The Unexpected (Chapters Six and Seven)
Jul. 17th, 2007 08:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missmara13I'm not gonna bother with the whole spiel of title warnings and all that... click the tag to see the warnings on the past chapters... lol... I'm tired, and pissed, and freaked, and I just wanna post...
Anyway, here's the next two chapters, posted together because I don't think they're overly long and I wanna get this story completely posted sometime in the next millenia... lol...
Chapter Six
Sandy let out a low hiss as Sarah lowered Ryan's hospital gown and revealed the angry red wound on Ryan's chest. "That isn't good, is it?" he asked Sarah.
The doctor shook her head. "Looks like an infection is starting," she said. "Ryan, I'm going to use some disinfectant and see if I can head this off before it gets any worse."
Ryan nodded, whincing slightly at the thought of stinging disinfectant. "Okay."
As Sarah prepared what she needed, Sandy moved closer to the bed again and gently rubbed the back of Ryan's neck. "If she doesn't offer some pain meds, I'm going to ask her to get some," he said. "You don't need to be in any pain."
Ryan nodded again, then leaned over sideways against Sandy. "Okay," he repeated.
"And I'll stay right here with you," Sandy added. "Then maybe Kirsten won't kill me for not calling her."
Ryan smiled. "Just tell her you didn't want me to think it was anything bad, she'll forgive you then."
"Probably," Sandy agreed. "The most important thing to her at the moment is you being okay. That's also the most important thing to me and Seth."
"I think missing school is important to Seth, too," Ryan said.
"Don't make yourself laugh," Sandy said, though he couldn't help smiling himself.
~~~~
"Seth?" Kirsten asked as she walked up and found her son sitting outside Ryan's room looking glum.
"Dr. Anderson is checking his stitches and he asked me to leave," Seth replied. "He asked Dad to stay though."
Kirsten sighed. "He's scared, Seth. I don't know if you noticed how he gripped my hand earlier, he was scared to be alone."
"But why did he make me leave then?"
"Because he doesn't want you worrying anymore than you already are," Kirsten replied.
Seth shrugged. "I guess."
The door opened and Sarah walked out, smiling at mother and son. "You can go back in whenever you want," she said. "I just need to go get Ryan a dose of pain meds."
"Are the stitches okay?" Kirsten asked as Seth went ahead into the room.
"A mild infection was starting, but I think we got it before it could turn serious," Sarah said.
"Thank you," Kirsten said standing and following her son into the room. She smiled at Ryan, who was sitting back in bed, looking tired but at the same time relieved. "Did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ryan replied. "And Dr. Anderson said if I can avoid tearing out my stitches I may be able to go home in a week."
"Knowing you that's a big if," Sandy said.
"A week?" Kirsten said. "Then I'll real have to get to work getting your room ready."
"My room?" Ryan asked.
"At least while you're recovering, you're going to move into the house with the rest of us," Kirsten said. "After you're better we'll talk about whether you stay or move back to the pool house. And in the meantime we're making the guestroom nice and homey for you."
"You don't have to go to any trouble..." Ryan started.
"Ryan, they're actually offering to buy you whatever you want to decorate your room, just accept it and ask for expensive stuff," Seth advised.
Ryan shook his head. "I don't need anything expensive," he said.
"I really gotta have a talk with you about accepting money and stuff when it's offered," Seth complained, heaving an exagerated sigh.
"But I don't need anything more than what I've got," Ryan protested.
"You need a computer," Sandy said. "I know you've been using Seth's to type school papers, so that's one thing you will be getting, no arguements."
"Take advanatage, ask for a laptop," Seth suggested with a grin.
Kirsten rolled her eyes. "Seth, stop bothering Ryan."
Ryan smiled slightly. "You really don't have to spend any extra money on me," he said. "I know the hospital bills alone are gonna be expensive..."
"You're covered by both Sandy and I's insurance, we won't be paying a cent out of pocket, so don't worry," Kirsten said, fibbing slightly since they would have to pay a small portion. "And even if we were we wouldn't care."
"Ryan, man, you saved my mom's life, trust me they aren't going to want you to pay them back," Seth said.
Sarah returned then and carefully injected something into Ryan's IV. "That should take care of the pain," she told Ryan. "But don't be surprised if it knocks you out again."
Ryan nodded and settled back against his pillow, sighing slightly. After Sarah left again, he closed his eyes for a minute before opening them again. "How'd things go talking to your father?" he asked Kirsten.
Kirsten shrugged. "After Julie stormed out, fed up with me defending you, he was more than understanding about me taking time off. And he even said he might come see you, to thank you for saving me."
Ryan blushed slightly. "I don't need to be thanked," he said quietly. "I didn't even think."
