This is probably the best one I've read so far. Oh, and its pretty damn long, but much easier to get into than mine. This one is great. A little extreme at times, but nonetheless, a decent Season Premiere.


The OC – Season II, Episode I.

Night has fallen over Newport Beach and the camera pans a view of Caleb and Julie’s castle, camera slowly zooms in on Marissa’s balcony where the French doors are open. The castle looks dead, no lights on anywhere, and we see a shot of Marissa asleep in bed. Her room is filled with still packed boxes, nothing is put away, it seems as though nothing in Marissa Cooper’s life is in order.

Suddenly, we see the door to Marissa’s room open and a figure slowly and quietly moves into the room. The figure walks over to Marissa’s bed, sits down next to her and runs a hand through her hair. Without pause, the figure leans down and softly kisses Marissa’s lips. Marissa is awoken by the kiss but doesn’t open her eyes.

Marissa: (Eyes still closed and in a whisper) Ryan.

Marissa opens her eyes and sees the man she loves hovering over her with a smile on his face.

Marissa: Ryan!

Marissa shot up and wrapped her arms around Ryan. Ryan wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

Ryan: (Whispering) I missed you.

Marissa: I missed you too…I can’t believe you’re here.

Ryan: I had to see you.

A tear ran down Marissa’s cheek as she looked deeply into Ryan’s eyes. Marissa leaned in and kissed Ryan; Ryan both welcomed and returned her kisses and Marissa pulled him down on the bed. Ryan was laying on top of Marissa kissing her, both of them oblivious to the rest of the world. Ryan kissed Marissa’s neck and whispered in her ear.

Ryan: (Whispering) I’ll always love you.

Suddenly Marissa opened her eyes and shot up out of bed, her eyes desperately searching the room for something that could tell her that Ryan had been there…but he hadn’t. She was dreaming.

--Play title music and theme song—

Marissa is sitting up in bed, still searching the room with her eyes. She would do anything to make that dream a reality. Marissa looked over at her nightstand, the clock read 12:05am.

Marissa: I have to see him.

Marissa got out of bed and quickly got dressed. She grabbed her purse, cell phone and car keys and made her way out of her room, down the stairs and quietly slipped out the front door. Marissa got into her Jeep and tore down the road towards the highway headed for Chino. There were a million things running through Marissa’s head as she drove to Chino. What would she say to him? Would he be home? Would he be happy to see her? Would he be with Theresa? Marissa shifted her last thought to the back of her brain, determined to see him, if only for a second.

Before Marissa knew it she was pulling into Theresa’s driveway. There wasn’t any traffic on the road and she had gotten there a lot quicker than she had anticipated. She turned her car off and sat in the drivers seat trying to muster up the nerve to go see him. After about five minutes, she stepped out of the car and looked at the house. The house was dead, no lights on anywhere, and no movement from inside. Marissa hoped that Ryan would be staying in Arturo’s room in the backhouse, she didn’t want to wake everybody up, in fact she didn’t want Theresa to know she was there, but she had to see Ryan. Marissa made her way over to the back gate of the house and was happy to see it was unlocked. She slowly opened the gate and saw the lights were on in the backhouse. Her heart jumped as she realized that Ryan was in there. All of a sudden she was having second thoughts. Her brain was scrambling trying to come up with answers. It had been three weeks since Ryan left Newport, and he hadn’t contacted Marissa once. Maybe he really didn’t want to see her? Maybe he wanted nothing to do with her? Maybe there was a reason why he didn’t say goodbye? Maybe he never really did love her? Marissa suddenly lost her courage and turned to go back to her car. She got back in her car and turned it on, only to turn it off again.

Marissa: What am I doing?

Marissa got out of her car again and walked back over to the gate. She opened the gate quietly and walked straight over to the back house. She stood outside the door wondering if she should knock or just walk in. She finally got up the nerve to knock on the door.

Ryan was sitting inside the backhouse on the foot of the bed with his head in his hands. He had tried to fall asleep, but ever since he’d got back to Chino, he hadn’t been sleeping well. There were a million things running through his head, but mostly his brain was filled with two things, the possibility that the baby in Theresa’s stomach was his, and the possibility that he may never see Marissa again. Suddenly there were two quiet knocks at the door. Ryan lifted his head and looked over at the door, he was sure that both Theresa and her mother were in the house already asleep, he had a thought that raced through his head that it might be Eddie, coming to kick the crap out of him at 1:00am for coming back to Chino with Theresa. Ryan sat still, staring at the door when there were two more knocks at the door. Finally, Ryan got up and opened the door. His eyes widened as he saw Marissa standing there looking up at him.

