Chapter 7 - Playing Hero.
Summer had been cautious about every hallway she walked down and every class room she stepped foot in. It wasn't that she was avoiding her ex-boyfriend, Summer Roberts didn't avoid people, she was just steering clear of unnecessary drama. Besides, it was better for Zach this way, because if he were to walk up to her and desperately beg for her forgivness, she might have to release a rage blackout on him infront of the entire student body, and Zach surely wouldn't have wanted that.
She had ignored the whispering that would rise amongst her peers when she walked by, there'd surely be some new scandal or event that they could gossip over tomorrow, it was Newport, there had to be. What was the big deal anyways? It's not like she was famous or something, people break up everyday, it's not really that big a story. Orange County was definitely losing it's edge if the most dramatic thing around was the end of a relationship.
Luckily, she only had to put up with all this nonsense for another five minutes, then her last class of the day would end and she'd be free to leave. So, she sat patiently, pretending to pay attention to whatever the teacher was saying as she absentmindedly tapped her pencil against the blank page of her notebook. She shot up when the bell sounded, slamming shut her books and gathering them before heading for the door.
She exited the classroom and cursed under her breath, noticing Zach pushing off the wall and making his way towards her. She turned down the hall and picked up her pace, trying to lose him in the crowd. Unfortunately, he caught up when she stopped and began fiddling with the combination on her locker.
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Ryan closed his locker and slung his bag over his shoulder. He started down the hall towards the main entrance where Seth would be waiting for him in the rover. Every glimpse of a girl with long, dark hair that caught the corner of the eye had pulled in his interest, distracting him from concentrating on just about anything all day long. He shook his head again, trying to focus on making it outside.
He had been trying to make sense of his newfound obsession with Summer. Actually, it wasn't an obsession, Ryan didn't obsess over anything. It was this whole be-a-hero thing again, thats what it was. Although, there was this goofy smile that he got at lunch when Summer had joined Seth and himself. Yeah, he was just playing hero, thats all.
So, when he noticed Summer, the actual Summer this time, slamming her locker shut and trying to ignore a very determined looking Zach, he couldn't pass up the chance to sort out the situation. He quickened his pace and just before he reached the pair, Seth cut in front of him and slipped in between the tiny brunette and the tall water polo star.
"Dude, I know this really isn't any of my buisness or anything, but maybe you should back off." The curly haired boy challenged with a bit of uncertainty shining through his attempt at being macho. Ryan tightened his jaw and tensed up a bit, watching the scene unfold in front of him.
Summer glanced up at Seth where he stood with his back turned to her in an almost protective fashion, ensuring that he was blocking Zach's path. She watched as Zach slowly gave a defeated nod to Seth and walked away sadly.
When Zach had disapeared around the corner and out of sight, Seth's face automatically lit up into a victory smirk and he shot a wide grin at Ryan as he turned to face Summer, who was standing with her books hugged tightly to her chest and a confused look covering her face as she glanced up to meet her hero's eyes.
"Uh... Thanks, Cohen." She said awkwardly and Seth appeared even more pleased than before, even though Ryan thought that it wasn't possible.
"No problem, Summer. In fact, anytime you need help getting rid of an annoying ex-boyfriend, you give me a call and I will take care of the situation right away." Seth rambled, soaking in his glory as the three of them started down the hall and out into the parking lot.
Ryan had this feeling growing in his gut and he tuned his brother out, becomming annoyed with him. He felt it grow every time a giggle escaped Summer's lips when Seth made a funny comment. He identified it as jelousy and refused to admit to it, suddenly wishing he was back in the pool house by himself. Or with Summer.
The walk to the rover seemed like it took an eternity and Ryan was killing himself when Marissa walked up with a big smile on her face. He swore that he'd punch the next person he saw looking so happy.
"Hey, guys." The blonde girl said as she took a spot standing beside Ryan. The four of them stood facing each other, but Ryan's eyes were glued to the ground. He suddenly felt guilty, like he'd done something wrong and he knew it was because of Summer. It had been obvious that Marissa wanted him and there was no denying how badly Seth wanted Summer, he'd hurt a lot of people if he admited to feeling this way about the girl. He shook the idea away, as if he had a chance anyway.
"Hey, Coop. Seth was just asking if we wanted to go to the Bait Shop tonight with him and Ryan. You up for it?" Summer greeted her friend, filling her in as well as giving Ryan a chance to catch up on the conversation he'd been ignoring for the past few minutes.
