Okay this is really long because I combined two posts in one…Please R/R
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She imagines the plane is sure to be up in the air by now having taken off with one less passenger. Marissa lies awake and frozen like a decorative ornament, still and unmoved from the confines of her bed. Kyle knocks softly on her door before proceeding in with a coffee in hand and sits at the edge of her bed.
"I figured you may have had a pretty sleepless night."
Marissa gave her a warm smile for her kind offering, and finally sat up after letting the whole morning disappear. "Thanks." She said as she took the mug out of her hands.
"Obviously you decided to stay…"
"I'm a wuss." Marissa sets the coffee down on the nightstand and drops back on the bed, covering her entire self with the sheets.
"Marissa you're not a wuss…okay a little. But you have your reasons."
"I feel like this is high school all over again." She muffled out.
"Look…those old friends of mine I said were coming by, well we'll be going to a party at Sam's for Christmas, you remember Sam, right?"
"Yeah I remember…"
"…I know it won't be the same without your family and friends…" She continued sincerely, "…but you're always welcome to join us…if you ever decide you want to take your sorry ass out of this bed" Kyle laughing toward the end, as Marissa giggled under the covers and blindly aimed a pillow at her.
Marissa got herself up from under once again, "Thanks…really, it's nice of you. And you know we're not just roommates…so I will be with a friend", Marissa said genuinely.
"…Good, because I'd like to think if I'm ever in a funk and still in sweatpants hung up over a boy one day, that I can rely on you to drag my ass outta bed", both giggling, Kyle quickly gave her a pat on the shoulder and left the room. As soon as she had left her phone had gone off as Ethan's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey…"
"Hey, just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, glad I caught you before you left to go home."
"I was…I decided not to."
"Hey, what happened?" He responded and she could clearly hear the authenticity in his voice.
"…Just…life"
"Okay…how about I pick you up; grab something for lunch, and we'll talk. If you want to, I mean, you don't have to talk, but it'd be nice if I could take you out to get something to eat at least."
"I don't know…" Marissa said, unsure.
"Well…I could beg", his smile transmitting over the line.
"You could try begging", she with a sly smile.
"I'd really rather not. It's not pretty", he said chuckling slightly. "So…I'll pick you up?"
"…Okay; half an hour", giving into him.
"Alright. Half an hour." He hung up as did she.
Marissa giving into his petitions, dragged herself out of bed and prepared to go out.
Standing in the shower she felt the warmth of each droplet embrace her. Keeping her eyes shut the water ran down finding it's own pathway down into the drain. Steam filled the room, relaxing her senses. With her eyelids shut all that reflected in her mind were thoughts of Ryan. What he may have been thinking at that moment in time as she thought of him.
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Ryan watched the clouds drift past and sweep the plane as they flew high above solid ground. It wasn't a long flight back home, but time went by as if doubling up. The vacant seat next to him felt as empty as ever, knowing very well that someone should have been sitting next to him. A girl. A girl he took for granted. A girl he let slip through his grasp. A girl somewhere in Berkeley; unaware of how much he was missing her.
Seth and Summer observed him from their seats, still barely speaking a word to him since take off. They debated to each other if they should make attempts to talk to him again.
"Maybe he's sleeping…" Summer said in a hushed voice.
"You think…he is a little you know…with heights, I think he may have taken something earlier for the vertigo…he could be passed out."
"He hasn't moved in a while…"
"Yeah maybe you should check on him" Seth responded while leaning forward trying to see if Ryan was showing any signs of breathing.
"Why me?" Summer asked with her eyebrows in a knot.
"You have the aisle seat." Seth justified. "Quick pinch him."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to pinch him."
"Should I kick his chair?"
"…that may work…but do it lightly fir-"
"Look, I'm awake ok. I'm fine" Ryan said sternly and interrupting her as he quickly turned around and spoke to them in between the gap of the two seats, having heard their entire conversation.
"See Summer, we just needed to talk about him to get him to react."
Ryan turned back around and the three of them settled down and falling into a silence. Seconds passed without any of them making a sound after Ryan's outburst. Moments later, Seth began tapping on the arm rests creating his own repetitious beat and bobbing his head along to the non-existent music. Ryan silently hoped he would stop as did his girlfriend beside him.