Ryan: (Shocked) What are – Hi.

Marissa: Can I come in?

Ryan, who is utterly speechless, opened the screen door for her and shifted to his left to allow Marissa to enter his room. Marissa walked up the steps and moved into the room, Ryan watched her as she came in and then shifted his glance over to the house, which was still dark. Ryan stepped back into the room and shut the door. He turned toward Marissa who was staring at him, the two stood in silence at opposite ends of the room staring at each other. Neither knew what to say, or how to start the conversation. Marissa shifted her glance from Ryan’s eyes to the floor and then back up to Ryan and smiled at him. Ryan gave Marissa his classic half smile, and Marissa’s heart melted.

Marissa: I…um…I just…I had to see you.

Ryan: Are you okay?

Marissa: Far from it.

Ryan: What’s wrong?

Marissa: You left.

Ryan opened his mouth slightly as though he was going to say something, and then stopped. Ryan looked down at the floor.

Marissa: Look, I know I have no right to be here, and maybe I should have just stayed home but…I had this dream and I woke up and before I knew it I was pulling into Theresa’s driveway. I don’t know…I don’t know anything except…I love you, and I miss you and I had to see you…

Ryan looked up from the floor and looked into Marissa’s eyes.

Marissa: …and I know you have obligations and responsibilities, and…and you probably don’t love me, but I…

Marissa suddenly stopped talking, her eyes filled with tears. Marissa was trying to get a read on Ryan who was just standing there staring at her.

Marissa: I…I should just go. I’m sorry for coming.

Marissa wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly started walking towards the door. She stopped right next to Ryan who was standing next to the door.

Marissa: I’m sorry.

Marissa reached down and placed her hand on the doorknob. She cracked the door open and was about to leave when Ryan reached over placed his hand on the door and shut it.

Ryan: I’m the one who should be sorry.

Marissa took her hand off the door and looked at Ryan speechless and in shock.

Ryan: I should have told you…I should have told you a lot of things.

Marissa felt her tears rolling down her cheeks, she couldn’t contain them.

Ryan: It kills me that you think I don’t love you because…I do. I just…I couldn’t say goodbye to you Marissa, if I did, I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave. And I thought…I knew that I had to go. I wake up every morning wishing I was still in Newport, wishing I was with you, wishing I had told you everything I wanted to say before I left.

Marissa: So tell me now.

Ryan: I love you.

Marissa: I love you too.

Ryan reached out and grabbed Marissa and pulled her into a tight hug. Ryan buried his head in Marissa’s neck, and Marissa melted in his arms.

Ryan: I’m glad you came.

Marissa: Me too.

Ryan led Marissa over to the bed and they sat down at the foot of the bed.
Ryan: I’m sorry I didn’t call you…I wanted to, but I always stopped myself.
Marissa: I understand.

Ryan: So…how is everybody?

Marissa: Depressed.

Ryan looked at Marissa and was obviously confused.

Marissa: You’ve talked with Sandy and Kirsten right?

Ryan: No, not since I left.

Marissa: Oh my God, you don’t know about Seth.

Ryan: What about him?

Marissa: He ran away.

Ryan: What! When? Where did he go?

Marissa: He left the same night you did. He left notes for his parents and for Summer and took his boat. Nobody knows where he is, or where he’s going.
Ryan shot up from the bed and started pacing around the room.

Ryan: This is all my fault.

Marissa: You can’t blame yourself Ryan.

Ryan: He was so mad at me. I went up to his room before I left with Theresa to say goodbye to him, and he would barely speak to me.

Marissa: I can’t believe Sandy and Kirsten didn’t call and tell you.

Ryan: Me either.

Ryan stopped pacing and put his hands on his head, he looked like he was about to break down. Marissa stood up and walked behind him and put her hand on his shoulder.

Marissa: I’m sure he’s okay.

Ryan turned around to face Marissa.

Ryan: Seth is the only person who…(pause)…from the second I met him, Seth treated me like a brother, he is my brother…he never judged me, he never thought any less of me…

Marissa: I know, he’s going to be okay Ryan.

