SEASON TWO: Episode One
Ryan sat on the front porch of TheresaÕs house waiting for Sandy to come and pick him and Theresa up. The summer was ending and Ryan had promised the CohenÕs that he would come and visit them. Throughout the whole summer he felt guilty for leaving, especially when he found out that Seth had ran away to Tahiti. The other day he got a post card from him. At least he knew that Seth was all right and was planning to come home this week.
"Hey." Theresa interrupted his thoughts and sat down next to him. She was five months pregnant now.
"Hey." Ryan replied, shielding the hot California sun with his hand. "You still coming?"
"If I donÕt, Kirsten is going to flip out." Theresa laughed.
Kirsten called at least two times a week to check up on her. She kept on begging for her and Ryan to come back to Newport to have the baby there, but Theresa wanted to be in Chino with her mother. Every since her mother had found out about her being pregnant, she despised Ryan. All the years of her mother liking the youngest Atwood drained away in one tearful conversation the night Theresa told her she was pregnant. Theresa knew that Ryan didnÕt want to be with her, in a relationship, but he insisted on helping her with the baby. They werenÕt even sure if it was his or EddieÕs.
"So, when is Seth coming home?" Theresa questioned, as she ignored his soft glare.
"Soon. He didnÕt really say when. All he said was that he would be back in time to pick his courses for senior year, which is this week." Ryan replied. SandyÕs car pulled up to the side of the road and he left the front porch. Theresa followed him and climbed into the backseat of SandyÕs BMW.
"Theresa, you look good. HowÕs the baby?" Sandy asked, eyeing her in the rearview mirror.
"Oh the babyÕs fine, Mr. Cohen." Theresa smiled at him and continued looking out the window.
Sandy wasnÕt sure what else to say to the two teenagers sitting in his car. Over the summer he had begged Ryan to rethink his decision and come back home, but Ryan had ignored him, simply telling him that he had to take care of Theresa and the baby.
"So, RyanÉ" Sandy spoke up. "HowÕs the job going?" He asked.
Ryan shrugged. He was exhausted from working ten-hour shifts, six days a week, at the construction site. He looked down at his rough hands and sighed. "Keeps me busy." Ryan gave a half smile to Sandy. Ryan decided to quickly change the subject. "Have you heard from Seth?"
Sandy shook his head. "Nothing but a post card he sent us a while back ago. When he gets home, I'm going to wring his head in." Sandy sighed and gripped the steering wheel. "I remember telling him that since the minute he was born, I knew I would never take another easy breath without knowing that he was all right. And now, here I am, Kirsten and IÉWe have no clue where he is or if heÕs all right."
"But we do know." Ryan whispered.
"Do we really?"
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Marissa locked herself in her bedroom all day with a bottle of vodka next to her. She knew Ryan was coming back today, but only for a visit, not for good. She knew he would be with Theresa and they would be happy.
Marissa grabbed the bottle of vodka next to her, unscrewed the cap off, and took a mouthful in. Over the summer she had done nothing but sulk over the loss of Ryan. She tried calling him at TheresaÕs but he was never home. He was always out working. She thought Ryan loved her, heck, she still loved him and she knew she had to tell him that.
There was a knock at her bedroom door and Marissa stood up to answer it. "What?" She opened the door to her stepfather.
"Marissa, dear, your mother wants you downstairs and ready to go in five minutes." Caleb informed her.
"Why? Where are we going?"
"I've invited myself over to KikiÕs house for dinner. I hear that boy should be there." Caleb shook his head. He never understood how his daughter and her pot- smoking husband took in a delinquent.
"Ryan?"
Caleb nodded. "Yes, and that girlfriend of his is coming too."
"Girlfriend?" Marissa repeated. She wasnÕt sure if he was talking about Theresa or maybe it was just some random girl from Chino. Maybe another girl next door. "Theresa?" Marissa asked.
"How should I know?" Caleb replied. He heard Julie calling his name from downstairs. "I suggest you get cleaned up." Caleb said and then left.
Marissa closed her bedroom door and went straight to the bottle. She finished the vodka off and changed her clothes. Tonight she was going to tell Ryan how she really felt.
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"Ryan!" Kirsten embraced him. She pulled back from him and looked him over. "You have a tan!"
"Yeah, well, thatÕs what working in the sun does." Ryan mumbled to her. He rushed over to Theresa and helped her sit down on the couch. As of lately she was having pain in her lower back.
"So, which take-out are we having tonight, Kirsten?" Sandy asked, sitting down next to Theresa.
"No take-out tonight." Kirsten smiled cautiously.
"What? Is that a first?" Theresa joked.
"The gruesome twosome are coming over?" Sandy moaned.
"I couldnÕt say no." Kirsten quickly said. "Promise me you wonÕt do anything." Kirsten begged Sandy.
"Oh, I wonÕt." Sandy laughed.
"Also, Marissa is coming too." Kirsten announced, walking into the kitchen.
Ryan and Theresa exchanged looks.
"Have you guys talked to Marissa lately?" Sandy asked. He could see that Ryan was taken back by KirstenÕs announcement.
"No. I havenÕt talked to her since the wedding." Ryan admitted. "How is she?" He asked.
Sandy stood up. "I wouldnÕt know. With you not here, and with Seth goneÉWe never see her here anymore."
"Oh." Ryan nodded. He had been ignoring Marissa all summer long.
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Ryan sat quietly next to Marissa, as he ate his dinner with the CohenÕs and the NicholÕs. He still couldnÕt believe that Julie Cooper had married Caleb Nichol.
Theresa grabbed a second helping of mash potatoes and ate them quickly.