"Cohen!" Summer said sharply placing her hand over his in order to get him to stop.
Quiet again ensued as awkwardness for Seth followed, feeling the need to be pre-occupied.
"I always wondered what'd it'd be like to do it in those small airplane toilets." Seth said coming up with some from left field.
"You want to find out?" Summer replying with a straight face and expressionless.
Seth began to stutter, shocked at her being forward, "Uh…umm…are you offeri-"
"No." She cut him off before he finished his question and was about to put the headset from her iPod in her ears until she became distracted from an announcement that came from over the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will slowly be beginning our descent, so if you could please remain close to your designated seats. Thank you."
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The gorgeous pair sat amongst the outdoor seating provided by a small intimate eatery on this mild winter day with the rays glistening off the sidewalk. Having a late breakfast they both ordered that mornings' special. She sat quietly fiddling with her scrambled eggs as he just watched her toss about her food pretending to be interested in it.
"So…you want to tell me what's happened that's made you boycott Christmas with the family…more importantly, Ryan." Ethan began trying to break the stillness.
"Isn't this a little awkward for you…" Marissa wondered out loud, questioning why he would want to get into details of her and another guy.
"…and why would it be awkward, dear Marissa", He asked knowing what she was getting at.
Marissa knew what had been on her mind, but wasn't all too sure how to phrase it without sounding arrogant or making assumptions, "…well…uh…you know because maybe…you…I mean I've thought about it also…but…uh…"
"You think I like you or something?" Ethan asked with his eyebrows raised.
"…uh well, no…I mean", Marissa said now regretting the very few words she's even spoken, and went slightly red."
"Because I do like you." Ethan said softly quickly jumping in and leaning forward into her as if he were telling her a secret. He continued, "but…as much as I like you, think you're amazing, beautiful, and a long list of things…" he began trailing and she began to blush at his compliments. "…I know that you, dear girl…belong to another." He finished with a small understanding smile on his face.
She bit her lip and felt almost guilty, like as if she had led him on, and the last thing she wanted was to do that or hurt his feelings, "I'm sorry…I…I didn't mean to…I mean, if I led you on-"
"Marissa…" he said cutting her off. "…I let myself be carried away with you…I mean, it's hard not to. So I already knew in coming here that we're just friends, and if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay that way…hang out still and talk every now and then…"
She gave him a wide smile and loved the thought that she could still adopt him as a friend. You can never have enough, and she knew he quickly became someone she didn't want to lose. "I'd really like that…"
"So…are you going to tell me what's turned you into the grinch all of a sudden?" He smiled as his charm seeped through which caused her to do the same.
"I'm no grinch." She laughed before settling and speaking more seriously, "…Ryan and I have a lot of history, too much to really get into, but that night I had to step out…we said some things, exchanged words, spoke up about unresolved issues…and it's just…complicated…everything was just left up in the air."
"So with all of you going home for Christmas, you'd be afraid it'll get all awkward because you really don't know where to go from where you left off…" Ethan said insightfully.
"You're pretty perceptive for a landscape architect major." She giggled.
"I have my moments."
"What about you….what are you doing these holidays?"
"Ah…I've got family from interstate coming in. We're doing the Christmas thing at my parents' house."
"I wanted to go home…I chickened out."
"It's not too late…"
"Well around Christmas…yeah it kind of is."
"Don't you want to see him?" He asked seriously.
Without hesitation she answered, "Yeah I do."
"Is he worth doing everything you can in your power to go and see him?"
She looked down at her plate of him, taking a moment, she didn't really need to think of the answer because she already knew, "…Yeah…he is."
"Then why are you sitting here messing around with your half untouched food when you could be trying to find the next flight home?"
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"Passengers, we know you could have been with any airline, so we thank you once more that you're here with us and for having chosen United. On behalf of all the crew, we would like to welcome you to Orange County, and we hope you enjoy your stay."
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Marissa walked hurriedly through the door and found Kyle sitting in the living room eating Doritos and watching an old sitcom.
"Hey, how did your meet with Ethan go?" She called from her spot on the couch.
"I'm going home." Marissa stated as she zoomed in and out through the rooms of their dorm collecting bits and pieces.