"Which is not a trait I intend to encourage," Kirsten scolded lightly. "How about we lower your bed again so you can get some more sleep?"
"All I've done is sleep," Ryan protested.
"And the more you sleep, the quicker you'll heal and be able to leave," Sandy said.
"And the more you sleep between now and tomorrow, the quicker it'll get to be time for Marissa to visit," Seth added.
Ryan smiled at that, and didn't argue any further as Kirsten lowered the head of the bed for him. "Okay," he said.
"One of us will be here when you wake up," she promised.
Ryan nodded slightly and closed his eyes, within minutes he was fast asleep.
Sandy looked down at the hastily moved tray of hospital food and made a face. "He never ate," he said.
"Can you blame him?" Seth asked. "I think he was right when he said he thought it was gonna jump off the tray."
Kirsten shook her head in amusement at the two. Only her husband and son could manage to find humor in a hospital stay like this.
~~~~
"Cohen!" Summer called as she hurried up to him the next day at school. "How's Chino?"
"After getting an infection on his stitches taken care of, he's fine," Seth reported. "Except he seriously wants out of the hospital and he's really looking forward to seeing Marissa this afternoon."
Summer frowned. "I haven't seen Coop all day," she said. "And yesterday she bailed on sneaking in to see him because Julie offered her a shopping trip as a peace offering. I'm supposse to be the bitch who'd chose shopping over the guy I claim to love."
Seth frowned. "I thought you said..."
"You'd rather I'd upset Chino by telling him he didn't rank higher than shopping to Coop?" Summer asked. "Not even I'm that cruel."
Seth smiled lopsidedly. "Thanks," he said. "Ryan doesn't need to be stressing over Marissa."
"Hey, did I hear my name?" Marissa said as she walked up to them.
"You chose shopping over Ryan?" Seth blurted out.
"I was..."
"You're coming to see him today, right?" Seth continued. "He really wants to see you, and it might make the whole hospital stay more pleasant if his girlfriend went to see him."
"Of course I'll stop by this afternoon," Marissa said, flashing a smile. The bell rang and she turned to head for class, calling back over her shoulder, "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't?"
"The kind who isn't worthy of Ryan?" Seth muttered as he headed off for his own class.
~~~~
"So Dr. Kim walked in just as Mrs. Porter was telling us that samurai attacked Pearl Harbor and sliced the ships and half with their swords," Seth rambled. "Dr. Kim's eyes almost popped right out of her head, and she pulled Mrs. Porter aside, and I was right in the front row, so when Mrs. Porter all huffed in surprise, I could smell peppermint really strong. Dr. Kim could, too, and she searched Mrs. Porter's desk, and sure enough, 5 empty bottles of Peppermint Snapps!"
Ryan shook his head in amusement. "I guess it's not just the Newport Kids who get bombed," he said.
"We usually try to be sober during the day at least," Marissa said as she walked in.
"Hey," Ryan said, brightening as he saw her.
"Hey," Marissa replied, smiling even though she kept her distance.
"I'll give you guys some time," Seth said. "Keep mom and dad away for a while."
"Thanks, man," Ryan said.
Marissa stepped aside to give Seth room to get by, then moved back to stand right by the door. "How are you?"
Ryan shrugged. "Tired, hurting a little, wishing I was home."
"What happened? Summer said you were shot by a mugger."
"Yeah, the guy was holding a gun on Kirsten and... I just reacted so he wouldn't hurt her. Except he shot me instead," Ryan explained. He held out a hand towards Marissa, hoping she'd get the hint and come closer. When she didn't move, his happy expression faded a bit. "Seth was telling me about Mrs. Porter and her peppermint snapps," he said, trying to start a conversation.
"Yeah, she was busted. Maybe if she'd been drinking peach snapps she could have hidden it," Marissa joked.
"Yeah," Ryan echoed. "So... How's the new house working out?"
"Good," Marissa said. "It's really big, like a... palace. Mom and I have been shopping almost everyday to fill my new room. Yesterday, we picked out a brand new comforter and and a new summer wardrobe."
Ryan nodded at her chatter about shopping, though at least she moved closer to him as she spoke. "I'll have to come see your room when I get out of here," he said.
"Yeah," Marissa agreed, not really looking at him but at a spot over his head. "I should go, let you rest and recover. Plus Mom and I have to take Kaitlin shopping for a new swimsuit."
"Okay," Ryan said, confused. "Will you come back tomorrow?"
"I don't know if I'll have time. But I'll come back as soon as possible."
"Okay," Ryan repeated. "Bye."
"Bye," Marissa said, smiling brightly before walking out of the room and past Seth, ignoring him.
Seth frowned and walked back into the room to find Ryan looking confused. "What happened?"