Caleb noticed the young girlÕs appetite and commented on it. "WhatÕs the matter? Ryan doesnÕt make enough money to feed you and the baby?" He asked Theresa, grunting.
"Dad." Kirsten warned him. "SheÕs eating for two, you know."
"I know that, Kiki." Caleb replied. "But none of this would have happened in the first place if the Sandman, over there, hadnÕt brought him into the house in the first place." He pointed his index finger across the table to Sandy. Ryan looked back and forth between Caleb and Sandy, who were sitting at opposite ends of the table.
Sandy stood up. "This is my house, Caleb and if you donÕt like the way I've been running things, then youÕre not welcomed here." He sat back down in his chair and continued eating.
"All I'm saying, is that if it werenÕt for you bringing the boy home in the first place, Seth would be hereÉEating dinner with his familyÉWhere he belongs. Not on some boat by himself."
Ryan clanked his silverware onto his plate and back away from the table. He glared at Caleb, as he walked out of the house and into the poolhouse. He knew he was right. Seth would be here with his family, where he belongs, if Ryan had never shown up in the first place.
Sandy knocked on the poolhouse door and walked in. "DonÕt listen to him." Sandy said, sitting down in a chair.
Ryan sat on the edge of his old bed and stared down at his feet. "HeÕs right. Seth would be here."
"Maybe." Sandy replied. "But you wouldnÕt be here, Ryan. If you had never called me thenÉWell, who knows, you could be in juvy or living with your mother." Sandy sighed. "We canÕt play the Ōwhat ifÕ game. We just need to except what has happened and move on."
Ryan nodded and looked up at Sandy. "ItÕs just been a really hard summerÉAnd with the baby coming and allÉItÕs getting a little hectic. I just wish Seth were here. HeÕd know what to do."
"Well, for now, I can try and to be the comical relief." Sandy patted him on the knee.
Ryan smiled. "I doubt that. But, you can try."
"Good." Sandy stood up. "So, shall we go back and face the gruesome twosome?"
Ryan shook his head. "IÕd rather not, if thatÕs okay?"
"Yeah, thatÕs fine." Sandy turned around and headed out of the door when he bumped into Marissa. "IÕll leave you two alone." He whispered to her.
"Hey." Marissa smiled at Ryan and then sat down next to him. "I'm sorry about what happened in there."
"ItÕs not your fault." Ryan replied. He knew Marissa would start playing with the guilt trip. "So, how are things?" He asked, changing the subject.
Marissa shrugged. "Summer still wonÕt talk to me because of what happened with Seth. She thinks itÕs my fault. Besides that I'm fine. HowÕs Theresa? Are you twoÉ"
"Together?" Ryan asked. Marissa nodded. "No. I told you before, when I left, that I'm just helping her out. I may be the father."
"Yeah, you also told me that you wanted us to work out too." Marissa mumbled.
"I've been busy." Ryan replied, looking down at his hands. He started to scrap the dirt out beneath his fingernails.
"With what, Ryan? How can you possibly be busy 24/7 throughout the whole summer? Why didnÕt you call me? I called you."
Ryan shifted on the bed. "I've been working and - "
"YouÕve been ignoring me." Marissa interrupted. "Do you love her?"
"Theresa? No, sheÕs my friend." Ryan defended himself.
"Who you got pregnant." Marissa yelled.
"WeÕre not even sure if the babyÕs mine or not. For all I know, it could be EddieÕs. And if it isÉI still canÕt leave her alone with him. We all know what damage he can do to Theresa." Ryan replied. He stood up from the bed and started pacing the floor. "I'm sorry I never called you and I'm sorry that youÕre mad at me. ItÕs just now with the baby comingÉ" Ryan trailed off. "Look." He stopped pacing and stood directly in front of her. "I know that you wanted for us to be together. I wanted that too, before everything happenedÉbut I just donÕt think that thatÕs possible right now."
Marissa forced herself to hold back the tears. She knew he didnÕt lover her anymore. It was obvious now that he wanted to stay in Chino and raise TheresaÕs baby.
"It just wouldnÕt have worked out between us." Ryan explained. "WeÕre from two different worlds."
Marissa stood up and faced him. "Ryan, I love you and I probably always will tooÉI'm sorry that you just donÕt realize that." She turned away from him and headed out of the poolhouse.
Ryan sighed and fell back onto the bed. He closed his eyes shut, forcing himself not to get mad at himself. It wasnÕt his fault that she loved him, was it? Ryan thought about it through his head and didnÕt realize the lonesome figure standing above him.
"Dude, are you contemplating world domination without me?"
RyanÕs eyes flew opened to the sound of SethÕs voice. Seth was standing next to his bed, holding onto his bag. "W-what Š"
"YouÕve always had a way with your words." Seth laughed.
Ryan stood up from the bed and embraced his best friend. "Where the hell have you been! Do your parents know youÕre home?" Ryan asked.
"Tahiti. And no, Mom and Dad donÕt know I'm home yet." Seth grinned. "Thought IÕd check up on the poolhouse soap opera before I headed into the locked dungeons."
"How did you know IÕd be here?" Ryan asked.
"I didnÕt. Pure Cohen luck, I suppose." Seth replied, dropping his bag to the ground. "So, did you get my post card?"
"Yeah. Very descriptive." Ryan laughed, remembering what Seth had written.
"Well, someone has to be." Seth looked around the poolhouse. "So, I saw Marissa leaving. WhatÕs up with that?"
"Long story." Ryan mumbled.
"I see. HowÕs Theresa? Are you home now, for good?"
Ryan shrugged. "I just came to visit, Seth. I really donÕt know whatÕs happening right now with my life, to tell you the truth. TheresaÕs fine and so is the baby."
"So, I'm going to be an Uncle now, for sure?" Seth questioned.
