"Well, good luck. If you need me I'll be here".
"Thank you, enjoy the concert", Anna said, waving goodbye as Luke leaned back against the bar.
As Anna searched the concert, she felt the tension from her confrontation with Marissa ebbing. She knew now that she couldn't make any positive impact through Marissa then. She had been considering it since Cotillon. Ever since she had watched Ryan and Marissa fawn over each other. Ever since she had asked Ryan when they had waltzed.
But no, she was too defensive, too fragile. A wounded animal, ready to strike.
If she was going to help Ryan, it would be by talking to him. But she couldn't even do that now. Not since New Years. She allowed herself to hope he was okay and felt pain roil through her chest and stomach. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and went to go find her 'boyfriend'.
