Because I liked the idea of lying without words. And the idea of everyone knowing your secret but you.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Every time Seth kisses Summer, he's lying to her.

She doesn't know it yet, but Marissa does. She sees how Seth looks at Ryan and how he always looks away from Summer when they're kissing, as though he's not focused on her, like he should be.

She knows, but she won't tell Summer, because it would break her. And that's the last thing Marissa wants to do.

Ryan knows too. He wants to tell Seth that he doesn't have to keep up this pretense, but unlike Seth, who is so articulate, he doesn't have the words.

So Seth keeps kissing Summer, and the secret grows until even Summer can't deny it. If she's surprised, it's only because she didn't realize it sooner, or because Seth hasn't broken up with her already. She's not surprised by the fact that he's in love with Ryan, or that he's not in love with her, because that seems obvious, somehow, the moment she realizes it.

This can't continue, Summer thinks one day at the movies. They've been going to the movies more and more lately, probably because in the dark of the theater, Seth can pretend he's here with the person he wishes he were here with. She needs to end it.

"When are you going to break up with me, already?"

"What?"

"Come on, Seth. It's not like I don't know you're in love with Ryan. Why are we together?"

"It's... it's not... Summer," he pleads.

"No. Don't," she whispers, and walks out, leaving Seth to wonder what just happened and why everyone seems to be in on it but him.