Ryan nodded. "If itÕs mine. Once the babyÕs born weÕre going to do a DNA test."
"ThatÕs cool. So, if itÕs not yours youÕre coming back here, right?"
"Maybe." Ryan replied. He really didnÕt know what he was going to do after the baby was born.
Seth dropped it. He wasnÕt going to push his best friend any further.
"So, how was Tahiti. Was it everything you thought it would be?" Ryan asked.
"Everything and more." Seth replied and then slouched down in a chair. "Actually, it kind of sucked." He admitted. "I had always dreamt of going there with SummerÉSo, it was kind of a lonesome trip without her there, if you know what I mean." Seth said and then asked, "Have you seen or talked to Summer at all?"
Ryan shook his head. "I've been in Chino the whole time. I wouldnÕt know. This is actually my first time back."
"Oh." Seth bobbed his head up and down. "So, how long are you staying?"
"Well, Sandy said I could spend the night. I was going to bunk up in your bed tonight and let Theresa have the poolhouse, but now that youÕre homeÉ"
"Sleepover! Awesome!" Seth exaggerated.
"Hey, RyanÉI Š " Theresa stopped at the door. "Oh, heyÉSeth."
Seth waved at Theresa. "Yo, how goes it with the baby?" He asked, pointing to his stomach.
Theresa rubbed her belly. "The babyÕs good. HeÕs been kicking a lot."
"He?" SethÕs face lit up. "So itÕs a boy."
Both Ryan and Theresa nodded.
"Thought of any names yet? Maybe ThorÉor Seth." Seth questioned them. "Like I said before, Ryan, ThorÕs a strong name and, well, SethÉSethÕs just an insanely awesome name. If I werenÕt a Seth, I would want to be one." He pointed out.
Theresa laughed. "WeÕll take it into consideration."
"Glad to hear someone is a little more open to my perspectives." Seth stood up. "Well, I think itÕs time for me to face Mom and Dad now." He announced. "Wish me luck." Seth walked out of the poolhouse.
"You okay?" Ryan asked Theresa.
"I'm fine. I just came to check up on you. Are you okay? DonÕt listen to what Mr. Nichols has to say about you." She replied.
"ItÕs okay, Theresa. I'm fine. Come on, letÕs go back into the house." Ryan said and then walked pass her and into the CohenÕs house.
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"MomÉMomÉMom." Seth moaned. "YouÕre choking me. Can you loosen up on the death grip?" Seth mumbled into her shoulder.
"ThatÕs what you get for running off on us for two months." Sandy scowled him. He was sitting in between Theresa and Ryan on the couch. Caleb, Julie and Marissa had left already and now Kirsten wouldnÕt let go of Seth.
"Okay, okay. Mom, I'm sorry." Seth pleaded with her.
Kirsten let him go. "A note, Seth! You left me a note!"
Ryan laughed to himself, remembering that just a year ago he was caught in the same situation. His mother had left him a note, but at least Seth had returned home Š at his own will.
"Sorry." Seth said again. "Is young and stupid a good excuse to give you guys?" Seth asked.
"No, but for now it will do." Kirsten hugged him again. "I'm just so happy youÕre home." She let him go again.
"Promise me you wonÕt ever leave again, son." Sandy asked.
"I promise, I wonÕt." Seth replied. "So, whoÕs up for some Playstation?" Seth bounced over to the PS2. "Oh, I've missed you so much!" He rubbed the controller up to his face.
"Aw, would you look at that." Sandy laughed jokingly. "HeÕs like child discovering fire."
"Mock all you want, dad, but I'm so going to beat you at the Ninja game."
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Seth was lying down on his bed with Captain Oats when Sandy walked into his bedroom. "Ready?" Sandy asked, clapping his hands together in anticipation for some enthusiasm.
"I can go by myself, Dad." Seth replied. "I'm a senior now, so I think I can pick my courses alone, wouldnÕt you say so?"
"Well, I just thought maybe youÕd want me to be there with you but thatÕs fine. I've gotÉI've got work to do anyway." Sandy swallowed hard. "IÕll see you later then." Sandy said and then left.
Seth put Captain Oats down on his bed and left his bedroom. The whole house was quiet and awkward without Ryan around. Seth was glad now that he was gone the whole summer. He would have killed himself. Speaking of summer, Seth thought to himself, maybe he should call her. Or he could surprise her. Yes, thatÕs what heÕll do. Surprise her. Right after he picked his senior courses at Harbor.
Seth got onto his skateboard and rolled down the streets, making his way to Harbor. Once he got there he picked up his skateboard and walked into the main building. He realized how alone he was when he saw that everyone kept on staring at him and whispering. Having a feeling that something was wrong with his attire; Seth slid into the boyÕs bathroom.
"Nope, Jew-Fro is in tact." Seth said to himself, looking into the mirror. He looked down at his shirt. "No spills or stains." He confirmed.
"Oh, would you look at who we have here." A boy said to his friend, walking into the bathroom. "If it isnÕt the queer himself." The boy mocked. "WhereÕs your boyfriend?"
Seth ignored the remark. "Hey, is that new shirt? It looks nice." Seth said, walking pass them and leaving the bathroom. He looked behind him to make sure they werenÕt following him. Seth let out a sigh, as he saw no one trailing behind him. God, he wished Ryan was with him right now Š not in a boyfriend way or anything, just as a friend who would have his back.
Seth turned a corner and bumped into a girl, sending the paperÕs she was holding, into the air.
"Crap." Seth mumbled and began picking them up. He stood up and handed them to the girl. "Anna! What the hell are you doing here?" Seth exclaimed.
"Nice to see you too, Seth." Anna smirked at him. "I was just picking up my schedule."