Ryan: Maybe…how’s Summer doing?

Marissa: She’s a wreck, she’s convinced that something bad is going happen and she’s never going to see him again.

Ryan: What about Sandy and Kirsten?

Marissa: I don’t really know, I’ve only been over there once since you left. It’s hard…it’s hard for me to be there. But, Sandy seemed to be handling it well…or okay, Kirsten is of course worried, she was crying the whole time when I was there. I can’t even imagine what they are going through they lost both of their son’s in the course of two hours.

Ryan looked down at the floor and then back up at Marissa. In an instant Ryan backed away from Marissa and went over to the closet and grabbed his bag. He immediately started throwing clothes into it.

Marissa: What are you doing?

Ryan: I’m going back to Newport…for now.

Ryan continued grabbing clothes and stuffed them in the bag. Marissa stood watching Ryan pack, she didn’t care why he was coming back to Newport, as long as he was going to be there, even if only for a couple days. Ryan zipped his bag up and walked over to the table and scribbled a note on a pad of paper for Theresa.

Ryan: Let’s go.

Marissa: Uh…okay.

Marissa pulled her Jeep up the Cohen’s driveway, it was a little after 2:00am. Ryan and Marissa stepped out of the car and stood in front of the house. Ryan looked up at the mansion he once called home, while Marissa headed towards the front door.

Ryan: Wait.

Marissa stopped and turned towards Ryan.

Ryan: They are probably asleep, why don’t we just go through the back, I can talk to them tomorrow morning.

Marissa nodded and the two of them walked around the back of the house and entered the pool house. Marissa sat down on the bed and Ryan set his bag down and walked around the pool house.

Ryan: I feel like I haven’t been here in years.

Marissa: These have been a long three weeks.

Ryan joined Marissa on the bed, and took her hand in his.

Marissa: How’s Theresa doing?

Ryan looked at her somewhat surprised that she would be asking.

Ryan: She’s good…I guess.

Marissa: You guess?

Ryan: Well sometimes I wonder why I’m even there.

Marissa looked up at Ryan, a glint of hope in her eyes.

Ryan: Theresa’s got her mom there who tends to her and takes care of everything that she needs. I’m pretty much just the man around the house; I do the dishes and take out the trash, vacuum the floors and cook breakfast. I’m not really doing anything for her besides simply being there. Sometimes I wonder if I gave up my shot at a second chance for a kid that might not even be mine.

Marissa: Do you think it’s yours?

Ryan: I don’t know…I think Theresa wants it to be mine, but Eddie doesn’t, and he is most certainly not thrilled about the fact that I’m living there.

Marissa: Does he come over a lot?

Ryan: Not really, he came over when I first got there and we got into a fight because I confronted him about hitting Theresa, and then he confronted me about sleeping with her. When he does come over, he’s usually there for about five minutes, he comes in says hi to Theresa and then takes off with his friends to go party. I just try to stay out of his way.

Marissa: That doesn’t seem very fair.

Ryan: It’s not. There isn’t one person out of the three of us who is ready to be a parent. I get why Theresa can’t give up the baby, but I worry about what kind of life this kid is going to have. And now I have to worry about Seth too…

Ryan shifted his glance from Marissa to the backyard, and stared out towards the ocean. For a couple minutes they sat in silence, feeling no need for small talk. Eventually, Marissa spoke up.

Marissa: Why don’t we just go to bed?

Ryan: Are you staying?

Marissa: I…yeah…unless…

Ryan: Stay.

Ryan smiled at Marissa and she of course smiled back. Ryan shifted back on the bed and lay down on the right side, while Marissa lay on the left. Ryan turned on to his side and reached over and turned the lamp off. Marissa turned on to her side as well with her back to Ryan. Ryan turned back towards Marissa and shifted over in the bed so he was next to her. Ryan wrapped his arm around Marissa and pulled her into him. Marissa smiled to herself and moved her hand down and put it over his, their fingers intertwined immediately. Ryan nestled his head down next to hers.

Ryan: Goodnight.

Marissa: Goodnight.

Ryan closed his eyes and thought he might actually be able to get his first night of good sleep in three weeks. Ryan was slowly drifting to sleep when he heard Marissa’s voice.

Marissa: (Softly) Ryan.

Ryan: Yeah.

