A/N: So here's where Seth will be making his entrance… after this chapter there will be a lot more Seth-Summerness and potentially some more fluff. Well, it hasn't been fluffy to this point, but you get it. If you want to know when/if Seth & Summer get together, send me a PM and I'll let you know… just don't want to spoil it for everyone.

I also put a link for the trailer "In the Land of Women" (starring Adam Brody) in my profile… he seems a bit Sethy in it

Keep reviewing & I'll keep posting…

Disclaimer: Not mine.

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"Summer, I'm not going to play phone messenger anymore!" Jed said, following Summer into her bedroom, holding yet another post-it with Nick's phone number.

"Fine, don't. I just won't answer the phone," she replied, focusing on her packing. It had been two weeks since she had slept with Nick, and two weeks since she had last spoken to him. Avoidance was an understatement.

"Don't you think he should know how you feel?" Jed asked. He had spent the past two weeks playing cuddle bitch to Summer, whose emotions had been on edge throughout finals season.

"No. In America, we don't display feelings." She zipped up her final suitcase and plopped it on the floor. Her flight would be leaving later in the evening, at which time she would head to Newport for a week before starting her summer internship at AOL's Los Angeles office.

"Funny, Summer. Just tell him that you're leaving for the summer. Is it that hard? He's been calling every day… he seems to care about you."

"I don't feel like it," Summer whined. She knew that Nick wasn't a bad guy by any means but she was too mortified to call him back after playing kiss-and-hide for the past few weeks.

"Then facebook message, e-mail, send a letter via carrier pigeon. Something. He deserves to know."

"Fine!" Summer yelled, grabbing the post-it out of Jed's hand. "But this is my going away present to you!" She slammed the door.

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"Have a great summer, Summer," Jed said, giving her a final hug at LaGuardia.

"You too… I'm going to miss our cuddle sessions," she said.

"Well, you'll be back in September… and I won't suggest substituting Brad as my teddy bear," Jed said, referring to the guy who would be subletting Summer's room for the summer. "Take care, and don't let Seth get in your head too much." Summer bit her lip.

"Okay, I'll call you when I get there. Enjoy the summer in the city," Summer said, smiling, before she passed through the security checkpoint.

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Summer entered her house, after grabbing a cab from the airport. She threw her suitcases down and entered her room.

"Oh, you're back," Kaitlin Cooper said, deadpan. She flicked off the remote on Summer's television and began to leave the room.

"Where is everyone?" Summer asked.

"Oh, Mom and your dad are at the Yacht Club, having dinner with the Cohens." Summer looked down when hearing the name. "By the way, the Cohens are hosting a party at their house tomorrow and we're expected to be in attendance. Although I got some hash to get us through the night."

"What happened to Marissa's kid sister?" Summer asked.

"I'm only four years younger than you, y'know. And it's not like you weren't…"

"I get it Kaitlin. Anyways, I'm kind of tired, so I think I'm going to go to sleep now, if you don't mind." Kaitlin headed towards the door.

"Well, welcome back," she said, leaving. Summer closed the door and walked to her bed. She called Jed.

"You're alive!" Jed exclaimed, sarcastically.

"Yep, and guess where I'll be tomorrow?" Summer replied, deadpan.

"Newport?"

"At Seth Cohen's house. His parents are hosting a party for the Newpsies and I've just been informed that my attendance is expected. God, Jed, what am I going to do?"

"Call in sick?"

"Unfortunately I used that excuse too much in high school and my dad caught on."

"Then go. Be social. Just don't let Seth know how much he's gotten under your skin."

"Grrrr. Fine. So, looking forward to Brad's arrival?"

"Hmmm, maybe. Though I'm hoping he's not as… emotional… as you."

"Jed!"

"Kidding, Summer. Now be good and tell Seth I say hi."

"Later."

"Later."

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Summer looked at herself in the mirror one more time. She was wearing a tea-length maroon cocktail dress and had straightened her hair with a flat iron. She applied some lip gloss to her lips and mascara to her eyes. After donning a pair of new stilettos, she walked down the stairs of the Roberts mansion, where Kaitlin was waiting for her.

"Nice, Sum," she said. Kaitlin had opted for the shorter, raunchier look, showing off the attributes of her newfound adolescence. "Maybe we'll both get lucky tonight."

"Whatever. Let's just get it over with," Summer said as they walked towards the car.

Summer and Kaitlin arrived at the party. Katilin made a beeline towards the bar while Summer wandered around aimlessly. Being at school on the opposite side of the country made it more difficult for her to keep in touch with her high school crew, and few of them were likely to be at this party given they were probably pre-gaming for the rager at Holly's house later in the evening. Then she saw Cohen out of the corner of her eye. He had beefed up a little, though was still thinner and scrawnier than the rest of the guys from Harbor. He was wearing a well-fitted sport coat and slacks, with a more vintage looking shirt underneath and his signature Converse. Yet there was no Anna in sight. She was probably in the bathroom or something. Summer went to the bar and ordered a drink. It was going to be a long night.

Suddenly, Summer felt a tap on her back. She turned around, only to be staring square at Seth's chest.

"Summer!" he exclaimed.

"Um, hi," she responded.

"Well, I'm glad you could make it." Don't let him know he's under your skin. Don't let him know…

"I was forced into it. I'm going to be taking off soon, anyways."

"How are you? I haven't seen you since…"

"Graduation," she let slipped. Actually, she had seen him and Anna on the pier two days before she left for college, but she was better off not mentioning her semi-stalking behavior.

"Yeah. Um… so what have you been up to?"

"You know, college. I'm at NYU, so not around here much anymore."

"I know what you mean. Brown's just about as far – and even colder. I didn't think that I could get any pastier, but lo and behold." Summer let out a small giggle before catching herself and making a serious face.

"Not talking much, I see?" Seth said. "What are your summer plans?"

"Going to LA next week to start my internship."

"No way! I'm going to be there too… there's a comic book company that's hiring me for the summer. We should totally chill down there, I mean, I don't know anyone in LA and I doubt that you do." I would totally want to, Summer thought. Summer with Cohen. And Anna. Not doing that whole third wheel thing again.

"LA is a big city. I doubt I'll see you," Summer stated, coldly.

"Why don't you give me your phone number…"

"That's okay. I'm sure you'll be busy enough with Anna. Now excuse me, I have to go," Summer said, pushing her way past Seth and to her car, before he could get out another word.

Summer got into her car and drove as fast as possible to her house. Damn, she thought, I really fucked up tonight.