"Oh, right." Seth scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, so, youÕre back in Newport?"
"Looks like it. Pittsburgh was fun and all but, well you know, it got boring. All of my friends at school were seniors last year, so this year they all moved away for college. ThatÕs when I decided to come back here to finish school with the gang." Anna explained and then laughed. "You seem surprised."
"I am." Seth replied. "I just wasnÕt planning on bumping into you, butÉuh, I'm glad I did because I was dreading of walking the hallways alone today."
"WhereÕs Ryan?" Anna asked, as they started making their way to registration.
"HeÕs in Chino." Anna waved for him to continue on. "With TheresaÉWhoÕs pregnant."
Anna gasped. "Wow, things have really changed. What about Marissa?"
"I have no clue whatÕs up between those two. I've been gone all summer."
"Oh, really? Where did you go?" Anna asked.
"Tahiti."
"With Summer?"
"Nope, uhÉ Just me, myself and I." Seth replied. "ItÕs kind of a long storyÉWhen Ryan left I sort of ran away from everything, including Summer, who I havenÕt talked to all summer long. I plan on going over to her house after registration to beg for her forgiveness."
"Ah, I see." Anna nodded. "Things havenÕt changed."
Seth nodded his head and stared at Anna. "Crap, I'm so glad youÕre back in Newport."
Anna smiled at him. "Yeah. I came back just in time for all the drama."
Seth laughed. "Yup, itÕs going to be a ride this year."
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Ryan finished up his last task of the day on the construction site and caught a ride with one of the guys who lived near him. His shoulder blades screamed in pain as he walked into TheresaÕs momÕs house. The smells of barbecued chicken filled his nostrils.
"SupperÕs ready." TheresaÕs mom informed him.
Ryan mumbled a thank you to her and sat down at the table. It was just Ryan eating tonight. Theresa was working an evening shift at the drugstore and her mom was going out with an old friend.
"Theresa should be home by nine-thirty." She told him, as she headed out of the door.
Ryan sat alone in an awkward silence, as he ate his dinner. He still wasnÕt used to living with Theresa. He always felt like he didnÕt belong, especially since her mother now hated him. Ryan quickly finished up his dinner and walked outside to have a cigarette. He had promised Kirsten and himself that he would quit smoking, but it was so hard to do at the construction site. Everyone he knew smoked, so he picked up his bad habit and joined them during his breaks.
Ryan was walking around the backyard patio when he heard the doorbell ring. He ran through the kitchen and into the living room to answer the door.
"Dude, ChinoÕs a very confusing place to be in when youÕre lost. I asked some guy if he had the time and he like flipped out on me. But that wasnÕt the worst Š"
"Seth." Ryan stopped him. "What are you doing here?" He questioned.
Seth walked past Ryan and into the house. "This place is, uhÉInteresting. WhereÕs Theresa?"
"Working." Ryan replied, inhaling his cigarette. He closed the door and turned to Seth. "So, again, what are you doing here?"
Seth sat down on the couch. "Comfy." He bounced up and down. Ryan glared at him and sat down in a chair. "Funny thing." Seth laughed. "AnnaÕs back, youÕre goneÉAnd most of all, SummerÕs pulling an all out rage blackout as we speak."
Ryan pressed his lips up against his cigarette and frowned. "So, I take it you talked to Summer this afternoon. Why is Anna back in Newport?"
"Pittsburgh sucks now, I guess. So, she wanted to come back to Newport to be with her friends. But, she canÕt really do that now because youÕre not there, MarissaÕs drinking her life away and SummerÕs on a rampage." Seth sighed. "Dude, I seriously donÕt know what to doÉThatÕs why I'm here."
"Do your parents know? ItÕs getting late." Ryan observed.
"No, they think I'm at SummerÕs making peace, which I didnÕt succeed at."
"I suggest you call them. Your mom might kill youÉSame with your dad." Ryan said, handing him the cordless phone.
Seth dialed home and spoke to his dad. He wasnÕt that mad that he had gone to Chino, but was slightly upset that he didnÕt have a car to make it back home before it got dark.
"So, whatÕd he have to say?" Ryan asked Seth.
"If itÕs okay, can I stay the night? He said he would come and pick me up in the morning." Seth replied, standing up and looking around the place.
"Yeah, sure. Now youÕre the one sleeping on the floor, not me." Ryan said, walking into the kitchen. "Juice?" He opened the fridge and handed him a juice box.
"Dude." Seth laughed, pointing to the picture on the fridge. "Love the outfit."
Ryan tore the picture off of the fridge. "That was a long time ago."
"Whatever you say, Snoopy."
Ryan and Seth went outside on the patio and caught up with each otherÕs life.
"What happened with you and Summer?" Ryan asked.
"SheÕs still not over me leaving her without an explanation, which I clearly did. I wrote her a letter. What else could I have done?" Seth questioned.
"You could have talked to her." Ryan suggested.
"Well, if I did talk to herÉI'm positive she would have kicked my ass. Maybe she just needs some time. Once we see each other at school I bet sheÕll miss me. I'm irresistible like peanut butter."
"Unless youÕre like me, someone who hates peanut butter." Ryan threw him a smile.
"Whatever floats your boat, man. So, what happens next, Ryan?" Seth asked, sipping his juice box.
"What do you mean?"
"After the baby is born. What happens next?" Seth questioned.
Ryan shrugged. "If itÕs mine then I have to take the responsibility and care for Theresa and the baby. I'm not going to abandon my family. Not like what Dawn did to me." Ryan replied.
"And if itÕs not?"
