Author Note: Thanks for all the feedback! I really appreciate everything you guys have to say, whether its negative or positive. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. =)

I Believe in Love

Chapter 4

Summer stretched out on her couch in the living while watching an all-day marathon of The Valley with Marissa. The girls shared a bowl of pop-corn and a can of coke. Summer's eyes were red and blood-shot, and her mascara and eyeliner had run down the bottom of her eyes.

"Sum, are you ever going to tell me what happened with Seth?" Marissa asked concerned.

Summer shook her head, "Some things are just better left un-said."

"But, look at you, you are miserable." Marissa insisted.

Summer shrugged her shoulders, wiping away a falling tear, "It's the show. Always brings me to tears."

"Well, that's just plain sad. C'mon tell me Summer." Marissa pleaded.

Summer rolled her eyes, hoping it would keep the tears from falling, "He didn't want me Marissa. Not like I ever really expected him to."

"Seth Cohen didn't want you? What are you talking about?" Marissa asked confused.

Summer bit on her lower and turned back to the television, she took a deep breath in, trying to control the shakiness in her voice, "Its not even worth it anymore. He made some bet Coop. A bet with Chris Michaels, none the less. I just need to forget about him and it."

"That doesn't sound like Seth." Marissa pointed out matter of factly.

Summer nodded her head and shrugged her shoulders, "No you're right, it doesn't sound like him. And maybe it wasn't him but just the fact that I don't know. I mean, why would I suddenly get a guy that cares after years of guys that don't? I mean, they don't see me like that Marissa. I shouldn't expect them too."

"Just because they didn't doesn't mean he doesn't. You can't punish him for their mistakes." Marissa suggested.

Summer sighed, "I guess. It's easier than getting your heart broken though."

Seth had resorted back to just staying in his house or just going out with Ryan. He wasn't ready to face Summer yet. He had no idea what to say or what to do. He knew that whatever she thought was hurting her and knew he had to think of something fast before he lost her completely. All he knew was how much he cared about her. But he didn't know exactly how to verbalize it.

Ryan helped. Anna tried to help. Even his house-keeper had given him words of advice. He just couldn't follow it. He needed to do it his own way. But, he also needed the reassurance from others. Seth wanted to hear what they thought and what they would do in his place.

Sandy had knocked on Seth's bedroom door.

"Can I come in?" Sandy asked peeking in through the door.

Seth shrugged, "Not doing anything better."

"How are you holding up?" Sandy asked, pretending to be unaware of his girl problems.

Seth nodded his head and tried to act unfazed, "Fine."

"Good to hear." Sandy replied.

The two just looked at one another in awkward silence. It was clear that Sandy wanted to say something but also was unsure of what exactly to say. Ryan had clued him in on the fact that things had not gone well with Summer. But, Sandy didn't want to let Seth know that.

"Are you okay Seth? You haven't been eating dinner, no begging me for money to buy video games and comics, in fact I don't think I've seen you play a video game in a week. Or even go out much in a week. Your skateboard just sits out and I mean, Rosa hardly gets to clean your room because you are always in it."

Seth chuckled, "If I said yes after all that, would you actually believe me?"

"Ah, probably not." Sandy replied with a smirk, taking a sit down next to Seth on his bed, "So what's wrong son?"

"Eh, you know, that adolescent phase known as teenage girls." Seth said jokingly.

Sandy smiled, "Ah, aren't they always the cause? What happened?"

"To be honest, I have no idea. There was something happening with this girl, kind of, and then when I thought we were like getting somewhere. It just stopped. And I don't know what to do or what to think." Seth stated bitterly.

Sandy nodded his head, "Well, Sitting around will never make them come back Seth. Whatever it is, for whatever reason it didn't work out you need to talk to her first. See what see thinks, see what you think. Then work from there Seth. Just lay it out there."

"Yeah, I know. I just don't want to be like a gushing loser, but I don't want to be babbling idiot either."

"Be a bit of both." Sandy replied with a chuckle.

Seth smiled, "I hope you're right about that."

"I married your mother didn't I?"

Summer decided that a trip the mall might be the best medicine for her uncertainty. Whenever she went shopping she mostly was in her own world and didn't think too much about much else than clothes and whatnot.

Summer tried to get more excited at the mall, usually she was overly enthusiastic when a store had her size or she got a shirt on sale. But nothing seemed to excite her lately. It took a lot to please her and she was just not happy or into much.

Summer bumped into someone while walking out towards her car after an unsuccessful shopping excursion. She ended up dropping her keys underneath a car.

"Shit." She muttered under her breath and bended down on the ground to get them.

Anna who was just leaving her car walked past Summer who was on the ground trying to get her keys. Anna smiled to herself. She walked over and offered her assistance.

"Need help?" Anna asked.

"I'm just fine, thanks." Summer from underneath the car called out. She pulled herself out from under the car and sat up.

Anna smiled, "I'm Anna, you're Summer right?"

"Yeah, hey." Summer replied dryly.

Anna shrugged her shoulders, "I was at that banquet a little while ago."

"Oh right. Cool." Summer said not very interested.

Anna tilted her head and bit down on her lip, "This is going to sound weird. And I don't even know if I should say anything but I'm going to. I know what happened with Seth. He told me about it. And don't get mad, I basically had to force it out of him, but I could tell he was upset. But, he really likes you Summer. And, I don't know him well and I certainly don't know you well but I'm also not completely clueless. You're lucky to have someone that cares that much. I just, I think you should give me another chance or whatever."