Marissa: I…I thought I was never going to see you again.

Ryan: Me too.

Marissa: I don’t want to lose you…Ryan, I can’t lose you.

Ryan: I know what you mean; we’ll figure this out.

Marissa: I hope so.

Ryan held Marissa closer and tighter and the two soon drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Ryan was awoken by the sunshine reflecting off the pool and into the pool house. Ryan opened his eyes and soon realized that Marissa was sleeping in his arms. Ryan smiled feeling good about himself for the first time since before he found out Theresa was pregnant. Ryan leaned down and whispered in Marissa’s ear.

Ryan: (Whispering) Marissa.

Marissa shifted in Ryan’s arms and laid on her back and opened her eyes.

Marissa: Hi.

Ryan: (Smiling) Hi.

Marissa: I thought I was dreaming again.

Ryan: You’re not dreaming.

Ryan slowly leaned down and kissed her, the first kiss they had shared in three weeks. The kiss was soft yet full of passion. Ryan slowly let up but Marissa pulled him back down and kissed him again. Ryan shifted his body on top of Marissa’s and they had one of their traditional make out sessions. After a few minutes they finally let up and just smiled at each other.
Ryan: Come on, let’s go in the house, I have to find Sandy and Kirsten.
Ryan and Marissa got out of bed and walked hand in hand through the back doors of the kitchen. Sandy and Kirsten were standing in the kitchen drinking coffee.

Ryan: Hi.

Kirsten: Oh my God, Ryan!

Kirsten ran over to Ryan and gave him a hug.

Ryan: Are you okay?

Kirsten: I’m hanging in there.

Ryan: (Turning towards Sandy) I thought you said she wasn’t a hug-

Ryan can’t finish his sentence because Sandy came over to him and gave him a hug.

Sandy: It’s good to have you home kid.

Ryan: It’s good to be home.

Sandy and Kirsten smiled.

Ryan: Why didn’t you call and tell me about Seth?

Kirsten: We didn’t want to worry you.

Sandy: Yeah, we figured you already had so much on your mind.

Ryan: So nobody knows where he is?

Sandy: No.

Ryan: But he took his boat?

Sandy: Yes.

Ryan: Have you called the Coast Guard, the Police, anybody?

Sandy: We called the Coast Guard but haven’t heard anything back from them yet.

Kirsten started to tear up and Sandy walked over and comforted her.

Ryan: I can’t believe he would do this; I’m so sorry guys.

Sandy: It’s not your fault Ryan.

Ryan looked down at the floor obviously disturbed.

Ryan: Well we need to find him.

Sandy: Short of taking a boat out in the Pacific Ocean, we’re doing all we can.

Ryan: There has to be something else we can do.

The four of them stand in the kitchen in silence trying to come up with some way to find Seth and get him home safely.

Meanwhile…back in Chino. Theresa’s mother is standing in the kitchen drinking coffee and reading the newspaper when Theresa walked in from the back of the house.

Theresa: Morning mom.

Theresa’s Mom: Hey honey, how are you, do you need anything?

Theresa: I’m okay, a little queasy though.

Theresa’s Mom: That is to be expected.

Theresa: Where is Ryan? He’s usually up by now.

Theresa’s Mom: I haven’t seen him, maybe he’s still asleep.

Theresa: I’ll go check on him.

Theresa’s Mom: It’s okay honey, I can go get him.

Theresa: No, it’s all right, I’ll be right back.

Theresa walked out the back door and headed towards the backhouse. Theresa knocked once on the door and then opened it.

Theresa: Hey Ryan, you up?

Theresa walked in and found the backhouse empty. She slowly looked around the room and found that all of Ryan’s stuff was gone. Eventually she saw the note Ryan had left on the table, she walked over to the table, sat down and read the note aloud.

Theresa: (Reading Ryan’s note) Theresa…I’m sorry for leaving like this but I had to go back to Newport. Seth ran away from home, and my family needs me. Call me if you need anything and I’ll be back in a couple days. – Ryan.
Theresa clinched the note in her hand and got up from the table and went back into the house. Theresa walked into the kitchen and sat next to her mom at the table.

Theresa’s Mom: What’s wrong honey?

Theresa: Ryan’s gone.

Theresa’s Mom: What?

Theresa slid Ryan’s note over to her mother, who then picked it up and read it.