"What? When did you decide this?" She asked stunned while Marissa rushed through her bedroom collecting everything she needed. Marissa walked out in a matter of minutes dragging her luggage behind her and hauling an oversized bag over her shoulder. "Wow, you pack fast."
"What? Oh no…I did this last night…in case…"
"In case..?"
Marissa just smiled, "In case I realised my mistake." Kyle smiled back at her. "Okay, now I left your present on your dresser and do not, now I'm serious, do not open it until Christmas." Marissa said sternly.
Kyle's face lit up from the unexpected surprise and quickly dashed to her room.
"Hey! I said not until Christmas."
"No, not that!" Kyle asserted as she walked back out of her room with her package and holding it up for Marissa to see that it was for her. "For when you get back, okay?" she said taking her spot on the couch once more.
Marissa grinned, "Okay."
"Do you need a ride to the airport?"
"Ethan's waiting downstairs, he offered to take me."
"Wait – Ethan?" Kyle asked a little disbelievingly.
"We're…friends…becoming good friends" Marissa said with another smile.
"Alright…good luck okay, tell me everything when you get back?"
Marissa walked over and leaned over the couch to give her quick peck on the top of her head. "Absolutely", now making her way to the door. "Have a good Christmas…" she said loudly halfway into the hall.
"You too. Have plenty of make up sex" Kyle laughed as did Marissa who just shook her head.
She took a step back in after remembering, "and if anyone calls for me, don't let them know where I've gone okay."
"Got 'cha."
Her pace quickened and she anxiously made her way out of the building, briskly walking out through a typical winter's afternoon. She felt excited, nervous at the same time. Knots tying themselves in the pit of her stomach; still having no idea what she would say when she would see him again, but knowing at least that Newport was where she needed to be. As much as she would dissect the inner workings of her relationship with Ryan, Ryan has always and would always remain the one thing she was certain about.
Ethan saw her coming from a short distance and stepped out of his car to grab her luggage. "Here, let me." He tucked away the handle and opened the trunk, fitting it neatly into the rear.
"Thanks", said Marissa gratefully as the two of them went around and climbed into the front seats.
"Got everything?"
"Yep"
"Ready?" He asked smiling and starting the car.
She inhaled one deep breath, "…as I'll ever be. But there's one thing I have to do before we go. Do you mind if we make a quick stop somewhere first? I just hope I get there in time…"
"No problem. Where to?"
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'College Misfits' read a sign that Sandy had been holding up as he waited in the Arrivals section. A big grin splashed across his face as he saw the familiar faces come through the gated section. Summer excitedly took faster steps toward him as she left Seth to drag both their suitcases.
"Mr. Cohen!" She exclaimed giddily at the joy of seeing another familiar face that reminded her so much of home, and they exchanged a quick hug.
"Dad, that's so lame…" Seth said mocking Sandy's signage, letting go of the luggage as Sandy welcomed him into a fatherly embrace.
"Hey, I try." Sandy said sarcastically as he saw Ryan in tow. "Ryan, my boy…" as he grinned. Seth stepping aside and Ryan stepping forward as Sandy greeted him in a similar fashion. "College is really agreeing with you guys." Sandy continued as they then stood before him in almost a line. "You're one man down…" he said a little bewildered that Marissa hadn't been there.
Ryan's smile suddenly died and the three were contemplating in their thoughts which of them would care to explain. "She's not coming…long story…" Summer said reluctantly hoping that they could just leave it at that.
Luckily, Sandy understood this must have been a sensitive issue, so knew not to press further.
"So, where's mom?" Seth spoke up for a better change of subject.
"Ah, she's at the house putting the final touches before you guys arrived" Sandy said trying to lighten the mood. "So, shall we?" He stretched out his arm in the direction of the exit while the three of them grabbed their belongings off of the floor and smiled at the thought of being back. Letting the kids go before him, he gave Ryan a reassuring tap on the arm; obvious to the fact that Marissa's absence was very much affecting him.
Driving through winding and familiar streets, Ryan looked out into the epic houses and studied the waves crashing into shore on the opposite side. The essence of Newport came rushing back to him, but in feeling all this came the consequence of knowing how far the one person he needed really was. Deep down he was happy to be back, but there was just that one thing constantly pulling at him knowing there would still be that one thing missing before this trip back could feel complete.