Ryan shrugged. "She said she went shopping yesterday, and that she had to go with her mom to get her sister a new swimsuit. Then she left."
Seth wanted to say something about Marissa's behavior, but he bit his tongue, not wanting to make Ryan feel worse. "My new grandma probably has her on a tight leash," he said instead.
~~~~
As Marissa quickly walked out of the hospital, the chauffer opened the door of the waiting limo and she jumped in, tossing her purse down beside her. As soon as the door shut and she knew no one would hear her, she put her face in her hands and started to cry. She had wanted to cry when she saw Ryan, but had held back so she wouldn't upset him. She knew she'd been more than a little cold towards him, but she couldn't look at him, really look, without feeling sick.
Ryan was her hero. The night of the fashion show, when her friends had just left her in the driveway, he had picked her up and carried her into the poolhouse so she'd be warm and safe for the night. At cotillion he had come through and been her escort, her white knight. In Tijuana he saved her from herself, and then saved her from her mother by helping her escape the hospital. And he had done everything he could to protect her from Oliver and, despite her constant doubts about his accusations, in the end he had saved her.
And now he was laying in a hospital bed, weak and in pain. Helpless. HER Ryan was helpless. It didn't seem real, and at the same time all too real.
She sighed and leaned forward, flipping open the mini bar and pulling out one of the small bottles of Vodka that Caleb kept inside. She opened it and gulped it down, ignoring the burning sensation at the back of her throat. The liquor dulled the feelings of pain and remorse, and she managed to get herself under control again. By the time the limo pulled up in front of the mall, where Julie and Kaitlin were waiting, Marissa was all smiles again. Ready to face her mother and play the happy daughter, the Newport Princess in her palace by the sea.
To Be Continued... Right now!
And...
Chapter Seven
Marissa didn't come back the next day, or the day after that. Summer and Seth both tried asking her, but she kept having an excuse not to go. Finally, almost two weeks later, she showed up.
When she walked into the room, she immediately noticed Ryan was alone. "Hey," she said.
"Hey," Ryan echoed, pushing himself up in bed a little and feeling grateful that he was finally allowed to wear real clothes as oppossed to just a hospital gown. Sweat pants and a wifebeater, with his zip-up sweatshirt over it, weren't much, but it was better than a gown with a constant draft. "Long time no see."
"I've been busy," Marissa replied. "Shopping, school, and helping my mom plan this party she wants to throw later this summer," she explained.
Ryan sighed slightly. At least this time she was looking at him. "Party for the sake of a party?" he asked.
Marissa laughed. "Yeah, pretty much. She's the Queen of Newport now and wants to show off her palace."
"Guess that makes you the Princess, huh?" Ryan asked.
Marissa nodded slightly, shifting her gaze to the flowers on the bedside table. "Who got you flowers?" she asked, walking over and gently fingering the petals.
"I have no idea," Ryan replied. "I woke up from a nap a couple of days ago and there they were."
"Didn't you look at the card?" Marissa asked.
"Can't reach without stretching and I'm not risking tearing my stitches," Ryan said with a shrug. "Unless I tear out my stitches, I'm out of here tomorrow morning."
Marissa ignored his response as she plucked the card form among the flowers. "You mind?"
"Go ahead," Ryan replied, just glad she was actually interacting with him this time.
Marissa slid the card out of it's envelope and snorted as she read it.
"Who's it from?" Ryan asked.
"Ryan, we hope you feel better soon. Caleb & Julie Nichols," Marissa read mockingly. "Mom probably doesn't even know you're here."
"And if she did know, she wouldn't care," Ryan added.
Marissa nodded and set the card down. "Yeah, mom kind of doesn't like you."
"Are you two getting along?" Ryan asked. "You seem to be spending lots of time with her lately."
"Well, shopping is good relationship repairing," she replied, wandering around the room.
"You can sit down," Ryan said, patting the edge of the bed. "Seth jumps on here so I think you sitting will be okay."
"I shouldn't," Marissa said, once again focusing her gaze on the wall over Ryan's head instead of Ryan himself. "Kaitlin's got a horse show tomorrow and she wants me to help her figure out her hair tonight. She wants to look nice."
"I'm sure that won't take you long..." Ryan started, reaching out and grasping Marissa's hand. "Please? Just stay a..."
"I have to go," Marissa repeated, pulling away. For a split second her eyes locked with Ryan's and she flinched at the pain that was so obvious in them. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Marissa," Ryan began. "Please..."
"I'm sorry," she repeated again, starting for the door.
As she reached it it flew open, revealing Summer. "Coop! Hey!" the girl said.
"I was just leaving," Marissa said, pushing out of the room.
Summer looked from the hurt expression on Ryan's face, which quickly disappeared behind a stony mask, to Marissa who was hurrying away. "Coop!" she called.