Theresa’s Mom: It’s okay honey, he’ll be back, and his family needs him.

Theresa: He’s supposed to be my family.

Theresa’s Mom: Theresa, you don’t even know if this baby is his. It took a lot for Ryan to drop everything and come here to make sure you were okay. His family is in Newport, and they obviously need him.

Theresa: I need him.

Theresa’s Mom: Oh honey, I know you love him, and I know you want the baby to be his, but you have to be willing to let it not be, and you have to be willing to let him go.

Theresa: I guess it doesn’t really matter because he doesn’t love me.

Theresa started crying and stormed out of the kitchen, her mom watched her go, obviously concerned. Theresa burst into her room and lay on her bed bawling.

Back in Newport Beach, Ryan, Marissa, Sandy and Kirsten all sit at the table in the kitchen.

Ryan: Okay, so the first time Seth and I went sailing, he told me about this plan he had to sail to Tahiti. He wanted to do it in 42 days.

Sandy: Do you think that’s where he went?

Ryan: I really don’t know.

Kirsten: Well even if he was, then that’s another three weeks or so before he would even get there.

Ryan: We also talked about sailing to Catalina, Seth mentioned taking the girls and going for a weekend.

Marissa, who was sitting across the table from Ryan looked up at him and smiled. Ryan smiled back at her, and the two momentarily got lost in each others eyes before getting pulled back into reality by Sandy.

Sandy: So, Catalina or Tahiti.

Ryan: Yes…no…I wish I knew.

Sandy: Well if he went to Catalina, he would be there by now.

Ryan: Maybe you can call authorities in each of the places and give them Seth’s description; at least they would know who they were looking for.

Kirsten: That’s a good idea Sandy.

Sandy: I’ll go make some calls.

Sandy got up from the table and went into the living room to make some calls and see if anybody had seen Seth.

Kirsten: So how are you Marissa, I haven’t seen you much since…

Marissa: (Unconvincingly) I’ve been okay.

Kirsten: How is Summer doing, have you talked to her lately?

Marissa: She’s scared and worried and depressed. She’s trying to understand why Seth left, but she can’t.

Kirsten: We all are.

Marissa nodded to Kirsten, and looked like she was about to say something when suddenly they all heard the front door slam shut.

Kirsten: Who is that?

The newly married Mrs. Julie Nichol stormed into the Cohen house.

Julie: MARISSA!!!!!

Marissa: Oh God.

Ryan: You didn’t tell her?

Marissa: Do you really think she would have let me go to Chino in the middle of the night to see you?

Julie stormed into the kitchen, obviously pissed off.

Julie: Marissa! Thank God, you are in big trouble young lady, get in your car and drive home immediately.

Kirsten: Calm down Julie.

Julie: No Kirsten I will not calm down, she ran away…again.

Marissa: I did not run away.

Julie: Oh really, I’ve been searching this city high and low for you and you’re sitting here drinking coffee…with Ryan.

Ryan: Yeah and I’m sure you’re going to blame all this on me.

Julie: You have done nothing but turn my daughters life upside down since you got here. You ruined her life!

Ryan: No Julie, you ruined her life.

Julie: How dare you speak to me that way!

Ryan: Yeah well I lost all respect for you about two seconds after I met you.

Julie: I don’t have to take this. We’re leaving Marissa.

Marissa: I’m not going anywhere with you.

Julie: That’s it; I’m calling Dr. Milano.

Ryan: That’s your solution to everything Julie, you shift the blame, it’s always everybody else fault but yours. You know what, take a good long hard look in the mirror Julie, because you are so self indulged and concerned about what everybody in this town thinks about you and how much money you have in the bank to open your damn eyes and realize what is actually going on!

Julie: Shouldn’t you be in Chino right now taking care of that b*stard child of yours!

Marissa: Mom!

Kirsten: Julie! That is uncalled for!

Ryan: At least I deal with my problems Julie, I made a mistake and I’m willing to pay for it, to take responsibility for my actions.

Julie: And I’m not!

Ryan: No Julie, the difference is…you are the problem! You would much rather ship your daughter off to some institution somewhere than deal with the truth.

Sandy hearing all the yelling coming from the kitchen walks in behind Julie.

Sandy: What the hell is going on here?

Julie: Nothing Sandy, I don’t have to take this. This is not over Marissa!

