The Comeback

Months after the incident in Brown, it was already Springbreak and the kids were back in Newport. Ryan woke up early that Saturday morning due to a text message from Theresa. He went to the kitchen and saw Sandy drinking some coffee while reading the paper.

"Hey," Sandy greeted, "Up early, huh?"

Ryan smiled lightly, "Yeah, I uh…got a text message from Theresa…"

"Oh, what did she say?"

"It's Matty's birthday tomorrow."

"Oh. Wow. That's a surprise…"

"Yeah…"

Just then Seth came in the kitchen, looking like he literally just got out of bed. Sandy noticed him and he stood up.

"I guess I shall leave you two here…" Sandy said and stood up to leave.

Ryan switched on the coffee maker without saying a word to Seth.

Seth came up to him, "Hey…" He said, wanting to tap Ryan on shoulder but opting not to. He then put his hands in his pockets. "Hey, I just…I know you probably still don't want to talk to me…I mean, you haven't been for the past months but…"

"Just stop it, Seth."

"Look, Ryan, I cannot betray Summer…"

Ryan turned to look at him, "But you can betray me?"

"I'm sorry."

Ryan just shook his head, "I'll just be at the poolhouse…" He then went away.

XXXXXX

Later that day, Seth and Summer were in Seth's room. Summer's head was on Seth's chest and Seth was holding her while he was reading a Haruki Murakami book.

"Is Marissa still seeing that guy?"

"Nope…" Summer answered, "It shouldn't have happened in the first place…It's really sad…"

"Yeah…"

"You know, I think Ryan still hates me…" Summer told him.

"Well, join the club, honey." Seth told her, "It's Matty's birthday tomorrow though…"

"Really? So, what are his plans?"

"He wouldn't talk to me, you know?"

"Oh." She said, "What if…What if we surprise him?" She said as she got up and sat beside Seth, "I mean, seriously, Ryan's not a master of parties…so maybe we could…you know, make like, a surprise party for Matty or something…"

"Ryan won't let us."

"That's why it's a surprise, Cohen…" Summer said, "At least, that way, we could…we could make him feel that we're still here."

"Oh, well…" Seth said, "Bring it on, sweetheart."

XXXXXX

Marissa went to the poolhouse and found Ryan sitting down on the floor, watching Matty play with a train set.

"He looks more and more like you each day…" Marissa said.

Ryan looked at her and took a deep breath, "What are you doing here?"

"Ryan,"

Ryan got up and sat down on bed, "Why does it seem like all of you think it's so easy to lie to me and then pretend like everything's just fine?"

"It's not…"

"It's really not." Ryan said sternly.

"I'm sorry."

He took a deep breath, "It's his birthday tomorrow, you know?" He then shook his head and Marissa didn't know what to say.

XXXXXX

Ryan woke up the next day to the sound of chairs being placed in the Poolside. He went out of the poolhouse and saw a lot of party materials being situated. He carried Matty with him. Summer, Seth and Marissa were there, organizing it.

"What's this?" Ryan said.

"Atwood, we know this doesn't change anything, but we also know you basically know nothing about parties and all, so…Take this as a gift for Matty." Summer told him.

"But the payment…"

"I took care of it, bro…" Seth said, "It's a gift…"

Kirsten then came out, holding some balloons, "Looks neat, huh, Ryan?" She smiled.

"It's uh…" Ryan said, "Well, it's nice."

"Matty's surely gonna love it." Kirsten smiled.

"Yeah, I guess…" Ryan said.

XXXXXX

The party was a the celebrations, Ryan, Seth, Summer and Marissa volunteered to clean up.

"Atwood, we're really sorry about everything…" Summer said.

"No, don't…" Marissa said as she faced Ryan, "I'm the one who should be sorry…I mean, Ryan, they only did what they did because of me. I'm the one who's wrong. And I know this won't change a thing, it really won't…But…I'm really sorry, and I wanna try again…Even just as friends…"

Seth and Summer smiled at each other.

Ryan surprisingly gave them a little smile, as well. "Well," He said, "I'm gonna lie and say it was easy…No…but…In your own words, Marissa, we were never just friends." He smiled lightly.

Marissa looked at him, her eyes full of hope, "Ryan,"

Ryan held her hand, "It's not gonna be easy," He said, "But…we still could try, right?"

Marissa smiled, "Of course. And again, I'm sorry."

He just nodded his head, "I'm sorry, too."

Marissa held out her hand for a handshake, "To new beginnings?" She smiled. Ryan shook her hand and smiled back.

"Hooray!" Seth said, "The fab four's makin' a comeback! Who'd have thought?" He kissed Summer and they all laughed, knowing good things are in store again.

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