Marissa turned back for a moment. "Just... take care of him for me, Summer," she said before running to the elevator.
Summer looked after her in surprise, then turned back to Ryan, who now seemed content to study the weave on the sheets. "Chino?" she questioned gently, fully entering the room and shutting the door behind her.
"I don't know what happened," Ryan said quietly. "She just... left."
Summer walked over and sat at the foot of the bed, putting a comforting hand on Ryan's sheet covered leg. "Coop's... she's out of it. She doesn't mean anything."
Ryan shrugged, looking up. When he saw Summer's attire, he raised an eyebrow. "No uniform?"
"Not working today," Summer replied, getting up and turning around to show off her jeans and t-shirt. "I'll bet you forgot I had clothes other than the uniform," she joked before sitting down again, this time about halfway up the bed.
"Why are you here, Summer?"
"Duh, to visit you, Chino," Summer replied.
"You came all the way here just to visit me?" Ryan asked.
"I'm bored," Summer replied with a shrug. "Life isn't any fun without you to cause trouble."
"Thanks," Ryan said dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Anytime."
"You really came just to visit me?"
"Uh, yeah, that's what I said."
"Thanks," Ryan repeated, though it was more genuine this time. He was quiet for a minute, then he nodded towards the magazines that still rested on the bedside table, next to the flowers. "Thanks, for those," he said.
"I remembered in Mr. DuPree's class, when we were talking about how nowadays everyone wants to be a famous actor, or actress, or model, or musician, you said you wanted to be an architect," Summer replied with a shrug. "Thought you'd like those and Cohen would like the video game geek ones."
Ryan smiled. "You actually remember that? It was months ago."
"So? It was memorable because no one else wanted to be an architect!" Summer protested. "So, any idea when they're letting you out of here?"
"Tomorrow morning," Ryan replied. "Unless I tear my stitches, then it'll be longer."
"That sucks," Summer said. "Couldn't they keep you another few weeks so you can skip the rest of the school year?"
Ryan chuckled slightly. "I think School is better than here."
"You're kidding right?" Summer asked. "You're waited on hand and foot!"
"And all I get to eat is hospital food, and it smells weird, and I hate hospitals."
Summer nodded in understanding. "I get that. Hospitals do suck."
"Yeah," Ryan agreed. "At least if I go home tomorrow, I've still got a few days of relaxing before school on Monday."
"That's a plus," Summer agreed.
Ryan sighed. "So."
"So," Summer echoed. "You wanna teach me to play this game I found in the poolhouse?" she suggested, pulling a gameboy out of her purse and holding it up.
Ryan took the gameboy and looked at it for a minute before rolling his eyes. "If Seth catches me playing this he'll never let me live it down," he protested.
"Why?" Summer asked.
"It's the pirate game. He thinks it's lame."
"Oh yeah, and Cohen's the authority on cool," Summer said. "Come on, just teach me to play."
Ryan sighed again, but edged over in bed to give Summer room to sit next to him and look over his shoulder. "Just a quick lesson," he said.
Summer smiled and got up on the bed, having to squeeze in next to him and absently resting her head against his shoulder.
~~~~
"Home, sweet home," Sandy said the next morning as he opened the door for the rest of the family.
Ryan edged inside, letting out a relieved breath. "Good to be home," he murmured tiredly.
Kirsten smiled. "Why don't we show you your new room and let you lay down for a little while before lunch?"
"Can I lay down on the patio instead?" Ryan asked. "Fresh air and stuff."
Kirsten nodded. "Sure, but still, let's show you your room first."
Ryan nodded in agreement and followed her up the stairs, Seth and Sandy following behind them. They passed Seth's room and Kirsten opened the guest room, or rather former guest room, door. Ryan followed her in and couldn't help smiling slightly as he looked around the room.
The bedding was plain, simple white sheets with a blue blanket on top and blue pillowcases to match. The desk ran underneath the window, with a lamp in one corner, a laptop centered, and his school books in the other corner. The walls were mostly plain white, but there were several framed pictures hung up along the wall opposite the bed.
Ryan walked closer to see the pictures, and smiled as he spotted one of him and Seth lounging in the pool, another was him, Seth, Marissa, and Summer in Tijuana, and there was a copy of the Chrismukkah picture of him with the Cohens. "Thank you," he whispered, turning back to them.
"Welcome home," Kirsten said. "Do you still want to go outside? You can always go out there later..."
"I really want the fresh air," Ryan repeated. "Hospital air was too stale for too long."
"I'll make sure he doesn't go swimming or anything," Seth said, grinning. As he and Ryan started down the stairs, he tapped Ryan's shoulder. "You got the laptop," he murmured, making Ryan laugh.
"I saw," he said.
To Be Continued...
