Disclaimer: Fox and Josh Schwartz own The O.C. not me

"So you and Lauren are still not speaking?" Kirsten asked.

Seth shook his head.

"You're still trying to talk to her?" Kirsten prodded.

"Yes, Mom. She gives me short answers. Simple yes or no or the occasional shrug."

"Oh."

"I just don't get it. We talked. Ok well actually we yelled but I've tried to be reasonable. Ever since that day at Summer's…she told me that she doesn't want me to talk to Summer anymore. How am I supposed to do that? She's the maid of honor. I'm the best man. We work side-by-side. It's not my fault," Seth explained.

"So she hasn't spoken to you since that night that you fought?"

"Not for a week…she hates me…but at least she didn't break up with me. I mean technically we're still engaged…we're just not…speaking to each other."

"I'm sorry, honey. I'm sure she doesn't hate you though," Kirsten said and hugging Seth.

"No need for the emotional hugs, Mom," Seth joked.

"So sorry," Kirsten smiled.

"Maybe, maybe coming back here was a mistake."

"Seth, don't say that. I love having you home."

"No, I mean I'm glad to be home…but just maybe I shouldn't have taken four months to bring Lauren here. I mean things have been going down hill for us ever since we got here. She used to be so…so laid back and…and she was funny. Ever sine we came to Newport she's been…well to say jealous would be understatement. Mom, she's been a real bitch. I mean she's a great girl and, and we're engaged and everything but-," Seth started to explain.

"Do you love her?"

"I- I…I thought I did."

"If you don't…don't marry her, Seth…not if you don't mean it," Kirsten replied softly.

"I just don't know, Mom. It was all so simple before I came here. I had Lauren and she had me. We, we loved each other, ya know. But now…all we do is fight. She's completely withdrawn in front of everyone else and when we're alone…we fight. Why does she always have to screw up my life?" Seth asked.

"Lauren? How does she always-,"

"Not Lauren."

"Oh…I see."

"It was fine. On TV she was just…somebody else. But here, I can't pretend that she's a stuck up celebrity…because she's not. She's, she's still Summer…my Summer," Seth confessed.

"Seth, can I talk to you?" Lauren asked, standing in the doorway.

Seth looked at his mom with wide eyes then nodded, "Yeah…um…sure."

"I'm sorry but I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"I can't keep pretending that everything will be okay when it's clearly not," Lauren replied.

Seth lowered his head.

"I'm not stupid, Seth. I see the way you look at her. I can't compete with that."

"I'm not asking you to," Seth said suddenly. "I'm engaged to you, not Summer."

"You're engaged to me? You didn't even ask me. It's always been my dream to have prince charming ride up and say 'yeah ok let's get married'. Sure you gave me ring. But you gave me a ring that should rightfully be hers," Lauren replied softly.

"What? That's crazy. I gave you a ring that belongs to you. It's yours."

"Fine! The ring might be, but your heart isn't."

"Lauren-," Seth started.

"I want to be wrong, Seth. I want so badly to be wrong about this…about you. But I know I'm right."

"You're wrong."

"Tell me you don't love her," Lauren said, her eyes practically begging him to say it.

"I don't," Seth replied, not meeting her eyes.

"No, Seth. Look at me. Look at me and say it. Say I don't love Summer Roberts. I want to hear you say it," Lauren begged with tears in her eyes.

"I…I can't," Seth whispered, lowering his eyes.

"Then I can't," Lauren replied and handed him her ring.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't! Don't apologize. I don't want to hear it."

"Lauren-,"

"Stop! Nothing you say right now will change anything."

Seth nodded slowly.

"I'm just going to pack my things and try to get a flight back to New York for like tomorrow or something," Lauren said quietly.

"Alright."

(AN: That's the real reason I stayed up late last night, I couldn't wait for the breakup any longer! So there you are! Lauren and Seth are finished...except she hasn't left yet so be prepared for some great drama in the next chapter! But don't worry she's leaving...she's just not going quietly.)