"If the babyÕs not mine thenÉ" Ryan trailed off, looking up at the sky. He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lit up one up. "I really donÕt know. To tell you the truth, I really want the baby to mine." Ryan admitted.
Seth was shocked. "But, uh, I thought you didnÕt want the baby. I mean, before when Theresa said she was going to have the abortion you were all up for it. Or at least you didnÕt care."
"I did care. ItÕs a life, Seth." Ryan inhaled his cigarette. "I just think that everything would be better off if the babyÕs mine."
"WhyÕs that?" Seth asked.
"ÕCause if itÕs not mine, then what, Seth?" Ryan whispered. "WhatÕs going to happen when I find out that itÕs not mine, but EddieÕs. So, great, Eddie takes responsibly, sureÉBut whatÕs left for me?"
"Newport? WouldnÕt you move back?" Seth asked, chewing at his juice box straw.
Ryan shrugged. "ChinoÕs my home now, Seth. I have a steady jobÉI make a lot of money. I wouldnÕt want to impose on your family again."
"Dude, you are family." Seth said in all seriousness.
Ryan stood up from the lawn chair he was sitting on. "ItÕs getting late, I'm going to bed."
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After Sandy picked Seth up from TheresaÕs house Ryan went to work. He was always showing up a bit late everyday because the bus schedules in Chino were always messed up. So, he was either really early for work or really late for work. Today he was extremely late for work. Seth wouldnÕt stop talk this morning, so he missed his first bus, then his second bus.
"Atwood, get over here." His boss, Marco, barked at him.
Ryan put down the power tool he was working with and jogged over to his boss. "WhatÕs up?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.
"What time is it, Atwood?" Marco asked.
"I know, I'm late and I'm sorry. ItÕs just that the buses Š "
"ItÕs nine-thirty. YouÕre supposed to be here every day at eight until six. Not nine-thirty to six. If the buses are always running late then take the early bus."
"I have." Ryan replied. "But if I take the early bus then I get here a little before seven, which I donÕt get paid for. I, personally, think thatÕs unfair. If a guy gets here Š "
"Atwood." Marco held up his hand. "Are you implying that I'm running my business the wrong way?"
"No, Marco, I'm not. I just think that itÕs unfairÉFor people who have to take the bus."
"Right. Well, I'm sorry you feel that way." Marco replied. "But." He held up his index finger. "I pay you to be here at eight. No later. YouÕre always showing up late and itÕs affecting the project."
Ryan lowered his head. "So, IÕll show up early from now on." He whispered.
"I'm sorry, Atwood. I'm going to have to let you go."
"Look, Marco, I swear IÕll show up on time." Ryan begged. "Just give me another chance."
"YouÕre up with your chances. IÕll mail you your last paycheck." Marco said and left Ryan standing there alone.
"Shit." Ryan mumbled under his breath, as he grabbed his things and left the construction site. He didnÕt want to go home right now. Theresa and her mother would know that he had gotten laid off. So, instead of going home Ryan decided to call Seth.
Ryan found a near by pay phone and dialed SethÕs cellphone number. The cell rang three times before Seth picked up.
"Hello?" Seth answered.
"Hey."
"Dude, whatÕs up? You miss me already? ItÕs only been likeÉtwo hours." Seth bantered. "Just think of when I'm at school next week. What are you going to do then?"
"Very funny." Ryan replied. "No, man, I just called to see if you wanted to do something. You said this morning that you wanted to, so I thought that maybe now you wanted to do something." Ryan rambled on. "ThatÕs if youÕre not busy. Are you busy?"
"Whoa, uh, no." Seth laughed. "I can meet you on your lunch break or something? I've got my momÕs car."
"Actually, I'm not at the construction site. I'm at a 7/11Éon a pay phone."
"Okay? Uh, why?" Seth asked.
"Truth?" Ryan hesitated. "I just got laid off."
"Well, thatÕsÉdefinitely not good." Seth pointed out. "I've got nothing to do all day. IÕll come and pick you up and weÕll hang."
"Are you sure itÕs okay?" Ryan asked.
"Dude, IÕd rather hang out with you than with Captain Oats right now. Not that I have anything against Captain Oats or anything, but IÕve already talked to him today."
"OkayÉSo, I'm at the 7/11 on Carps St. Do you know how to get there?"
"No, but thatÕs okay, IÕll manage. I've got maps and what not. IÕll see you soon." Seth said and then hanged up.
Ryan waited outside the 7/11 for Seth. Finally, after waiting for what seemed like five hours but really only an hour and a half, Seth showed up with his momÕs range rover.
Ryan waved to Seth and slid into the passenger seat.
"So, weÕre in ChinoÉWhatÕs there to do?" Seth asked, keeping his eyes on the road. "We could, uhÉSeriously, Ryan, help me out here."
Ryan leaned over and turned down the volume on the CD player. "This music sucks, Seth. I have to agree with Summer; one guitar and a whole lot of complaining."
"You just donÕt know what good music is, Ryan. Let me educate youÉConor Oberst, yeah, that guyÕs a God."
"Conor, who?"
"Dude, donÕt say that." Seth shook his head and Ryan started laughing. "Fine, just stick with your ŌJourneyÕ music. TheyÕre talented if youÕre into the whole ŌA prayer for PeaceÕ thing. I mean, donÕt get me wrong or anything, itÕs good musicÉWell, sometimes. ItÕs just very minty of youÉThatÕs all I'm saying."
Ryan glared at Seth.
"Gotcha. DonÕt insult Journey. I have to remember that one because that staring thing you do is really started to freak me out. Although, you must teach me it. Hey, maybe I could use it on Summer to win her back. Do you think that would work?"
"No. YouÕre not one for the staring thing. It just makes you look like youÕre constipated."