There you go...
Anyway, here's the next two chapters, posted together because I don't think they're overly long and I wanna get this story completely posted sometime in the next millenia... lol...
Chapter Six
Sandy let out a low hiss as Sarah lowered Ryan's hospital gown and revealed the angry red wound on Ryan's chest. "That isn't good, is it?" he asked Sarah.
The doctor shook her head. "Looks like an infection is starting," she said. "Ryan, I'm going to use some disinfectant and see if I can head this off before it gets any worse."
Ryan nodded, whincing slightly at the thought of stinging disinfectant. "Okay."
As Sarah prepared what she needed, Sandy moved closer to the bed again and gently rubbed the back of Ryan's neck. "If she doesn't offer some pain meds, I'm going to ask her to get some," he said. "You don't need to be in any pain."
Ryan nodded again, then leaned over sideways against Sandy. "Okay," he repeated.
"And I'll stay right here with you," Sandy added. "Then maybe Kirsten won't kill me for not calling her."
Ryan smiled. "Just tell her you didn't want me to think it was anything bad, she'll forgive you then."
"Probably," Sandy agreed. "The most important thing to her at the moment is you being okay. That's also the most important thing to me and Seth."
"I think missing school is important to Seth, too," Ryan said.
"Don't make yourself laugh," Sandy said, though he couldn't help smiling himself.
~~~~
"Seth?" Kirsten asked as she walked up and found her son sitting outside Ryan's room looking glum.
"Dr. Anderson is checking his stitches and he asked me to leave," Seth replied. "He asked Dad to stay though."
Kirsten sighed. "He's scared, Seth. I don't know if you noticed how he gripped my hand earlier, he was scared to be alone."
"But why did he make me leave then?"
"Because he doesn't want you worrying anymore than you already are," Kirsten replied.
Seth shrugged. "I guess."
The door opened and Sarah walked out, smiling at mother and son. "You can go back in whenever you want," she said. "I just need to go get Ryan a dose of pain meds."
"Are the stitches okay?" Kirsten asked as Seth went ahead into the room.
"A mild infection was starting, but I think we got it before it could turn serious," Sarah said.
"Thank you," Kirsten said standing and following her son into the room. She smiled at Ryan, who was sitting back in bed, looking tired but at the same time relieved. "Did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ryan replied. "And Dr. Anderson said if I can avoid tearing out my stitches I may be able to go home in a week."
"Knowing you that's a big if," Sandy said.
"A week?" Kirsten said. "Then I'll real have to get to work getting your room ready."
"My room?" Ryan asked.
"At least while you're recovering, you're going to move into the house with the rest of us," Kirsten said. "After you're better we'll talk about whether you stay or move back to the pool house. And in the meantime we're making the guestroom nice and homey for you."
"You don't have to go to any trouble..." Ryan started.
"Ryan, they're actually offering to buy you whatever you want to decorate your room, just accept it and ask for expensive stuff," Seth advised.
Ryan shook his head. "I don't need anything expensive," he said.
"I really gotta have a talk with you about accepting money and stuff when it's offered," Seth complained, heaving an exagerated sigh.
"But I don't need anything more than what I've got," Ryan protested.
"You need a computer," Sandy said. "I know you've been using Seth's to type school papers, so that's one thing you will be getting, no arguements."
"Take advanatage, ask for a laptop," Seth suggested with a grin.
Kirsten rolled her eyes. "Seth, stop bothering Ryan."
Ryan smiled slightly. "You really don't have to spend any extra money on me," he said. "I know the hospital bills alone are gonna be expensive..."
"You're covered by both Sandy and I's insurance, we won't be paying a cent out of pocket, so don't worry," Kirsten said, fibbing slightly since they would have to pay a small portion. "And even if we were we wouldn't care."
"Ryan, man, you saved my mom's life, trust me they aren't going to want you to pay them back," Seth said.
Sarah returned then and carefully injected something into Ryan's IV. "That should take care of the pain," she told Ryan. "But don't be surprised if it knocks you out again."
Ryan nodded and settled back against his pillow, sighing slightly. After Sarah left again, he closed his eyes for a minute before opening them again. "How'd things go talking to your father?" he asked Kirsten.
Kirsten shrugged. "After Julie stormed out, fed up with me defending you, he was more than understanding about me taking time off. And he even said he might come see you, to thank you for saving me."
Ryan blushed slightly. "I don't need to be thanked," he said quietly. "I didn't even think."
"Which is not a trait I intend to encourage," Kirsten scolded lightly. "How about we lower your bed again so you can get some more sleep?"
"All I've done is sleep," Ryan protested.
"And the more you sleep, the quicker you'll heal and be able to leave," Sandy said.