"Yeah, that sounds great!" Marissa agreed, gleefully.
"Awesome! We'll see you girls there." Seth replied happily and glanced over to give Ryan a smile, pausing at his friend's solemn expression. "Hey, dude, you feeling okay?"
Ryan's head shot up at the question and he gulped nervously as he realized all eyes were on him, including Summer's big brown ones. He nodded and remained silent, trying to straighten up and look normal.
"Okay, well, we better go. Later, Cohen." Summer said and began to head towards her car with Marissa following close behind.
Ryan reached for the driver's side door and pulled it open, climbing into the vehicle and taking a deep breath to get himself back together. What the hell was happening to him? Seth's door slammed and Ryan slid the key into the ignition, powering up the car and backing out of the space he'd pulled into that morning.
"Man, are you sure you're okay? You seemed pretty out of it back there, did sometimes happen?" Seth pressed as the car rolled out onto the road and sped towards the Cohen residence.
"Nothing happened, I'm fine, it's just been a long day." Ryan offered, hoping that the answer would satisfy Seth.
"Oh, alright then." Seth accepted the excuse and drummed his fingers against his knee for about a minute before his old Cohen antics kicked in. "Dude, did you see Summer's face after I got Zach to leave her alone? That was so awesome, dude, this could totally be the first step towards getting her back. I mean, she was actually tolerating me being around her back there. I can't believe it, bro." Seth went on obsessively and Ryan unconsciously gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"Maybe you should wait a while, Seth. She just broke up with Zach, it might me too soon for her to start another relationship." Ryan suggested, trying to relax and give some good advice to his brother. He couldn't help but feel like it was just a way to slow Seth down so he could win Summer for himself, he knew he wouldn't do that though. After all that Seth and the Cohen's had done for him, he wouldn't repay them by stealing Seth's girl. He decided against speaking anymore, it was better for him that way.
"Yeah, maybe. But maybe she's waiting for someone else to come sweep her off her feet. The perfect way to get over someone is to get with someone else, man. Thats why you have to come to the Bait Shop tonight and be my wingman." Seth replied.
"I don't know, Seth. I'm not really up for it." Ryan said, trying to find a way out of going with everyone tonight.
"Come on man, Marissa will be there." Seth said, pulling out all the stops to try and convince his brother to come along.
"Why would I care?" Ryan said, almost too quickly.
"Dude, sorry. I just kinda figured that you liked Marissa, cause you know, you've pretty much been dating her since you got here. Well, you know, besides Lindsay and all..." Seth trailed off, adding a tone of sarcasm to his voice.
"Well, I don't. I don't want to date her again. Actually, I don't want to date anyone right now, so just drop it, okay?" Ryan stated, sternly.
"Okay." Seth replied, quietly. The boy was at a loss for words and Ryan automatically felt guilty for it.
"I'll go tonight. But don't try to set me up with anyone, alright?" Ryan said, giving in.
"You will? Awesome! And you can trust me, man. No hook up's for Ryan, got it." Seth said, happily as the rover pulled to a stop in the Cohen driveway.
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Marissa was staring at herself in her best friend's mirror, putting on her makeup while Summer sat on her bed, brushing her hair and struggling to pay attention to the re-run of the episode of The Valley that was showing on her television set. The girls were getting ready for a night out at the Bait Shop, conversing as they did so.
"Sum, do you think Ryan was acting weird today? He wasn't really talking that much and it seemed like something was bothering him." Marissa asked, turning back to look at Summer.
"Chino not talking? Doesn't really sound that different." Summer offered, shutting off the television and waiting for the sound of her doorbell. She was excited about tonight, she figured it would do her some good to get out and have a little fun, and it would definitely take her mind off of that cheating bastard she used to date.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Marissa said, taking a seat on Summer's bed. "Do you think he'll be ready to start dating again? I really miss him."
"Maybe." Summer paused to think about what a good thing to say would be. She didn't know why, but she'd been thinking about Ryan a lot lately. She'd recalled the phone call from last night a million times today and it made her smile, how cute it was that he was concerned for her. But she couldn't mention it to her best friend, who constantly talked about how much she wanted the boy back. She opened her mouth to offer her advice but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"I guess we're about to find out." Summer said, jumping up off of the bed and following Marisssa out of the room.
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So, there's a new chapter for you kiddies. I've gotten pretty far ahead with this story and I like where it's going, so there should be more updates pretty quickly. If anyone is out there enjoying this, please let me know, your reviews make me all giddy and warm inside. :)