After dropping Summer off at her place so she can get settled and spend time with her dad, they pulled up to the driveway of the modest Cohen mansion. Looking out through the window they felt a sensation run through them after not having seen this place in what seemed to be forever. Retrieving their luggage from the trunk and bringing it up the paved steps, the door opening up to their house, only to reveal it was trimmed with Christmas decorations and everything was sitting in place exactly how they remembered it before they left.
"Is that them?" Kirsten excitedly called out from upstairs and quickly came down to greet her two sons by the opening. Both as equally excited to see her, she enveloped them into a simultaneous embrace as she had done many times in many similar situations of comings and goings. "I've missed you two." She said with a huge smile and letting them go, reluctantly.
Seth's eyes were first drawn to the large Christmas tree that stood tall in the formal lounge right by the fireplace; completely enamored by its beauty as the colored elements hung fittingly on each branch. Kirsten could tell immediately what had been running through his mind. She came up from behind and leant against his shoulders, "I did good, huh." Kirsten said proudly.
Seth smiled widely, greatly impressed, "you did very good."
"You've taught her well son", Sandy smirked in reference to his influence on his mother to perfectly prepare Chrismukkah.
"You guys better get settled. Ryan, everything's ready for you in the pool house. Seth, I just finished changing your sheets upstairs." Kirsten said assuming her motherly role once more, which she'd been missing so much in no less than half a year.
Ryan grabbed his belongings and made his way out via the kitchen.
"I'll be in the office", Sandy said to the remainder of his family left standing there as he headed off, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek and Seth, one last pat on the back.
"So where's Summer?" Kirsten asked innocently.
"Summer's getting settled at home and she'll probably drop by tomorrow."
"I heard about Marissa from Julie. What happened?" She said tipping her head in the direction of Ryan.
"Ah, you know how they are. They'll get their act together eventually."
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Ryan entered the pool house. Aside from it being cleaned, it remained completely unharmed as if he had never left. Every inch of the room reminded him of Marissa and the last time they were there together; and their last time even together was right where he stood. Memories lingered in the air, the photo of the two of them on that day at the beach still stood on his bedside. Resting his things against the wall he took a moment and sat at the edge of his bed. Taking a deep breath, he rested his shoulders on his knees and stared down at the floor. With his eyes shut or his eyes open, Marissa was all he saw; her tears, her laughter, her sadness, her beauty. In anything and everything he saw her. Their miles apart now might as well have been worlds.
Suddenly getting to his feet he reached out to the house phone, taking it off the stand; dialing a number that was so second nature to him.
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Without looking at the screen, anxious she was nearing the airport. She mindlessly answered her phone, "Hello?"
"Do I make a left turn here?" Ethan asked her while driving and looking in both directions as he confronted an intersection.
She nodded toward him as she drew her attention back to the call and heard light breaths transmit through the receiver without a word being spoken, "Hello?" She asked once more and checked the screen only to find a private number, the caller hanging up in the process before she found out who it was. Marissa quickly dismissed it knowing she had something more important ahead of her.
Ethan pulled up to the drop off point and she quickly raced to grab her things from the back. She then walked back and stuck her head in the doorway of the front passenger seat, "Thank you so much for this. I can't thank you enough, you've been amazing." She said genuinely.
"Let me know how it goes okay?" He replied.
"I'll call you when I get back." She smiled and he gave her a small wave. Marissa shut the door and he swiftly pulled out of the space. Turning around she entered the terminal, desperately hoping she wasn't too late.
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He hung up the phone, snapping upon hearing the familiar male voice. She had been with Ethan and this drove him to feel more anxious, knowing that his actions are what pushed her away towards another in the first place. Was giving up the answer? Keep letting her slip away from his grasp; easily as he'd been doing for so long. Ryan dialed her number once more and decided he wouldn't give up on her.
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Marissa walked hurriedly through the terminal, poking her head out and skimming through the directional arrows, indicator boards, and signage until she could find what she'd been after. As she passed the sea of commuters her cell phone had gone off once more and she struggled to grab it out of her large handbag whilst still keeping an eye on the traffic of civilians she had to swivel through.