"Aw, thatÕs real sentimental, Ryan. I like that." Seth focused on the road ahead of him. "So, we still donÕt know where weÕre going. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere. I really donÕt care right now." Ryan replied, staring out of the window.
"Want to go back to Newport? I know Anna would love to see you. Or we could go to the IMAX theater. We could go see that shark movie that we never ended up seeing. I doubt itÕs still playing though, but we could always go anyway."
"Nah. NewportÕs good."
"Awesome. WeÕll go down to the Crab Shack, just like old times."
"Sounds good."
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Marissa walked into the girlÕs bathroom at the Harbor school. She had just finished selecting her courses for her senior year. She hated school now. All the popular kids that she was friends with last year were now no longer talking to her. After the whole Mexico overdosing fiasco, she had lost a lot of her friends. But now she had no one. Seth was mad at her, Ryan was in Chino, Luke was in Portland and Summer wouldnÕt talk to her.
Marissa looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head in disgust. She pulled out a bottle of Jack DanielÕs and took a drink.
Summer walked into the bathroom and stopped once she saw Marissa.
"Hey." Marissa said, quickly hiding the bottle and putting it back into her purse.
"Hey." Summer mumbled. She went into a stall and went to the bathroom.
Marissa pretended to fix up her make-up, as she waited for Summer to finish going to the bathroom. Finally, after the longest pee in history, Summer stood by Marissa and stared at herself in the mirror. "So, I hear SethÕs back." Marissa said.
"Uh huh." Summer replied, while she applied her lip-gloss. "Disappointed?"
"What?" Marissa looked at her through the mirror.
"I said, are you disappointed?"
"Sum, okay, this is stupid." She dropped her purse on the counter and turned to her. "Why are we fighting?"
Summer hesitated but didnÕt say anything.
"You blame me for Cohen leavingÉI get it, okay? But heÕs back now and we should make the best of it. WeÕve been best friends since like forever. We canÕt let something like this get in the way of our friendship. God, CohenÕs going to have a ride once he finds out that weÕre not friends over him." Marissa laughed. "And we donÕt want that do we?"
"No, not really." Summer replied. "Coop, I'm sorry. I just needed someone to blameÉI didnÕt mean toÉWellÉ"
"ItÕs okay, I get it." Marissa stopped her. "So, how is Seth? Is he okay?"
Summer shook her head. "I screwed up. I yelled at him and told him that we were over because of his little trip that he took. I mean, come on, he didnÕt have the guts to tell me that he was leaving!"
"Yeah." Marissa agreed. "Well, if it makes you happy, things between Ryan and I are definitely not good. He wants to stay in Chino with Theresa."
"ItÕs not like we need Chino or Cohen this year, anyway." Summer hugged her best friend. "We have each other now. Come on, letÕs go grab some lunch."
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"So, now that you donÕt have a job, what are your plans?" Seth asked Ryan, as he cracked opened his crab.
Ryan shrugged, munching on his food. "IÕll look for another one, I guess."
"Dude, why donÕt you just come back to Newport. My parents will help you out. ThatÕs what parents doÉThey pay for things. They work for us."
"Except that theyÕre not my parents, Seth." Ryan glared at him.
"Your last name may not be ŌCohenÕ, which is probably a good thing, but on paper my parents are your guardians. If you donÕt want to live with my parents, then they could always get you an apartment in the numbered streets."
"Theresa wants to stay in Chino with her mom."
"Well, I'm sure if you tell her how you feel, sheÕll understand and move with you." Seth explained.
"And exactly how do I feel?" Ryan asked.
"You feel likeÉLike you need to come back to Newport." Seth replied. "Why do you want to stay in Chino? ThereÕs nothing there for you."
"ThereÕs Theresa and the baby." Ryan put down his napkin. "Man, I'm full."
"YouÕre ignoring whatÕs really on the surface, Ryan and soon itÕs going to boil over." Seth exclaimed. "Dude, you have to come back to Newport and go back to Harbor. What if my parents found out that you didnÕt have a job? Then what? I'm sure they would want you back here to have an education."
"TheyÕre not going to find out." Ryan said.
Seth started to whistle and looked around.
"You better not say anything, Seth." Ryan warned him.
"I'm not guaranteeing anything." Seth replied. "You know how I am. Stuff slips out of my mouth like a bar of soap. Speaking of soap, I have to go wash my hands. I've got crab guts all over them." Seth said and left for the bathroom.
Ryan pulled out his wallet and started counting his money. He wasnÕt going to let Seth pay for him this time. He put down a twenty and waited for him to get back. Just as he saw Seth walking towards him hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Anna?" Ryan heard her voice.
"Hey." Anna sat down next to him. "Long time no see."
Seth came and sat down. "If I were you, I wouldnÕt go into the menÕs bathroom, Ryan. I guess crab doesnÕt agree with some people."
"Gross." Anna laughed. "So, what are you guys doing?"
"Well, nothing." Seth replied. "We were just going to lazy around all afternoon. Probably play video games or something. YouÕre welcomed to come if you want."
"Sure, sounds like fun."
Seth, Ryan and Anna were up and ready to go when they saw Marissa and Summer walk in.
"Hey, Marissa. Hey, Summer." Anna greeted them.
"Hey." Summer hugged her. "What are you doing here? Are you visiting?" She asked, glancing at Seth."
"I moved back."
"ThatÕs awesome." Marissa said. "Maybe weÕll have some classes together."
"Yeah, maybe." Anna replied.
"Hey, Ryan." Marissa looked his way. "I didnÕt know you were still here."