Julie stormed out of the house slamming the front door as she left. As soon as Julie exited the kitchen Ryan turned towards Marissa to see if she was okay.

Ryan: Sorry…I’m really in no mood to deal with your mother.

Marissa: Are you kidding, that was great.

A smile appeared on Ryan’s face, and Marissa smiled back at him.

Kirsten: So did you have any luck Sandy?

Sandy: No, nobody has seen him.

Kirsten: So did you have any luck Sandy?

Sandy: No, nobody has seen him.

Kirsten: Oh Sandy, what are we going to do now?

Sandy: All we can do is wait.

Kirsten: We’ve been waiting for three weeks Sandy!

Ryan: Don’t worry Kirsten; he’ll turn up.

Sandy, Kirsten and Ryan sat back down at the kitchen table, while Marissa took her coffee mug over to the sink.

Marissa: I think I should get home…deal with my mother.

Ryan: You sure?

Marissa: Yeah, it will be okay, I’ll be back later.

Back in Chino, Theresa is still in her room crying over Ryan, and Theresa’s mom is standing in the kitchen doing the dishes. Suddenly, she hears the doorbell ring. Theresa’s mom stops what she is doing and goes over to the door and opens it.

Theresa’s Mom: Eddie.

Eddie: Hi, is Theresa –

Theresa’s Mom: She’s upset Eddie, you should come back later.

Theresa’s mom tries to close the door on Eddie, but he pushes the door back open and steps into the house.

Eddie: What is going on?

Theresa’s Mom: Nothing, I don’t think she wants to see anybody.

Eddie: (Annoyed) I’m sure she’d see Ryan…

Theresa’s Mom looks down at the floor avoiding eye contact with Eddie.

Eddie: …Where is Ryan?

Theresa’s Mom: He had to go back to Newport.

Eddie: That’s why she’s upset, isn’t it.

Theresa’s Mom doesn’t say anything and Eddie is obviously pissed off, he stormed down the hall and burst into Theresa’s room, and sees her laying on the bed crying.

Eddie: Theresa!

Theresa: Get out of here Eddie!

Eddie: No!

Theresa gets up from the bed and stands in front of Eddie.

Theresa: I want nothing to do with you.

Eddie: Yeah well I think our baby that is growing inside of you would say different.

Theresa: (Yelling) As far as I’m concerned it is not your baby!

Eddie: (Yelling) How can you say that!

Theresa: Because I want the baby to be Ryan’s.

Eddie clinched his hands into fists.

Eddie: This baby is not Ryan’s. You slept with Ryan once, how many times have we slept together over the past couple months, it is million to one odds that that baby is Ryan’s!

Theresa: Yeah well I’ll take my chances! God knows you’re going to make one hell of a father!

Before Eddie knew it, he had careened back and slapped Theresa across the face. Theresa let out a scream and was spun around and falling back by the force of Eddie’s slap. Theresa’s stomach crashed into the corner of the footboard of the bed and she fell to the floor. Theresa’s mom ran into the bedroom after hearing Theresa’s scream, she saw Theresa laying on the floor and Eddie standing over her. Theresa’s mom grabbed Eddie’s arm and tried to pull him back but Eddie shook her off of him and pushed her into the wall.

Eddie: B*tch!

Eddie ran out of the bedroom and then out of the house smashing everything around him as he left. Theresa’s mom immediately went over to Theresa who was laying on the floor in a fetal position crying and clutching her stomach.

Theresa: (Between tears) The baby…the baby.

Evening fell over Newport Beach, Sandy and Kirsten were sitting in the living room anxiously waiting for the phone to ring, and Ryan was in the pool house. Marissa pulled her Jeep up the Cohen’s driveway and made her way around the back toward the pool house to see Ryan. The French doors to the pool house were standing open and Marissa walked in, but suddenly stopped as she saw Ryan standing next to the bed with his back to the door…he was packing his bag.

Marissa: So what…you’re just going to leave again without saying goodbye?
Ryan quickly turned around and saw Marissa tearing up and standing in the doorway.

Ryan: No.

Marissa who didn’t believe him turned and started to leave, but Ryan ran after her. Ryan grabbed her arm and pulled her into the pool house.
Ryan: I was not going to leave without saying goodbye to you. Sandy is driving me back to Chino tomorrow morning; I was just packing my stuff up.