As she flipped open the unit her low-battery signal had gone off, "Hello?" Her breaths became heavier with every few strides.
"Marissa?" Ryan managed to choke out.
"Hello?" Marissa repeated once more unable to hear the caller with the loud interference on her end.
"Marissa? Marissa?" He said louder hoping she could hear him through the noise that seemed to carry from wherever she was.
She heard a faint voice and could only guess, "Ryan?"
"Yeah it's Ryan, Marissa don't hang up!" Ryan confirmed and pleaded with her.
She was elated just to be able to hear his voice, but looking around her she knew it wasn't the best time, "Ryan…I'm, I'm kind of in the middle of-"
"-No wait! Just listen, please, I just…I want to say…I love you. I need to talk to you." Ryan blurted out as he heart pumped for the whole world to hear. "I know I made a mess of things-" he continued then cut himself off, "Hello?"
Suddenly she brought the phone out in front of her to find the light had shut off and it had died on her. She cursed on the inside for the inconvenience; now desperate to know what he more he was going to say.
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Ryan asked, no longer hearing a sound from her end. "Hello?" He brought his phone out in front of him only to find the call had already ended.
Had she heard it? Emotions of desperation took over his being. He tried calling her for a third time only to be greeted with her pre-recorded message. Leaving none, he set the phone back on the stand and lay himself on his bed. Closing his eyes and massaged his temples in frustration. Ryan dwelled on all possible situations, but settled on the one he was most fearful of; that he mindlessly handed her over to another man. He wanted so much that she was with him in that second. That he could hold her, apologize, and mend the paint that was peeling off the walls. But he was sitting alone in Newport, without a clue as to where the blue eyed girl could be.
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"Couldn't you try another airline?" Marissa pleaded at she leant forward at a service counter.
The uniformed lady kept her focus to her monitor as she browsed the flight listings, "I'm sorry miss, but all the flights are booked. It's Christmas and the chances of you flying out before then are very slim I'm afraid."
"No, please, you have to check again." She begged with her forehead wrinkled; hope dying with every breath.
The woman at the counter quickly took a glance at the growing queue behind Marissa and sighed as she decided she would at least try once more, but the screen didn't change as much as Marissa would will it to, "I'm really sorry. Now if you would like to wait, we can put you on standby if by chance something opens up."
"Okay…Yes, yes I'll wait." She replied not knowing what else to do, knowing she hadn't many other alternatives. She gave in and walked out of the line and passed the angered commuters who had been waiting for her to finish. Taking a seat amongst the ordered rows, she sat apprehensively. The people seem to rush by her, all having somewhere else they could be as she sat submissively in the aisle with only herself and her luggage by her side. She tried to relax but the anxiety wouldn't subside and leave her system. Thinking back to Ryan she thought about what he may have wanted to say. She wanted so badly for it to be that he loved her, that he wanted to be with her once more. Hoping that what he said wasn't going to let her down, the worst situation being that he was going to let her go once more and push her into the arms of another, when all she really wanted was him. But she knew it had been her who left his calls unanswered and purposely didn't reply to any attempts he'd been making to fix the situation, and if he really were letting her go, she had no one else to blame.
The late afternoon turned into a late night, she watched the sun set and fade from her part of the earth, letting darkness have its turn and creating the backdrop for the stars to sit contrasting in the foreground. The servicemen and women had changed shifts and the cleaners had already been well into their agendas and persisted around her. The loud chatters and commotions from a few hours ago were no longer there to be heard. Everyone had left to where they had needed to be except for the faint few scattered sparingly. Marissa was one of them. She couldn't bring herself to leave in the event a miracle happened as she wouldn't be there to take advantage of it. The terminal now in slow motion pushed her to feel further exhausted. Time forced her into her limits and she kept a hand on her luggage as she began tipping her head forward and letting her eyelids drift down.
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The Cohen house had gone in hibernation. Dishes had been stacked and the empty take-out containers had been disposed of, dark shadows bounced onto the walls and through the windows, and the moonlight danced off the calm surface of the infinity pool. All that was to be heard now was the faint tapping on the French doors that signaled the coming of Seth.
