Chapter 11. With time skip.

A few days after the incident, Marissa was still in the hospital. I had pulled a couple of strings to get her treated by the best doctors and consulted with the top psychiatrist. Summer had asked me for a few days of peace and quiet, so I had to arrange other things in the meantime. I completed my high school registration for my senior year in Newport.

On the phone: "Alex, can you come pick me up? I want to go see Marissa," Summer asks in a sad voice. "Give me 20 minutes and I'll be there," I reply.

Picking her up, she gets in the car. Seeing her so sad, I grab her hand and ask softly, "Summer, how are you doing?" She looks me in the eyes but her words don't come out. "Don't worry, I've made sure she has as much attention as possible, but the hardest part is on her."

"I know..."

"Changing the subject, have you enrolled in the subjects you need?"

"No, I'm going tomorrow. With Marissa, I haven't had time to think."

"Well, I'll come with you tomorrow." "Sounds good."

< --- >

t the hospital, we see Ryan and Seth waiting to see Marissa.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask as I watch them stand there transfixed.

"Marissa's mom won't let us in. She says it's our fault what happened to her," Ryan replies.

"Nonsense. Come with me," I say indignantly.

As we approach the room, we see Julie, Marissa's mother, and Dr. Burke, the doctor.

"Good morning, Mr. Cooper. May we visit Marissa?"

"No, this is all your fault."

"I don't think it's our fault, but let's ask the expert. Dr. Burke, I'm Alexander van der Bilt, co-owner of this hospital. What's your opinion on the case?"

"According to the psychiatrist, the trajectory she has taken is due to an accumulation of events: the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend, the impending divorce of her parents, and emotional destabilization over the last few months," responds the doctor nervously.

"Then she could use a visit from friends who provide warmth and empathy," I say, staring at the doctor.

"Yes, that's what the psychiatrist recommends, surrounding herself with people who love her," replies the doctor.

"So, Mrs. Cooper, you want what's best for your daughter, don't you?" I say, smiling at the mother who never really pays attention to her daughter.

"Okay... you've convinced me," she replies.

We head to the room, which is down the hall, as the others give me looks of confusion about the conversation I had.

"Do you own part of this hospital?" Summer asks.

"Yes, 25%. The rest belongs to my father's company," I say, smiling because this investment had yielded a significant profit after the overhaul we had given it.

"Your father also works here, Summer. Didn't I tell you?" I say as I look at her.

"I think he mentioned something..." she replies.

As we enter Marissa's room, she can't hold back the tears and rushes over to hug Summer and then Ryan.

"I've missed you guys so much... thank you for being here," she says, trying to stop crying.

"That's what friends are for," Summer says.

After our reunion, we have to leave, but once everyone else is gone, I'm left alone with Marissa.

"Marissa, I know you don't want to be treated like a sick person, but I really think you need someone to listen to you." I hand her a card. "This is the best psychologist in the area. If you really want to get better and avoid having your mother try to admit you, take the initiative to ask for help."

"Thank you, Alex," she says, giving me a hug.

"Great. See you at school. If you have any problems, give me a call."

< --- >

It's now June and important events have happened, along with some not-so-important ones:

Julie blames Ryan for Marissa's problems.Ryan and Marissa officially start dating.

Ryan returns to Chino for Thanksgiving.

Luke reveals that his father is gay.

Seth introduces Ryan to the Chrismukkah tradition.

Oliver Trask, a guy Marissa meets at her psychologist's office, joins the group, causing tension.

Ryan is wary of Oliver and asks me if there is anything I can do.

I alert the family's group of investigators.

The alarm is raised about Oliver, and we nip the problem in the bud.Oliver, in an attempt to save his relationship with Marissa, tries to cheat on her, but before anything happens, one of my detectives manages to protect her.

Ryan and Theresa, his ex-girlfriend from Chino, reunite.

Caleb proposes to Julie.

Ryan and Theresa face a new situation when Theresa reveals she is pregnant.Sandy and Jimmy, along with Seth and Ryan, go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party for Caleb.Seth and Ryan face problems on the trip.

Caleb and Julie's wedding takes place.

Ryan decides to return to Chino with Theresa, leaving the Cohens.

All of this matters little to me. To say I don't give a damn is accurate. My focus at the moment is on a few key things:

First, creating a business base for the future through the acquisition of patents, factories, real estate, the creation of companies, attracting future talents, investing in long- and short-term stocks, and forming a group of talented people to manage these things while I focus on the following points.

Second, really studying. I am not a genius who understands everything at a glance, but I am pretty smart and learn things easily. Having access to any tutor, teacher, or specialist I want is much easier. So, I have been studying my current passion, which will be my profession: medicine. I have learned anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, embryology, pharmacology, microbiology, pathology, and immunology—everything you need to know in the first years of medical school.

Third, enjoying my youth. Yes, I know it sounds corny, but it's something you appreciate later on. Having a high school girlfriend, friends, and a carefree school life is a pleasure that few of us actually have.

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Author's Note:

I have decided to leave the OC, I was struggling too much to write chapters about it, so I have decided to start with gossip girl, while I was thinking about 1 chapter in the OC, I have already written 4 with gossip girl. I hope you don't mind

Tell me what you want to see in the next chapters, give some ideas.

Comment if there is anything you would like to add now or in the future. Don't be shy ;D