Marissa: Tomorrow?

Ryan: (Looking down at the floor) Yeah.

Marissa: I don’t want you to leave…can’t you stay…just a little while longer.

Ryan: I’m sorry.

Ryan moved back over to the bed and sat down.

Marissa: I don’t get it Ryan…you said yourself that Theresa’s mother takes care of her; that she takes care of everything. I know I’m acting extremely selfish, but I just don’t see why you can’t stay here and just drive up to Chino a couple times a week to make sure she’s okay…I…I could go with you.

Ryan: I don’t think you coming to Chino is the best idea.

Marissa: No, I’m sure you don’t.

Ryan immediately stands up from the bed.

Ryan: Marissa, I don’t mean it like that.

Marissa: Then what do you mean?

Ryan: Theresa…Theresa wants this baby to be mine, and she wants the two of us to be together, you being there…

Marissa starts to cry when Ryan says this, and Ryan stops talking and slowly approaches Marissa.

Ryan: …But I can’t, I can’t be with her like that. But I can’t abandon her either.

Marissa looked up at Ryan who was now standing right in front of her, tears were running uncontrollably from her eyes.

Ryan: I know that you think I’m abandoning you, and in ways I guess I am, and it kills me Marissa, it breaks my heart. But this baby…this baby is a variable in the equation that I cannot ignore. I can’t runaway from my mistakes…I have to pay for them, and unfortunately, you have to pay too.
Marissa took a step towards Ryan and collapsed in his arms. Ryan wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

Ryan: I am so sorry.

Marissa: I know…I just wish you didn’t have to leave.

Ryan and Marissa stood in the pool house holding each other when suddenly the phone rang. The both jumped a little as the ringing of the phone disturbed the silence in the room, the ringing stopped quickly as Sandy or Kirsten probably picked the phone up from the house, hoping it was Seth. A few minutes later, Sandy ran out to the pool house.

Sandy: Ryan, you better take this.

Ryan: Who is it?

Sandy: Theresa’s mom.

Ryan has a confused look on his face and took the phone from Sandy.

Ryan: (On phone) Hello?

Theresa’s Mom: (On phone) Ryan, hi.

Ryan: What’s wrong; is everything okay?

Theresa’s Mom: No, I think you better come back here.

Ryan: What happened?

Theresa’s Mom: Theresa’s in the hospital.

Ryan: I’ll be there soon.

Ryan hung up the phone and looked over at Sandy worried.

Ryan: Theresa’s in the hospital, I need to go back to Chino now.

Marissa: What happened?

Ryan: I don’t know.

Sandy: Come on, I’ll drive you.

Sandy and Ryan started to head out the door while Marissa just stood in the pool house.

Marissa: Ryan…

Ryan stopped and turned around facing Marissa.

Ryan: Come with me?

About forty-five minutes later Sandy’s BMW screeched into the hospital parking lot. Ryan, Sandy and Marissa jumped out of the car and Ryan sprinted through the hospital doors. Ryan found Theresa’s mom sitting in the waiting room.

Ryan: Hey.

Theresa’s Mom: Ryan.

Ryan gave her a hug; he could tell she was worried. A few seconds later, Sandy and Marissa caught up with Ryan in the waiting room.

Ryan: What happened, what’s going on?

Theresa’s Mom: Eddie.

Ryan: What did he do to her?

Theresa’s Mom: Eddie came to the house to see her, she was upset because you had left. They got into a fight…they were screaming at each other, Eddie hit her and she hit her stomach on the footboard of the bed and fell to the floor.

Ryan: The baby.

Theresa’s Mom: She’s really scared, I finally got her to come to the hospital; I knew she had to be checked out.

Ryan: Can I see her?

Theresa’s Mom: Not yet, I’ve been waiting for the doctors to come out.
Ryan looked down at the floor, and in the process noticed a bruise forming on Theresa’s mom’s arm.

Ryan: Did Eddie do that to you?

Theresa’s Mom: I tried to pull him back, he grabbed me and pushed he into the wall…I’m okay though.

Ryan: I can’t believe this…I’m going to kill him.

Sandy: Ryan, calm down.

Ryan: Would you be calm?

Sandy: No, I guess I wouldn’t.

Sandy walked over to Theresa’s mom and tried to comfort her, while Ryan stepped back and stood next to Marissa, Marissa reached over held his hand.