"Hey buddy…" Seth said buoyantly, as he stepped into the pool house; Ryan had gone back into his original brooding position straight after dinner. "So this brings back memories huh, just like old school Seth and Ryan time back in the pool house." He continued as he led his gaze around the room and gave a smile hoping Ryan would budge. "You want to talk..."
Ryan kept his eyes staring at the vacant nothingness in the air, "not so much, no."
"The parents were getting a little worried about you back there, this whole heartache thing isn't all that healthy for you, you know. You talk to Marissa yet?"
Ryan sighed keeping his answers minimal, "called her earlier…told her I loved her."
"That's great, and?" Seth's eyes opening wider.
"Her cell cut out" Ryan stated plainly.
"Cut out? Did she hear you before it did?" Seth asked growing more interested.
"I don't know; tried calling her back. It was off…I think I've officially driven her away."
"How do you figure that", Seth answered taking his place on the armchair.
Ryan's tone of voice stayed stale and monotonous throughout all his continued responses, still staring blankly and unable to bring himself to sit up, "I called earlier before that and Ethan was there saying something in the background. That's how I knew she was with him."
"They could just be hanging out. I mean, she's alone. Her closest friends are off in another part of the state. It's Chrismukkah with no one to celebrate it with; Desperate for human contact in this emotional part of year…no boyfriend…" he trailed off and began thinking to himself then spoke these thoughts aloud, "…that's actually pretty savvy on his part."
Ryan soon after glared at him unappreciative of the possibilities that Seth was unintentionally encouraging deeper into his system.
"Alright, I'll shut up now…" he said taking his queue to leave Ryan his space, "but if you need to talk…you know…" Seth finished with a small smile.
Ryan responded with a similar expression, and deep down was grateful that he had his best friend there with him. "Thanks…"
"Hey no problem…" He now took a step out of the pool house before adding, "Don't forget man, the season of Jesus and Moses…things will work out, gotta believe in the spirit."
Ryan couldn't help but laugh a little and shake his head, "Yeah, yeah."
Seth shut the door behind him. All Ryan could do know was wish. Letting sleep overcome his body he switched his lamp off and wandered off into the subconscious with thoughts of the one person he longed for; still unable to shake the feelings and images of her from his mind. He entered a deep slumber, her beauty creating bliss letting the pain of the awful truths wait another day.
&&&
Marissa woke up that morning in the same spot she had been in the previous day. Her eyes were tired still forced herself today; not giving up hope that she would get on a flight to go back home. Only managing to get a minimum amount of sleep that was distributed sparingly throughout the night, she yawned and found another sea of commuters had been coming slowly but surely in rhythmic waves. Slowly, she got up and stretched herself out of her temporary paralysis. Collecting her belongings she brought it with her to the ladies room and set her things down.
Taking a long look at her reflection she studied the girl she managed to make a mess of. She quickly made a search for her toiletries and a hairbrush so she could fix herself a little before others would occupy the restroom. As she leant forward hovering the basin she caught sight of an electrical outlet. Letting the antiseptic run through the stainless steel drain, she grabbed her cell and began recharging its life as she grabbed a brush and ran it through her hair. After waiting another ten minutes she grabbed her cell and re-charger, figuring it would have to do, and stepped out the ladies room at least the tiniest bit more awake.
Marissa sat back down in a nearby spot to where she had previously been, as a father and his son who looked of about nine, now occupied her original space. The same woman who had served her the day before was no back at her post. The brunette caught sight of her and offered an empathetic smile and shook her head, letting Marissa know there had still not been an opening.
She spent that day in the exact same motions. Watching people pass, frustrated she hadn't gotten any closer to home. She sat, waited, and would hope until someone could give her some good news.
"Marissa Cooper..?"
&&&
"Hi Mrs. Cohen, Happy Chrismukkah eve", Summer said happily at the front door.
Kirsten grew bright eyed at the sight of her and enveloped her into a warm hug, "Why thank you Summer, you look terrific", she said complimenting the small framed brunette beauty.
"Thanks. I brought these over, I thought I may as well bring them by now." She said referring to the large bag of gifts she had with her on the doorstep.
"Oh thanks Summer. Just set them down over there" Kirsten replied gesturing to toward their tree.
"The house looks amazing. I gather Seth must've been pleased."
