**
Seth was dying. The ninja swiftly swung his blade into his chest and that was that. Seth Cohen was a dead man.
"Seth, you have a visitor." Sandy Cohen walked into the living room with Marissa.
Seth looked up from his video game. "Oh, hey, Marissa."
She smiled and joined him on the couch.
"Do you two want anything to eat or drink?" Sandy asked.
"No, thanks," Marissa said.
"How about some iced tea?" Seth said.
"Okay," Sandy said, turning to go.
"And, Dad, while you're in the kitchen, how about fixing me up a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, and a little bit of mayo?" Seth said. "I'm trying to watch my figure."
"Funny, Seth," Sandy said. "I'll just leave you guys alone."
"Do you always give your dad a hard time?" Marissa said smiling.
"That was nothing," Seth said with a shrug. "So, what brings you over to my side of the driveway?"
"I was bored," she said.
"And you came here to be unbored?" Seth asked with surprise.
"Actually…"
"Say no more," Seth said, "but if you're looking for Ryan, he's at work right now. You're more than welcome to hang out here until he comes back though."
"Thanks." She leaned back on the couch. "So, what are you playing?"
"Ninja Masters 4," he said. "Much too complicated and kind of gory, if you're offended by animated blood that is."
"I'll give it a try," she said.
He handed her the other game controller. "Okay, but you've been warned."
**
Another day wasted working at the Crab Shack. Ryan waved to the rest of the guys who had closed with him and went to the bike rack. He took off his blue work shirt and put on his gray hooded sweatshirt over his white shirt. As he got on his bike, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps on the boardwalk.
Summer was walking up to him.
"Isn't it kind of late for a walk?" he said with a smirk.
"So?"
He noticed the edge in her voice. "What? Did you break a nail today or something?"
"Fuck you." She continued walking. She heard Ryan's bike next to her. "Leave me alone."
"Hey, sorry," he said. "I didn't mean anything by what I said."
She turned away from him. "Yeah, okay."
"So, what's wrong?" he asked, slowly pedaling his bike beside her.
"Like you care." The edge was back.
"I don't," he said, "but it might help if you talked to someone."
Summer stopped walking. Ryan stopped with her and waited for her to say something.
"I hate my parents," she said after a moment.
"Yeah?"
"They go away for weeks and when they come home, all they want to do is control my life," she continued. She looked up at him. "My dad wants me to stop hanging out with Marissa."
"Really?" Ryan said. "What did you say to him?"
"I tried to tell him that Marissa's, like, my only friend," Summer said. "He didn't listen to me. All he cares about is making sure I don't taint his name, but I mean, god, he's not exactly a saint either."
Ryan smiled.
"What?" she said.
"Nothing," he said. "It's just that I understand where you're coming from, that's all."
"You do?"
"Yeah, kind of shocking, huh? You have something in common with the kid from Chino." Summer's reaction was full of disbelief. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
"So, what's your story?" she asked. "Why do you hate your parents?"
"Well, for one thing, my mom kind of abandoned me," he said.
Summer noticed the hurt in his eyes, but it immediately vanished as if a stone wall came into place.
"I think it's the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said. "I mean, the Cohens took me in their home instead of letting me rot in jail, you know. I have no complaints there." He paused. "Is this bonding thing kind of creeping you out?"
"Just a little," Summer said.
"Same here." Ryan put his feet on the bike pedals. "So, do you need me to walk you home?
"I can manage," she said.
"I insist."
"Well, okay, then."
They started moving again.
"I won't tell anyone about this either," Ryan said.
**
"Dude! You are totally kicking my ass!" Seth punched the A button, the B button, the A and B button at the same time—it didn't matter. Marissa was definitely going to win this battle.
Game Over appeared on the TV screen and Marissa burst into laughter.
"Alright, Cohen, I believe you owe me ten bucks," she said with a smug expression. She held out her hand. "Pay up."
Seth reluctantly reached inside his pocket and pulled out some cash. He found a ten dollar bill and gave it to her. "I just don't understand it. I haven't been able to beat this game all week and you come over and do it."
"What I can say?" she said, waving the money in his face. "I'm that good."
"That's it." Seth stood up. "I'm kicking you out of my house."
Marissa laughed again. "What?"
Seth pointed a finger to the door. "Get out, Marissa, I mean it."
"Uh-huh, whatever," she said, turning away from him.
"Yeah, the tough guy thing never did work for me," Seth said, lowering his hand.
Marissa glanced up at the clock. "Oh, wow, it's pretty late." She got up from her seat. "I should be getting back home. Can you just tell Ryan I stopped by?"
"Sure," Seth said.
They walked to the door together.
"So, is it too much to ask for a rematch?" Seth said.
"Anytime, anyplace," Marissa said.