Sandy: Have you called the police?

Theresa’s Mom: Yes, I called and gave them his description, and his address.

Sandy: Any word?

Theresa’s Mom: No, nothing yet.

Sandy and Theresa’s mom went over to the couch and sat down, while Ryan and Marissa stood. None of them spoke. Theresa’s mom looked over at Ryan and Marissa together, she knew her daughter would not be happy to know Marissa was at the hospital, but she also know she couldn’t do anything about.

Theresa’s Mom: I was sorry to hear about your son.

Sandy: Oh, thank you.

Theresa’s Mom: Do you know where he is?

Sandy: No, we think he might have sailed to Tahiti.

Theresa’s Mom: Is that where rich kids run away too?

Sandy was taken aback by her statement, and just looked at Theresa’s mom.

Theresa’s Mom: I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that…I was out of line.
Sandy: It’s okay…I’m sure you have a lot on your mind.


Sandy got up from the couch and walked over to Ryan and Marissa.

Sandy: How you holding up kid?

Ryan: I’m okay.

The waiting room was silent once again, until a doctor suddenly walked in. The doctor looked down at his paperwork and then up at Theresa’s mom. Theresa’s mom immediately stood up and walked over to the doctor.

Doctor: I’m sorry ma’am, we did all we could, but it wasn’t enough.

Theresa’s Mom: The baby?

Doctor: We couldn’t save it, I’m sorry.

Theresa’s Mom: How is Theresa doing?

Doctor: I think she’s in shock a bit, but other than that, she’s fine.

Theresa’s Mom: Can I see her now?

Doctor: Yes, of course, she’s in room 214.

Theresa’s mom turned toward Ryan, who looked like he was in shock.

Theresa’s Mom: Do you want to come Ryan?

Ryan: Uh…no…yeah…you go ahead, I’ll be in, in a few minutes.

Theresa’s mom nodded and turned to walk down the hall towards Theresa’s room. Ryan stepped away from Sandy and Marissa and went and sat down on the couch. Sandy and Marissa just looked at each other and then went over to the couch to be with Ryan. Sandy sat down next to him and put his arm around Ryan’s shoulders.

Sandy: It’s going to be okay kid.

Ryan just nodded and stared at the floor. The three sat in silence; neither Sandy nor Marissa knew what to say. After a few minutes Ryan stood up.

Ryan: I should go see her.

Sandy: Yeah, we’ll wait here.

Ryan nodded and walked down the hall towards Theresa’s room. Ryan stopped in front of room 214, he slowly opened the door and saw Theresa and her mom sitting on the hospital bed. Ryan walked into the room, and Theresa and her mother looked over at him.

Theresa’s Mom: I’ll give the two of you a minute.

Theresa: Thanks.

Theresa’s mom exited the room and Ryan walked over to the bed and sat down next to Theresa.

Ryan: You okay?

Theresa didn’t say anything; she just grabbed Ryan and hugged him, and then started crying. Ryan hugged her back, and stared out the window.

Ryan: I’m sorry.

Theresa: I just can’t believe this is happening.

Theresa and Ryan stopped hugging and Theresa sat back in bed. Ryan didn’t know what to say and apparently neither did Theresa. A few seconds later, Theresa’s mom entered the room again.

Theresa’s Mom: How are you doing honey?

Theresa: I’m…I’m really not sure, I think I just want to go home.

Ryan stood up from the bed and walked across the room and leaned against the wall.

Theresa’s Mom: Okay honey, let me go talk to your doctors and make sure it’s okay.

Theresa’s mom left the room once again and Theresa turned towards Ryan.
Theresa: You can come with us, stay…in Chino.

Ryan, who had been looking down at the floor immediately looked up at Theresa.

Ryan: I can’t.

Theresa: Why?

Ryan: I’m sorry Theresa, but there is nothing left for me in Chino.

Theresa shifted her glance away from Ryan. Ryan stood up straight and began walking towards the door. Suddenly he stopped and turned around.

Ryan: Goodbye Theresa.

Ryan turned again and walked out the door. As he was leaving, he ran into Theresa’s Mom in the hall. He gave her a quick hug and they said their goodbyes. Ryan walked back into the waiting room and found Sandy and Marissa sitting on the couch. They both stood up when they saw him walk in.

Ryan: Let’s go home.