"One could only hope. You're staying for dinner aren't you?" Kirsten asked while wrapping an arm around Summer's shoulder and leading her through the kitchen. Ryan and Seth had been wasting away in the family room with the play-station glued to their hands.
Sandy walks from the patio carrying a plate of barbequed steaks. "Summer, so good of you to join us", he smiled. "Boys…" he turned his head calling out to the drones that sat on the couch. "Ryan I need you to man the grill. Seth can you get started with the salad."
Seth looks up a little offended, "hey, how come Ryan gets to man the grill and I get stuck with salads." He says childishly.
"Seth, what does it matter?" Ryan replies brushing the issue off and rolls up the cord of his controller. Standing up he walks over and takes the now emptied plate and the pair of tongs off of Sandy.
"Cohen, your dad was just inadvertently trying to avoid a culinary disaster."
Seth follows suit, "need I remind you I became quite the barbecutionist in my brief stint as a Portland runaway.
"Here, go nuts." Ryan said sarcastically handing the utensils over to him.
"Thank you." Seth accepting and walking out with Summer shaking her head disbelievingly, behind him.
"He's really something isn't he?" Sandy smirked, while Kirsten and Ryan lightly chuckled. "I'm gonna go have a shower." With that he left Kirsten and Ryan behind to prepare the rest of the meal.
The two of them stood across each other at the kitchen workstation with their own chopping boards. Ryan picked up the fresh tomatoes while Kirsten sliced the red onions. Like any caring mother she saw how plagued her adopted son was and naturally grew in concern for him. "How was the first semester at college?" She asked easing her way into more in depth questions.
"It was…good. A lot more work than high school."
"Your new place, is everything working out with that?"
"Yeah, my roommate and I get along pretty well. We're friends. It's a good location, you know, near Seth and Summer." He answered while he now focused on chopping the cucumber.
"How do you think finals went?" She asked innocently and occasionally glancing up at him and noticed he hadn't looked up since.
"Yeah, you know, I think it went okay."
"How are you dealing with everything?" Kirsten asked solemnly.
"School is…school." He said trying to avoid getting further into detail.
"You know I wasn't talking about school."
He looked up meeting her gaze, "I know."
"I heard about this new guy, Ethan? Are they…" She faded out not really wanting to say the next word.
"…I don't know if they are."
"But you hope not, right…" She smiled. "It's okay…you can admit that."
He gave her a hint of a smile, "I can't be angry at the guy or her you know, this was entirely my doing, and I don't know how to fix it. I…I just want…I need to see her…" Ryan said, revealing a little more of what had been on his mind.
"It's not easy, waiting when the ball is in the other one's court. They leave you to consider what's going on in their thinking and it drives you insane that you want to give them what they want, but when all they want is space, you respect that, but slowly…the time apart eats away at you. When she's ready, she'll find you."
"What if she's never ready?" He said as if preparing himself for the worst.
"Then you respect her decision and try and move on", she paused, "But it's not hard to see she loves you, and rarely anyone can stray too far from the one they're meant to be with." Kirsten finished reassuringly which in turn offered up some relief inside heart that had become consumed with so many emotions.
The five of them sat at the dining table swapping stories and enjoying each other's company. Like a family reunited they laughed at each others jokes and genuinely felt the comfort that came as they felt each others presence. Ryan could see though that there was an empty space at dinner with only one that should have filled it. These thoughts of his were disrupted when the doorbell had rung. The five of them shot looks of uncertainty at each other wondering who it may have been. Ryan got up and headed for the door and used it as an excuse to get a moment to himself.
A delivery man stood in large entrance holding a medium sized parcel.
"Can I help you?" Ryan asked politely.
"Good evening", the man said courteously, "The last delivery of the night; Ryan Atwood?" he asked.
"Uh…yeah that's…me", Ryan stepped forward and answered a little wary
"Sign here please" Providing a sheet and a pen as standard protocol.
Ryan penned away his signature and took hold of box like parcel wrapped in brown paper.
"Have a good Christmas", The delivery man smiled and headed back to his truck.
"Yeah…uh…you too, thanks." Ryan said softly and closed the door. Inspecting the package carefully he found it only on his name and the Cohen address, a fragile sticker but no return label or indications of where it had come from.
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