"And the more you sleep between now and tomorrow, the quicker it'll get to be time for Marissa to visit," Seth added.
Ryan smiled at that, and didn't argue any further as Kirsten lowered the head of the bed for him. "Okay," he said.
"One of us will be here when you wake up," she promised.
Ryan nodded slightly and closed his eyes, within minutes he was fast asleep.
Sandy looked down at the hastily moved tray of hospital food and made a face. "He never ate," he said.
"Can you blame him?" Seth asked. "I think he was right when he said he thought it was gonna jump off the tray."
Kirsten shook her head in amusement at the two. Only her husband and son could manage to find humor in a hospital stay like this.
~~~~
"Cohen!" Summer called as she hurried up to him the next day at school. "How's Chino?"
"After getting an infection on his stitches taken care of, he's fine," Seth reported. "Except he seriously wants out of the hospital and he's really looking forward to seeing Marissa this afternoon."
Summer frowned. "I haven't seen Coop all day," she said. "And yesterday she bailed on sneaking in to see him because Julie offered her a shopping trip as a peace offering. I'm supposse to be the bitch who'd chose shopping over the guy I claim to love."
Seth frowned. "I thought you said..."
"You'd rather I'd upset Chino by telling him he didn't rank higher than shopping to Coop?" Summer asked. "Not even I'm that cruel."
Seth smiled lopsidedly. "Thanks," he said. "Ryan doesn't need to be stressing over Marissa."
"Hey, did I hear my name?" Marissa said as she walked up to them.
"You chose shopping over Ryan?" Seth blurted out.
"I was..."
"You're coming to see him today, right?" Seth continued. "He really wants to see you, and it might make the whole hospital stay more pleasant if his girlfriend went to see him."
"Of course I'll stop by this afternoon," Marissa said, flashing a smile. The bell rang and she turned to head for class, calling back over her shoulder, "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't?"
"The kind who isn't worthy of Ryan?" Seth muttered as he headed off for his own class.
~~~~
"So Dr. Kim walked in just as Mrs. Porter was telling us that samurai attacked Pearl Harbor and sliced the ships and half with their swords," Seth rambled. "Dr. Kim's eyes almost popped right out of her head, and she pulled Mrs. Porter aside, and I was right in the front row, so when Mrs. Porter all huffed in surprise, I could smell peppermint really strong. Dr. Kim could, too, and she searched Mrs. Porter's desk, and sure enough, 5 empty bottles of Peppermint Snapps!"
Ryan shook his head in amusement. "I guess it's not just the Newport Kids who get bombed," he said.
"We usually try to be sober during the day at least," Marissa said as she walked in.
"Hey," Ryan said, brightening as he saw her.
"Hey," Marissa replied, smiling even though she kept her distance.
"I'll give you guys some time," Seth said. "Keep mom and dad away for a while."
"Thanks, man," Ryan said.
Marissa stepped aside to give Seth room to get by, then moved back to stand right by the door. "How are you?"
Ryan shrugged. "Tired, hurting a little, wishing I was home."
"What happened? Summer said you were shot by a mugger."
"Yeah, the guy was holding a gun on Kirsten and... I just reacted so he wouldn't hurt her. Except he shot me instead," Ryan explained. He held out a hand towards Marissa, hoping she'd get the hint and come closer. When she didn't move, his happy expression faded a bit. "Seth was telling me about Mrs. Porter and her peppermint snapps," he said, trying to start a conversation.
"Yeah, she was busted. Maybe if she'd been drinking peach snapps she could have hidden it," Marissa joked.
"Yeah," Ryan echoed. "So... How's the new house working out?"
"Good," Marissa said. "It's really big, like a... palace. Mom and I have been shopping almost everyday to fill my new room. Yesterday, we picked out a brand new comforter and and a new summer wardrobe."
Ryan nodded at her chatter about shopping, though at least she moved closer to him as she spoke. "I'll have to come see your room when I get out of here," he said.
"Yeah," Marissa agreed, not really looking at him but at a spot over his head. "I should go, let you rest and recover. Plus Mom and I have to take Kaitlin shopping for a new swimsuit."
"Okay," Ryan said, confused. "Will you come back tomorrow?"
"I don't know if I'll have time. But I'll come back as soon as possible."
"Okay," Ryan repeated. "Bye."
"Bye," Marissa said, smiling brightly before walking out of the room and past Seth, ignoring him.
Seth frowned and walked back into the room to find Ryan looking confused. "What happened?"
Ryan shrugged. "She said she went shopping yesterday, and that she had to go with her mom to get her sister a new swimsuit. Then she left."
Seth wanted to say something about Marissa's behavior, but he bit his tongue, not wanting to make Ryan feel worse. "My new grandma probably has her on a tight leash," he said instead.
