Second-hand Emotion   

Chapter 1: Ordinary Endings

"You make me sick." He hears the staccato pace of her heels as she walks away leaving him in utter embarrassment, as per usual. This scene will be erased from his mind the next time he asks again.

"I'm glad I make you feel something," he announces at her retrieving back. This sentence should be said with sarcasm, but in this circumstance, there is none.

It is their special routine. Seth approaches Summer, tries to make polite conversation while purposely ignoring her snide comments, and at the end is left standing still very much the lost puppy.

He isn't sure when this cycle is supposed to end but waits patiently in the in-between.

*

The dork needs to get a clue, she thinks while on her way to the kitchen. In the corner of her eye Summer sees a guy giving her the up and down. She turns to give him a glare but finds that he wouldn't be such a bad distraction… at least for now. So instead she flashes him a smile, challenging him, and he rises to it taking that as enough invitation to start a conversation.

"Hi." He leans into her ear to whisper something that would make Monica Lewinsky blush.

She on the other hand has heard it before, although not the exact same wording. Summer rolls her eyes but is still slightly interested when she takes another glance at his face.

They travel into the kitchen and he, Devon as she is told, reaches into the cooler taking out two Budweiser's. She ignores the bottle he tries to hand her and walks around the island reaching for the liquor. Devon's grin grows as he spies the object in her hand. They take turns until it is empty and they're both sufficiently wasted enough to admire only each other.  His gaze is moving down her body and in her light headed state she tricks herself into taking it as a compliment. Summer pulls on his wrist leading him to her room as the party rages on around them. As they enter, he quickly traps her in the small space between the door and himself.

"You're beautiful," he murmurs as he gains access to her mouth with his own. She barely hears his compliment; there is no need to butter her up. Summer deepens the kiss caught up in the moment, but it's just one moment, one night. They would both forget about each other in the morning after he climbs out her window.   

Summer is definitely not a believer in the cliché world of love. There is only lust, and when that ends, then it's time to move onto the next guy. That's something Seth needs to learn, she bitterly thinks as Devon's mouth finds hers again, because there's no way in hell she will one day wake up and believe that he is her whole reason of existence. No f*cking way…

*

Seth is found standing near the sliding door. Confidence, the voice in his head sounds biting, that's what he lacked. Says Anna who's somewhere in Tahiti. Said his mom when he was little and refused to go uninvited to a birthday party for one of the rich, spoiled brats. He remembers the million of pity glances Ryan sends his way whenever Summer is trying to feel Ryan up. Seth isn't sure why all these things slip his mind so easily when he is frequently spending his day thinking about Summer. Memories of Summer and him aren't exactly what dreams are made of.  

 The guy Summer disappeared with a while ago is probably oozing with confidence, Seth thinks resentfully while chugging down a third Budweiser… and then cringing as the taste hits the back of his mouth. He is only looking forward to when the liquid hits his stomach and he gets to the hazy aftermath. The house is blanketed in sound and he is relieved to know the sounds of Kylie Minogue will be enjoyable in a few minutes. However, after a little taste of the same music in his new induced state his opinion about Kylie Minogue still hasn't changed. Seth decides the combination of music and alcohol was more nauseating then a beer alone would ever be and he calls for a ride. Punching his home number he feels deeply indebted to whomever out there when Ryan is the one to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Ryan!" His need for calling is forgotten. "Listen man I gotta let you know how much I appreciate the fact that you screwed up so that you could end up here." Seth ambles over to an overpriced couch suddenly feeling unsteady while standing. "You've been great these past few weeks you know? A real pal."

"You're drunk." Ryan's voice is flat. He's been through this too many f*cking times to count. Though Seth's not supposed to be on the line, his mom is, telling him how much she loves him and how they're going to pull their lives together one day…

Seth's voice jars him out of unwanted thoughts. "I… am." He suddenly feels the need to get home. "That's why I was hoping you'd be a pal and come get me."

Ryan gives a disgusted sigh and says, "Yeah, I'm on my way." He stretches while trying to decide between taking Sandy's car or Kristen's. 

"Thanks, I owe you." He hears a click and the screen shows that Ryan's already hung up. Viciously shaking his head he heads toward the front door. Fresh air hits him on his way out and he welcomes its appearance while he waits. Even in his current state his mind forms a last coherent thought, the cycle had to eventually end sometime.

*

Summer wakes the next morning to the sound of rustling. She uses her elbows to support her weight while she peers over the side of her bed. She sees a half-dressed guy searching for his shirt near her bed. She delicately points its location and he reaches over to retrieve it. He pulls it on, plants a kiss on top of her head, and walks out her door in a matter of minutes. 

Guess the window's saved for bad teen movies.

Sighing she flops back into bed and feels the urge for a shower. Summer runs her hands idly through her hair contemplating today's plans. Lazily strolling out of her room she decides to call Coop after her hour-long shower.

It was just another morning to end an ordinary night.

*

Birds chirping, they need to die.

Seth groans as the morning migraine settles in his brain. He is starting to re-think the need of alcohol, at least for a week. He stumbles out of bed, falling in the process. He blindly feels for the doorknob to lead him to the bathroom where aspirin would be found. Seth's hand finally encircles the knob and he twists it thanking his stroke of luck.

"Whoa!" He blinks several times attempting to control his brain. Ryan is standing there holding a glass of water and the aspirin bottle. "Good timing."

Ryan casually lifts his right shoulder and answers, "I heard a thump from your room when I was in the bathroom. Sounded familiar."

Seth finishes gulping down his water. "I wanted to thank you again. My mom would pretty much have obliterated me if she saw me last night."

Ryan shrugs his shoulder again. "No problem, just don't expect me on duty every night."

He shakes his head reassuringly. "Not needed for a while." Seth's face brightens and then cringes. "So, what are you up for today," he asks his voice strained.

Ryan finally shows a semblance of a smile. "I'm thinking you need a few more hours of rest."

"Nah, I'd probably end up staying in the whole day." Seth starts to walk past Ryan and says over his shoulder, "Quick shower and we'll go past the pier or something for breakfast."

"Its lunchtime," Ryan calls out heading downstairs.

Seth's vision is blurred as the steam hits the bathroom mirror. He isn't such a pretty sight in the morning anyway. Seth yawns stepping into the steaming shower.

It was an ordinary morning to end another night.