"Uh, no." Ryan smiled. "I'm not. I'm justÉ"
"Visiting." Seth quickly said. "Again. Ryan and IÉWeÕre inseparable." There was an awkward silence between the five teenagers. "Hey, weÕre all going back to my place to play some video games. You girls want to come too?" Ryan shot him daggers and Seth laughed it off, mouthing an ŌitÕs okay.Õ
"Sure." Marissa was all up for it. It was just another chance for her to talk to Ryan again. "What about you, Sum?"
"Fine." She mumbled. "Only because I want to hang out with Anna, and maybe Chino. Not you, Seth." She glared at him.
"What ever makes you feel happy, Summer." Seth replied.
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Seth sat in between Ryan and Marissa on the couch, while Summer and Anna took the floor. The two girls were in a battle against each other on the television screen.
"So, Ryan, are you going back to school next week?" Marissa asked, over SummerÕs shrieking. SummerÕs character on the screen just died.
"No." Ryan replied and continued watching the battle on the screen.
"Oh." Marissa looked hurt.
"Yeah, heÕs working." Seth grinned. Ryan playfully punched him in the arm, ignoring MarissaÕs curiosity.
"God, Cohen. This game sucks!" Summer stood up and brushed the dust off of her short skirt. "I bet we could have more fun in Chino right now." She added.
Seth glared at her. Ryan looked on in amusement.
"Cohen, whatÕs with the face?" Summer demanded.
Seth kept on staring at her, trying to master the ŌRyan glareÕ.
"I for once agree with Summer." Anna laughed. "You look like youÕre constipated."
"Told you." Ryan mumbled.
"Damn." Seth stormed off to the kitchen to grab some food. Ryan followed him and left the girls. "Dude, I so had the glare going. What happened?"
"Nothing happened." Ryan replied. "The glareÕs just not for you. I'm afraid youÕll have to win Summer over some other way but from the looks of itÉYouÕve already won her."
"You think?" Seth asked, opening a bag of dill pickled chips.
"Yeah, I mean sheÕs talking to you and she doesnÕt seem to be mad anymore."
"ItÕs been like four houseÉnot even." Seth said. "But, uh, if you say soÉYou are the one who does well with the ladies."
Ryan sighed. "Well, if you call getting one pregnant, sure."
"Dude, you donÕt even know if the kid is yours or not. Quit throwing the noose around your neck." Seth explained. "So, you might have gotten a girl pregnant, sureÉbut life goes on, right? Which brings me to my next question. WhatÕs up with Marissa? SheÕs been like clobbering you with questions all afternoon."
"ItÕs over between Marissa and I." Ryan took the bag of chips from Seth and walked back into the den.
Sandy walked into the house and heard the Playstation blaring. "Seth! ItÕs five oÕclock! What are you doing playing video games all da Š Oh." Sandy waved to everyone. "Wow. We have a full house today." He smirked at Seth. "Seth, could I, uhÉ" He pointed to the kitchen. "Could we talk?"
"Sure." Seth left the den. "WhatÕs up?" He sat on a stool and stared up at his dad.
"This morning what did I tell you?" Sandy asked.
"That you loved me?" Seth joked. "Oh wait, noÉDid I forget to do something? Garbage night is Tuesday night, right?"
"No." Sandy replied. "We talked about your punishment for you running off on your mother and I all summer."
"Oh, right. That conversation. ItÕs all coming back to me." Seth replied.
"Right, so no video games, no computer and no sailing until your forty."
"Okay, dadÉDo you really need to cut off my social life? Video games bring me closer to my friends, as you can see. No computer? ThatÕs just cruel! How can you possibly take such a powerful tool away from a boy like myself? Oh, and forty, dad? I thought you were joking about that."
"No. I wasnÕt." Sandy said, straight faced. "You gave your mother and I a scare!"
"Okay, I'm sorry. You already know that but I'm here now and so is RyanÉSo why canÕt you just be happy?"
"I am happy that youÕre back, Seth. Remember, youÕre like asthma."
"Right." Seth shook his head and laughed. "So, weÕre cool?"
Sandy ran his hand through his hair. "Just donÕt tell your mother I'm letting you play video games."
"Sweet." Seth jumped off the stool.
"Wait." Sandy stopped him. "WhatÕs Ryan doing here?"
"UhÉ" Seth hesitated. "YouÕd have to ask him." He said and went back to the den.
Sandy walked into the den and smiled at the five teenagers. It was almost like nothing had happened all summer between them all. It was as if Ryan was still living with them. Sandy missed that. He missed seeing Ryan everyday. Even though the kid hardly talked, he missed Ryan as much as he missed SethÕs ramblings all summer long.
"Ryan, can I talk to you for a second?" Sandy asked.
Ryan handed his controller to Seth and walked into the kitchen. He wasnÕt sure what Seth had told Sandy, but he knew that Sandy was suspicious because Ryan usually worked until six.
"Long time no see." Sandy patted him on the back, as Ryan sat down at the kitchen table. "I thought maybe we could talk about some things that I havenÕt been able to talk to you about before."
Ryan swallowed hard. He wasnÕt sure what Sandy was up to, but he didnÕt like the way it sounded already. "Sure." Ryan gave him a half smile.
"Good." Sandy sat across the table from him. "HowÕs work?"
Ryan looked down at his hands, ignoring SandyÕs eye. He wasnÕt stupid. Ryan knew that Sandy was smart. "Not good." Ryan mumbled. "I was fired today."
Sandy nodded his head and Ryan was surprised that he left it at that.
"Are you thinking about school?"
Ryan shrugged and shifted in his chair. "Not really, no. I was thinking of looking for another job tomorrow."
"How much money have you saved up throughout the summer?" Sandy questioned.
"A little over six grand." Ryan looked up at Sandy. "Plus a couple of hundred dollars I saved up from working at the Crab Shack."
