Chapter 5

Anna was chuckling as Sandy demonstrated the proper way to schmear a bagel when there was a knock on the door and Marissa came into the room. She stood awkwardly with a small plant in her arms when she saw the Cohens and Anna.

"Um, I just came by to see how Ryan was doing." Marissa mumbled uncomfortably.

Kirsten, ever the polite hostess, smiled and came forward. "Thank you Marissa that's very kind of you. Ryan is doing better now. Hopefully he'll get to come home next week."

Marissa smiled. "Oh! That's good. I – uh – I brought this for Ryan." She offered up the plant in her arms. "I didn't think that he'd really want flowers."

"How sweet!" Kirsten gushed as she accepted the plant and set it on a shelf across from Ryan's bed. She glanced at Sandy. "Why don't we let you guys visit?"

Sandy nodded and shot a look at Seth. "Don't let him get worn out."

Seth saluted his father and watched as his parents walked out of the room.

Meanwhile, Marissa approached the bed with her eyes flickering between Ryan and Anna, who was sitting beside him.

"How are you feeling?" The tall blond asked hesitantly.

"Not much of anything. They've got me on a lot of stuff." Ryan replied softly. He couldn't figure out why Marissa was even there. It wasn't like they were close or anything. He couldn't help but wonder if Luke knew his girlfriend was visiting the kid from Chino and what sort of trouble this was going to mean for him.

"Oh, well that's good." Marissa replied quickly.

"How are you doing?" Ryan asked.

Marissa's eyes filled with tears. "Oh Ryan it's so awful! Everyone is saying such horrible things about my dad!"

Anna felt her jaw drop. Surely Marissa wasn't trying to make this mess about her!

"There's even a chance that he could go to jail – like he's some sort of criminal or something! My father isn't a thief!" Marissa struck the perfect picture of fragile beauty.

Anna glanced around the room to see if anyone was actually buying this crap. Seth was glaring openly at the most popular girl in Newport. Ryan was the one Anna was the most concerned about. Marissa was a beautiful girl and Ryan, after all, was just a teenage boy. There was almost a resigned look in Ryan's eyes. Anna watched him flinch a couple of times and mentally replayed Marissa's words.

"Damn you're a selfish bitch." Anna muttered. Unfortunately the words carried and everyone in the room turned to stare at her in surprise. Anna sighed. She hadn't meant for them to hear her. Oh well, in for a penny… "You didn't really just come in here to see Ryan, who your father is partially responsible for injuring in the first place and actually try to get him to comfort you from his hospital bed?"

"Just because you're heartless doesn't mean that everyone else is." Marissa shot back.

Anna's eyes narrowed. "No, I'm not heartless. I just save my compassion for those who actually need it. What exactly are you expecting Ryan to do? He's a little busy recovering from a compound fracture and two surgeries right now so you'll have to excuse him if he's not up to attending the pity party you seem to be hosting. Maybe you should find Luke. You remember him don't you? He's your boyfriend who constantly tries to pick fights with Ryan because you keep flirting with him?"

"I haven't been flirting with Ryan. I've tried to be his friend." Marissa protested self-righteously. "Luke just needs to understand that."

"Yeah, I'm sure Luke sees it that way." Anna smirked.

"That's not my problem." Marissa declared.

"Actually it is." Anna corrected her. "Because if Luke picks one more fight with Ryan due to you flirting with – I'm sorry – befriending Ryan then I'm going to kick your ass."

"Are you threatening me?" Marissa demanded.

"Hell no! I'm from Pittsburgh remember – the land of 'ew'? I can assure you I'm not afraid to throw a punch if I must. I wonder if Luke would still think you're so perfect after I mess up that pretty face?" Anna sneered.

"Wow." Seth whispered in awe at the petite blond.

Marissa stared in shock at the other girl before glancing around at the others. Realizing that they weren't going to reprimand the angry teen, she decided that retreat would be her best option. Sniffing indignantly, Marissa glared at Anna before turning her eyes to Ryan. "I hope you feel better soon." With that, the lead debutant stalked angrily out of the room.

Anna sighed heavily and looked around apologetically. "Sorry, but I couldn't stand her whining any longer."

"That was awesome." Seth breathed, still amazed that someone had told off Marissa Cooper. "Um, if you decide to go after her would you call me so I could watch?"

Anna shot him a grateful smile and then turned her attention to Ryan. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have gone after her if you wanted her here."

Ryan shook his head. His eyes were wide and the expression on his face was similar to Seth's. "No, you were right. Luke would have been pissed."

Just then the door opened to let Sandy and Kirsten back into the room.

"We saw Marissa going down the hall. She looked pretty upset. Is everything okay?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah, Anna gave her a verbal smack down when she started crying about everyone being so mean to Mr. Cooper." Seth informed his parents.

"Jimmy's in a lot of trouble." Kirsten stated. "Marissa's got every right to be upset."

"Nothing he didn't earn." Sandy declared curtly, "And Ryan's got enough on his plate."

Kirsten looked over at her foster son. "He's right. Marissa's problems have nothing to do with you. You just concentrate on getting better."

Ryan smiled at his foster mother and allowed himself to relax into his pillow. He fell asleep in between blinks.

Anna tenderly pulled the blanket up to Ryan's chest while being careful not to disturb his arm. She stood up and put her purse over her shoulder.

"I'm going to leave and let Ryan get some rest." Anna declared. "Is it okay if I come by later?"

"I think that Ryan would like that." Kirsten replied. "Thank you for coming Anna, I know it meant a lot to Ryan."

"Ryan's a good guy." Anna stated with a shrug.

"This town hasn't been the most accepting. I'm glad he has you in his corner." Sandy said softly.

Anna smiled sweetly. "I'll see you later."

The Cohen family watched the blond girl walk out of the room. Kirsten settled herself on the couch with her coffee and watched Ryan sleep. Sandy sat next to her and draped his arm around her shoulders.

"How impossible is it going to be for me to talk you into going home and getting some rest?" Sandy asked.

"I'm not leaving him while he still has the infection." Kirsten declared, never taking her eyes off her sleeping son.

"That's what I figured." Sandy sighed. "Did you get a chance to talk to him?"

"Yes, he knows that I want to be his mother now." Kirsten nodded with a soft smile before leaning her head on her husband's shoulder.

Seth was oddly silent as he listened to his parents talk. It was a relief to know that his mom actually cared about his new brother. Seth glanced over at the sleeping teen. Now Ryan just needed to get better and come home.

TBC…