Chương 17: Chino boys breakfast
Stiles was a no-nonsense kind of guy.
He drove Marissa to the hospital, called her mother, and then drove Summer home that night.
He had no interest in getting involved or concerning himself with whatever drama might unfold between Julie Cooper and her alcoholic daughter.
Stiles didn't have his own driver's license yet, he was still 15, but that wasn't something Summer or Holly—the person from whom he borrowed the car—needed to know.
Ryan had loyally shut his mouth on the way.
He was always a devoted cousin who believed in Stiles' driving abilities and his reasons for keeping secrets from women.
Seth, who was learning the game of love and courting, didn't ask questions either, despite the fact that he knew Stiles's age well by now…
Holly had let Stiles borrow her car, which she would have picked up the next day by someone working for her family.
The group was returning home because Holly had decided to spend the night at Summer's house for convenience's sake.
*
Minutes later.
On the Cohens' ridiculously large front house parking lot.
"You took a big risk tonight." Ryan said to Stiles after Seth entered the house before they did.
Seth was overjoyed but exhausted.
"Driving without a license can't exactly be called risky where we come from, since when was it?" Stiles reacted with a chuckle.
"It's certainly mild in comparison to what we did, but you can't do the things you did with Cora here any longer, just a reminder. I'm tired, so I'll come in ahead of you." Ryan shrugged and said.
The next thing Stiles knew, he was walking through the front door.
Feeling mentally exhausted and not in the mood to decipher the emotions of others, Stiles didn't need to read his cousin's heart to understand him anyway.
"Looks like this guy accidentally stumbled upon the love of his life tonight, didn't he?" He muttered to himself as he also entered the house a few moments later.
He laughed as he closed and locked the front door behind him.
Stiles, of course, was not going to screw things up for his cousin.
Except for Seth, who was still learning how to drive, he was the only one who didn't drink like an imbecile tonight.
****************************
Stiles awoke the next morning in an unusually upbeat mood.
Ryan's heart seemed to be growing distant from the complicated Marissa, and with Naomi in Newport these days, that distance was only going to grow.
Stiles would have teased Ryan about being more concerned with him causing trouble if it hadn't been for the memory of Naomi's arrival yesterday.
A love arrival.
Stiles welcomed more if they were all so good, and he was already in love with this world.
Stiles had been close friends with Cora for many years, and while he had feelings for her, it was a rational kind of love.
His happiness had naturally increased now that he had obtained his reincarnation cheat and found himself in Newport, a much more pleasant environment.
"Morning." The pensive Stiles was alone in the kitchen eating milk cereals because he woke up earlier than most when Ryan arrived.
"You look like a zombie." Stiles remarked as he ate another milky, crunchy mouthful.
"I may have had a bit too much to drink, but it was totally worth it," Ryan remarked, reaching up to open a high drawer in the kitchen.
"Where are the cereals?" He asked, not knowing what he was looking for.
"You're still half asleep this morning," Stiles chuckled, replying while the cereal and milk were placed in front of him on the kitchen counter where he was enjoying his breakfast.
Ryan had no idea what he wanted to eat.
He also wasn't familiar with the house or how things, utensils, and foods were arranged in it.
"I suppose," Ryan admitted, not denying the obvious, and took a seat directly across from Stiles at the opposite end of the counter.
As he was about to open the cereal box and reach for the milk, Stiles interjected, "Actually, Ryan, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Ryan asked, not particularly curious.
He was aware that when Stiles began a conversation like this, it usually didn't bring good news.
It generally didn't bode well at all.
"You know how I ended up getting myself a girlfriend last night, right?" Stiles began.
"Yes?" Ryan frowned.
"Actually, I had a brief encounter with another girl at the beach before meeting Summer last night… We didn't say much or draw any conclusions, but her dad seemed to approve of our little beach date," Stiles revealed calmly while eating.
He spoke as if there was no problem, despite clearly sharing something that could become complicated.
"She happens to be our next-door neighbor, and I feel like she's related to the smoking milf who visited us yesterday morning," Stiles continued, as Ryan listened intently.
—Much to his surprise in the early morning.
"... What do you expect me to say?" Ryan paused, scowling with a knowing look. "Don't dive headfirst into danger?"
"Something along those lines," Stiles grinned, chuckling.
"Just make sure you're careful, alright? I know you well enough not to worry, but we're in unfamiliar territory here," Ryan sighed, his brows raised slightly in a hint of annoyance.
He then grabbed his spoon and started eating.
"Not for that long in unfamiliar territory..." Stiles spoke up, a little excitedly. He then stated, "I think Kirsten's going to let Sandy adopt us."
"Are you sure?" Ryan frowned yet again.
He didn't try to figure out how Stiles came to that conclusion because his cousin had always been odd, and he was well aware of it.
The only thing Stiles seemed to struggle with was school, but he was still a B+ student.
"100%. You know you can put your trust in me." Stiles bowed his head.
"That's some news…" Ryan said.
"You're not happy?" Stiles asked.
"I am, I'm just surprised. There's also mom and all..." Ryan reacted.
"Auntie Dawn, huh?" Stiles considered his aunt, his father's sister.
In this life, she was a Stilinski.
She was unique, but Stiles wasn't concerned about her.
Ryan, unlike Stiles, cared deeply for his mother, as any loving son would.
However, her ongoing battle with mental issues was intertwined with feelings of shame and worry.
Ryan couldn't help but feel disappointed and frustrated as he observed his mother's pattern of engaging in hasty and tumultuous relationships, which were often fueled by her alcoholism.
He knew she put too much energy and effort into these shaky relationships, which increased his concern for her well-being.
Ryan was torn and conflicted as he realized he would have the opportunity for a better life, free of the burdens of his mother's problems.
On the one hand, he desired a fresh start, free of the constant worries and difficulties associated with his mother's mental health and unstable relationships.
The prospect of a brighter future filled with stability and security drew him in.
On the other hand, he was plagued by feelings of guilt and loyalty.
He couldn't help but feel conflicted about leaving his mother behind, knowing how much she relied on him.
It was a difficult decision to make because he was torn between his own ambitions and his responsibilities to his family.
"Don't think too much." Stiles drew him out of his thoughts and told him, "I'm here with you, I'm family too."
"You can only take better care of her later if you start thinking about your future now." Stiles said again, preventing Ryan from succumbing to what he called the hood boy syndrome.
—A guilt syndrome that did not only affect people who grew up in the hood.
It also affected those who desired to fit in.
"I guess." Ryan sighed and resumed his morning meal. "You know where's the juice here?" he asked, his thoughts turning for the better.
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