~~~~
As Marissa quickly walked out of the hospital, the chauffer opened the door of the waiting limo and she jumped in, tossing her purse down beside her. As soon as the door shut and she knew no one would hear her, she put her face in her hands and started to cry. She had wanted to cry when she saw Ryan, but had held back so she wouldn't upset him. She knew she'd been more than a little cold towards him, but she couldn't look at him, really look, without feeling sick.
Ryan was her hero. The night of the fashion show, when her friends had just left her in the driveway, he had picked her up and carried her into the poolhouse so she'd be warm and safe for the night. At cotillion he had come through and been her escort, her white knight. In Tijuana he saved her from herself, and then saved her from her mother by helping her escape the hospital. And he had done everything he could to protect her from Oliver and, despite her constant doubts about his accusations, in the end he had saved her.
And now he was laying in a hospital bed, weak and in pain. Helpless. HER Ryan was helpless. It didn't seem real, and at the same time all too real.
She sighed and leaned forward, flipping open the mini bar and pulling out one of the small bottles of Vodka that Caleb kept inside. She opened it and gulped it down, ignoring the burning sensation at the back of her throat. The liquor dulled the feelings of pain and remorse, and she managed to get herself under control again. By the time the limo pulled up in front of the mall, where Julie and Kaitlin were waiting, Marissa was all smiles again. Ready to face her mother and play the happy daughter, the Newport Princess in her palace by the sea.
To Be Continued... Right now!
And...
Chapter Seven
Marissa didn't come back the next day, or the day after that. Summer and Seth both tried asking her, but she kept having an excuse not to go. Finally, almost two weeks later, she showed up.
When she walked into the room, she immediately noticed Ryan was alone. "Hey," she said.
"Hey," Ryan echoed, pushing himself up in bed a little and feeling grateful that he was finally allowed to wear real clothes as oppossed to just a hospital gown. Sweat pants and a wifebeater, with his zip-up sweatshirt over it, weren't much, but it was better than a gown with a constant draft. "Long time no see."
"I've been busy," Marissa replied. "Shopping, school, and helping my mom plan this party she wants to throw later this summer," she explained.
Ryan sighed slightly. At least this time she was looking at him. "Party for the sake of a party?" he asked.
Marissa laughed. "Yeah, pretty much. She's the Queen of Newport now and wants to show off her palace."
"Guess that makes you the Princess, huh?" Ryan asked.
Marissa nodded slightly, shifting her gaze to the flowers on the bedside table. "Who got you flowers?" she asked, walking over and gently fingering the petals.
"I have no idea," Ryan replied. "I woke up from a nap a couple of days ago and there they were."
"Didn't you look at the card?" Marissa asked.
"Can't reach without stretching and I'm not risking tearing my stitches," Ryan said with a shrug. "Unless I tear out my stitches, I'm out of here tomorrow morning."
Marissa ignored his response as she plucked the card form among the flowers. "You mind?"
"Go ahead," Ryan replied, just glad she was actually interacting with him this time.
Marissa slid the card out of it's envelope and snorted as she read it.
"Who's it from?" Ryan asked.
"Ryan, we hope you feel better soon. Caleb & Julie Nichols," Marissa read mockingly. "Mom probably doesn't even know you're here."
"And if she did know, she wouldn't care," Ryan added.
Marissa nodded and set the card down. "Yeah, mom kind of doesn't like you."
"Are you two getting along?" Ryan asked. "You seem to be spending lots of time with her lately."
"Well, shopping is good relationship repairing," she replied, wandering around the room.
"You can sit down," Ryan said, patting the edge of the bed. "Seth jumps on here so I think you sitting will be okay."
"I shouldn't," Marissa said, once again focusing her gaze on the wall over Ryan's head instead of Ryan himself. "Kaitlin's got a horse show tomorrow and she wants me to help her figure out her hair tonight. She wants to look nice."
"I'm sure that won't take you long..." Ryan started, reaching out and grasping Marissa's hand. "Please? Just stay a..."
"I have to go," Marissa repeated, pulling away. For a split second her eyes locked with Ryan's and she flinched at the pain that was so obvious in them. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Marissa," Ryan began. "Please..."
"I'm sorry," she repeated again, starting for the door.
As she reached it it flew open, revealing Summer. "Coop! Hey!" the girl said.
"I was just leaving," Marissa said, pushing out of the room.
Summer looked from the hurt expression on Ryan's face, which quickly disappeared behind a stony mask, to Marissa who was hurrying away. "Coop!" she called.
Marissa turned back for a moment. "Just... take care of him for me, Summer," she said before running to the elevator.
Summer looked after her in surprise, then turned back to Ryan, who now seemed content to study the weave on the sheets. "Chino?" she questioned gently, fully entering the room and shutting the door behind her.
