Watching
Title: Watching
Author: karen7375
Rating: PG… for now. J
Summary: Taylor notices and wants Ryan as soon as he starts at Harbor (#40, Prompted by
garnigal )
A/N: Written for
brandywine421 ‘s AU Challenge
A/N2: All mistakes are mine… I should really think about getting a beta…
A/N3: I’m not 100% sure about this. Its not what I originally envisioned for the challenge, but for some reason this is the direction the muses wanted to go. I see this as an 8 parter… so stay tuned.
The Heights (Revisited) Part 1a/8
She watched as he gave a sideways glare in Seth Cohen direction who said something witty, obviously uncaring of the fact that Seth is the epitome of unpopular.
She watched from across the quad as his face lit up as Marissa Cooper made her way towards him with Summer Roberts.
She watched as his look of impeding doom disappeared as he tilted his head side ways and gave her a hopeful look.
She watched as Marissa touched his forearm and with a flip of her hair and promise him a place in her world.
She watched as the glimmer of hope disappeared as Luke groveled at Marissa’s feet, looking for the forgiveness he thinks he deserves.
She watched as Luke glared at him, obviously threatened by his presence near Marissa as well as his general presence at the school.
She watched as the hopeful look reappeared when Marissa again made promises she most likely wouldn’t keep.
She watched as he walked into the school with Seth, allowing Seth to babble on about Summer Roberts without interruption. He didn’t talk, but from the way he listened, it was obvious that he didn’t care that Seth was a social outcast in the school. He was just happy to have a friend, an ally, as his new life began.
As she heard the final bell ring, she straightened her pink velvet cardigan and ran her hands over the back of her skirt before heading into the school... hoping that he’d be open to another outcast in his life.
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She watched again after school as he sat alone at the bottom of the steps, flipping aimlessly through a paperback book.
She thought then that she should go over and talk to him. But she didn’t.
She watched as Seth and a blond pixie approached him, and he glanced up, his eyes squinting at the glare of the sun.
She watched as they left him alone. Alone on his first day of school. On his first day of his new life.
She thought again that she should go over to him. But she didn’t.
She watched as Marissa Cooper approached him tentatively and the smile that formed on his lips.
She watched as the smile faded and he ducked his head and nodded that he’d be okay and that he understands. But of course he didn’t understand, but Marissa didn’t notice that.
She watched as Marissa left him with another empty promise and he makes a lame attempt at a joke about reading before she flounces off, leaving him alone again.
She watches as he picks up his bag and makes his way out of the parking lot. She again thinks she should approach him, but doesn’t. She’ll wait until it’s her time.
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She choose a new location to watch from this morning, hoping to put voice with what she saw yesterday.
She watched as they greeted each other the next morning. “Hey.” “Hi.” Real original.
She watched as they agreed that Cotton Candy trumps Funnel Cake and the way Ryan’s face lit up at the prospect of having something in common with Marissa.
She watched Marissa’s expression of surprise when Ryan told her that he was joining the soccer team. Luke was on the soccer team. Marissa didn’t tell Ryan that.
She watched as they made plans to meet after school again and then plans for the carnival. Plans that would surely be broken.
Perhaps today she’d talk to him.
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She watched from the back of the classroom as Luke entered.
“We need to talk”
“You don’t want to hear what I have to say.”
“Yes I do.”
“No.”
“All you want is for me to tell you that everything's okay now. It's not.”
“I know, and I'm so sorry.”
She watched as he approached the door and then backed up out of sight, listening.
“I don't care how you feel or what you're going through. Because you didn't care about me.”
“That's not true.”
“I slept with you. Then you slept with one of my best friends. I waited for you and you lied to me. You humiliated me.”
“Marissa...”
“It's just... I'm so sorry. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not be able to talk to you?
“You think it's easy for me?”
“Let's just start over. Please? I don't know what I'd do without you. Just because I ruined everything, it doesn't mean I didn't love you......because I did. I do.”
She watched as he turned and left the hallway, any shred of hope being left behind. But she stayed, watching the tears fall from both Marissa and Luke. She stifled a snort.
“You know what the worst part is? If I hadn't caught you......I'd still love you too. I gotta go.”
She watched as Marissa fled the room before moving from where she was hovering in the back. She walked by Luke and paused, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder and handing him a tissue before exiting.
She watched Marissa head towards the lockers and turned the other direction towards the quad.
She scurried faster as she saw him unlocking his bike, and knew that she wouldn’t miss her chance this time. Coming to a stop in front of him, she doubled over and gasped for a breath. Damn her for not listening to her mother about daily use of the treadmill.
Glancing up she saw him watching her curiously. Perfect.
“You okay?” His voice was deep and she felt a simmer of warmth deep down.
“Yeah. Hi. Taylor. Taylor Townsend.” She stuck out her hand while mentally cursing herself for not having planned this moment better.
“Ryan Atwood.” He tentatively shook her hand, continuing to watch her curiously.
“I’ve gotta get out of here…” He glanced up and looked around, his eyes fixating on something in the distance before glancing back in her direction. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I just….” She ran her fingers through her hair and glanced to where he was looking again, seeing Marissa approaching them. “Can I give you a ride? I know you have your bike, but a car is a much faster getaway. I can bring you back to get your bike.”
Ryan glanced at his bike and then towards Marissa who had paused, watching him curiously. Then he glanced towards Taylor, unable to keep from watching her breasts rising and falling desperately with each breath she took. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She reached forward and took his hand, pulling him towards her car, grateful that she had scoped out his bike earlier this morning and parked nearby.
She breathed a sigh of relief as he followed willingly, unable to keep from smiling when she noticed he was watching her ass instead of looking back at Marissa who was standing just feet away, with her hands on her hips.
The watching was over… for now atleast.
TBC