"Ryan," Sandy leaned back in this chair and continued. "ThatÕs more than enough for Theresa and the baby. As your guardian, I'm asking you to not do this to yourself. YouÕre so close to having an education." Ryan looked back down at his hands. "I want you to come home and I want you to go back to school. Theresa can live here or if she wants, Kirsten I could help her get a place somewhere up in the numbered streets."
Ryan didnÕt know what to tell Sandy. He knew that he wanted to go back to school, but he also knew that he needed to help Theresa and the baby. They were always going to come first from now on. He could live without school right now but he wasnÕt too sure if he could live without the baby. He was starting to like the idea of having a baby. Maybe not with Theresa, but still, he had gotten her pregnant and now it was his responsibly.
"Ryan, you do know that as your guardian you have to do as I say. I donÕt want to force something like this on you. I want you to make your own decisions, but at the same time, I want you to understand what those decisions mean to you. So, I'm asking you to make the right decision here, Ryan."
Ryan shook his head. "YouÕre not asking, Sandy. YouÕre telling me."
"But you know that I'm right." Sandy replied. "Look, IÕll let you talk this all over with Theresa tonight. SheÕs welcomed to stay here and weÕre also willing to help her find an apart nearby if thatÕs that case, okay?"
Ryan nodded. He didnÕt have any other choices. He had a feeling something like this was going to happen, but Ryan thought it would have happened a long time ago.
"Good, IÕll let you get back to playing video games. God knows they do wonders to teenaged hormones."
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When Ryan came home from the CohenÕs house that night, Theresa was lying down on the couch watching television. "YouÕre home." Theresa sat up and turned off the T.V. "Where have you been?" She asked. "YouÕre usually home from work at seven."
"I wasnÕt at work, I was at the CohenÕs." Ryan replied, walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge. That was one thing he loved about the CohenÕs Š They always had food. Ryan pulled out a Kraft Single slice of cheese and bread. He began making his sandwich, ignoring Theresa, who was now in the kitchen.
"You were fired, werenÕt you?" Theresa demanded.
Ryan bit down into his sandwich and nodded.
"Ryan, what are we going to do!" Theresa yelled at him. "I canÕt be the only one working, you know that!"
"Look," Ryan took TheresaÕs hand and guided her into a kitchen chair. He sat down across from her and put down his sandwich. "I talked to Sandy this afternoon and he saidÉWell, told me that I have to move back there. He wants me to go back to school."
"OkayÉBut, what do you want, Ryan?" Theresa asked.
Ryan hesitated. "I Š I donÕt know. The only thing keeping me in Chino now is you and the baby and thatÕs all that really matters to me right now." Ryan sighed. "I donÕt have a choice, Theresa. HeÕs my guardian and knowing Sandy heÕll make sure I'm home by tomorrow night."
"So, youÕre leaving?"
"No, I'm not leaving. Well, technicallyÉMaybe I am but youÕre coming too." Ryan replied.
Theresa shook her head. "I canÕt do that to the CohenÕs, Ryan. I'm not their responsibility."
"You could live up in the numbered streets. Sandy and Kirsten could help you. I've made over six grand, so thatÕs enough to get you started. Plus, if you move to Newport you could quit your job and focus more on the baby." Ryan explained. "Theresa, I donÕt have a choice anymore. I'm going back to Newport." He whispered to her.
"Then youÕre going alone. ChinoÕs my homeÉI thought it was yours too, but I guess I was wrong." Theresa replied. "I have to go to bed. I'm working the early shift tomorrow morning." She said and left the kitchen.
Ryan sat in the kitchen alone, eating the remainder of his sandwich and going over his decision. He knew he was going back to Newport. That was a given. Sandy wanted him to go back to school and finish school. The problem was Theresa. If the baby were his, he would have to support her. The phone ringing next to him interrupted his thoughts. Ryan answered it. "Hello?"
"So, guess what Summer said to me after you left." Seth questioned.
"Seth, heyÉWhat did she say?" Ryan rolled his eyes.
"You wouldnÕt believe it!" Seth exclaimed. "She wanted to know if she could come sailing with me next time. ThatÕs great, right? Although, I'm not sure if she was being sarcastic or serious."
"Yeah, itÕs hard to tell with Summer now that sheÕs been hanging around you." Ryan replied. "But I'm happy for you, Seth."
"Yeah, soÉI was talking to my dad and he told me that you were coming home. Is that true Ryan Atwood? I hope it is because even though I have Anna now, I still need a brother."
"Yeah." Ryan replied.
Seth laughed. "You sound very enthused about the idea." He commented.
"I am Š really. I think. ItÕs just TheresaÉSheÕs mad that I'm leaving her. She doesnÕt want to come with me."
"You have nothing left in Chino so, - "
Ryan interrupted. "I have Theresa."
"It doesnÕt sound like you have Theresa on your side there but if thatÕs what you want to believe then go ahead." Seth replied. Ryan didnÕt say anything, as he heard Seth talking to Sandy. "My dad wants to talk to you." Before Seth handed the phone over her added, "Do something for yourself for a change."
"Hey, kid." Sandy said. "So, did you think about what we talked about?"
"Yeah, I talked to Theresa. She doesnÕt want to leave Chino."
"Okay, and what about yourself?" Sandy questioned.
"I donÕt have a choice. I'm going back to school, just like you wanted." Ryan replied. He sounded like he wasnÕt into idea of going back to Newport, but deep down inside he was kind of glad Sandy was forcing him to go back. "So, I guess IÕll pack my things and see you tomorrow."
"Do you need a pick up?"
"No, I think I can manage." Ryan replied. "IÕll see you later." He said before disconnecting.
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