"No offense but how can you be so sure?" Summer asked pursing her lips together.

Anna shook her head confused, "Be so sure of what?"

"That he cares so much? I mean, he might say it, but guys lie. That's what they do." Summer responded back coldly.

Anna let out a sigh, "Not all guys. I can tell you've probably been hurt by guys before. But, I feel rather confident in saying that Seth's motives are in the right place Summer. Not every guy is exactly the same."

"That's what everyone keeps on saying." Summer mumbled softly.

Anna nodded her head, "Well I can tell I've overstepped my place here. I just thought I should let you know. I'll see ya."

"No, I'm sorry," Summer started realizing how rude she was being, "Don't mind me, sometimes I just spit things out I don't even really mean. I appreciate you coming and telling me that. Seth is lucky to have a friend like that."

"Seth's a really good guy, but just to clarify; Seth and I are just friends. In fact, all we've ever talked about is you actually." Anna told her.

Summer smiled, "It was nice talking to you."

"You too, Summer."

"I'll see ya."

"Oh, Summer?" Anna called out.

Summer turned back around, "Yeah?"

"Good luck."

Seth clutched his hands before knocking on the door. He had to think of a reason why he'd be at her house. Needed to borrow something? Could work, but what? He needed to say how he got her address, and didn't want to make it sound as though he was a stalker. Even though he knew at this point he was past worrying about being considered a stalker.

He brought his hand up and curled it into a fist, ready to knock just when the front door opened. He stood there in shock and grew kind of nervous. He took a deep breath and hoped that it was Summer instead of anyone else at the door.

Except with his luck, it was anyone else. A man with slightly graying hair stood in front of Seth, looking at him confused and lost.

Seth had to think fast and do something, he extended his hand, "I'm uh, Seth Cohen sir."

"Good to know," The man began, his forehead becoming scrunched up in confusion, "Why are you here?"

"Well, I, I sort of know your daughter. Well that is that she is your daughter, which I think she is. Wow, I'm just babbling on here. I'm here to talk to Summer, if she's home." Seth finished, his cheeks flushed.

The man smiled, "You are quite the character. But, I expected no less from the things I heard from Summer."

"The things you heard from Summer?" Seth repeated out-loud.

Summer's father nodded his head, "Oh yes, you've certainly made a good impression on my daughter," Mr. Roberts stopped and looked up the stairs, "If you want you can go right up the stairs over there, go straight down the hall and make a left and it's the second door in."

"Sounds like a maze. Thanks Mr. Roberts." Seth said with a smile. He made his way towards the winding marble staircase. He had pictured Summer's home to be like this, fancy yet not overdone. But that it was classy and elegant.

Seth was upstairs now and was right outside Summer's room. He could hear the faint sound of television, which sounded like 'The Valley,' in their short time together he had heard her gush about how it was her favorite show. He knocked on the door. He took a step back and a deep breath.

"It's open, come in." Summer called out.

Seth turned the doorknob, he knew she was going to be surprised and probably furious. So he was preparing himself, "Uh, hey Summer."

"Cohen?" Summer exclaimed, "Oh my god."

Summer was dressed in a white tank top and pink sweats. Her hair was tied up in a messy pony-tail, and she had no makeup on. Seth thought she had never looked prettier. She uncomfortably played with her bracelet on her wrist.

"How'd you get in?" Summer asked, still visibly surprised.

Seth shrugged his shoulders, "Your dad, he let me in."

"Yeah, right, okay," Summer paused, there was a long awkward silence, "Why are you here?"

Seth smiled softly, "Like father, like daughter. Well, um, I'm here because of you. I don't know exactly what happened the other day at the beach. But, I don't care right now. Because whatever it was, I never meant it, because if it hurt you then I'm so sorry. You have to know Summer, ever since I was 10, all I wanted to do was to make you happy," Seth took a step back, "You, uh, you are all I ever wanted. You're everything to me Summer. Always have been, and you always will."

Summer just looked at him speechless. She felt her heart rising up in her throat, and her stomach was filled with butterflies. She had felt it. Summer couldn't describe it, it was like a rush but it felt good. She moved in closer to Seth, her hand brushed up against his and she felt chills.

"Did you mean that?" Summer asked him gently.

Seth nodded, bowing his head slightly, "Every word."

Summer reached up and put her arms around Seth's neck. She pulled him in closer to her for a hug. She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled. She felt so safe and comfortable just standing there.

"Thanks," She whispered in his ear, "And, sorry."

Seth moved a way and looked down at her, "Why are you sorry?"

"I knew you didn't do it. I knew you wouldn't make a bet to get with me. But, Its just like, I didn't get why. I don't get why you like me." Summer replied shrugging her shoulders.

Seth shook his head, "Summer, you are all I ever wanted. Trust me when I say I want to be with you."

"I'm trying." Summer told him with her soft dark eyes.

Seth pulled her back into his chest. He missed the way her hair smelt and the way her head fit right into his chest. He knew that he wasn't going to let rumors and lies tear them apart this time. They were stronger than that. Seth leaned down and kissed Summer, he ran his hands up her cheeks.

"Let's never fight again." Seth stated breathless.

Summer scrunched her nose, "Deal."

Seth extended his arm around her shoulder; he pulled him close to her and ran his hand over her hair, slightly messing it up.

"Cohen!" Summer screeched.

Seth smiled and the two walked out of her room, hands in unison. They looked up at one another and smiled. It was obvious in their eyes that they were happy and trusted each other. It's when you start to believe in the person, that you can actually believe in love.

The End