"I don't know what happened," Ryan said quietly. "She just... left."
Summer walked over and sat at the foot of the bed, putting a comforting hand on Ryan's sheet covered leg. "Coop's... she's out of it. She doesn't mean anything."
Ryan shrugged, looking up. When he saw Summer's attire, he raised an eyebrow. "No uniform?"
"Not working today," Summer replied, getting up and turning around to show off her jeans and t-shirt. "I'll bet you forgot I had clothes other than the uniform," she joked before sitting down again, this time about halfway up the bed.
"Why are you here, Summer?"
"Duh, to visit you, Chino," Summer replied.
"You came all the way here just to visit me?" Ryan asked.
"I'm bored," Summer replied with a shrug. "Life isn't any fun without you to cause trouble."
"Thanks," Ryan said dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Anytime."
"You really came just to visit me?"
"Uh, yeah, that's what I said."
"Thanks," Ryan repeated, though it was more genuine this time. He was quiet for a minute, then he nodded towards the magazines that still rested on the bedside table, next to the flowers. "Thanks, for those," he said.
"I remembered in Mr. DuPree's class, when we were talking about how nowadays everyone wants to be a famous actor, or actress, or model, or musician, you said you wanted to be an architect," Summer replied with a shrug. "Thought you'd like those and Cohen would like the video game geek ones."
Ryan smiled. "You actually remember that? It was months ago."
"So? It was memorable because no one else wanted to be an architect!" Summer protested. "So, any idea when they're letting you out of here?"
"Tomorrow morning," Ryan replied. "Unless I tear my stitches, then it'll be longer."
"That sucks," Summer said. "Couldn't they keep you another few weeks so you can skip the rest of the school year?"
Ryan chuckled slightly. "I think School is better than here."
"You're kidding right?" Summer asked. "You're waited on hand and foot!"
"And all I get to eat is hospital food, and it smells weird, and I hate hospitals."
Summer nodded in understanding. "I get that. Hospitals do suck."
"Yeah," Ryan agreed. "At least if I go home tomorrow, I've still got a few days of relaxing before school on Monday."
"That's a plus," Summer agreed.
Ryan sighed. "So."
"So," Summer echoed. "You wanna teach me to play this game I found in the poolhouse?" she suggested, pulling a gameboy out of her purse and holding it up.
Ryan took the gameboy and looked at it for a minute before rolling his eyes. "If Seth catches me playing this he'll never let me live it down," he protested.
"Why?" Summer asked.
"It's the pirate game. He thinks it's lame."
"Oh yeah, and Cohen's the authority on cool," Summer said. "Come on, just teach me to play."
Ryan sighed again, but edged over in bed to give Summer room to sit next to him and look over his shoulder. "Just a quick lesson," he said.
Summer smiled and got up on the bed, having to squeeze in next to him and absently resting her head against his shoulder.
~~~~
"Home, sweet home," Sandy said the next morning as he opened the door for the rest of the family.
Ryan edged inside, letting out a relieved breath. "Good to be home," he murmured tiredly.
Kirsten smiled. "Why don't we show you your new room and let you lay down for a little while before lunch?"
"Can I lay down on the patio instead?" Ryan asked. "Fresh air and stuff."
Kirsten nodded. "Sure, but still, let's show you your room first."
Ryan nodded in agreement and followed her up the stairs, Seth and Sandy following behind them. They passed Seth's room and Kirsten opened the guest room, or rather former guest room, door. Ryan followed her in and couldn't help smiling slightly as he looked around the room.
The bedding was plain, simple white sheets with a blue blanket on top and blue pillowcases to match. The desk ran underneath the window, with a lamp in one corner, a laptop centered, and his school books in the other corner. The walls were mostly plain white, but there were several framed pictures hung up along the wall opposite the bed.
Ryan walked closer to see the pictures, and smiled as he spotted one of him and Seth lounging in the pool, another was him, Seth, Marissa, and Summer in Tijuana, and there was a copy of the Chrismukkah picture of him with the Cohens. "Thank you," he whispered, turning back to them.
"Welcome home," Kirsten said. "Do you still want to go outside? You can always go out there later..."
"I really want the fresh air," Ryan repeated. "Hospital air was too stale for too long."
"I'll make sure he doesn't go swimming or anything," Seth said, grinning. As he and Ryan started down the stairs, he tapped Ryan's shoulder. "You got the laptop," he murmured, making Ryan laugh.
"I saw," he said.
To Be Continued...
There you go...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Those were great posts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-07-18 06:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 07:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 10:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 06:38 pm (UTC)"The kind who isn't worthy of Ryan?"
That pretty much sums it up.
M. really doesn't deserve a guy like Ryan.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-19 03:39 pm (UTC)